wrote in message
oups.com...
soundhaspriority,
I feel your pain getting a straight answer here. Yes, of course,
tubes are just little glass bottles and some people want to get away
with "just use your ears and go try every audio device on the planet
and decide for yourself." And of course sound is subjective, but then
we don't all have time or interest to go out and "try everything" which
is why we turn to forums to try to solicite opinions about what has and
hasn't worked for others.
So what I can say to you is that I own a Marshall/MXL69V tube mic -
which may or may not bear any resemblence to the ones you're looking
at. But mine sounds harsh all around with a very brittle top end. It
was $299. I was seduced by the idea of a tube mic and had just been in
a reputable studio in Sausalito, CA where they had just taken delivery
of 5 of them, so I figured it was worth a try. It wasn't. At roughly
the same time I bought an Audio Technica AT4033, which has no tubes.
But it has a much warmer, smoother sound. To my ears it has a rich,
full low end, a warm smooth mid, and a smooth, if somewhat unfocused
and dull top. But for $299 it is the best mic I've found for achiving
what it sounds like you might be after.
As for a pre, I really like the UA 6176 as an all around box to
possibly get the sound you're after, though they're not cheap.
Also, I own a GT Brick Tube DI/Mic Pre that I like very much for the
"shimmer" and depth that it adds to instruments recorded directly - I
use it on electric guitars, bass, and Rhodes, but as a mic pre, I'm not
sure that it delivers much coloration, which it sounds like you're
after.
Finally - and I'm sure this will cause some on this board to wince,
roll their eyes, and/or puke, but I know several musicians who swear by
ART's Tube MP. I've never used one, but I think they're around
$100-200 new so you can probably pick one up for $50 on ebay.
Best of luck,
Steve

Thanks Steve, thanks Scott, thanks to all, and keep the info coming