Studio Microphone Preamps

Notes: PreSonus have been designing preamps for a long time, and they always focus on audio quality first. So when PreSonus decided to upgrade their popular TubePre V2, PreSonus focused on improving an already high-quality soundiwithout jacking up the price. Like the original TubePre, the new version is a fully professional tube preamp, with a dual-servo (no capacitors) gain stage that lets you boost the program signal to smoking hot levels without significantly increasing the background noise. Discrete components and high-voltage operation offer dynamic range and detail not found in other single-channel tube preamps in its class.

But the TubePre V2 provides an even wider palette of sound options, and a much more focused tube saturation, than the original TubePre. It has been upgraded to employ PreSonus' popular XMAX Class A solid-state preamp, which is followed in the signal path by a 12AX7 vacuum-tube stage. Twist the TubePre V2 Drive saturation control to add the "color" that only a hand-selected 12AX7 vacuum tube can deliver i from gentle warmth to total fuzz.

Housed in a rugged case, the TubePre V2 rear panel sports separate unbalanced, 1/4" instrument and balanced, XLR mic inputs and unbalanced 1/4" and balanced XLR line outputs. PreSonus have included all of the extras you need for professional operation including a high-pass filter, phantom power for condenser mics, polarity reverse switch, and a backlit VU meter.

The TubePre V2 is more than a mic preamp, though. Thanks to its separate instrument and mic inputs, it also serves as a dynamite direct box (DI) for guitars and basses. And it's small enough to carry almost anywhere, although you also can screw-mount it to a standard rack tray.

So if you are a fan of PreSonus' original TubePre, you're going to love the improved TubePre V2. And if you are checking out the TubePre for the first time, your ears are in for a real treat. Then check out the amazing low priceibut sit down first because you're in for a shock. Because with PreSonus, big sound does not have to cost big bucks.