Application examples
Vocals/speech
The tube stage is well suited for adding presence to vocals. Exercise caution when setting levels, particularly with the clean stage, since vocals can be extremely dynamic. The FET limiter can be very helpful here to level peaks in a subtle, musical fashion and ensure safe levels for AD conversion. Once the limiter is properly set (see ”Limiter”, page 20), tube gain can be added as required.
Acoustic instruments/orchestra
The tube stage should be used very sparingly, if at all, when miking/recording orchestras or acoustic instruments, to ensure the highest possible S/N ratio. Levels should be set with the utmost care, since distortion and clipping are easily heard and absolutely undesirable in classical and most acoustic record- ings. In general, the limiter should only be used if absolutely necessary.
Acoustic guitar with pickup
A combination of clean and tube stages will deliver good results here. Lower tube gain settings between 1 and 9 dB will result in a very acceptable S/N ratio. Moderate use of the peak limiter
will provide the best protection against clipping.
Guitar amps
As with acoustic guitars, combining the clean and tube stages is especially effective when miking guitar amps. Higher Tube Gain settings result in more punch and loudness. The more distorted the guitar sound, the less limiting is required, since the distor- tion process levels dynamics.
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