Been looking at this unit and the retro both with 2 and 3 tube circuit options for amazing harmonic distortion tones I want both so I can run my tlm 49 through these for vocal tracking 🔥
@@plauditstudios5187 I've been wanting a 500 Series tube-pre but haven't decided which. I looked into the LaChapell 583S. Great tone but for what it costs, it should have some kind of LED or signal meter. Most people would say "use your ear." But for the $1K price tag, you shouldn't have to guesstimate when you're dialing it in. Same thing with the Retro, no LED. Radial makes one but it's the same price as the one in your video but the Radial only has 1 tube. I saw API just came out with a tube pre but not in the 500 Series. Rackmount only. I contacted their support and they just said "Oh, we don't have plans for a 500 Series tube pre. Check back later." That was a little disappointing. I would have definitely dropped $1K on an API 500 Series tube pre. I'm not a fan of rack gear because, 1) I don't have space (or money) for a rack pre, rack EQ, rack compressor etc., and 2) You can't hear the difference between rack gear and 500 Series. Some people say rack gear sounds better because it has it's own power supply and more circuitry. But if you did a blind test, you probably wouldn't hear the difference. Plus, I like how, in 500 Series, you can mix-match brands, swap out modules, change the signal path order, it's compact and portable and most of all: Cost effective!
@@tortillaman2491 I completely understand. I'm biased towards Fredenstein products after I spoke to Fred and realized what he was making. These 500 racks are amazing and can power any module. In fact, his Gold series tube modules have to be on a Fredenstein rack because of the significant power draw. On top of that, the linear power supply and enhanced power circuit make it all the better. With how optimized circuits can be, the need to have singular rack spaces for a pre-amp are no longer a requirement. I used a UA 6176 for years and just sold it because this unit does more for the pre-amp side than the UA did. If you do have any more questions, please let me know. The F609 is a beast of a unit, and I would gladly buy a second one to have a stereo pair.
@@tortillaman2491 there may be some truth to having a dedicated power supply but if you have dirty power, it doesn’t matter what you do. I had a dedicated GFCI to my breaker box, and also run my studio gear via a UPS and furman power conditioner to get the cleanest and most consistent power possible. In todays age, we are able to design great musical gear in any format so it solely is based on budget now.
Been looking at this unit and the retro both with 2 and 3 tube circuit options for amazing harmonic distortion tones I want both so I can run my tlm 49 through these for vocal tracking 🔥
I want one! For sure.
The F609 is no slouch! I would really recommend it if you have the budget for this preamp, and it’s a discrete tube preamp too!
@@plauditstudios5187 I've been wanting a 500 Series tube-pre but haven't decided which. I looked into the LaChapell 583S. Great tone but for what it costs, it should have some kind of LED or signal meter. Most people would say "use your ear." But for the $1K price tag, you shouldn't have to guesstimate when you're dialing it in. Same thing with the Retro, no LED. Radial makes one but it's the same price as the one in your video but the Radial only has 1 tube.
I saw API just came out with a tube pre but not in the 500 Series. Rackmount only. I contacted their support and they just said "Oh, we don't have plans for a 500 Series tube pre. Check back later." That was a little disappointing. I would have definitely dropped $1K on an API 500 Series tube pre.
I'm not a fan of rack gear because, 1) I don't have space (or money) for a rack pre, rack EQ, rack compressor etc., and 2) You can't hear the difference between rack gear and 500 Series. Some people say rack gear sounds better because it has it's own power supply and more circuitry. But if you did a blind test, you probably wouldn't hear the difference. Plus, I like how, in 500 Series, you can mix-match brands, swap out modules, change the signal path order, it's compact and portable and most of all: Cost effective!
@@tortillaman2491 I completely understand. I'm biased towards Fredenstein products after I spoke to Fred and realized what he was making. These 500 racks are amazing and can power any module. In fact, his Gold series tube modules have to be on a Fredenstein rack because of the significant power draw. On top of that, the linear power supply and enhanced power circuit make it all the better.
With how optimized circuits can be, the need to have singular rack spaces for a pre-amp are no longer a requirement. I used a UA 6176 for years and just sold it because this unit does more for the pre-amp side than the UA did.
If you do have any more questions, please let me know. The F609 is a beast of a unit, and I would gladly buy a second one to have a stereo pair.
@@tortillaman2491 there may be some truth to having a dedicated power supply but if you have dirty power, it doesn’t matter what you do.
I had a dedicated GFCI to my breaker box, and also run my studio gear via a UPS and furman power conditioner to get the cleanest and most consistent power possible.
In todays age, we are able to design great musical gear in any format so it solely is based on budget now.
Little green men from outer space took me up in their UFO and convinced me to buy a tube pre.
Great video man. I'm curious as to what mic you used on the vocal example?