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The VT-73 is a 500 Series Vacuum Tube/Solid State Hybrid Mic Preamp. A very versatile preamp that can give you a clean, pure sound, to a fully harmonics-saturated signal for that rich and thick sound when you need it -- and fully adjustable for anything in-between!

This is the mic preamp for you if you're curious and interested in what vacuum tube's non-linear distortion can do to your sound recordings! Treat your ears to the richness of 2nd and even harmonics.

An API Rack/Lunchbox or compatible rack is required to supply power and the necessary XLR input and output connections to the VT-3 Mic Preamp module.

500 Series format, for use with API rack/lunchbox or compatible rack
Precision Laser cut tinted/transparent front panel - included! So you can show-off the "guts" of your DIY build
Aluminum sled carrier - Included!
Knobs - Included!
Actually... everything is included! Spacers, screws, nuts, and all parts to build a working VT-73 Mic Preamp
Hybrid Vacuum tube and solid-state design, with Discrete OpAmp option and Output Transformer
Soft-start, slow ramp-on +48V phantom power
Simple to use Gain control, up to +72dB
Trim control to adjust the signal hitting the vacuum tube stage
Gain boost switch, post vacuum tube stage
Robust 48Volt short circuit protection (from accidental phantom power shorts)
LED indicators for phantom power, -20dB pad, polarity reverse and Boost mode
Relay controlled Pad
Relay controlled Polarity Reverse
Electronically balanced input stage
Balanced output stage with Output Transformer
Input RFI protection
Input clamping protection
Output surge protection circuit
Output RFI protection
Gold-plated, machined, low-profile IC sockets
Use of high quality 1% Metal Film resistors, and high-quality ceramic and electrolytic capacitors
Easy to assemble, easy to troubleshoot design

Download PDF Assembly Guide (High Resolution)

The VT-73 Mic Preamp is a brand new product from FiveFish Audio. No reviews yet, but we look forward to hearing your comments and feedback! Click here to let us know your thoughts.

To read other product reviews, click here.

VT-73 Vacuum Tube Mic Preamp Kit

$190 Complete 500-Series DIY Kit
Includes Vacuum tube and Output Transformer

Buy Now

Vocals using SC-1 Mic Preamp
Courtesy of Jason Mallow How does the SC-1 pre sound with vocals? This clips shows the SC-1 used as a vocal mic preamp with a Neumann M147 and Oktava 319 microphones.

Vocal solo
Vocals in mix setting (chorus snippet only)

Written by Jeff Evans and performed by Sazerac www.sazerac.tv Recorded and mixed by Jason Mallow

SC-1 Preamp on Everything - Farview Recording Studios
Special thanks to Jason Walsh of Farview Recording studios for providing these audio samples
Note: This is an UNMASTERED mix recording created by Jason Walsh of Farview Recording Studios. SC-1 preamps was used on everything... drums, ryhthm and lead guitars, and bass.

In Jason's own words: "The guitar sounds I use throw off a ton of low end, the bass was recorded hrough an Ampeg SVT set at war volume, my drums are giant heavy metal drums from the 80's...there is some low end going on. The cool thing about your preamps is that they capture that low end without pooping out. The bass was both DI and mic'd cab. The guitars were double mic'd. A 57 and a ribbon for the rhythms, and a 57 and 421 for the lead. I like these things for guitar better than my Amek 9098 preamps that have been my go-to's."

MP3 file

SC-1 Preamps on everything. Mic and signal chain detail as follows:

The acoustic guitar is an Ovation LX series. The DI used was a Radial J48 active DI. It was mic'd with two Shure SM81's in an XY configuration. http://www.fivefishstudios.com/audio/SC1-AcousticGuitar.mp3
Drum mix: http://www.fivefishstudios.com/audio/SC1demo-drum_mix.mp3
The kick was recorded with a AKG D-112 inside and a Shure Beta 52 in the vent hole.
The snare was recorded with a Shure SM57 on top and an Octava MK-012 on the bottom.
The toms were recorded through Sennheiser E504's.
The overheads are Shure SM81's in an XY pattern.
The bass was run through a Radial J48 active DI and an Ampeg SVT Classic miced with an Audio Technica 4033.
The rhythm guitars were a PRS Mc Carty with stock humbuckers into a Bogner Ecstasy 101 b fitted with EL34's and a Marshall cabinet mic'd with a Shure SM-57 and a Cascade Fathead II ribbon mic.
The lead was a PRS Mc Carty with soapbar pickups through the same amp and cabinet mic'd with a Shure SM-57 and a Sennheiser MD421.

CREDITS: Written and performed by Jason Mallow, www.myspace.com/kingsizeotis Recorded and mixed by Jason Walsh, Farview Recording, www.farviewrecording.com

VT-73 Hybrid Vacuum Tube Mic Preamp Kit

VT-73 Vacuum Tube Mic Preamp Kit

Audio Demo

FiveFish Audio