Tube Preamps for Pedal Steel

[Casey Saulpaugh]

Looking to invest in a tube preamp for recording pedal steel in the near future. Any recommendations?

Love the sound of Universal Audio’s LA-610 Mk II (great for a lot more than just pedal steel in the studio), but looking for other options at lower price points too.

Thanks, hope everyone’s doing well.

[John Macy]

Sarno V8!!

[Brett Lanier]

Haven’t tried this but it looks like it sounds good.
https://warmaudio.com/wa-mpx

At home, I’ve been recording with a Standel Custom XV (no speaker) into a Universal Audio Ox box, then into an ART Pro MPA mic pre. I think it sounds great without the ART pre, but even better with it.

[John Macy]

The Sarno is amazing and is also a killer for bass, too!

[Bob Hoffnar]

Are you looking for a recording channel or a pre amp for your steel ?
If you are looking for a recording pre amp with tubes don’t go cheap. I would use a well priced great pre like the DAV BG1 or on the cheaper side the “really nice mic pre” is a great deal. Then go with the V8 or something like it. I personally do not like Warm Audio. They are primarily a marketing company that spends all there money on making something look like what they are copying and dealer kickbacks. Go with a craftsman who loves what they do rather than low bid Chinese labor.

There are some great deals out there but you need to get past whatever sweetwater is currently pushing.

[Bob Hoffnar]

Casey,
I’ve been thinking about it. Get in touch directly if you want. There are some hidden gems out there and some work arounds that might be good depending on your situation.

[Casey Saulpaugh]

Really appreciate the feedback and suggestions. I’m really interested in the Sarno V8 - have always heard good things about the black box, but had never really researched any Sarno products. After y’all’s recommendations on it, really like the quality, price point, and how useful it can be in the studio for more than just pedal steel too. I’m probably leaning this route for a tube preamp.

Also had a good conversation with Bob on the phone, in which he was very helpful and thoughtful. He recommended the idea of getting a load box to use with my tube amps to essentially utilize them without having to get a tube preamp. I have an old small Fender Champ that I love the tone on, and it’d be great to utilize the tubes on these in a similar fashion and probably save some money too.

I’ve also checked out the Universal Audio Ox box before (I usually enjoy many of UA’s gear and plugins for studio) - going to look at this option too, glad you enjoy it Brett. Has anyone tried UA’s Solo/610 desktop tube preamp? Any other recommendations?

Thanks!

[Bob Hoffnar]

I’m checking out a Two Notes Opus One at the moment. It’s affordable and might do the job.

[Bob Hoffnar]

I just did my in ears church gig with my V8 and it was glorious as always. I got my Opus up and running and so far it is very very cool. I have a couple shows coming up that I'll try it out on. It has quite a bit of functionality and so far sounds way better than it should.

[Mike Neer]

I want a V8. It has a richness to it that you don’t hear in many other pres.

[Bob Hoffnar]

I want a V8. It has a richness to it that you don’t hear in many other pres.

Yes ! I just spent a couple weeks dialing in and tweaking sounds in my opus one modeling sim thing. Then I plugged the V8 in and without any processing it sounded and felt better than any of the hundreds of sims I had available. Not even close.

[John Macy]

It’s just so good. I also track bass though that into an Avalon DI and it’s pretty magical.

[Casey Saulpaugh]

The V8 is definitely at the top of my list for tube preamps…really appreciate all the feedback.

[Bob Hoffnar]

The Sarno Spectrum is absolutely magnificent also. I don't know how he got that reverb to sound so good. It's my go to pre for direct recording these days.

[Mike Neer]

The Sarno Spectrum is absolutely magnificent also. I don't know how he got that reverb to sound so good. It's my go to pre for direct recording these days.

Is that even available yet?

[Bob Hoffnar]

Brad has been selling them for a little while now. Shoot him a note if you want one. I think he does them in small batches and they are usually pre sold. The fidelity is on another level. A bit of a different flavor than the V8. I wouldn’t want to pick my favorite one. Both are works of art.

[Bill Hatcher]

Find an old Alembic F2B.

[Erv Niehaus]

If you can find one, I like a Tube Works Blue Tube.
Sometimes you can even find one with the steel mod.
Erv

[Bruce Derr]

Has anyone tried the new Tone King Imperial? There is a review on Sweetwater from a steel player who likes it quite a bit.

[Tim Pillow]

Has anyone tried the new Tone King Imperial? There is a review on Sweetwater from a steel player who likes it quite a bit.

I have one. And it’s awesome.. been waiting all summer for it because they’re backordered and they sell out very quick.
I have mine mounted on a temple audio pedalboard. Both my telonics volume pedal and tone king preamp pedal are powered by a Ciocks DC7 power supply.

[David Laveau]

If you can find one, I like a Tube Works Blue Tube.
Sometimes you can even find one with the steel mod.
Erv

Interesting, know what the mod was intended to accomplish?

I have one of the more recent BK Butler built pedals, think that they are likely really similar...

[Erv Niehaus]

David,
I think the mod was to make it more suited to steel guitar.

[Colin Boutilier]

If you can find one, I like a Tube Works Blue Tube.
Sometimes you can even find one with the steel mod.
Erv

Interesting, know what the mod was intended to accomplish?

I have one of the more recent BK Butler built pedals, think that they are likely really similar...

I bet those would sound great. I have one of the old BK Butler/Tube Works Tube Driver combo amps that uses the Tube Driver pedal circuit as a parallel pre-amp. Lately I've been using it as my practice amp for PSG and it does great.

[Erv Niehaus]

I am a big fan of all the Tube Works stuff.