Tube Preamp for XB-2

[Mike Conner <barbies@ix.netcom.com>]

Hello all--

Just a brief report on a little mic pre-amp I've been using with my XB-2 
Pro-3 setup.  It's an ART Personal mic preamp.  It's about 5x6x1-1/2, 
black, and very sleek looking sitting on cork feet right above the 
drawbars.  One 12ax7 tube inside.  Because it's a mic preamp there are both 
1/4 in and XLR in/out, and both can be used at the same time.  Power is 12v 
AC from a grounded wall-wart (included).

Controls are very straightforward.  Input from levels from 6 -26 db, led 
level indicator, buttons for 40 db boost, 48v phantom power, and phase 
switching (the last 2 not applicable to XB-2 use), and an output level 
control.  Price is around $140.

I've played out several shows with it, and done some recording, and I find 
that it really beefs up the overall sound of my rig.  888 gives that nice 
"woody" feel in the mid octaves, while the upper octave is no longer quite 
so shrill and thin.  In addition by adjusting the XB-2 volume, and the 
pre-amp input level, you can get all kinds of grind when you put the pedal 
to to metal, so to speak.  You can also get the same distortion at low 
volume, if you like.

The best thing about it is that I now have volume and clean/dirty sound 
control on the drawbar side of the organ.  No more Rosemary Woods maneuvers 
when I need a little extra volume onstage.  And I can hit that boost button 
and go totally nuts. (depending on mood of fellow band members).

It would be nice to have eq on board, of course -- when shopping I also 
considered the MESA two-tube unit, a big chrome thing that's got a couple 
of presets and more countour controls, but it's twice the price and in the 
end I didn't think the sound was all that different.  It's great, though, 
to have the pre-amp handy for adjustments when using  various drawbar 
settings.

As far as distortion goes, I've found it sounds best to make the unit go 
all the way into the red, rather than just a little way, but that's just 
preference.

I've been getting tons of compliments from various sound-persons on the 
sound of my rig (I use the new Roland keyboard amp for the bottom end). 
 Now if they'd only mention the playing....

mike conner

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