Voodoo Lab preamp vs. GP3

[bogiebbs]

Ive a lot of really good things about the voodoo lab preamp. Some have even said it sounds better than the GP3. but the thing has very few features. no midi, no fx loop. So has anyone here been able to compare the two?

[bogiebbs]

theres gotta be someone here whos played or at least heard the voodoo lab pre

[defeverything]

i have one. i like it alot. Mine was broken when i got it though, the rhythm and lead channels didnt work. I sent it in to be fixed, and when i got it back the lead channel was still broken! I called them and they said to send it back in and they would take care of it. The problem with that was, i like the rhythm channel so much that I almost didnt send it back. It had alot of sounds available and had plenty of gain for lead sounds. Eventually I came to my senses and sent it in, i havn't gotten it back yet but i should sometime soon. The clean channel on it is one of the best cleans I have ever heard. Im using it with a Carvin tube 100 power amp.

[bogiebbs]

nice. are you the guy who wrote the review about the lead channel being broke? also id love to hear a sound clip of it when you get it back.

[jimfowler]

i recently heard the voodoo preamp and i was very impressed. i only heard the clean channel, but it was right up my alley as far as cleans go. the guy (from the band LANTERNA) was using it with a 2290 and a crown amp pushing 4 bag end speakers. it was very hi-fi and crystal clear. i'm almost tempted...

-jim

[TexGtr]

im sure you guys saw this.. but i think on friday (or yestrerday) someone has a VooDoo preamp on the classifieds for 375.00

one hell of a price.
while we are talkin preamps, any opinions on the GT Trio preamp?

[Grind Cruncher]

Originally posted by defeverything
i have one. i like it alot. Mine was broken when i got it though, the rhythm and lead channels didnt work. I sent it in to be fixed, and when i got it back the lead channel was still broken! I called them and they said to send it back in and they would take care of it. The problem with that was, i like the rhythm channel so much that I almost didnt send it back. It had alot of sounds available and had plenty of gain for lead sounds. Eventually I came to my senses and sent it in, i havn't gotten it back yet but i should sometime soon. The clean channel on it is one of the best cleans I have ever heard. Im using it with a Carvin tube 100 power amp. How do you like it now?

:confused:

[dvsmind]

i just picked one up for $300 shipped. i can't wait for it to get here.

[Grind Cruncher]

Originally posted by dvsmind
i just picked one up for $300 shipped. i can't wait for it to get here. Let us know how you like it. :D

[dvsmind]

will do. i'm trying to find a power amp right now so i'll be able to make some decent clips.

[bogiebbs]

where did you find one for $300? and i would love to hear those clips when you do them.

[Search4tone]

I own both.
I would have to say that the Voodoo falls real short of the GP3.
You have to understand that the GP3 is a low power tube amp, and the Voodoo lab is solid state.
The VL is cool for certain applications, especially real clean stuff. But it is completely missing the balls of a tube amp. But that is something that no solid state preamp or amp can duplicate.
The GP3 is the only preamp out there that really, truly sounds like a head when combined with a VHT 2/90/2 power amp. It has the subtle nuances that are only found in heads, since that's the way Steve designed it.
If you are doing straight out Metal, the VL will do just fine. But if you want a full variety of tones the GP3 is the way to go.
The 2 preamps are like comparing a Honda Civic to a real muscle car. There is no comparison. The GP3 is the real muscle car, and the VL is the Honda, and will never win.
But it does have it's place for direct recording and creating different textures.

[Grind Cruncher]

Originally posted by Search4tone
I own both.
I would have to say that the Voodoo falls real short of the GP3.
You have to understand that the GP3 is a low power tube amp, and the Voodoo lab is solid state.
The VL is cool for certain applications, especially real clean stuff. But it is completely missing the balls of a tube amp. But that is something that no solid state preamp or amp can duplicate.
The GP3 is the only preamp out there that really, truly sounds like a head when combined with a VHT 2/90/2 power amp. It has the subtle nuances that are only found in heads, since that's the way Steve designed it.
If you are doing straight out Metal, the VL will do just fine. But if you want a full variety of tones the GP3 is the way to go.
The 2 preamps are like comparing a Honda Civic to a real muscle car. There is no comparison. The GP3 is the real muscle car, and the VL is the Honda, and will never win.
But it does have it's place for direct recording and creating different textures. The Voodoo Lab Pre-amp is a TUBE amp, not solid state! :rolleyes:

http://www.voodoolab.com/preamp.html

[dvsmind]

Originally posted by bogiebbs
where did you find one for $300? and i would love to hear those clips when you do them.

i found it in the spam thread over in the amp forum.

[dvsmind]

Originally posted by Grind Cruncher
The Voodoo Lab Pre-amp is a TUBE amp, not solid state! :rolleyes:

http://www.voodoolab.com/preamp.html

yeah, i call bullshit on this guy.

[bogiebbs]

The VL is cool for certain applications, especially real clean stuff. But it is completely missing the balls of a tube amp.


If you are doing straight out Metal, the VL will do just fine.

how can it lack balls and be great for metal? Also ive read the reviews on the VL and they are all VERY good. I would think if it was like a honda it would get bashed. I also read a gp3 review where some guy said the VL was better sounding than the gp3.

[Search4tone]

The VL preamp is designed the same way that the Marshall JMP1 preamp is designed. And a Marshall JMP1 sounds amazing when hooked up to a great power amp.
YES, it does have tubes, but it is not a true tube preamp. It gets the majority of it's tone from chips and not from the tubes. The tubes are in the circuitry to warm up the sound, kinda like a mic preamp. But it is no where near a TRUE tube preamp.
I think the VL sounds great for certain situations in a studio. I just wouldn't use it for a live setup.
The "Balls" I'm referring to are 100% point to point circuitry with NO chips that do A/D/A conversions.
The GP3 is built exactly like a head, and the VL is built like a stomp box.
So don't misunderstand what I'm saying, they are just in 2 different leagues.
I am a huge fan of VL and DMC stuff. I have just about everything they ever made. One of my main pedals that I use to compliment my GP3 is a Keeley modded Sparkle Drive, and I love what it does.
My main rig is a Tri-Stereo setup. I use a Modded JMP1, GP3 preamp, Hush Super C, DMC GCX, DMC System Mix, Eventide GTR 4000, TC Electronics G Force, TC Booster+, TC Phaser, TC Parametric EQ/Sustainer, TC Chorus, VL Sparkle Drive, Keeley Compressor, Line 6 Filter Pro, Two VHT 2/90/2 power amps, DMC Ground Control Pro, VHT Valvulator 1, Whammy, and 2 EB volume pedals for expression, RMC Wheels of Fire Wah, Automagic Silver Machine Wah.
I run that into a different array of VHT cabinets. For normal playing and rehearsal I use a VHT 4x12 w/ Eminence P50E speakers for dry, and a pair of VHT 2x12 w/Eminence P50E speakers for wet. For live I double up the cabinets.
So call BS all you want, but I only stated my opinion.
So just go out and try the VL preamp, you may love it. I did, so I bought one. Just remeber that tone is subjective.
Carry on.

[Grind Cruncher]

Originally posted by Search4tone
The VL preamp is designed the same way that the Marshall JMP1 preamp is designed. And a Marshall JMP1 sounds amazing when hooked up to a great power amp.
YES, it does have tubes, but it is not a true tube preamp. It gets the majority of it's tone from chips and not from the tubes. The tubes are in the circuitry to warm up the sound, kinda like a mic preamp. But it is no where near a TRUE tube preamp.
I think the VL sounds great for certain situations in a studio. I just wouldn't use it for a live setup.
The "Balls" I'm referring to are 100% point to point circuitry with NO chips that do A/D/A conversions.
The GP3 is built exactly like a head, and the VL is built like a stomp box.
So don't misunderstand what I'm saying, they are just in 2 different leagues. Where can we find the source material for your claims about the Voodoo Labs Pre-amp being a solid state stomp box with tubes for warmth? :rolleyes:

[Search4tone]

Originally posted by Grind Cruncher
Where can we find the source material for your claims about the Voodoo Labs Pre-amp being a solid state stomp box with tubes for warmth? :rolleyes:

I don't know how much you know about amp wiring, but if you are knowledgable about circuitboard layout and amp design, just open it up and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.
I don't know if there is actual documentation anywhere, but I know what I'm looking at when I open up a piece of gear.
The input of the amp goes into a tube buffer, then into a series of chips, then into the remainder of the circuit board, then routed back through tubes then to the output stage, which =A/D/A
I'll try to get a copy of the schematic from John at DMC and I'll post it.

[Soldano67]

Originally posted by Search4tone


I don't know how much you know about amp wiring, but if you are knowledgable about circuitboard layout and amp design, just open it up and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.
I don't know if there is actual documentation anywhere, but I know what I'm looking at when I open up a piece of gear.
The input of the amp goes into a tube buffer, then into a series of chips, then into the remainder of the circuit board, then routed back through tubes then to the output stage, which =A/D/A
I'll try to get a copy of the schematic from John at DMC and I'll post it.

Hmm it has 4 tubes and it was co-designed by Bogner

[Hektor*]

Originally posted by Search4tone


I don't know how much you know about amp wiring, but if you are knowledgable about circuitboard layout and amp design, just open it up and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.
I don't know if there is actual documentation anywhere, but I know what I'm looking at when I open up a piece of gear.
The input of the amp goes into a tube buffer, then into a series of chips, then into the remainder of the circuit board, then routed back through tubes then to the output stage, which =A/D/A
I'll try to get a copy of the schematic from John at DMC and I'll post it.

What the hell are you talking about ??? :eek: :eek:

I have the VL pre and like it a lot. It fits well with vht 2-50-2.
It mainly has 4 tubes and passive components (res, cap, pots etc). Yes it has two chips but those are for the foot controller logic. The fact that it has a printed board DOESN"T make it a solid state pre.

btw, I just got mine back and I was right it had a wrong-value pot. It's is much better now (see my other thread)

Hektor

[Grind Cruncher]

bump

[mike-o]

well, the voodoo lab website says it's all tube. I'm thinking the chips you see in there are linked to the built in cab sim that lets you plug directly into the PA

edit: and i just realized this thread is three years old. i'm still interested though

[JoshFiden]

well, the voodoo lab website says it's all tube. I'm thinking the chips you see in there are linked to the built in cab sim that lets you plug directly into the PA

edit: and i just realized this thread is three years old. i'm still interested though

I was just reading this thread and then realized also that it was from 2004! Anyway, to clarify, the guy who says it is solid state is clueless. The Cabtone cabinet simulator which only drives the direct outs uses opamps. The preamp itself is all implemented with four 12AX7's.

It is difficult to compare to the VHT GP3, it is a totally different beast. One important difference today would be that the GP3 is in production and the Voodoo Lab Guitar Preamp is not! So if you want something now, buy the GP3. The GP3 is a great preamp, no question about it.

We will be reintroducing the Voodoo Lab Guitar Preamp, hopefully later this year. No changes to the tone, just a few features including channel switching via MIDI.

Thanks,

Josh Fiden
Founder / CEO
www.voodoolab.com

[ChS]

We will be reintroducing the Voodoo Lab Guitar Preamp, hopefully later this year. No changes to the tone, just a few features including channel switching via MIDI.

Thanks,

Josh Fiden
Founder / CEO
www.voodoolab.com (http://www.voodoolab.com)


Awesome :thu:

[mainlymusicman]

I own both.
I would have to say that the Voodoo falls real short of the GP3.
You have to understand that the GP3 is a low power tube amp, and the Voodoo lab is solid state.
The VL is cool for certain applications, especially real clean stuff. But it is completely missing the balls of a tube amp. But that is something that no solid state preamp or amp can duplicate.
The GP3 is the only preamp out there that really, truly sounds like a head when combined with a VHT 2/90/2 power amp. It has the subtle nuances that are only found in heads, since that's the way Steve designed it.
If you are doing straight out Metal, the VL will do just fine. But if you want a full variety of tones the GP3 is the way to go.
The 2 preamps are like comparing a Honda Civic to a real muscle car. There is no comparison. The GP3 is the real muscle car, and the VL is the Honda, and will never win.
But it does have it's place for direct recording and creating different textures.

You have to understand that you're a complete idiot!

the voodoo lab is a tube pre. period.

[separanets]

Gotta be the Voodu Valve was meant, not the Voodu Lab, wasn't it? :freak: