At its heart and soul, Groove Tubes (or just GT) makes
musical instrument-grade vacuum tubes.
They also produce a mean line of quality studio mics at affordable
prices. GT was created in the late 1970s
to research tube technology and its relation to tone. Its founder, Aspen Pittman, has since
published The Tube Amp Book, revered
as the Bible of tubes. GT acquired
G.E.’s tube production line, and produces tubes that exactly replicate the tube
performance of some vintage G.E. tubes.
It wasn’t until more recently that GT turned its abilities to making
fine microphones.
Among their nine microphones and preamps, GT microphones offer
excellent quality at awesome prices.
They make tube and solid-state (tube emulation circuitry) condensers,
and even a ribbon microphone. Some of Groove Tubes' microphone models offer something very innovative: interchangeable capsules. Basically, the capsule (“head”) of the mic
can be interchanged with a different capsule, offering different pickup
patterns. This eliminates internal
circuitry that some mics have to switch the pickup pattern.
For three years, I have consistently used a GT55, now
replaced by the GT50. It is a
solid-state condenser with tube emulation circuitry. Matched with my Universal Audio LA-610
preamp, I can get this mic to deliver absolutely beautiful, rich, full-bodied
vocal performances.
Perhaps the best part about Groove Tubes microphones is their value. Their low-end condenser goes for around $150,
and their high-end tube condenser runs around $900. The GT50 is under $400.
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