Presonus DigiTube


Presonus DigiTube
by Denny Fonghesier
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Presonus Audio Electronics has given us an opportunity to make pro level recordings at home using their reasonable-priced DigiTube. The DigiTube is a single-channel, tube microphone preamplifier with three bands of fully sweepable EQ and a coaxial S/PDIF, 24/44.1/48kHz digital output in addition to the XLR analog line level output. The half-rack space DigiTube features a dual-servo amplifier with 70dB of gain and a mic/instrument/line input. The front panel has a Drive knob, attenuator pad, 48-volt phantom powering, both power and signal present LEDs, EQ In/Out switch and a most useful 80Hz high pass filter In/Out. Other pro features on this $299.95 unit are XLR and 1/4inch inputs; TRS insert for patching outboard gear; a stated 22dB of headroom; and a Word clock input BNC jack.

On the day I received the DigiTube, I recorded percussion on a nearly completed song for a record. I made good use of the equalizer to sonically fit the percussion into an already full track. After connecting my word clock generator to the DigiTube and then connecting the S/PDIF output (DigiTube sends clock over the S/PDIF cable) to my Pro Tools Digi 001 rig, I was good to go. Recording my quiet shaker with a condenser mic was easy--there was plenty of gain. Although the shaker sounded good without EQ, I added 3dB of 6kHz to fit my song better. With my Djembe drum, the DigiTube at first sounded a little 'closed' trying to capture the entire frequency range of this African instrument. However, with the DigiTube EQ, I was able to get the Djembe to sound great within the track.

I have a couple of nit-picks. I found the Tube Drive a little noisy for some recording tasks--but not a problem. I would also like a two-channel version for stereo recording so a singer/songwriter could record their vocal along with guitar (or other instrument) at the same time and use the digital output to a pair of tracks.

The DigiTube, at $299.95 MSRP, is a worthwhile audio interface for laptops and a great tool to take on the road or keep at home for any music system. Contact Presonus Audio Electronics, Inc. at 7257 Florida Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70806. 800-750-0323 or on the Web: www.presonus.com.

Denny Fongheiser is a musician/producer who has worked with artists Tracy Chapman, Counting Crows and John Paul Jones and played and/or written for many film, TV and jingle projects. Check his Web site at: www.dennyfongheiser.com.

Edited by: Barry Rudolph

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