How important is tube?

[MRNiceguy]

All this talk about "steril digital sound" and the old "tube analog sound" and the new "tube emmulation" but what really does the job best? Is tube emulation as good as a real tube or better? How important is it to use a real tube somewhere in the recording chain?

[Brentunc]

A tube somewhere in the recoding chain will almost always inprove the audio signal, as long as the tube equipment is of decent quality, but their is alot of talk of "digital harshness" but this is very over-exaggerated term, even without real tube gear or tube modeling software you can still get great results from digital gear, you just need to know your stuff, especially about E.Q., compression/limiting, effects, mastering etc. But anyways, a tube is almost always something that will improve sound in my opinion due to it's increase in audio clarity, but if you don't have real tubes somewhere in the audio chain it's not all lost, their is plent of tube modeled software out there that can do the job, and do ti very well.

[xstatic]

The best description of digital I have ever heard...... "It's not that digital is harsh, or cold, or sterile, it's just accurate. It doesn't do anything to sweeten your sound".

As far as tubes go, modelers don't do a whole lot. In fact, often times all they do is cloud the sound. Another little note, most high end pro gear is not tubed anyways. A good solid state unit that uses quality electronis, capacitors etc... can sound extremely warm and clear. For example, Neve, Calrec, Audix, API and many many others.

[MRNiceguy]

Thanks guys. I've read before that the way a tube distorts actually affects or produces the 2nd or 3rd harmonic (can't remember which) and that's what gives it its great natural musical quality of a sound. So are you saying that it's not at all important or maybe even better not to have a tube in the chain?

[Brentunc]

Xstatic is very right, if you don't have a tube in the chain all is not lost, many of the top dollar and most respected pieces of equipment in existence are solid state, meaning no tube is present. As long as the circuitry is all class A and quality made then you are fine and alot of times sound better than tubes and do warm up and fatten an audio signal. But don't get emw rong, tubes aren't a bad thing, just not completely necessary to get a good signal.

[xstatic]

Remeber though, cheap tube gear is just that, cheap tube gear:D

2nd and third harmonis distortions are available in solid state circuits as well:) Think Trident:)