The Sebatron VMP 1000e is a really-cool tube mic preamp. It's kind of its own thing (thank goodness), and
it doesn't seem to be a clone of anything. It has a very warm tone—great for guitars—and refreshingly,
it has its own sound. Features include an instrument DI; polarity and phantom switches; a three-position
pad (0, -15, and -30 dB); and a VU meter. There's also a three-position switch labeled flat/bright/air
that gives more tonal variation as well.
I used this preamp on a variety of sources, but mainly on electric guitar. My mainstay mic preamp is the
clean-sounding Millennia HV 3D. So I was pleased to get a little more color from the VMP 1000e. I like
Neve and Daking preamps on guitar, and now I'll add the Sebatron to this list as well. I did a session
with a Les Paul going through a Hughes & Kettner Triplex twin 12'' cab to a Royer R 121 and no
compression. The sound was kind of creamy. A very cool sound. I also used the VMP 1000e on electric
bass, acoustic upright bass, acoustic guitar, and voice. I liked its sound on all of them.
You can spend a lot more money and not do as well. Given that it has "character" to its sound, I
wouldn't want it to be my only preamp, but it's really great to have in your arsenal. The unit lists
for $999. Without the VU meter, it's $100 less. Two and four-channel versions are also available.
