Well, right in that moment when you've written 'tube' I became an idea...

I'm using a Behringer's Tube Composer (Model T1952) in my studio. This little thing is not very expensive but very helpful. It's mainly a mono/stereo compressor/limiter but you can also use it as a gate/expander/de-esser at the same time. There's a send/return path for each channel where you can connect a 31 bands graphic equalizer for a better voice equalization. And then there's a tube section where you can level the part of the signal that you want to 'warm up' a little bit...

I guess this will cost you not more than 250 $US for the Tube Composer only and you can also use it as a pre-amp. Nevertheless, a mixer is a real good choice because this will provide you the ability to mix more than one voice as a 'block'. The mixer's effect channels will provide you the ability to use the Tube Composer (for example) for all voices together...

Good luck on your quest!!!

[This message has been edited by Sheriff (edited 06-06-2005).]
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Greetings from Frankfurt (Germany),
Sheriff ;-)