VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

......almost sounds like a bare knuckle boxing match, I know Ninja

As some of you know I have been test-driving a Brent AVerill 1073 and like it quite a lot. Just wondering though if those in the know can advise me as to whether the John Hardy M-1 is an even better choice for VO. I have pretty much narrowed it to these two and they are in the same price range.

Mics being used are the Gefell M930 and Sennheiser 416

I can always try out the John Hardy and may end up doing that. But some input here could save yet another trip to the post office, etc. and everything else that goes along with trying out yet more gear. Thanks.

Merry Day After, BTW.

jsgilbert · Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 4:50 pm Post subject:

I have 4 pieces of gear that are absolutely incredible

John Hardy M-1 with Jensen output (make sure you get the Jensen option if you get one of these)
Millenia STT-1 mic pre
Apogee Rosetta A/D D/A convertor
RME 9632 sound card

The John Hardy has a single XLR out, so how good it sounds will have a lot to do with what you plug the other end into.

I love seeing him at AES every year. He still totes around an M-1 that is about 15 years old and there have been no real design mods to this puppy for almost 30 years.

My favorite chain is Telefunken 47 going into the Hardy into the Apogee Rosetta and then into the RME 9632.

Overkill, maybe.

The only thing I think sounds better overall in the way of current mic pre's is the Neve 1073, but it's over $3,000

Wish I knew something about the Brent Averill.
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 5:42 pm Post subject:

Well you're comparing apples and oranges here. The Brent Averill is a Neve 1073 clone with nice juicy Mojo to it, the John Hardy M-1 is pretty much an uncolored pre i.e. clean and natural in character, like the Avalon M1.

If you like the mojo that the Brent Avrill is giving you then the only next step up is a either a vintage Neve, or a Great River ME-1NV, or the budget minded GAP 73.

FYI- Other than the input transformer, and a few capacitors (which can be easily switched out) the GAP is a faithful reproduction of the Neve 1073. The nice thing about these class A preamps is that they are totally and completely reparable, by a good audio repair tech.

So the real question is, do you want a clean or a colored preamp? It's always nice to have both-- if you how and what you're looking for.
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Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

I like the sound of the BAE 1073---the question is, what do engineers and post production people want? And will a more colored pre like the BAE be a disadvantage. Plus my voice tends to be a little muddy and maybe a clearer, cleaner pre would be a better choice.

The overall question is more about what is practical versus what I like---cuz I definitely like the BAE.

Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Thanks Dan-O. While it's unlikely that I am overthinking this Rolls Eyes

......there is always that possibility.

This BAE is the only pre-amp I have ever flinched at returning....maybe I should listen to my gut and just keep it and if necessary add a cleaner pre down the road .

Mike Sommer · Posted: Mon Dec 27, 2010 8:03 pm Post subject:

Right! Good clean signal. And it's not necessarily muddiness, especially with a 1073, it's openness and smoothness in the high end. The high end is just smoother or silkier. If a brighter high end is needed, this can be easily taken care of in post.

The subtle differences between one 1073 clone and another is really not that great, especially on VOX - if it is a true 1073 clone design. The only true 1073 has a little "N" on it.

And with this, we start moving into the same trap we get into with microphones- It's all subjective. If you liked the BAE, then get it, that's all that matters.

And cleaner amps are easy to come by these days, and honestly I don't see that much use for them.
_________________
The Blog:
http://voiceoveraudio.blogspot.com/

Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.