VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[ronphi]

I am starting to think about the hardware I will need to build a starter studio. I am trying to keep the outlay down but not so far that I will be right out as far as quality. I want to start simply with equipment I can use or build on later as income increases. I have Sound Forge Audio Studio already. It seems that a lot of folks talk about or use Pro Tools (looks like most of the studios have that). At this point I am only thinking of dry voice recording to start so I am not sure if the outlay for Pro Tools is worth it now.

Current Hardware:
Radio Shack 4x2 mixer (will definately be going away)
Shure 8900W Dynamic Mic (purchased for to practice)
Basic computer standard sound card (very high noise floor)

Proposed Hardware:
M-Audio Audiophile 192 sound card
Behringer VX2496 Preamp
CAD GXL 3000 or Rode NT 1A mic

Additional stuff:
Mic stand and boom
Music stand for copy
Sound dampening

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[VO-Guy]

This is all just my opinion so take it that way.

Make sure your room acoustics are right first. That will effect your sound more than anything else. After that, your Proposed Hardware list looks pretty good, the only thing I would change is the Behringer pre maybe go to a DBX 286A. Not alot of money and definitely sounds better in my opinion.
Also, what about monitors? You'll need them to really hear how your stuff sounds and any room problems that might be going on.

Once again, just my .02... Good luck!

Russ

[Edo]

If you're preferring Behringer, try to find the previous model VX2000 or get a second hand 1952 tube pre. The 2496 simply doesn't cut it, because there was a major flaw in the technical design. I know for a fact that they've been out of production for that reason, and ordering the 'fixed' ones is pretty darn hard. Furthermore... I think it's WAY TOO COMPLICATED to handle that thing if you (like the rest of us) are not a rocket scientist. Lots of knobs... lots to screw up. I second the suggestion for the dbx, even the dbx provoice sounds awesome on condensers. If you find a used TLA 5051, grab it

Also bare in mind that a bad sounding room can never be fixed with gear... so invest in heavy curtains or wall treatment first...

Wish u luck!

Regards from the Netherlands,

Edo

[ronphi]

Thanks for the info guys. I was only considering the Behringer because my voice coach said it was a lot of bang for the buck. I had noticed the dbx during my research but it was twice the cost of the Behringer. However, if the Behringer is not going to give me what I want and is complicated to operate the extra $100 dollars would be well spent.

I hadn't even thought about the monitors. That's why I appreciate this board.

Room treatment is something I have thought about a little bit. Again, I am trying to get the best sound I can without breaking the bank. I am not sure how I would hang heavy drapes in the room so I was thinking about one of those tri-fold room dividers. Drape comforters over it and have the computer stuff on one side and the mic on the other.

Ron
Still trying to come up with a good signature

[Deirdre]

Have you looked in the archives of this forum?

We've been over this bridge many many times.
A lot of folks have even posted pictures of their inexpensive setups.
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[Bailey]

[Deirdre]

man-- miss a "K" and it may appear you're calling your friends "FOOLS".

Not at all the intent.

FOLKS.


I just got up from a nap—and I think the last thing I did before I lay down was type that note.
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[Chuck Davis]

Not a gear flame here. Just personal experience.

The radio station I work for in Boston tried the Behringer Mic pre's in some low use studio spaces. While the unit does carry a very attractive/low price...the EQ section is virtually useless. Does next to nothing, The only portion of the unit that was at all usefull was the downward expander.

I'd look elsewhere.

[allensco]

Not to get anything started, but I have a VX2496 and it's not at all hard to handle and it sounds just fine. I don't use it for anything but a preamp. I do add just a touch of compression with it though. I have, on occassion used the expander (it has it's uses). Other than that, everything is turned off.

Chuck is correct about the EQ section. It's pretty much useless AS IS the tube emulation and the de-esser.

I'll be acquiring a John Hardy M1 soon...so it'll probably be up for sale shortly afterwards.

[donrandall]

Ron - why not get the most bang for the buck?

How about one unit that serves as a mixer, pre-amp and firewire interface/soundcard? http://www.zzounds.com/item--ALEMULTIMIX8FW
I believe one of the participants here uses this one and has said some good things about it.

[ronphi]

Thanks for the reply Don. Unfortunately my computer is not Firewire capable. Didn't see the need when I ordered it a couple of years ago so I would need to add a Firewire card. This is something to think about though. I'd be giving up some of the signal processing but gaining the multi channel mix capability. Processing......mixing.....Processing......mixing.....Processing......mixing.

Oops!! Did I say that out loud? Thought I was weighing the options in my mind.

[bobsouer]

[ronphi]

If I understand correctly I can skip the audio card and preamp/processor. With just a mic and a mixer like this I can have a decent signal chain (understanding that this is not the ultimate setup) to record dry voice and produce some basic finished product.
_________________
Ron Phillips

"The wireless music box has no imaginable commercial value. Who would pay for a message sent to nobody in particular?"
David Sarnoff's associates in response to his urging for investment in the radio in the 1920s.

[VO-Guy]

Yep, that would work.