VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

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

whaadaya think? Is it a good choice for VO?

I'm currently using a Safesound Tracking Toolbox and not unhappy with it. But considering adding a Great River to either supplement or possibly replace it.

The Safesound is certainly clean and a "safe" choice. The GR I think imparts a little more oomph from what I've heard. Any input from you gear geeks is mucho appreciado.

Jacob Ekstroem

Dayo · Cinquecento Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 544 Location: UK

I've tried a lot of pre-amps.

Great River ok but I found it too coloured on my voice, mic, room.

I also tried the Safesound 500 series mic pre and found it, well, just a little ordinary.

So to confuse you further....

Rob, if I were you I would seriously look at a Jim Williams High Speed Mic Pre.

It's a league apart - ask Kevin Genus.

Super clean and quiet (the Great River isn't), headroom forever - it really let's your mics shine.

I have a very expensive Fearn VT1 sat in my rack which has become a beautiful back-up since the HSMP arrived.

Having said all that, the choice and placement of mic has a much bigger impact on my quality than anything else including the choice of pre.

Best

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

hmmmm.....interesting. I've heard the HSMP is very transparent.

How does it handle the mids? .....I know Jim Williams tends to not like
to accentuate any frequencies and likes it neutral.....

Dayo · Cinquecento Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 544 Location: UK

It handles the Mids just the way your mic handles the Mids. So if you're using a U87 you'll hear the mid range lift in all it's glory or honkiness - depending on your point of view. In short, it doesn't get in the way. It's very even across the spectrum.

Of course the U87 and Jim's pre will also throw a spotlight on your room so it's vital that's up to snuff.
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Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

Here is my experience. I have a Focusrite ISA One that gets glowing reviews for a sub-$500 solid state preamp. I wasn't happy with it in MY booth, on MY voice, through MY mics. So I sent it off to Jim Williams to upgrade it, cost $125 plus shipping. When I got it back, I noted a deeper bass, but not much else was different.

I did a mic shootout here six months ago or so - look it up - and for each of the 6 mics, I read once through the SafeSound Audio Tracking Toolbox (the newer one), and once through the Jim Williams-modded ISA One. Pretty much everyone preferred the SafeSound (I sure did). The ISA One sounds a bit muddy to me. The files are still available for listening.

This is NOT a criticism of Jim Williams, and my modded ISA One may not sound anything like the High Speed Mic Pre that Colin is touting. It's just my experience with my sound chain and voice. This ISA One could be great for someone else, and I'm looking to sell it. And on the list of possible replacements... the Great River! Rob, you and I share a similar sickness Smile

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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

A preamp is really just a way to amplify the mic signal. I've never noticed much difference between any of them, and I've owned and used a bunch.

While there are some bad, cheap, pres in mixers, a $150 preamp will amplify your signal just fine. Studio Projects VTB1 for example.

I believe sonic differences are a result of the mic, the room, EQ, and compression.

If you want to add some nice girth and sheen, find a channel strip that has EQ and a transformer. Chameleon Labs 7602 for example sounds great!

There is no Magic Bullet, except for that blender thing. Makes pretty awesome cocktails.
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SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 11:30 am Post subject:

I liked mine, but sold it and opted for a cleaner "true" preamp. I ended up with a Gordon Model 4 and that calmed the G.A.S. problem down a bit.
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

I have noticed John that you have not been hanging around the Gear section as much as back in those glory daze of gearmania a few years ago.... cool

SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 1:12 pm Post subject:

Gotta try and avoid temptation!
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Frank F · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 3:19 pm Post subject:

The differences between pre's and many VO oriented microphones can be summed in two simple words: Noise and Color.

The Great River is a VERY nice pre, but it is too pristine for VO. For strings or brass instruments it is wonderful. This issue is what several people have commented about in regards to the piece of equipment. Matched with the right microphone, it works well. Not matched properly and it sounds --- well, you get the idea.

Bill commented on the Chameleon Labs 7602 and I agree; it is a top of the line preamp for many audio projects. Getting the modded version makes this preamp sing-- or talk --- or, whatever.

Matching a preamp to a mic is the toughest trick for VO's. Trying to match a preamp to a microphone in a store is almost impossible; while piecing together the pair via mail order and someone else's recommendations is futile and takes forever. The best thing one with "Gearitis" can do is: listen.

Listen to the combinations at local recording studios, listen to the combinations of other VO's, listen to your recorded voice, and how it sounds when you get a chance to actually use a combinations of mic and preamps. Do this until you are blue in the face and have no other options. Then, make a choice for you and your sound needs and stick with it.

I can tell you which mics match best with which preamp; but will it work for you and your voice? This "match" will optimize the sound of the mic chain to it's best presentation but, you and you alone will need to choose whether it is correct for you and your needs.

Spending more money on equipment is not the answer to a poor quality studio environment or sound or presentation. You have what you have as far as a voice - make it work for you and your needs. You can always improve the room.

Frank F
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Bob Stevens · Posted: Fri Aug 30, 2013 3:49 pm Post subject:

+1 Frank. Well stated.
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whalewtchr · Posted: Tue Sep 03, 2013 11:10 pm Post subject:

Love my GR, works for my voice, my room and mics, a Pearlman TM-1 and Shure SM7B.
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jonahcummings

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

Hey Jonah, thanks. If you have any short samples mucho appreciado Laugh

So it gives you enough gain for the SM7B. I wasn't sure since I think it showed 60 db max gain on the image of the unit that I saw.

chuckweis · Contributor IV Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 136

I've struggled with this one too, Rob. While I can find countless musicians and singers who swear by the Great River as being a "next level" type of pre, and the kind of pre you'll never want to part with once you have it, I can't find too many VO's who use it.

For the money I've spent on mid-level pres over the last few years, I wish I just would've bought a GR, cuz the "great" thing about them is that they're pretty easy to unload since they REALLY hold their value.

So if you land up grabbing one, please report back on thoughts!! I'm still on the fence about selling off what I have now and going for one myself. I think though, for the money, the consensus seems to be that something like the Daking, for example, is a better option for what we do.