VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

Darren · Joined: 15 Sep 2013 Posts: 10 Location: Los Angeles

I am setting up a new home studio and I'm looking to invest in equipment that will keep me on par with whats expected for broadcast quality.
The work I do is a mix of phone patch and ISDN.

I'd love to know what specific equipment you guys recommend for:
-ISDN box
-converter
-compressor
-preamp
-software- logic or pro-tools?
-and any other equipment you think I need (or don't need)

For a mic - I have a sennheiser 416
For sound Isolation - I'm either gonna have a custom booth built, or go with a prefab whisper room.

Thanks in advance for any help/advice.

Bruce · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 7:15 am Post subject:

I'll put in a word for an ISDN box: a used Musicam Prima LT. Mine has been flawless for several years now and you can buy used ones on EBay (here in the States anyway) for $799 to $999.

However, if you've got some coin to spend, consider getting an ISDN box that works in the IP (Internet) mode as well. Then you'll be covered for one of the likely shifts in live voice transmission.

B
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georgethetech · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 11:41 am Post subject:

OK, new guy, I'll bite!

-ISDN box - PrimaLT or RoadWarrior for ISDN/IP function
-converter - Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (can dbl as a preamp in a pinch)
-compressor/preamp - Vorsis M1
-software- logic or pro-tools? neither, TwistedWave
-and any other equipment you think I need (or don't need)
Mackie 802 VLZ mixer

If you'd like me to support my answers in any way, I am available for private consultation at vostudiotech.com

Best to you!
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Bish · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 1:02 pm Post subject:

OK... I'll play as well.

ISDN box... going future-proof with IP may well be a good idea, but if you want to stick with straight ISDN for the time being, I've use the simplest Prima 110, which works just fine in Zephyr compatible mode and can be had for around $500.

I'll agree with George about the Scarlett 2i2

I can't comment about a pre-amp as I use a Mackie 1202 VLZ (worth the extra over the 802 for the flexibility I think) and I'm happy with the on-board pre-amps.

Agree to avoid Pro-tools or Logic. If you need multi-track flexibility, then Adobe Audition is more suited to the task without being bogged-down with the cruft and idiosyncrasies of behemoths like PT or Logic. If you want simple, straight VO recording Twisted Wave is a good suggestion.

Compressor... don't bother (IMHO). It's just something that can screw-up an otherwise good recording and is unrecoverable. There are plenty of good plug-ins that will work in your DAW (be it TW or Audition or whatever).
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Jason Huggins · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 1:31 pm Post subject:

So now that that is out of the way, welcome! There's crap to shovel and chocolate to be distributed (I believe dark is the consensus of most).

I, however, would say that for the interface, grab a Propellerhead Balance. Super clean, and stellar physical interface. I also love the Apogee Duet 2 (for mac).

For DAW, I tried Logic and Pro Tools (a lot of people swear by Pro Tools), but for ME, Adobe Audition CS6 is the best for audio. (as a side note, if you desire to OWN the software, you need to get it quick, as Adobe is quickly moving towards the "creative cloud" model of their software and will no longer be selling it relatively soon).

I'd also say skip the compressor. There are plenty of plugins that do a great job if you really need to process your audio (though that is what a producer's engineer is for). I'm sure there are preamps that will pair with the 416 on your voice well, but, they really aren't necessary. I use a DBX 286a, and I just use it to give me a good clean signal.

Ed Fisher · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 2:29 pm Post subject:

Bish · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 2:37 pm Post subject:

Thanks for pointing that out. It wasn't even on my radar... which is surprising because I actually quite like Mackie pre-amps.
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

heyguido · Posted: Fri Sep 20, 2013 3:41 pm Post subject:

+1 for the Propellerhead Balance. NICE piece of kit, clean pre's, plenty gain, and, the included software is one of my faves. YMMV. Inoccent

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

Darren · Joined: 15 Sep 2013 Posts: 10 Location: Los Angeles

wow. You guys are awesome.

My first post here, ever, this is quite a warm welcome. I should have introduced myself, so please forgive me for barging into the community without first saying hello.

...Hello.
So, my story is that I was in the military for a while, then got into acting, and for the last few years I've been making a living from VO work.

In the past everything I did was booked at a studio, but in the last 6 months, the majority of jobs require the talent to have their own studio and connect via ISDN or phone patch.
So, I'm building a home studio.

To be honest, I'm "almost" overwhelmed by the variation of equipment recommendations...but I'm glad there are options, and I love how passionate people are about their equipment.

ok, back to it:

One option I've been steered toward, is pairing an:
apogee duet http://www.apogeedigital.com/products/duet.php

with either the:
Avalon 737 http://www.avalondesign.com/vt737sp.html
or
BAE 1073MPF http://www.baeaudio.com/pages/products/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=30&Itemid=254

For ISDN, I've been thinking an IP compatible device might be a smart move.
I've been eyeing the Telos Zephyr Xstream but you guys have mentioned some other options that I'll check out.

For Software, Ive been using twisted wave for a while now. I thought I needed to upgrade to pro-tools or logic to have appropriate deliverable files...but maybe thats not the case.

I really appreciate all the advice here, and I'll look further into whats been posted.

Thanks

FinMac · Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:02 am Post subject: Welcome to the forum

Hei Darren,

You will find lots of friendly and knowledgable people on this site.

If I can pass my 2 cents on to you...I would highly recommend the Audient iD22
audio interface for the converters, which to my ears are outstanding, and the built in micpres, which are very clean.

If you have a great micpre you can easily bypass the micpres, and the HPA is very good as well. However, it only works on a mac at the moment!

I read one review by a guy who bought one and decided to sell his Duet and his UA Apollo because of the converters. He thought the converters were not embarassed by his Lynx Hilo, not quite their equal but close. That review influenced me to get mine and I love it.

In anycase get something that is usb 2.0, not firewire.

I agree with the others here that compression is done well with plug-ins, if you need it.

+1 on Twisted Wave. Audition is also excellent.

All the best,

Mac
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 1:04 am Post subject:

heyguido · Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 6:15 am Post subject:

My thoughts exactly.

Otherwise, it woulda been a pile-on. Oh, the humanity. Gasp

Fresh meat! To the gallows! Wink

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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

Bruce · Posted: Sat Sep 21, 2013 7:13 am Post subject:

Dan-O, to be honest I thought the question come from our UK Darren whomst I know knows our business. Welcome aboard US Darren!

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

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