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Jason Huggins The Gates of Troy
Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Posts: 1846 Location: In the souls of a million jeans
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Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 7:13 am Post subject: |
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What about workflow items? Would some new software help you be more effective/productive? What about little things that would make your overall work experience better? Big second monitor for editing outside of the booth? A nice set of monitors for listening? Do you have yourself set up for doing mix-minus playback for client sessions? Could you get better internet speed and have a more enjoyable experience and faster uploads if you upgraded your modem/router and service? How about a cough button designed into your booth (physical or otherwise) to provide a better listening experience for your clients?
Do you have top quality audio cables? How about a battery backup so you don't lose audio in the event of a power outage? Maybe a generator to allow you to pick a session back up in the event a power outage occurs?
Do you have a backup of all your gear? If your interface craps out, do you have another one to replace it with immediately while a client waits on the line for you? Do you have a second 214? Extra XLR cable or two? Second set of headphones? Another keyboard and mouse/trackpad?
At the end of the day, what would most positively impact your bottom line (not necessarily directly even). An aesthetically pleasing working environment will do wonders for your productivity. Peace of mind that you have a backup in case something goes down can lighten your load a bit. A better listening environment will help you hear better what you might want to tweak.
Don't buy gear just for the sake of buying gear. Have a purpose for every purchase...even if the purpose is to make you happier |
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Eddie Eagle M&M
Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 2393
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Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 7:24 am Post subject: |
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Does it have to be gear or does coaching count? |
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Bish 3.5 kHz
Joined: 22 Nov 2009 Posts: 3738 Location: Lost in the cultural wasteland of Long Island
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Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 7:28 am Post subject: |
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Jason Huggins wrote: | Don't buy gear just for the sake of buying gear. | That sort of talk will get you drummed out of the Brownies and sent to Coventry, my lad! Anything can be justified if you put your mind to it!
Also, we have to bear in mid that it is "found money" that carries with it a burden of responsibility. The "See, look at this lovely thing I purchased with the $1,000. Thank you, I'll always think of your generosity when I use it." must be preserved (by the way, that bit was not sarcastic!). That's difficult with a physical intangible (like marketing) and not as satisfying when pointing to a pile of OC703. _________________ 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. |
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yarg28 Been Here Awhile
Joined: 25 Aug 2014 Posts: 267 Location: Indiana
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Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 7:53 am Post subject: |
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THIS.
Bish wrote: | Also, we have to bear in mid that it is "found money" that carries with it a burden of responsibility. The "See, look at this lovely thing I purchased with the $1,000. Thank you, I'll always think of your generosity when I use it." must be preserved (by the way, that bit was not sarcastic!). That's difficult with a physical intangible (like marketing) and not as satisfying when pointing to a pile of OC703. |
This is an older family member that really loves feeling like they are helping. They also remember things like the depression and if they believe the money was squandered then your cutoff. They may have a difficult time remembering where they "put those damned keys" but they will never forget that I "wasted" that money on marketing or a cable.
But, Jason, there are some great questions there that I need to think about! Some of those solutions could fall under the umbrella of "found money" and actually be perceived as tangible enough.
Thank you! |
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FinMac Lucky 700
Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Posts: 705 Location: In a really cool place...Finland!
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Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 8:13 am Post subject: Some options |
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Jason had a really good question regarding what you want to do.
If you simply want to get a better interface, there were some good suggestions by Lance and Sean.
If you want another option for a mic, without springing for a 416 you might consider the new Rode NT1 kit. There is a top VO talent here in Finland who loves his, and I got to use it in a mic shootout. It held up well with the 103 and the price is amazingly good, and they are extremely quiet. Both Lance and Sean use one at the moment (if I am correct).
If you want a nice change for the micpre the Warm Audio WA 12 is a good choice. Have a friend who uses it with his CAD e100 s and loves the combination. You could get a Warm 12 and the Rode and still have money left over.
Then again, if you want some flexibility you might consider the SoundDevices USB Pre2. Great interface, outstanding micpres, and it is made to go work outside, so it works very well as a travel gear option. this one will take up most of your budget.
More options to think about _________________ www.scottsvoiceover.com - An American voice in Finland
"If you want to get to the top, you have to get off your bottom". (Unknown) |
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Jason Huggins The Gates of Troy
Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Posts: 1846 Location: In the souls of a million jeans
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Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 8:59 am Post subject: |
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yarg28 wrote: |
They may have a difficult time remembering where they "put those damned keys" but they will never forget that I "wasted" that money on marketing or a cable. |
Well then I vote either a 416 as "the mic you've always wanted to try but couldn't afford" or a preamp or interface that has a lot of buttons and looks expensive
Just remember that this will be one piece of gear that you will never be able to trade out if you end up never using it LOL |
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Fran McClellan The Thirteenth Floor
Joined: 15 Feb 2010 Posts: 1311 Location: Middle of Nowhere, PA
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Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 9:02 am Post subject: |
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I honestly don't think you'll regret going with the 416. It was my main mic for awhile until I started using the 103. I still use the 416 for certain things and it's the best travel mic I've ever used (FWIW, I think a shotgun is much more ideal as a travel mic than a condenser) _________________ Back into the murky lurk from whence I came
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"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon |
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Bruce Boardmeister
Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 7926 Location: Portland, OR
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Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:11 am Post subject: |
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I vote for the 416. They're about $1,000 new and if you don't like it you can probably sell it for closer to the original price than a lot of items.
B _________________ VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005
I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. . |
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yarg28 Been Here Awhile
Joined: 25 Aug 2014 Posts: 267 Location: Indiana
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Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 10:27 am Post subject: |
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this has been a great thread (for me). Much to ponder; which is exactly what I was hoping for.
Thank you for supporting me through this difficult and troubling life decision |
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yarg28 Been Here Awhile
Joined: 25 Aug 2014 Posts: 267 Location: Indiana
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Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2016 2:33 pm Post subject: |
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Eddie Eagle wrote: | Does it have to be gear or does coaching count? |
missed this! In this case it needs to be gear. The good news is that I have coaching covered. |
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georgethetech The Gates of Troy
Joined: 18 Mar 2007 Posts: 1877 Location: Topanga, CA
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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I guess the easy answer is a 416, tangible, obvious, and useful. 2nd choice an Apollo Twin Solo with API Vision Channel Strip plugin. _________________ If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder |
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yarg28 Been Here Awhile
Joined: 25 Aug 2014 Posts: 267 Location: Indiana
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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George, I looked at the Apollo twin and I can honestly say I have no idea what it does or how I'd use it? Looks "mysterious" but i love demystifying things.
Going to look for some videos/reviews
Thanks again for everybody's input. |
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Frank F Fat, Old, and Sassy
Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 4421 Location: Park City, Utah
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 6:36 pm Post subject: |
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I am with "save" crowd. If you do not need .... And I mean NEED it, don't buy it now.
Wait.
F2 _________________ Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com |
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Quicksilver Been Here Awhile
Joined: 29 Oct 2012 Posts: 217
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Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2016 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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Quality cabling will save you a major headache some day. Not knowing what's wrong with your rig with sessions coming up is an awful feeling. Cheap cables go out ALL the time and always at the worst time.
If you already like your mic though, I'd get a faster computer or portable computer (mac air fits the bill). Or an iD22 and a pair of Beyerdynamic 770's..
You won't regret the 416 though. Great mic that works as well in a hotel room as a pro studio and really never needs upgrading.
Post what you get, we all want to know! |
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Jason Huggins The Gates of Troy
Joined: 12 Aug 2011 Posts: 1846 Location: In the souls of a million jeans
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Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 7:46 am Post subject: |
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I agree with the Apollo Twin. I picked one of those up twice but had some workflow issues with my own personal setup (I needed to have 2 thunderbolt ports or a thunderbolt hub that costs $250 to make it mostly work which means I needed a new computer). I LOVED how it sounded, loved how it worked, loved that I could adjust gain in the booth without having any gear in the booth, loved the tone options, loved the routing options, did I mention I loved how it sounded? I was a huge fan of the 1073 plugin and the great thing about it was that all of that outboard gear (I know the emulation isn't spot on but it's darn close) never craps out on you. Great solution if you ask me. I will be upgrading to one when my computer finally needs to be replaced because then the setup won't be nearly as expensive.
Hmmm...guess I had some feelings to get out about the Twin LOL |
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