VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

bobsouer · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 9:59 pm Post subject: A mini shoot-out

Today one of my audio engineer friends asked me to come by his studio for a voiceover session, and to plan to stay a little extra so he could play with a new toy. It's this bad boy by Avalon.

He set up two U87's, identical except for their connections.

File One is routed my friend's usual way directly into his O2R mixer (with his usual EQ and compression settings for my voice)

File Two is routed through the Avalon and then into a Tube-tech compressor.

In the interests of audio clarity, I'm posting two .WAV files, each about 1.5 Meg in size.

Here is file one.

Here is file two.

(post edited for, hopefully, greater clarity)
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Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
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Frank F · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 10:56 pm Post subject:

Ho Bob,

Being slightly biased, I liked File 2. The Avalon and the Tube Tech,

The reason being, the sibilance on File 1 is a bit higher on the sssstress points (i.e.: sss-ell-a bray -sch-in).

The Avalon AD 2022/Tube Tech CL-2A is also a much more "level" compression, less artifacts, and smoother on consonants. Overall compression levels were better on File 2.

The OS2 alone - File 1 , is nice and would be great for guitar (non-electric), and cello, viola, etc, But it would be difficult to control properly on strings such as violin, and murder on horns - at present settings. Vocals would be interesting in the Soprano range also. Your bass voice makes a nice comparison on each, but I would also like to hear a female voice for better diversity.

File 2 - RULES.

Origianl Post edited with new understanding...Thanks Bob!

Toodles

Frank F
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bobsouer · Posted: Tue Jan 09, 2007 11:10 pm Post subject:

Frank,

File Two is the Avalon, yes. But, it's also the Tube-tech. File One is just the O2R with internal processing (EQ and compression) only.

Sorry for the confusion. I'll edit my initial post to make that more clear.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch

BenWils · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 7:30 am Post subject:

Interesting Bob. Even with the expensive gear on #2, I like File #1. It seems to have retained more sonic clarity. Yes the "s" is a little more loose on it than #2, as Frank said...but #2 did not sound as full and clear to me. It may work in other formats/reads. Probably sounds killer on vocals for music etc.....but #1 worked better with your voice to me. Just my opinion.

Thanks for the shoot out exercise Bob.
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Ben

"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."

allensco · Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 12:21 pm Post subject:

I'm in agreement with Ben. I like the way #1 sounded. It had a much fuller sound. The #2 file sounded thin to my ears, albeit VERY clean.

donrandall · Guest

I go with #1. The difference is minor, but it did sound more clear and clean to me. I almost forgot to listen for any differences resulting from equimpment - I was once again awe struck by the talent. Bob - I am jealous!

Yoda117 · Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 6:01 am Post subject:

Bob,

I know it's a bit late in commenting on this one, but I preferred #2. Sibilance wasn't as pronounced, and it seemed to have a bit more presence to my ears.
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Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
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Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones

bobsouer · Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 6:37 am Post subject:

Yoda117 · Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:37 am Post subject:

Bob,

it is a bit of a standard in the industry.

Since you've been around the block a few times with this, maybe you can recommend some good choices to go along with my Trakker and Lil' FrEQ that I'm putting into the new recording space?

I'm seriously considering a Wunder PEQ1-R, but not sure if I should just go with something more widely recognized/used in the industry.
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Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones

bobsouer · Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 8:52 am Post subject:

Greg,

I'm so far behind you in my knowledge of these really serious toys that I don't have anything worthwhile for you. The man you want to ask is Kevin Genus. He's already forgotten more than I'll ever learn about this stuff. Smile

_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch

Yoda117 · Posted: Mon Jan 29, 2007 9:32 am Post subject:

Yeah, the tech part I've got down pretty well.

Still working to bring the acting part up to par with the tech knowledge... while I know I have a better than average voice and a pretty impressive range, I'll be damn dangerous when the two finally work together better, lol.
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Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones