VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

KaraEdwards · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 4:23 pm Post subject: More Hybrid/Phone Patch Questions

I read the post from last year about phone patches- but had another question...

I just got off the phone with BSW- I was asking about hybrids/phone patch (they say no one uses that term anymore- oh well). What I want is to hear a caller in my headphones, have them hear me through my mic, and be able to direct me while not being recorded (only my voice would be recorded)...First, he said the JK Audio Host. Then, he said I could go with the TT1 into a Behringer XENYX-802 into my MBox and make it all work...

I want to run it by the experts before I purchase anything!! I can't seem to find any reviews online about either...although I plan to keep looking.

It seems like a very cheap solution, but I don't want to go the cheap route if I have to turn around and buy the JK Host down the road anyway...

Obviously, 4 months into my new career, there is no way I could afford ISDN just yet- but there have been 4 occasions recently I had to go to an outside studio just for the ability to be directed over the phone.

Thanks for the help!
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Jowillie · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:23 pm Post subject:

If you don't really have a relationship or committment to any particular rep at BSW, ask for Gary Bebee. What you are looking for involves "Mix-minus" and they may be (or should be) asking how you will run it through your mix-board.
It sounds like you need to feed your audio down the phone line as you are recording it. It should be simple, but it never is until the light goes off between you and your equipment advisor about exactly what you really need and how to match it up with your existing gear.
There are folks on this board in the Charlotte metro that are probably using something similar to what you are looking for. Maybe they will check in.

Willie Edwards
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Dave · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 6:35 pm Post subject:

Kara,

I have gone the simple route for many years without a problem... I wear a lite-weight telephone headset/mic so my client can hear me on the phone at the same time I speak/record into my system. I've never had any complaints and it only cost $16 for my V-tech headset.

Dave
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KaraEdwards · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:08 pm Post subject:

Dave and Willie- thank you for the advice! I did look into getting a Mictel- but didn't like the idea of one-way communication. A headset would always work- my speaker phone has been useful in the past! So much of the work I do tends to require a good director and lots of communication- so the more stable my recording environment- the more confident I will be. Of course $16 always sounds good!! Smile

I will be sure to ask for Gary...the gentleman I spoke with didn't really understand what I was wanting- but did advise me to do more research.

Thank you again!
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Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638

Hi Kara,

I use a JK Audio Auto Hybrid. Works great. If you happen to use Pro Tools, here is a link where Kevin Genus (Gear God) walks me through setting it up:

http://www.vo-bb.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=251&highlight=phone+patch

Dan

p.s. Congrats on the Voicey award.

Mushmelon · Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 9:43 pm Post subject:

Hi Kara,
I use the JK Audio Inline Phone Patch ($239) from BSW. I was afraid at first that I would end up having to go the Audio Host (digital hybrid) route but thankfully I didn't. I, like you, am not interested in recording the person who is directing me. Simply hearing them in my headphones and them being able to hear me through my microphone is all I was looking for. Therefore the analogue hybrid phone patch was fine. If, however, I needed to record their side without any crosstalk or spill over of my side of the audio, then I would have had to go the digital hybrid route which features a much greater degree of seperation between your voice and the callers voice and pay the extra $$. With either kind of hybrid you just have to be sure that you have the right equipment capable of interfacing with the hybrid. The folks at BSW should be able to help you with that. Good luck!

I just re-read what I typed and wanted to clarify one point. BOTH the analogue and digital hybrids allow you to record both sides of the call (if you ever wanted to). The difference is that the digital one would have greater seperation (i.e., would isolate the other callers voice from your own which would be very useful in an interview type of situation).

Having said that, my original point remains. The Inline phone patch should work just fine for you as long as you can hook it up properly to your mixer.
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kitstern · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:57 am Post subject:

Kara, I also use the JK Audio Autohybrid. It works great, and doesn't cost much. I do get some bleed from the headphones during direction in between takes (my mic is extremely sensitive), but I just edit that out before I send the file.
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KaraEdwards · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 9:58 am Post subject:

Again, A BIG thank you to everyone for their help! I plan to call BSW today and ask about the JK Audio Auto and Inline. I am running Pro tools and would be connecting into an MBox 2. I've heard from plenty of people that swear by a headset- but after 11 years in radio- I'm lost without my headphones Smile

Dan, thank you for the set-up link...I am only 'mildly' technically oriented- so I'll have to have the equipment in front of me before it makes any sense!

Another question...I bought a Marshall v-69 tube mic when I was first setting up my studio (I knew nothing about mics at the time)- it actually sounds pretty good, but sometimes picks up 'breathy sounds' and 'sss's' that drive me crazy! What is the best next step...a pre-amp, channel strip- or a new mic??

Thank you again and again!
Kara
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Jowillie · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 10:04 am Post subject:

Are you running the V69 straight into the M-box?
(edit:) ...and ...how do you want it to sound? Your unique voice may utilize a much different set-up than a low key voice. Are most of your demos done on the station's dynamic mic? You may not need the higher presence of the condenser mic like the V69.
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richgates · Guest

Hi Kara,

Have you tried using the built in de-esser in Pro Tools to see if it helps with the s sounds?

Frank F · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:19 pm Post subject:

Just a quick note: I enjoy the V69. However, with that said, there are some inherent problems with the mic.

Where is your mouth in relation to the mic? How are you driving the mic now? What kind of level are you getting (waveform), 50%, 60%, 80%, more?
Do you have a pre-amp now?

As for phone patch's. do you really need to record the caller? If not, the simple solution is a light weight headset (ala, Dave DeHart in Houston). This may be worn WITH your headphones, and gives you all you need to send your "program audio" to the client/director/producer.

Good luck.

Toodles

Frank F
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KaraEdwards · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 12:53 pm Post subject:

You guys really are the best for helping me Smile

I am running the V-69 straight into my MBox 2 into my computer. I'm sure I need some sort of pre-amp to help with the sound at some point...but I've been getting equipment as I get jobs...but am ready to buy something if needed.

I stand anywhere from 6 inches to 2 feet from the mic (depending on if I'm yelling, acting, or just voicing)...farther away than in professional studios I use. It sounds fine, but it seems to be missing something...I don't know what. My levels are about 60% I'd say.

I like to be able to hear every part of my voice, especially since most of my work is not 'typical announcer' and I have a young and unusual sound. I don't want it distorted or affected in any way...just 'enhanced'. I often feel more comfortable in our local production studio than I do in mine, and I want to change that. They are kind to let me come in and record work- but I would rather stay at home...especially with all the $$ I've already spent!

Part of my demos are recorded at my house, and part are commercials and jobs I did outside of my home. I will try to edit together something here in a minute that was done at home and post it to see if anyone here's what I am talking about. I'm a perfectionist...please forgive me!

Rich- I will check out the plug-in you mentioned...I'm still learning Pro Tools as I've only had it about 3 months.

Thank you, thank you, thank you again!!!
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KaraEdwards · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:36 pm Post subject:

Ok- here is some audio I recorded in my studio...WARNING!!! It is over-the-top-cheesy. Delvin at Sweetwater needed an audio sample after I set up Pro Tools, and I recorded this...yes, I'm a loser...oh well.

http://karaedwardsvo.com/thanksdelvinandsweetwater.mp3

I'll try to post some dry audio...but does anyone hear what I hear? Lack of talent aside, the sound seems 'dull' to me??? Any suggestions?

(Glad I'm not a mom yet, I'd have to remove the kids from school after this post...how embarrassing!)
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richgates · Guest

To be honest Kara it sounds good to me. You don't have one of those types of voices where your voice needs a lot of extra punch. I suppose there would be exceptions, but probably rare for you.

If you feel like it is lacking something, I know that one thing a lot of people use is either a Mic Pre that is tube based to give your voices some extra warmth or if you don't have one you can always use something like the Vintage Warmer plugin.

I used that for all three of my demos along with T-RackS. T-RackS is has a whole suite of tools including Compression, Limiting and EQ.

I am still trying to recreate the sound that my producer got in the studio, but so far I've been unable to. Frown

I know that Pro Tools also has plugins that do all that I mentioned (save Vintage Warmer) built in. The key is finding something that works for your voice which is a lot of work.

I have considered hiring someone to come out and help me tweak my set up, but I'm trying to avoid that since I have spent way too much money lately on getting my business going.

davediamondprovo · Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 3:47 pm Post subject:

Kara,

I'm using the Telos One Digital Hybrid and have had years of great connections with it. Even wrote this setup tute about it and a Mackie. It's a bit more expensive (lots more actually) but it's second to none in my opinion. As far as BSW is concerned, I've found Gary Bebee to be less than forthcoming regarding inventory in-house. If you do get him on the horn make certain you ask if the item is IN HOUSE ready for shipment that day or will it be DROP SHIPPED from another manufacturer for which you will need to follow up with to make certain the item is in their stock pile. FWIW
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