VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

GHull · Contributor Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 25

G' morning, folks. I just got my registration activated. Laugh

After years of being out of the loop, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things & put together a VO pod. Here is what I have accumulated over the years. Take a look and tell me what you think the best "basic setup" would be, today. [I'm hoping I have enough here for a legit start without any more expenditures]! Wink

Everything I have is either mint or excellent:

Condensers: Sennheiser 416, EV RE1000, EV CS-15 & CH-15, Shure SM-81.
Ribbons: RCA 77DX & BK-5B [both restored]; Beyer M-500 & M-160.
Dynamics: Shure SM-53, and plenty of EV workhorses: RE55s, 15s & 16s, 635A.
Pres: Symetrix 601 digital, 528 grayfront pair, and 528E bluefront, Mackie XDRs, small Behringer something-or-other, Spirit Folio "British" mix desk.
Outboard EQ: Urei 546 parametric, recapped.
Compressors: Teletronix LA-3A pair, FMR "Really Nice Compressor."
Monitoring: EV Sentry 100As, QSC M/1100 stereo amp.
Interfaces: Audiomedia III card, Digi 001 card & box, Flying Calf A/D.
Software: Cool Edit 2000, Steinberg WaveLab 4.

So there you have it. I can record at up to 48 Mhz & 24-bit, and can burn CDs or make MP3s. Is that enough, or do I need to go into the 96/192 realm?

I have a budget of about $500 available to add anything, like a different pre [FMR's RNP gets mentioned a lot} ... or a "studio workhorse dynamic" like an RE-27, SM-7B, or Beyer M-88 ... if you think that needs to be added to the closet.

Or I could just take my truck to Midas for a badly-needed exhaust system.

Have at it; it's great to be here!

gh

Jowillie · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:19 am Post subject:

Welcome to the Big Show!
First things first. What's a VO Pod?

Second, How about a big forum yard sale? You're not going to need ALL that gear and it would fund any different acquisitions you decide on. Plus, you have some neat collectors gear there....and the things you don't or may never use could be of great use to someone else.

Next, what do you sound like on the stuff you have? (We kinda need to know that before anyone starts recommending or matching up gear suggestions.)

Unlimited possibilities...and a very unselfish (to a fault) group here that loves to share experiences.
Get us started.
_________________
Wild Willie Edwards
www.hometowntvtoday.com
http://vomictest.blogspot.com

GHull · Contributor Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 25

Thanks for the quick response, Jowillie.

A "VO Pod" is simply my little name for what everyone here has ... a quiet place to yap in their home studio. Ironically enough, I just saw the "Porta-Booth" cube idea in another posting, so I am going to try that route as a quick way to quiet up my room, without making the investment of cases of acoustic foam for the entire room.

At present, I don't have any recordings of me in my current environment. Let me put together that little foam cube -- sounds like a wonderful idea -- and cut a few scratch tracks on what I think would be good starting choices.

Not ready for the yard sale just yet; I have a good rental relationship going on with a "total-service" studio that records musicians, choirs, etc. So the stuff isn't "sitting dormant."

I guess the main thing I am trying to figure out ... is what I have {microphones, pres, 48/44.1/24-bit sampling frequency & rate] considered adequate for basic clean VOs -- without having to buy the U87 or 414, a boutique pre, and the 'latest & greatest' sound card with 96/192 capability?

Edo · Guest

Jowillie · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:11 am Post subject:

You have the "stuff" for sure. Check out the site VO Mic Test and scroll down to the "Josh Mahler's Mic/preamp Combo tests." That may be the simplest and most efficient way to do what you want and still sound great.
My test with the MXL 008 lately have amazed me at the quality you can get from USB mics. Of course, us old gearheads don't want to hear "simple, cheap and works good" in describing our art.
As long as you go at least 16-44.1 you will be fine. Your Cool Edit and other software is great.
Others here will chime in and give you great suggestions.
Keep us up-to-date.
_________________
Wild Willie Edwards
www.hometowntvtoday.com
http://vomictest.blogspot.com

GHull · Contributor Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 25

Thanks ... I always suspected I had enough for a good re-entry, but it is nice to get some honest 2nd & 3rd opinions, sans the salesmanship & hype -- which, as we all know, can get needlessly expensive.

bobsouer · Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 11:35 am Post subject:

GH,

You're already received some detailed answers, but here's the short version:

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

jessespringer · Guest

Hmm, yea... I'd say use the 416... about all those other mics: SCORE YOURSELF SOME $ WITH A BIT OF EBAY ACTION!!!

But that's just me...

Hart · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 7:26 am Post subject:

Everybody's opinion varies I know but here's my .02 cents. First, it depends on what kind of voice over work you want to do. I love my 416 for imaging and commercials but it can be a bit too strident/in your face for other stuff. For me, I'd keep it and at least one other. Heck, I'd keep the RCA ribbons just for the WOW factor.

I'd really think about selling off some of the other stuff and trying to find a better pre to match up. There's nothing wrong with the Symetrix units but I believe you would be better served to upgrade here. There are several fine units around the $1000 mark that would match up nicely with your ribbons or your 416. As I'm sure you know, make sure you have lots of gain for those ribbon mics.
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Hart Voice Overs Blog
Brian Hart Productions

GHull · Contributor Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 25

Again, thanks for the .02 worth, folks. I have no intention of letting anything go right now -- and from what youse guys are sayin', the 416 is definitely a keeper!

I'm not quite ready to drop four figures on anything right now, but as a compromise, I have heard good things about FMR Audio's "Neally Nice Pre-Amp" in the $475-500 range ... and it does have plenty of gain for ribbon mics.

Hart in Orange Beach, is that anywhere near Gulf Shores/Dauphin Island/Fairhope ... "just across the bay" from Mobile?

todd ellis · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 8:38 am Post subject:

i would not get rid of the ribbons for anything. as soon as you do, you'll be sorry.

BUT ... if you do ... PM me.
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Hart · Posted: Mon Jan 21, 2008 10:29 am Post subject:

Indeed it is. Orange Beach is between Gulf Shores and the Florida line on the coast.
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Brian Hart Productions