VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Hestoft · Contributor Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 39

I stumbled across this in the internets yesterday, after reading Rob's comments on the BAE pre he auditioned.

The first is a chart that ranks presmps on a scale from "transparent" to "colored"

http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/micpregraph.htm

The second tries to do the same for mics

http://www.thelisteningsessions.com/micgraph.htm

Any comments or thoughts?
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Dan4VO · Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 9:19 am Post subject: Nice charts.

I like these charts and I would say they are pretty accurate with the mics and preamps I have experience with.

Thanks for posting.
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georgethetech · Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 1:00 pm Post subject:

Very interesting data, based on subjective listening.
Never thought of the Avalon 737 as being similar to a Grace 101 in transparency. Why bother with a tube pre if it is so transparent, right?
Save $1500 an the headaches and noise of tubes and get the Grace!

I need to do some critical listening to compare the assortment we have at the DLF VO Lab sometime soon. We don't have any 1073 clones at all, that's the only area of the spectrum we are missing. If anyone wants to come by sometime with a 1073 for a listening session, I can arrange it.

Likewise for microphones...
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 2:43 pm Post subject:

All you've got to do is ask George.
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georgethetech · Posted: Wed Jan 26, 2011 5:01 pm Post subject:

Just did! I'll schedule something in with the Lab and see if union status is a requirement for attendance, then let everyone know...
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Hestoft · Contributor Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 39

Can someone explain the difference between "clean" and "transparent?"
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Sat Jan 29, 2011 10:28 pm Post subject:

Think of Transparent as "Super Clean".

Consider these descriptions as if you're trying to describe a pane of glass.

Clean would be like an window made from glass you picked up from the hardware store. There might be some imperfections to it, a slight wave, it might even have a green tinge to it

Transparent or "Super-Clean", would be a pane made of optical glass. No imperfections, with little or no tint to it.
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Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

Chris T · Joined: 27 Jul 2010 Posts: 11

Mike Sommer · Posted: Wed Feb 02, 2011 11:32 pm Post subject:

Chris,
The chart is a little flawed and is not perfect. Anyone who purchases a preamp or mic strictly based from a chart or a magazine review is foolish-- this would go for anything really.

Unless you know personally how a mic or preamp sounds, you can only look at it as amusement.

These days it can be a little hard to find a pro gear shop to sample at, other than the big boxes. And the guys at the big box stores will only sell you what you're willing to buy. If you feel pressure to buy something walk away. This is why you take a flashdrive or a blank CD with you so you can download your auditions, and listen to them in a relaxed setting.
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Acoustics are counter-intuitive. If one thing is certain about acoustics, it is that if anything seems obvious it is probably wrong.

Jowillie · Posted: Mon Feb 07, 2011 5:06 pm Post subject:

You are right. The only way to pick the "right mic" is by trying with your voice.

However, some of these subjective test are an interesting way to compare the differences between various mics if recorded in as close to the same conditions as possible.

Differences in tonality, transparency, etc... can be hinted at enough to give one an idea of which they may want to try. And selection of preamp and your entire audio chain can effect the final sound of any mic.

So, yes, do not decide on a mic until you try it yourself in your conditions.

VO Mictest
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