VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

First off, the Mbox mini 3 is 900% better than the previous two versions..

I've done extensive testing and a/b ing both previous versions as well as a Digi 002R and the Mbox 3 blows then all away.. It actually sounds better than the MicPort Pro, IMHO, which I thought was pretty much the best interface I"ve used so far.

The only issue I have is hiss with an MXL 2003a. DAMN! Thru the MicPort Pro the MXL 2003a sounded clean as clean can be. I plugged an Maudio Nova into the Mbox just to see if it was the mic, and the Nova sounded just dandy..

I've switched out usb cables and rebooted a number of times and still the same result. The gain on the Mbox is about 1:00, so its not that high.

Why would the MXL be hissy on the Mbox and not the M Hobo Tounge

? and why what the Nova ok on the Mbox but not the MXL?

georgethetech · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:05 pm Post subject:

Boy, that is odd...
I had the opposite problem where the MXL VO:1-a would be clean on an Mbox and noisier on the M Hobo Tounge

. CEntrance tried to convince me that some mics and preamps don't match well, but I wouldn't believe them. I don't claim to know the ins-outs of preamp and mic design, but I was skeptical.

I do know that this sort of problem is more prevalent with "cheaper" mics, in my experience. I've NEVER had someone with a M Hobo Tounge

say their 416 sounds noisy.
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If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
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captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

I hear ya, but the Maudio Nova is a fraction of the cost of the MXL 2003a, and saved my butt today with a narration that had to go out on short notice. so go figure

Leslie Humble · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:14 pm Post subject:

I am glad this topic came up again. So with only a "mini" hijack. What is the best converter I can get for under $1000.00? I want to upgrade from the Firewire Solo which is possibly the weakest link in my chain. If you can bring it in around $500 that's cool too. I know this thread has been done but let's talk the latest. I do not need a Preamp, if that is possible, to give me the AD/DA without it, so I don't just have to bypass it in favor of my Avalon M5.

Is 96 enough or do I need 192....advise me. What's the best in this range.
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Frank F · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:56 pm Post subject:

The "problem" is available phantom power.

The MXL requires better than +- 27 vdc, which is above the threshold of the available voltage and current in the MBox. The MBox supplies maximum +-24 vdc. The Nova can work within a range of +- 17 vdc to 48 vdc and uses and will sound "OK" through the range.

The M Hobo Tounge

usually supplies the max power available through USB of +-27 vdc.

A 416 which is not over-driven via proximity effect will sound underpowered on the MBox, whereas by using the M Hobo Tounge

and the higher available power, the proximity grunge is less obtuse, but the VO will still sound compressed and brash, which is very fatiguing to listeners.

Frank F
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captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

Wow Frank, impressive..you rock..!

So what might be other decent mics that can operate with phantom power @ + - 24vdc?

Frank F · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 4:25 pm Post subject:

"Decent" is a matter of taste. A lot will depend upon what you wish to accomplish, your style of performance, and of course your pocketbook/wallet.

Trial and error are the best ways to make suggestions about what will work with what.

Frank F
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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

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

Hey I just made a whole bunch of $$$$$ with a $99 Nova today but I know I cant continue to push my luck

Frank F · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:25 pm Post subject:

Way to go!!!!

Talent first, gear second.

FF
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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

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

I hear ya brother, but, a $99 mic is still $99 and its $99 for a reason

georgethetech · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:42 pm Post subject:

I like the Echo AudioFire2 for a great AD/DA with zero fat (necessary features).
Frank, are you saying that CEntrance is lying when they say it outputs true 48 Volt Phantom? Are you going off your multimeter reading, or conjecture?
_________________
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

Frank F · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:43 pm Post subject:

I have an MXL 990 and with about $10.00 in parts and 20 minutes of spare time the microphone sounds pretty darn good.

I did not mean to sound coy or aloof with my answer about mics which would sound good with the MBox, it is just there are so many mics which can work it would take too many pages on the VO-BB to list them.

Every microphone; even those of the same make and model are different. What I like in a microphone is not the same as you may desire. There are some very inexpensive microphones which with the right preamp can sound great, other which no matter what you do they end up sounding like a $10.00 Barbie microphone.

Frank F
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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

Leslie Humble · Posted: Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:27 pm Post subject:

The Echo AudioFire2 does look nice. And I'm sure it is with George's recommendation. Would it be an upgrade from the Firewire Solo?

Here's the problem I see with the Firewire Solo. Otherwise I think it a pretty good sounding interface. I can't get any reassurance I am bypassing the Preamps. The back inserts are Unbalanced. I cannot turn my main Preamp (Avalon M5) up past about 26. I am not that unhappy about the clarity I'm getting. Just some GAS.

On the matter of the true 48v or not I hope one of our great electronics experts, of which I am not one, hook up a Multimeter or V meter and give us the CEntrance true Phantom Power reading. I do know that some of the prosumer stuff does not have the full 48v advertised.

You guys are great fun.
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Rick Riley · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 7:53 am Post subject:

georgethetech · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2012 11:40 am Post subject:

Mike Sommer and I found the Echo AF2 the best thing going without getting into esoteric A/D coverters from the likes of Apogee or Prism.
The Avid Mbox Pro is very good, but WAY overkill for what you said your needs are.
_________________
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