VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Bob Stevens · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2013 5:26 pm Post subject: Chain Shopping....

For this project I am working on I picked up some inexpensive gear to practice on and to familiarize myself with the software etc.. It has been a while since I talked into a can that I didn't record on tape. Smile

So I have a little learning curve.

The practice chain after returning a bunch of noisy junk to Guitar Center is...

AT2035 -->Mackie Onyx Blackjack --> via usb --> Reaper --> Windoz 7 64

So far, so good for working on the chops.

My goal is to move into better gear for this project. I have used a TLM 103 in the past and know it works well with my voice. But I kinda have an itch for a Gefell m930. Anyone know of some good clips using the m930? Most links I found were old and broken.

Which leads me to a couple of questions for the group of experts.

Does the forum have any recommended vendors? I also wouldn't be opposed to picking up used gear if anyone here wants to part with a spare.

The jury is still out for me on a preamp. I do like the warmth of a tube but I did use a Safe Sound P1 once and liked it. Used ones seem scarce. Anyone using the Toolbox? How about a Grace m101? Tube ideas?

Lastly.... A/D conversion. What is a good recommendation for the digital input? It is only going to be for a microphone so multiple i/o's are a waste. The Blackjack I purchased is pretty darned quiet and 24 bit but no bypass. Should I consider something else?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Bob
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Quicksilver · Been Here Awhile Joined: 29 Oct 2012 Posts: 217

I have a Grace M101 and like it. Upgraded from a Symetrix 528e and noticed it. It's super clean.

I've heard tubes are no way to go unless you are looking to buy the high end ones like an Avalon or Manley but YMMV.

Also I'd stay away from guitar center unless you know exactly what you want, the sales people there know nothing about VO and will most likely point you in the wrong direction. There is a really funny thread on Gearslutz.com about the stupid things they tell people.

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/moan-zone/112000-stupid-things-youve-been-told-guitar-center.html

I would recommend sweetwater.com. Excellent customer service, free tech support and they don't advertise it but they will usually match prices.

Post some audio when you get it all set up!

DC

Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

AT2035 -->Mackie Onyx Blackjack --> via usb --> Reaper --> Windoz 7 64

Bob, if you've got a good voice and good mic technique, you've got a good chain. Software plugins for comp/expansion and EQ, or a DBX286, and your done!

Seriously, don't get too caught up in the equipment. What you have is fine.

I know, I own SEVEN sets of golf clubs!
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Bob Stevens · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2013 9:24 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the input!

Quicksilver - - Don't get me started on Guitar Center. Know what you want, go in and get out. I was very amused by the staff whom were not involved in the sale brushing by the customer and telling them what a great piece of gear they were buying. Knowing full well it is a piece of dog poo.

Bill - - I am not at all unhappy with my El Cheapo chain. I can schmooze some good stuff out of it that would work fine for a lot of projects. Might even work for part of this one. But I am sound spoiled, there is a silky warm crisp color ( I don't know how to better splain it) that I am looking for. Perhaps a couple of plugins can make that happen with this gear but I haven't found them yet. The plugins I have used sound too digital. I need a cuddly analog aurally excited tube warmer... lol Embarrassed

If I can't get what I want post, I know I can put the right analog stuff in front to make it happen. Plus I think money is better spent on quality hardware than software to try and make not so good gear sound better. The dbx 286 is an interesting idea and pretty reasonable if I recall. Thanks!

This project has me doing from infomercial DJ type hype to classy elegant narration. My voice has the dynamic just need the gear to play well.

Anybody here have any experience with the Warm Audio WM12?

Bob
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"Dialog is the painting on a canvas of silence"

heyguido · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 2:54 am Post subject:

Don't get hung up on the gear. Half the jobs out there get done on the gear you already have.

The other half go to Bob and Phillip. And they do because of nothing to do with gear. Inoccent

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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

there is a silky warm crisp color ( I don't know how to better splain it) that I am looking for.

Then get this...

http://www.greweb.com/product.cfm?ID=23&type=0

or this (creates that sound)

http://www.bbesound.com/products/sonic-maximizers/sonic-sweet.aspx
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Bob Stevens · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 7:28 pm Post subject:

Your points are well made gentlemen.

Geez, you guys can sure take the fun outta trying to find a new toy....

The quality of (home) recording has changed a lot since I fooled around with it and the quality gap has narrowed. immensely. I think I am having a hard time convincing myself that a few hundred dollars of gear and some software can be usable compared to a room full of gear and expensive mics I used in years past.

Maybe it a tactile thing..... I need knobs, sliders, VU meters and the whir of tape! A mouse just seems strange....

Bob
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"Dialog is the painting on a canvas of silence"

Jason Huggins · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2013 8:55 pm Post subject:

Bill, have you used those BBE plugins? Their simplicity is appealing, and if you have been able to attain the tone mentioned, I'd look into them for sure.

Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

I do use the BBE Sonic Sweet - the harmonic and loudness ones. Much better than eq for the final product (I do mostly TV audio final mixes). Also, works nicely on VO only.

The loudness maximizer is a multi band comp/limiter and adds a nice finished sound.
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Scolaidhe · Guest

georgethetech · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 2:21 pm Post subject:

If you like knobs and front-end processing, check out the Vorsis M1. Lots of knobs, uber-pristine, under $900, and made in the USA. It even has AES output to keep it digital all the way to the computer. BSWusa.com carries it, my preferred dealer, and my rep there is Jamie Singer.

I love that it plugs into your LAN so you can have a nice GUI to view meters and control, store presets, and access it remotely. The coolest thing ever is to have a client ISDN/Source Connect with me and read copy while I dial in their Vorsis from here. In some cases it's even BETTER than being there in person since I'm not in their way.

As for mics, just look for very low self-noise, high sensitivity condensers like the CAD e100s, TLM102, 103, Sennheiser MK4, AT4040, CharterOak E700, Mohave MA-201fet, Rode NT1,2,2000, ADK, and many, many others. With the power of the Vorsis, the EQ can be sculpted to suit the voice and room acoustics. It also has a fantastic downward expander, extremely transparent.
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Limerick Lane Audio · Contributore Level V Joined: 13 Jan 2012 Posts: 151