VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

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

Ok .. gear heads.. reviews please...

Focusrite iTrack solo? noisy? small enough to cart around? can you plug into a usb charger for power, like the Tekkeon TekCharge Dual Port External Battery for iPhone, iPod?
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georgethetech · Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 12:30 pm Post subject:

Anthony Gettig, one of my clients, has one and loves it with a 416.
Sounds as good as any of the Scarlett or Saffire stuff from Focusrite.
Can run on any 500ma USB power source, so the battery would work great. Much cheaper than the Apogee One for iPad or iAudioInterface2, the only battery powered options I know about (both well over double the cost).
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captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

although not as small a footprint as the iTrack, reports are that the Lexicon Omega is working with iPad and iPhone.. can be had on Ebay for $50
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georgethetech · Posted: Wed Jun 05, 2013 4:36 pm Post subject:

My ART USBDualPre works just fine with my iPad Mini, no batteries needed whatsoever. It gets all the power it needs direct from the iPad Mini.
Here's what it sounds like:
https://soundcloud.com/vostudiotech/mxl-1006-usb-dual-pre-galaxy
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
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VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder

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

georgethetech · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 9:53 am Post subject:

I run it without the battery, still provides P48.
_________________
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

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

I'm a sucker for these mobile gadgets.. its like crack

I put together a short spot with the VO on the iPad using the Tascam iM2 with a dock extension cable and TW.., with a bed assembled in Garageband, instruments triggered with an Maudio USB keyboard via the Camera Connector then all imported in Auria and mixed down..

Kind of a clunky way to work, but it works in a pinch..
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Lee Kanne
www.leekanne.com

georgethetech · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:43 pm Post subject:

Link?
_________________
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

heyguido · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 6:47 pm Post subject:

Yes, please. I'd like to hear that.
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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

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

Put together in about 1/2 hour.. all on the iPad with TW (couple of clicks in the vo) and Garageband.. mastered in Auria...

https://soundcloud.com/captain54/ipad-mix
_________________
Lee Kanne
www.leekanne.com

heyguido · Posted: Thu Jun 06, 2013 10:05 pm Post subject:

Wait.... There's still room for a tag with contact or web info!!!

Seriously.... Not bad for mobile production. Nice job on the fly.
_________________
Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

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

ultra mobile. i left the tag off so you could see how skillfully I faded the bed to black
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Lee Kanne
www.leekanne.com

Bish · Posted: Fri Jun 07, 2013 5:30 am Post subject:

Heads up... if anyone is interested in one of these iTrack Solo thingies, today (Fri June 7th) it's Musician's Friend's "Stupid Deal of The Day" for $100 & free shipping.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/stupid/?icid=200510
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

I own one, have also owned the Shure X2u and still own a MicPort Pro.

The iTrack Solo sounds about as good at the M Hobo Tounge

, slightly better than the X2u when I A/B'd them, though the X2u IS very good. None of them are the perfect choice for a travel rig IMHO.

The iTrack's only real con is that it is much bigger than the M Hobo Tounge

, and it's just slightly too big to comfortably fit in my gear backpack solution (along with a Dell Mini netbook and Senn 416). If I had a slightly bigger backpack, I'd probably be totally happy - so maybe the "con" is with the backpack and not the Solo! I do like the look and feel of the Solo, and monitoring is easy and accurate (see my criticism below on this issue with the other 2 choices).

To save time, I'm just going to cut and paste what I wrote in my Amazon review of the MicPortPro:

"After owning both the MicPortPro and the Shure X2u for over a year, I now have some clearer opinions on the merits and disadvantages of both units.

I recorded a sample script with both interfaces, and found that I had a slight but significant preference for the sound from the MicPortPro. It's a slightly richer and clearer sound than what I get from the X2u. The M Hobo Tounge

is also slightly smaller than the X2u, which makes it easier to carry when traveling (I have a backpack to keep my audio gear in that is already stuffed to the gills, so smaller is better). The downside of the M Hobo Tounge

may be quality control. The level and headphone output dials are both make loud scratchy sounds in my headphones when moved (though, crucially, that noise does NOT appear in the recorded sound file!!). It's annoying for sure, but I can live with it. But it does make me somewhat concerned about the durability of this unit.

The Shure X2u sounds very good, though not nearly as good to my ear as the M Hobo Tounge

. It is bigger and heavier. It feels more solid and durable than the M Hobo Tounge

, and I've had no issues with scratchy pots or anything else. However, I really dislike the controls for mic level and headphone output. They are scroll wheels without any markings at all. For me this is a potential problem. I have a few clients that demand consistent sound, and I can't be sure exactly how hot my input is without any numbers on the dials – I just have to do it “by ear.” I can't just set it and forget it, but this honestly is more an annoyance than a deal-breaker.

The good news is that you should be happy with either interface (assuming the MicPortPro doesn't suffer from QC issues). If you are willing to take a risk on the QC – and I can't say what the risk level really is – I do prefer the superior sound quality and portability of the MicPortPro. Those advantages are worth the $50 premium over the Shure X2u.

The MicPortPro saved my bacon last year when I was having computer trouble with my usual DAW PC. I was able to connect the MicPortPro to my netbook (this is my travel and back-up solution), and recorded VO for a national cable TV spot. My client never knew the difference."
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Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
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captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

Another odd annoyance recording remotely with a Netbook or a Mac laptop and the M Hobo Tounge

is vibration from the laptop through the desktop mic stand.. this of course, depends on where you have your portable rig set up... but in most cases it was an issue... not an issue at all with the iPad or iPhone..or if you are holding your mic in hand

iTrack Solo.. SDOTD from Musicians Friend.. Done... thanks for the heads up Bish.
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Lee Kanne
www.leekanne.com