VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[FinMac]

During the past year or so, I have searched for ways to improve my audio chain. My desire was to get a very clean, clear recording.

Now, with thanks to many of you who have posted on this site, I've got it!

Here is a raw audio sample from my new chain in my studio. This was something posted to George Whittam, who was kind enough to listen and give his comments. "Noise floor (Normalized to 0dB) -64dB, should be under -55dB ideally, super clean recording chain and quiet studio, exceptional results. "

Wanted to pass on my thanks to Colin Day and Kevin Genus, who turned me on the the Jim Williams HSMP (micpre), which is very clean and quiet! Also thanks to Bill Roberts for passing on his recording samples from his MTGefell MT71S mic.

This is raw audio. No processing on the file at all. The first 5 seconds are room tone, so you will not hear much of anything until I open my mouth to speak. Another 5 seconds of room tone at the end.

Here is the link in SoundCloud...

https://soundcloud.com/looking-up-radio/scott-mcdonald-gefell-mt71s-audio-test/s-ugqiW

PLEASE see the link to the PlopBox file later in the thread!
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www.scottsvoiceover.com - An American voice in Finland

"If you want to get to the top, you have to get off your bottom". (Unknown)

[Bill Campbell]

You have a nice voice and the mic is warm, but muddy to my ears.
Like it has a blanket over it??????

What is the chain?
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www.asapaudio.com

[FinMac]

Thanks for your reply Bill.

The chain is the Gefell MT71S, into the Jim Williams High Speed Preamplifier, into the Audient iD22 to the Mac Mini.
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www.scottsvoiceover.com - An American voice in Finland

"If you want to get to the top, you have to get off your bottom". (Unknown)

[Bill Campbell]

That's high end stuff. Let's see what others think, then I'll have my ears checked!
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www.asapaudio.com

[FinMac]

Perhaps SoundCloud is effecting the audio quality. If I remember correctly, someone wrote that there is some compression added onto files you upload ?

I think the original is better than what is on SC. When I compare the wave forms on SC and the original it appears that there is some compression on SC.

Could that be the reason it sounds muddy to you ?

Anyone know if there is a place to post audio where they do not compress it ?
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www.scottsvoiceover.com - An American voice in Finland

"If you want to get to the top, you have to get off your bottom". (Unknown)

[Jason Huggins]

Sounds pretty good to me. If you crank it, I think I hear fan noise, but other than that nice and clean. Maybe pull back an inch from the mic and it'll balance it out a bit. Just my thoughts...which are definitely worth what you paid for them.

[FinMac]

After comparing the original file to what was posted on SoundCloud, it is quite clear that what SoundCloud does to the file is to muddify it.

They compress the file, which for an mp3 is bad news.

What good alternatives to SoundCloud have you found ?

Thanks for any tips you can pass along.
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www.scottsvoiceover.com - An American voice in Finland

"If you want to get to the top, you have to get off your bottom". (Unknown)

[Foog]

[FinMac]

Thanks for the tips Foog!

Here is the plopbox download link...

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zaeqd1y3mygwrk6/PlopBox%20-%20Audio%20Chain%20Test.mp3?dl=0

This is much CLEANER than the SoundCloudy file
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www.scottsvoiceover.com - An American voice in Finland

"If you want to get to the top, you have to get off your bottom". (Unknown)

[Foog]

Wow! I just listened to the soundcloud and dropbox back-to-back and the difference was quite noticeable - even on the cheap, crapulent speakers of the laptop I'm sitting at right now. Remind me to NEVER use soundcloud to demo anything for a potential client!

And Mac? Sounds good to me it does. ...but I was listening on cheap crapulent speakers, so take it only for what it is worth

[Bob Stevens]

Sounds great Scott!

I love my HSMP. It is absolute voodoo magic on my 416. Personally not my fave though for LDC mics.

Your close enough to the UK... If you ever get a chance try a Crookwood Paintpot. It is scary spooky quiet even at high gain levels. Noiseless when driving my SM7 at 65+ gain. It has become my go to pre for pretty much everything else except the 416.

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

[FinMac]

Thanks for the compliment and suggestions Bob!

Would love to try the PaintBox but don't have an extra 1,200 euros laying around at the moment.

Is the HSMP that exceptional with the 416 ?

Love to try it - after some time
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www.scottsvoiceover.com - An American voice in Finland

"If you want to get to the top, you have to get off your bottom". (Unknown)

[Bob Stevens]

Hi Scott,

With the 416 yes. Paired with another Jim Williams modded device, a modified Aphex 651, it doesn't get any better. Talk to Colin and Kevin.



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

[Ed Fisher]

[D Voice]

So is the compression in Sound Cloud in the Audio Player, or does it compress the files you uploaded?

IOW if you enable downloading certain tracks from the SC page, will that be the same as the file you uploaded, or is it a compression of that?