VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Skype is working great as a phone patch, but still haven't mastered the playback for client thing-y, and I felt bad this week being unable to provide said playback.

If anyone has insights or suggestions I appreciate it.

Deirdre · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 9:02 am Post subject:

I use 2 computers and a Mackie 1202 mixer.
My recording computer's digital output feeds one channel, my mic's split signal feeds another channel.
My laptop has "The Skype" on it. Ethernet connexion.
Main outs from the Mackie to the audio in, headphone out from the lappy to a 3rd channel on the Mackie.

I do the same kind of setup with a Mackie 402 at my little studio in Florida.
Probably not the solution you were looking for, but this works flawlessly.
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chrisvoco · Club 300 Joined: 14 Mar 2014 Posts: 380 Location: Local

Multiple audio interfaces on one computer will do it, too. I use a focusrite device as the main interface for daw, plus a small behringer couple-channel USB mixer and a small m-audio cheapy (I know, I really don't need *three* but More Has Always Been Better And Always Will Be). In my particular configuration, I pump one bus into the input of the behringer, who is the skype input. I use the m-audio as skype's *output*. Everybody has in and out attached to my onyx mixer and sent to appropriate buses.

In windows, at least, this works just fine. I haven't a clue whether osx would like it.

This is a sub-hundred-dollar solution, and if you have an unused audio interface in a closet somewhere, you're all set.
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

I love the MacGyver spirit that prevails here

vkuehn · Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2015 1:24 pm Post subject:

When you get all that figured out and working, post a picture as in a schematic of how you wire it together. I only read books that have pictures. Embarrassed

Sometimes words only works if the author knows the dialect that includes the gozintas and the cumzoutas in colorful detail.

FinMac · Posted: Sun Dec 13, 2015 9:42 am Post subject: Yamaha AG03

Check out George Whittam's video about the AG03.

It should be able to provide exactly what you asked about regarding Skype and playback for the client.
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paulstefano · Posted: Mon Dec 14, 2015 5:21 am Post subject: Re: Yamaha AG03

Jason Huggins · Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 6:53 am Post subject:

I'm using the iD22 for that. Works pretty well. I used to have a Mackie mixer before I picked up the Audient. Either way worked great, just depends on how much gear you want on the desk.

I was looking at the AG03 and wondering a couple things. Does it do mix minus or do you have to raise and lower the volume (or flip the switch to loopback) each time you play back? I was thinking this would be a cool solution, but not if you have a booth and need to have controls (for the same interface) in the booth AND in the control room. I have my preamp in the booth with me so I can adjust the level where the mic is and the iD22 in the control room where I edit. The software allows me to control all the routing (so I can adjust the levels in my headphones or that are sent to the client) while I'm in the booth or in the control room.

If you record in the same space you edit, it might be a really great solution. Personally, I still like the freedom of mix-minus because playback is always going to the client (unless I mute it) and I never have to mess with knobs or buttons to make that happen or worry that the client will have slapback if they talk while playing back.

How much actual gain does that bad boy pump out? I am wondering if it would work with a gain eating dynamic without the cloud lifter.

paulstefano · Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 7:17 am Post subject:

I don't have a dynamic now, but I would be surprised it had enough to power one alone. It's one of the stronger pre-amps I've tried in this price range, but not an entirely different level. Maybe George got a chance to pump it through a dynamic.

As for the loopback, yes you need to flip a switch. Works well for me because I have it in the booth with me next to my mic. My rig sits just outside the booth, about 5 feet away. I will say, I don't entirely know what passes through the chain with the "loopback" switch engaged. If you want to help me test it, I can give you a skype call. There are pots for both monitors so maybe you can pass through the call and the recording and just mute when you want.

On a related note, I discovered that the AG03, like most USB devices, doesn't like passive long USB extensions. I first tried to power it through a 50 foot passive extension cable I have and it said "Uh, no". Couldn't get any power whatsoever. So now I power it through a 15 foot direct USB connection.
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FinMac · Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 7:21 am Post subject: AG03

Jason, this is an excellent solution for mix-minus.

I picked one up after watching George Whittam emoting over it...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUUP7eJwngQ

Don't think you have to play around with it once it is set.

What I like about it is the built-in DSP high pass filter and EQ. The Skype playback set up is pretty cool. The micpres and HPA and converters on the iD22 are much better, IMHO.

But I might be using it with a new my new condenser mic Smile

as I like the fact that you can adjust the hpf and EQ to taste.

Don't think it has enough power for a dynamic mic without the Cloudlifter. George got lower levels using his AT mic than I have with my mics, YMMV.

Lastly the price is extremely low.
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Jason Huggins · Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 8:58 am Post subject:

So just so we are using the same terminology, you are saying that you can send the output of the DAW and the Mic input signal back to Skype without mixing in the input that is coming FROM Skype? So the client will not hear themselves back, and all over USB?

If that is the case, this does sound like it would be a killer solution. Does the DSP have any downward expansion capability?

I'm just trying to figure out if this is something I could recommend to people who are asking about this specific functionality Smile

Maybe I'll pick one up and play with it!

paulstefano · Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2015 9:02 am Post subject:

Eddie Eagle · M&M Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 2393

Here's a free setup to run a playback on skype. Use these two for your skype sessions. It takes a little tinkering to set it up but I tested it on the skype echo and it works great. I'm using Windows 8 and the Focusrite Forte
I can playback any prerecorded audio from Audition 3.0 or browsers in the skype session.
Just mute your mic while you playback to avoid feedback.

Voicemeeter Virtual Audio Mixer
http://vb-audio.pagesperso-orange.fr/Voicemeeter/index.htm
VB-Audio Virtual Cable
http://vb-audio.pagesperso-orange.fr/Cable/index.htm

I do reset my audio setup in Audition prior to a session and then revert afterwards for regular day to day recording. I could just use the mute on Voice Meeter main out when I want to playback regular stuff to avoid echo. For me I think just setting up for skype and reverting after a session is best.

ballenberg · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 7:12 am Post subject:

So can the AG03 also be used as a direct interface into the computer...ie, it's a preamp, a mixer..is there anything else needed to record directly ?

paulstefano · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 7:17 am Post subject: