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Mic preamp help

B

BobSacamano

Guest
As I've been getting more voice-over work, I've decided to upgrade my gear.
The oher day, I went to a local music store, and the guy pretty much told me I as a damn
fool if I didn't buy his 900 dollar pre-amp as part of the upgrade..

Well, for starters I don't plan on spending much more than 900 for the whole upgrade (mic. pre, and USB interface) I know a good mic pre is important, but can anyone reccomend one that' won't drain my bank account?
 
Start with an inexpensive Berringer. They're around $99-$199 new from Broadcast Supply Worldwide.

Start at www.bswusa.com

Try also http://www.bswusa.com/browse_subcat.asp?category=!clearance

AND http://www.bswusa.com/searchresult.asp?searchType=category&subcat=audpr-voic

But really, start with a great mic. Invest in a condenser mic instead of the EV RE-20 everone else is using. That way, you won't relly need much processing (if any) and you'll sound like that announcer guy fronm the movies in the Geico commercials!
 
A couple pre's I've been considering are;

The Presonus single channel tube pre that sells for about 100 bucks
The ART tube pac also about 100
There's also the JoeMeek 3Q with a pre, comp, and EQ for about 230 bucks, does anyone know anything about these units?

As far as mics go, I was originally thinking about and AKGC3000, but I've heard lots of good things about The Rode NT1A, and the Studio projects C1

Any thoughts?
 
I wouldn't suggest getting ANYTHING from Behringer. I would also suggest spending a little more on the mic pre. The preamp is just as important as the mic....Some people say the pre is even more important.

The Focusrite Trakmaster Pro runs about $300 and has a really great, clean preamp that's very similar to the old Focusrite Green range. It's also got a basic compressor and single band mid-scoop EQ.

For about $120, the Studio Projects VTB-1 is an awesome sounding preamp.

The Presonus you mentioned isn't bad. I don't like ART preamps at all...They're on the harsh side. The Joe Meek stuff has a lot of character...You'd be a lot safer to try one out in person and see how it works on you. You may like the color of it, but you may also hate it.

Another option to consider is something like the DBX 286A. It's not the most outstatnding preamp in the world, but it's solid and clean. But then you get full processing along with it for about $200. It's a really good value if you like the idea of outboard processing.

For mics, I like both the NT1-A and C1 a lot better than than the C3000. The C1 is the most impressive "cheap" mic I've ever heard and I would HIGHLY recommend it.
 
Believe it or not, the Samson C03 USB mic sounds damn good.
Clean, full, and no pre-amp required. I swear this thing sounds
as good as my $500 mics. You'll need to do your eq and compressesing
"in the the box".

Other mics I like are the Shure SM7B with the DBX 286A, and a great condensor
called the HM1 from Kel Audio. (google it)

Most condensors have given me sibilance problems with female talent.

I find the SM7B to be very versatile.
 
I've owned Behringer mic pre's and have never been happy with them. They don't last very long. I own a dBX 286a, and it's good...not great, but good.

I own a AKG C3000B, and it's okay, but not great for VO work. It has a harsh high end spike to it. My next buy will be a Sennheiser MKH 416. I'm shopping for a ISA 220 mic pre.
 
Hey Emmett,

I'm now considering the Focusrite Trakmaster, along with the Presonus Eureka. although I'm leaning toward spending the extra $ for the Presonus; it's EQ & compressor seem a bit more versatile..

Are these two better than the Symetrix 528?
 
Hey Bob,

It really depends on your definition of "better". If you're looking at mid-priced stuff, a lot of guys (myself included) use the Focusrite Voicemaster Pro, which retails for about $650, but you can talk many retailers down to about $600. If you can tolerate the price, that would be my to recommendation under $1000.

I don't like the 528E at all, and that's no secret. However, the 528E is rock-solid, and easy to set up. It also has an outstanding EQ section. I don't like the expander at all, and the preamp is solid and clean, but not great.

The Eureka is a fine unit also. Great preamp, but no expander/gate. In fairness, the Trakmaster also has no expander/gate. Both will require an absolutely silent room to get the most out of them...Or software processing after you record to clean up the noise. The only reason that I suggested the Trakmaster, is because of the low price/high quality...But it's only a good preamp, certainly not a solid processor. The Voicemaster Pro is absolutely worth the extra cash...You just have to decide if you can expand your budget for it.

If you want to do all your processing before it goes into the PC, your best options would be the DBX 286A ($200), Symetrix 528E ($500) or Focusrite Voicemaster Pro ($650).

If you want to do most of your processing with software, the Trakmaster will have a cleaner sound, whereas the Eureka will have a warmer sound. Between those two, the Eureka is probably a better buy and will do more for your mic. But IMO, the Voicemaster Pro is absolutely worth the extra on top of that. I think, to do any better than the VoiceMaster, you have to spend considerably more.

Look at it like this: The Eureka is a great preamp that happens to have some good processing attached to it. The Voicemaster Pro is a great processor that happens to have a good preamp attached to it.

Another perspective to consider, is the sound you're going for. If you want that big, fat, boomy, squashed "radio" sound, the 528E is probably what you want. Or the 286A...Or the Aphex 230 for about $700.

The Voicemaster Pro is a much more natural sounding box. You can get that fat "radio" sound from it, but it's not easy. It's very good at helping the sound without becoming the sound, if that makes sense.

And then...There's the AirCorp stuff, which I know nothing about. Jeff Laurence swears by them, and will tell you all about them, if you ask. Jeff knows his processors, that's for sure! If he says it's good, it is.

Sorry to write you a novel, but I want to make sure you're happy with your purchase...There's nothing worse than spending a chunk of cash on something that doesn't deliver the results you were hoping for.

The bottom line is that there are very successful people using everything mentioned. You just have to decide what is going to give you that giddy feeling inside. ;) If you wanna chat more, or need help getting set-up, e-mail me at [email protected]

Emmett
 
If you can find an the original Symetrix 528, that box is far superior to the 528e. And/or a Valley 400 (not the 401).

I have both the 528 (two of them) and the Valley 400, as well as a dbx286A. I prefer the 528 overall.

I don't use the EQ section on any of the mic pres. Most clients prefer the audio flat. For those clients that don't do post, I add EQ/Comp with WAVES or Sonic Foundry FX2 plugs.

At work I have the dbx paired with a UREI 1176LN blackface. Sounds awesome!
 
I'm a huge fan of this little gem

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PSolo/

It's the P-Solo from True Systems. I love this Mic-Pre. It's a single channel preamp...no gate or compression or anything else...

You can just add that stuff in the software later.

I take it with me on the road, and I'm thinking about getting another one for my home studio to replace my Focusrite ISA-220.

That's a nice box...but really, I just love the P-Solo...and it's not that expensive.

So, if you have the means, and a few extra bucks to spend...get one and give it a try.

You won't be disappointed.
 
You're not the first to say it's great. I have a friend who pairs the P-Solo with a mic processor to use the preamp from the P-Solo with his desired processing. He loves it.
 
As I recall, Neuman reccomends the P-solo for their mics (or so I'm told)..

I just recently purchased a Focusrite trakmaster pro, and I gotta say I am impressed..
a very clean sound, smooth quiet compression, and the mid scoop EQ (I run it at around 750hz) has also come in handy
 
Neuman WOULD recommend the True pres for their mics...since they're distributed by Neuman USA.

I just found an older post from my friend VODood mentioning that I use the ISA and swear by it...

And it's quite true...

HOWEVER...recently, I've been having a little bit of trouble with the ISA's input level.

To me, I'm getting too many cracks and overages on my mic when I get close on it...

It tends to be VERY touchy on the input side.

But it does sound fantastic when it's all working like I want it.

But, I've recently been so enamored with my little P-Solo that I take with me on the road, that I've sent off for the True P-2, which is a 2 channel 1 rack space processor...

I'm pretty excited to get it in the rack.

I'm going to plug my 416 ( shotgun ) into it, then go line out into the dynamics section of my ISA...

Then run it out into my ProTools.

I currently have a 528E in between the ISA's output and the input on ProTools, because the Downward expander on the 528E acts quite nicely as a gate.

But I'm finding that even that amount of gating, starts to "sound" like compression pumping in the background...

And my TV guys, and one radio client in particular, just HATE that sound.

So, I'm considering taking the 528E out of the mix entirely on the home rig.

When I get the P-2 in, I'll post some A/B comparisons on here so you guys can here it...

The only reason I'm getting the P-2, is really just because I don't want to take up anymore desk space with another desktop unit.

So, the Solo stays in my road kit...

As for the Universal Audio pres, I've never tried 'em, but I have a friend at Guitar Center in Chicago who would probably let me try 'em for a few days...

So, if anyone's in the area, and you wanna try 'em out, let me know!

I'll call him up, get 'em setup, and you can try 'em on for yourself!

Just bring beer...

Mike B
Voice Guy

www.mikebrattonvoice.com
( NEW SITE COMING SOON! )
 
I was looking at the P-Solo. Looked interesting.

My friend George Robinson uses the ISA220/TLM103 combo...and just recently is trying the ISA with a Soundelux U195...Very similiar to the TLM103. Maybe a little warmer. George has some pipes. Makes most things sound good.

He did just demo a TLM49 with his Avalon 737. I didn't like it, nor did he. Too airy, and for lack of a better word...thinner. TLM103 sounded better, at least with his voice.

I'm torn...ISA220....UREI SOLO... CT Taylor recommends a Manley mono tube pre. He runs it to a Symetrix 628 (digital version of the 528) and a 416. Great sound.

Mic wise I'm leaning towards the TLM103, which I've had before. Like a dumbass I sold it for an AKG 414....which I had before as well. Shoulda kept the TLM103.

I do like the Soundelux line. The U195 is about the same as TLM103 (retail).

The VO for my talk station, Scott Fisher www.scottfisher.com, uses the E-251 paired with an Avalon M5 and a Manley Massive Passive. Nice phat creamy sound. When additional eq and comp is added - WOW!
 
I've got a 103...I gotta say...I hate that damn thing.

I mean, it's nice, it's a Neuman, it's great and all...but it's just too...I dunno...it's too something.

There's not enough "up-front" sound in it for me. I like my mics to be a little hyped, so I don't have to futz with a bunch of compression and eq...because, the type of work i do ( TV promo and Radio ), that's the sound that I'm most asked to give, so the less work I have to do to get there, the better.

I DO enjoy using my Neuman, but only for things like long-form narration.

I do lots of Children's books ( more like educational video games ), and as the narrator ( I'm the "fun uncle" as they usually tell me to sound like ), I get to use a great sounding Neuman U-87...I think it's an original...but I don't know that for sure.

It's in a really nice studio facility in Evanston ( suburb just north of Chicago ).

I've talked on the Soundelux mics before...holy crap they sound nice. But for that kind of money, I'd rather buy a 416 and put a down payment on a new car.

The nicest mic I've EVER talked on was an original Telefunken Tube mic...complete with the Nazi emblem and everything...

While that was horrifying to see...it was an amazing mic to hear.

I'm not a ballsy voice by any stretch, but it made me suddenly sound just a bit more like I could use a wheel barrow to tote 'em around for a day.

Basically, if you have friends who will let you talk on REALLY nice gear, then try before you buy.

Because for the most part, if you buy a mic, you've bought it. Nobody takes those things back..."health reasons"

I used to use my 103 on an Avalon 737...Oh sweet Jeebus that sounded amazing...only problem is, as I think I've mentioned at one point in time or another...it made me sound great, but it also made my neighbor's fridge motor sound amazing, and the dog on the 3rd floor...and the ambulance racing down the street 3 blocks away...

It had SO much gain, and my room couldn't handle it.

There's no one "magic box" to make you sound like Don LaFontaine...just get the cleanest signal path, and the mic that sounds best for your particular voice.

Have you tried a Ribbon mic? There's some new ones that are supposed to be really nice.

I'd like to play with one...the Cads from Ohio look kinda cool...they've got a new Ribbon mic I wanna try...

Also, if you haven't done so...look SERIOUSLY at the SE mics...specifically the GEMINI Tube mic. Or even the Z5600a

The Gemini weighs a TON...but they let you try it out for like a week...and if you don't like it you can send it back, no questions asked.

I tried it...I LOVED it...I just didn't have the cash to keep it at the time.

So, do give them a looky-loo before you leap. And yes...the Manley pres are phenomenal...but, is it REALLY worth that kinda money for a preamp?

Remember, you've got mountains of plugins in your software to give you bite and grit and balls and all that stuff.

I've spent many a year chasing that "sound", and forgot to pay attention to the thing that really gets you the work.

The "READ"

: )

So, just don't forget about that in your quest for the ultimate mic / box combo.

Peace,

Mike B
 
The TLM103 is a great mic...It's just not a great promo mic. It's really hard to beat for an "acting" mic...Playing a character in a cartoon or video game. Or even spots where there's not a lot of effects or music to compete with...The "guy next door" read. It's brilliantly clean and accurate. It just doesn't have anywhere near the "cut" of a 416. But on the other hand, the 416 can't compete with the accuracy and openness of the TLM103.
 
Emmett said:
the "cut" of a 416
Click to expand...

Which is why I went ahead and ordered one last week. Should be here tomorrow I hope. I'm still toying with what pre to pair it up with, but final decisions will have to wait until next months checks come in ;) .
 
Randy Thomas uses a TLM103 for promo. Of course it's a female voice. Might help her. I took her class in Detroit two years ago along with Peter Rofe, who's a VO actor from NYC. Best money I ever spent for 4 hours.

She's got a studio at her FLA home, down the road from Chris Corley's place. TLM103, a Symetrix pre to an ISDN box. Simple.


I'll never sell my 416. It's my primary mic. Use it all the time. It's paid for itself 20x over.


Hey Brian! How's Raleigh?


CM
 
Not bad at all Chuck, thanks for asking. Not seeing to much of it lately, between taking care of the new baby and working.

Love your new website by the way, it looks great.
 
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