Our top 40 station is requesting some kind of mic processing. We've always just run the MIC audio along with all the program audio into the Optimod. Any suggestions on the options? What is the cadillac, what is a good middle compromise, what is the best value? Thanks! Heard good things about a Rane mic processor but I don't have a model number, and the dbx seems like a decent value option. Thanks!
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Suggestions for MIC processing?
- Thread starter engine the evaneer
- Start date
I've used the Rane VP-12 processor and have had very good results with it. A large station I previously worked for is using the dbx 286a processor (current model is 286s). The 286a has the distinction of Robert Orban having his hand in the design of the unit.
I've had various Symetrix 528 series units and wasn't all that impressed with them.
I've had various Symetrix 528 series units and wasn't all that impressed with them.
Same old processing argument. ;D
A lot of it also has to do with what Mic you are using. So, good luck.
Personally, anything that said "Rane" anywhere in our building has failed or been replaced...or it is not of critical importance to begin with.
That said, I prefer the Symetrix unit. The dbx 286 is the best performer for the money. Hands down, one of the best mic all-in-one processors on the market is the Aphex 230...hook that baby up to an RE20, and holy smokes!
A lot of it also has to do with what Mic you are using. So, good luck.
Personally, anything that said "Rane" anywhere in our building has failed or been replaced...or it is not of critical importance to begin with.
That said, I prefer the Symetrix unit. The dbx 286 is the best performer for the money. Hands down, one of the best mic all-in-one processors on the market is the Aphex 230...hook that baby up to an RE20, and holy smokes!
What mic are you using? DBX 286 is a good deal and alot of bang for the buck.I still like the older Valley 400 or 401 and the Aircorp 500ph. That was killer mic processing. Never tried the Rane units.But most stations use the Symetrix 528E with those RE20's...Only thing i heard from a great source on the Aphex 230 is the PS runs hot.
Yeah, RE20's. Uggg, this sounds like a can of worms, especially with all the cooks in the kitchen on how the station should "sound." Hopefully the GM turns down the capital request LOL!
Vorsis M1 would be the Cadillac, Symetrix 528E would be the Toyota, DBX would be the Kia (watch out for the 1/4" output, XLR on input only). Aphex 230's are so noisy and the tubes start going quickly. I know a few facilities that purchased in bulk and have replaced almost all of them within the first few years. Stay away.
B
bilco
Guest
We have had good luck with the 528E's in all six of our stations. They work well for the Hard rock, Classic rock, Hispanic oldies and sports talk stations. Lately we have been playing with the 286S model with some success and a lot cheaper. It isn't as flexible and has limited range but a good product. I would not recomend it for hard processing, but for casual use it's fine. On the 528E's, we run most everything near the middle of the range and run heavier compression on our music stations and less on the talk stations. It has more that you can do with it. I don't like the de-ess portion but some of the folks like it. YMMV. As others have said, it's the mic that really counts. If the sound is not there, no processor can get it back. The RE20's are fine and the re27's better. Some of my "golden ear" types can't tell the difference between them and the Heil Pro 40 in side by side tests. The Pro 40 is much cheaper.
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Groove1670
Guest
We are old school. We use those with RE-20's.
D
DRoberts
Guest
I've had excellent results from the Aphex "Big Bottom" series of processors. I've also used the "Studio Channel" that's available from stores like Guitar Center. I realize that some of the "engineering purists" might not agree but in the real world it's always what works for a reasonable price and not the "brand name". I've also notice a lot of the "herd" mentality when it comes to processing. If it's got the name Orban on it or near it, some fool with buy it on that alone. Personally and professionally, I've never been overly impressed with the later model Orban equipment.
In my experience over 40 years, the best processor is the one that makes the signal sound like it should without sounding "processed". Just saying...............
In my experience over 40 years, the best processor is the one that makes the signal sound like it should without sounding "processed". Just saying...............
M
mm11
Guest
Have some Vorsis M1 processors. I like being able to adjust the processor from my desk while listening to some good monitors. What I don't like is that it really needs one more band of equalization. It's all DSP so they could have put the another band of EQ in but they didn't. The reason they didn't is to get you to buy the M2 which has more EQ but is a two in one unit. Two in one mic processors are a bad idea. If one mic processor fails in a live studio you can get by but if two fail it's a small disaster.
Have a bunch of the Apex 230 and I just removed another one that failed today thus the inspiration for me to write about it. I've had to send these in for repair five times with eight processors. This will be six. The 12AX7 tube doesn't last long either despite their claim that it's operating point is low. They refuse to give out schematics too.
The only other mic processor that is more problematic is the Focusrite Platinum 9 Voice master PRO. The many switches that pass audio in every one of them go bad. Usually soon after the warranty is up. I have lots of these sitting in storage. The production guys love the sound so we keep fixing them but I'd never put one on the air again. At least we can buy switches for them now. Having all of the switches replaced by the service center costs more than buying a new unit.
These are noisey and the gate chatters badly but one can get interesting tone with some effort although it's still "low fi".
I never cared for the sound of the 528E. The truely great thing about that device is all of the insert points on the back. You can bypass some of the sections and use your own outboard mic preamps and EQ and then you are starting to get a decent sound.
I like the sound of the DBX 286s better than the 528E and it only costs a fraction what the 528E sells for.
Mic processors in general are price point products for radio stations that will only buy what the other radio stations are using. Radio station owners, in my experience, are not willing to pay for the truly high quality mic preamps and voice processing which find homes in recording studios. The manufacturers of broadcast gear don't want you to know that anything better even exists. It's very silly that they have such a grip on the minds and wallets of the broadcasters.
Have a bunch of the Apex 230 and I just removed another one that failed today thus the inspiration for me to write about it. I've had to send these in for repair five times with eight processors. This will be six. The 12AX7 tube doesn't last long either despite their claim that it's operating point is low. They refuse to give out schematics too.
The only other mic processor that is more problematic is the Focusrite Platinum 9 Voice master PRO. The many switches that pass audio in every one of them go bad. Usually soon after the warranty is up. I have lots of these sitting in storage. The production guys love the sound so we keep fixing them but I'd never put one on the air again. At least we can buy switches for them now. Having all of the switches replaced by the service center costs more than buying a new unit.
These are noisey and the gate chatters badly but one can get interesting tone with some effort although it's still "low fi".
I never cared for the sound of the 528E. The truely great thing about that device is all of the insert points on the back. You can bypass some of the sections and use your own outboard mic preamps and EQ and then you are starting to get a decent sound.
I like the sound of the DBX 286s better than the 528E and it only costs a fraction what the 528E sells for.
Mic processors in general are price point products for radio stations that will only buy what the other radio stations are using. Radio station owners, in my experience, are not willing to pay for the truly high quality mic preamps and voice processing which find homes in recording studios. The manufacturers of broadcast gear don't want you to know that anything better even exists. It's very silly that they have such a grip on the minds and wallets of the broadcasters.
I've got the M1 and 3 bands is more than enough EQ for mic proc. Anything more and your problem is somewhere else. EQ should be used lightly if you have the correct acoustics/mics. Many like the DBX only offer 2 bands and work well too.
I agree with you on the Aphex units - noisy and hard to keep tubes in stock for.
I agree with you on the Aphex units - noisy and hard to keep tubes in stock for.
I have Presonus Eureka channel-strip units on (4) SM7's right now and haven't had an operational problem in 4-yrs of 24/7 service (the bulb on the VU meter did die on three of them, though). Those, combined with a Drawmer 4-ch gate on the inserts sounds great and aren't overly expensive. The only drawback is that they could certainly use about 6dB more gain on the preamp to work with SM7's. In stock form, they are fine for average/loud DJ's running about 5-7dB of G/R; but, if you have some soft-spoken jocks, there's not enough preamp gain to get the compressor working decently. I''m probably going to add CloudLifter CL1's (inline, phantom-powered, 20dB preamps) to them to give me more room on the compressor to work.
-D
http://cloudmicrophones.com/cloud12/?page_id=222
-D
http://cloudmicrophones.com/cloud12/?page_id=222
M
mm11
Guest
bradgoehl said:
I must report that the Aphex staff has done a 180 degree turn and now has sent me the schematics for the 230 as well as offering to send me a set of the capacitors that have typically gone bad and for all of the processors that we have.
@MM11: I know Aphex was sold some time ago and I wonder if this was the reason for the 180 degree turn around. I know I couldn't in the past get schematics for products and had to search for old versions of manuals that had them included. I hope this marks a new chapter for them.
M
mm11
Guest
Bill DeFelice said:
Aphex has always had some great products. I think that with the 230 they may have been a victim of the bad capacitor plauge:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bad_capacitors
I like film capacitors all around but they just don't fit anywhere that has to be compact and they are expensive. We're glad they don't use electrolytic capacitors in aerospace.
WNTIRadio said:
You really know how to hurt a guy, don't ya
I have one of those I picked up to use as a web processor and possibly to use for our campus FM station. Mine is a MKI and back when I asked the cost to upgrade it to a MKIII it was around $1100. I don't think the processor is even worth that anymore. I guess I'll have to find a use for it until it has a meltdown.
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