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Voice Processing (Aphex 230, DBX 286, Symetrix 528e, Air Corp PH 500)

J

JAlan84

Guest
I am working on updating my home studio. I currently use a Shure sm5b paired with an Air Corp Pro Announcer 500 processor. I love the 5b and plan on keeping it forever. I also plan to invest in a Senheiser MKH416 once I have the funds. In the meantime I'd like to upgrade to a better processor. I've been eyeing up the Aphex 230...however, I've not tried it. Has anyone used this processor? How would you compare it to the Symetrix or the Air corp? Should I wait and invest in an Avalon? I want the best processor for the money and I'd appreciate any input. I've also considered running my 5b directly into my mackie and into adobe and using post processing. Does anyone have any good plugins/ adobe settings? Thanks! Joe
 
Personally, I don't like Symetrixes. I had 528 and 528E and I didn't like neither very muich. I like the compressor in dbx 286 - it's a cheap unit, but great voice compressor.


Regards,
Goran Tomas
 
Agree with Goran. 286A is strong for the price. Plus it has a highpass filter, important
for VO work. 528s sound "pinched" to me.
 
Agreed on 2 counts...the 528 is over-priced & doesn't sound great...plus it has the eq AFTER the gain control--not my preference. The DBX 286 is remarkable for the price...I prefer it over the much pricier 528.
 
Last summer I installed a rack full of 230s into a main control room for board op and guests with RE-20s and love the sound. They are pricey however you can get some real balls with the combination and they give excellent control of dynamics with a warm sound.
 
I can roll my own using Urei and Yamaha compressors... and Orban EQ's. If I had to pick one processor over any other that I've used over the years...I'd pick a Valley 401. They need regular maintenance, but sound phenomenal.

I'm not a fan of the 286's, however, for the money? They're hard to beat, I'm willing to admit that.

I don't like the Symetrix, I've always despised the Air Corp for anything besides mic processing destined for AM radio.

That said, if you want to post-process using Adobe, you would be well-off getting a plugin set like Izotope's Ozone and rolling your own preset.
 
The 286 is great, except ( IMHO ) for the gate/expander. It's way too abrupt and noticeable.

Do you share the same opinion about the gate/expander?

BR

Evert
 
Joe: I see you have just signed up to participate in the discussions here. Thanks for making your first question one that is producing conversation and answers that are also useful for the rest of us also.

I got into all of this back when tube equipment was still in vogue. I studied the manuals and "in my mind" I can see how the limiting works and when I reached for a knob.... I knew which one I wanted, and which way to turn it.

Now that we have moved into the digital age, I have trouble "wrapping my brain around" what is happening inside that machine (or inside that process!) so it is not intuitive to me which parameter needs to be changed. You may find setting up the post recording processing works well for you. I has been like trying to climb a rock wall for me. From where I sit a processor in the chain between the mic and your PC or other recording device is a valuable device to have.

If anyone has suggestions: I am still looking for good reading material on understanding how to stage the settings of digital processors.
 
I'd go for a DBX 286 or an old Valley if you can find one and want to recap it. The Valleys are truely awsome boxes if they are working right.
 
fugazi said:
The 286 is great, except ( IMHO ) for the gate/expander. It's way too abrupt and noticeable.

Do you share the same opinion about the gate/expander?

BR

Evert
Click to expand...
Agreed...for the money, something had to give & in this case, the gate/expander isn't it's bright point. I've been fortunate to use the 286 in studios where background noise was low enough so as to not require the gating. In that setting, they sound sweet. The pair up well with the Shure SM-7.

The Valley 401 has been a long time favorite as well...but the heat that the regulator transistors generate eventually destroys the plastic insulator/screw.
 
Seriously, no one likes the Air Corp?!
That was one of the best sounding voice processors I've ever heard if they were setup correctly.

The older Symetrix 528's were very good... New E's are ok too.
I've not heard the Aphex, but know that the people that have them, seem to love them.
And as good of a budget processor the 286 is... I can't see how that could possibly be an upgrade from the air corp.

Just sold a Valley, and it sounded really good, but as mentioned... needed some work.

I've also heard good things about the Vorsis...
 
I've got an EV RE-20 into a dbx 286a. It sounds good.

My 286a is set on the following:
drive 6.5
density 7
de-esser freq 9k
thresh 6.3

lo enhancer 3
hi enhancer 9

Anyone else want to share 286a settings?

JRN
 
krush99 said:
I've got an EV RE-20 into a dbx 286a. It sounds good.

My 286a is set on the following:
drive 6.5
density 7
de-esser freq 9k
thresh 6.3

lo enhancer 3
hi enhancer 9

Anyone else want to share 286a settings?

JRN
Click to expand...
Sure...
Input Gain full up
drive 3.9
density 5
de-esser freq 9k
thresh 2.3

lo enhancer 10
hi enhancer 6

Shure SM7 mic on flat
 
"Seriously, no one likes the Air Corp?!
That was one of the best sounding voice processors I've ever heard if they were setup correctly."

Go some settings for the thing? I've got several and have never been satisfied on how they sounded.
 
Thanks everyone! Another question... Is there a difference between the DBX project 1 286 and the DBX 286a?
 
JAlan84 said:
Thanks everyone! Another question... Is there a difference between the DBX project 1 286 and the DBX 286a?
Click to expand...

The 286a has a built-in power supply while the original 286 Project 1 used a wall wart power pack if I remember correctly. There may have been some other internal differences but I never compared the schematics.
 
Mic processing is much like over-the-air processing, it's all up to personal taste. Some people swear by Orban processors...ever since the 8200, I can't stand them.

The Air Corp isn't bad on an AM station...and it might be good for generic v/o...I was just never a fan. They sounded good with RE27 mics on an AM 50kw blowtorch, though.
 
Not a lot of support for the 528? If some of you are looking to shed yours I know a possible buyer who is familiar with and fond of the plain 528's (and possibly the E).
 
JAlan84 said:
Thanks everyone! Another question... Is there a difference between the DBX project 1 286 and the DBX 286a?
Click to expand...

Yes. I was lead designer on the 286 Project 1 engineering team in California. The "A" version was created by the dbx engineering team in Salt Lake City after Harman moved the operation there. In addition to an internal power supply, the "A" version added a Frequency control for the de-esser.

It give me quite a bit of satisfaction that this design is still in production today, about 17 years after it was first put on the market :)


Bob Orban
 
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