VO - Duet vs. MBox2 vs. Safesound P1 with various mics

[Vocalvoodoo]

I originally did this shootout for a buddy that wanted to hear some different mics wih the Duet for VO, so I decided to post it here. It's not scientific, obviously, nor is it blind.

The mics....

Sennhieser MKH416
Neumann BCM104
EV RE-20
CAD 179

Pres...

Safesound P1
Apogee Duet
MBox 2

These were all done with no compression. Also be aware, I'm pretty damn sibilant, but I refrained from de-essing to retain the original sound of the mics and pres.

All files were recorded 4" to 5" from the mic, and all mics were placed in the same spot when recording. Files at link below.

http://www.vocalvoodoo.com/ShootoutFiles.zip
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[chk027]

Safe sound through the Duet sounded great, I thought it really controled the entire spectrum well, the Duet was open with more emphasis on the high end, and the mbox was high end rough to me.

I didn't listen to every file yet but I liked the CAD 179 and the sound of the Senn, the RE 20 wasn't what I expected in a bad way.....


I will listen some more, which did you like best??

[tdr]

I also liked the Safe Sound, especially with the Sennheiser and the Re-20. With the other two mics, the difference between the Safe Sound and the other two seemed to be less significant for me.

[Vocalvoodoo]

My thoughts are about the same as yours, chk027. The MBox2 definitely has a harsher sound. For me it's a toss up between the Duet and Safesound. I like them both. To me the Safesound has a bit more of a beefier sound.

As for the mics, the MKH is my favorite and the CAD is second, but they both obviously have very different sounds. I like what the MKH does to the low end. It's more articulate I guess? It's seems well defined and present, but not muddy or boomy, where the CAD has more of the radio type low end and is smoother. But I like the aggressiveness and clarity of the MKH, though it does seem to be more of a sibilant mic.

As for the BCM, I never loved it. It's ok I guess. I had a TLM103 years ago and I never loved it either but I had a really bad room at the time. I'd love to do a side by side with the TLM and BCM. But with my voice, both Neumanns seemed to have flabby low end. I don't even know if that's the right word to describe it, but that's the best I can come up with. I never like the high end on either also. Hard to describe, but I just didn't like it and they both have a similar high end, if memory serves. Maybe it's the 'Neumann sound.' lol But I still want to get a U87 one of these days since it's one of the main 4 used for VO in the US.

And the RE-20? I never liked it since the day I got it. Although I produce a guys voice currently and he sounds great on the RE-20. I think when people describe it as having a boxey sound, that describes it perfectly. Not to mention it has a whole hell of a lot of self noise, especially compared to the BCM. But, I had to have it because the radio station I worked on used them and I recorded my show out of state, so I had to match their sound.

So my top pics for the mics are the $125 CAD and the MKH416. Duet and the Safesound for the pres. For both my pre and mic picks, it all depends on the application as to which I would use them on a given day.

[chk027]

yeah, I thought the Cad and safe sound was great on your voice,there were some close seconds however, but you had a lot of good combinations there.

Thanks Voo for those files, I know alot of people rave about Safe sound gear at front end audio forums, I see why now. Good Stuff

I would love to hear some acoustic guitar through that thang!

[chk027]

the nuemann through the safe sound was also very good.

Hey Voo, when you say line in on the Duet could you explain the specifics of how you have that connected waht type of cable, and could you please explain how it is set through Meastro?

[Vocalvoodoo]

Originally Posted by chk027

the nuemann through the safe sound was also very good.

Hey Voo, when you say line in on the Duet could you explain the specifics of how you have that connected waht type of cable, and could you please explain how it is set through Meastro?

Hey Chk,

A 1/4 inch to XLR cable is going into the Duet's mic in from the Safesound. Then the input in Maestro is switched to XLR Line +4dBu.

[chk027]

Originally Posted by Vocalvoodoo

Hey Chk,

A 1/4 inch to XLR cable is going into the Duet's mic in from the Safesound. Then the input in Maestro is switched to XLR Line +4dBu.

Thanks Voo,

Is it possible to go Mic XLR to Grace pre XLR to XLR port 1 with the volume on zero on the Duet pre, using just the gain on the Grace Design?????

[thermos]

Originally Posted by chk027

Thanks Voo,

Is it possible to go Mic XLR to Grace pre XLR to XLR port 1 with the volume on zero on the Duet pre, using just the gain on the Grace Design?????

Its way better to select line in on the Duet if you are using an external pre. If you turn the gain all the way to 0 on the Duet pre, you still have it in line.

[Vocalvoodoo]

Originally Posted by chk027

Thanks Voo,

Is it possible to go Mic XLR to Grace pre XLR to XLR port 1 with the volume on zero on the Duet pre, using just the gain on the Grace Design?????

The connections are right, but switch the Duet input to Line +4dBu via Maestro. What Thermos said is absolutely correct. You want to bypass the Duet pre completely if using an external pre.

I think I saw you ask this question in the Duet thread. Why do you to want to go through the Duet pre also?

[chk027]

Originally Posted by thermos

Its way better to select line in on the Duet if you are using an external pre. If you turn the gain all the way to 0 on the Duet pre, you still have it in line.

Thank You Thermos and thank you Voo!

I'm a total dumbass about these things until I'm told once then I'm fine after that.

I'm gonna record a little bit now......

[Vocalvoodoo]

Originally Posted by chk027

Thank You Thermos and thank you Voo!

I'm a total dumbass about these things until I'm told once then I'm fine after that.

I'm gonna record a little bit now......

It's all good man!

[fjohn]

Files no more available, super...

[warhead]

Just FYI, the Safe Sound Tracking Toolbox has an improved mic pre above the P1, as well as a new limiter that KILLS.