Voiceover artist needs preamp advice

[tombrom]

Hi Guys!
This is my first post - what a great community you have here.

I have been using my E-MU 1616m for a year or so, it produces satisfactory results, however I find the preamps dull (maybe thats my engineering ability!)

I am based in LA and for a while I tinkered with possibility of getting some lower end gear like a Eureka or Voicemaster, but now want to get something that will last longer.

I like the idea of the all in one boxes. The two I like are the Focusite ISA430 mk2 or the Universal Audio UA 6176.
I can't afford new of course, so I'm looking used.

Does anyone have any advice in relation to these units?
Or has actually used them?
Or suggest something better?
Are repairs cheaper for one over the other?

Is this overkill for a voiceover artist (I just give them a file of my voice recording)

Thanks so much!
Thomas

[Ethan Winer]

Before you spend any money, try boosting a touch of high-end and see if that doesn't get the clarity you're looking for.

--Ethan

[cfdude]

Get a Safesound Audio P1. Ask Warhead about them. I love mine.

[Geert van den Berg]

Since you started this in the High End section of the forum you'll likely get High End suggestions.

If I were you I'd look at preamps from:
Buzz Audio
Rupert Neve Designs

But more importantly which mic are you using, maybe that is the culprit... I would buy in the order of importance which is IMHO the same as the signal chain: mic, mic preamp ( EQ, compressor) and AD converter. (between brackets not a necessity)

[jowillie]

What IS your budget?
VO Mic Tests

[puuluu]

A true tube pre might not be the best choice for VO. We just got a Gordon Model 4 for VO, and it has more "clarity" than our Pendulum Quartet II. (which is also great)

If the Gordon is over your budget, I suggest a John Hardy preamp.

[cubivore]

for VO i'd recommend going with a channel strip, something to give you a nice pre, eq, and compressor all in one. i went with a pendulum quartet and love it cos it also has de-essing. however, considering its price, you should definitely consider getting a lunchbox and filling it as your needs demand. i also got a LB and have been able to get pres that complement the quartet. honestly if i had to start over and didn't have a lot of cash i'd go the LB route, find a good couple of pres that suit your voice and mic, and then fill it as you go with good VO modules like a nice compressor and maybe that new deresser.

[duaneadam]

My "golden" voiceover chain: Soundelux Ifet7, Great River pre, Manley MP, Distressor, Weiss AD.

Shaweeeet.

[jowillie]

Probably best to do a search and check out what others "in the VO biz" share as experience.
For example: Try this.

VO Mic Test Blog

[DesertDawg]

What the heck mic is he using? What if he's found a mic that he loves & is perfect for his voice, but he's just missing a little "something"? How can you guys give preamp recommendations without knowing this? It's not like a vocal chain that has to work within a certain kind of song context!

Tombrom, what kind of mic are you using? AND, do you like it... or are you looking to replace that, too?

[AllAboutTone]

Hardy is my go to preamp for voiceovers time after time.

[kafka]

Originally Posted by tombrom

Is this overkill for a voiceover artist (I just give them a file of my voice recording)

If you have a chance to see the Howard Stern show, take a look at the rack of equipment behind him, and see if you think that's "overkill". He makes sounds for a living, and so do you. It doesn't really matter if it's opera, spoken word, or armpit noises. You have the opportunity to get paid for it, and that's all that counts.

Since the exact vocal chain that's right for your voice doing spoken word is a very specific purpose, it would be a little hard to give you equipment advice. Somewhere, there's the perfect vocal chain for you. The Focusrite and UA channel strips are both good units, and may be just what your voice needs. Also check out a wide variety of microphones. You'll be amazed at the differences.

I recommend getting a couple of hours at a well equipped studio to go through all of their equipment. They may have a couple of odd hours in the week they might let you have cheap. This will give you a chance to try out a wide variety of channel strips and microphones before you buy.

[tombrom]

Sorry guys in posting such a slow reply!!
There was nothing replied for a day or so, so I thought maybe my question was too basic or something.

Anyways I'm using a Rode NT2000.
I sort of like it, but not love it - its low noise and good "all round".

Thanks Kafka for the tip about going to the studios - I didn't fill you in but I have worked in Australia (I'm now in LA) at dozens of studios - the mic of choice is the 416, couple of Rode Tube mics, a Blue here and there, a lot of Audio Technicas and AKG's.
90% are 416 though.

I got the NT2000 because it was the best value for money at the time. (c $600 v $1400 for 416)
I have always wanted a Sennhessier 416 - so ultimately thats what I will get.
I know it wasn't designed for vo - but it likes me.

Thanks so much for all your replies - once again I'm pretty confused.

A lot of vo artists seem to recommend John Hardy, GR and Avalon.

I used the Avalon and was very impressed with it.

Neves keep coming up a lot with you guys.....I'll look into that too!

The Focusrite ISA 430 was recommended to me by an ADR guy who said it was a great all in one solution.

Thanks so much, sorry I was slow I am typing as fast as I can!!!


Thomas

[stagefright13]

Just a suggestion but if you booked 1 hours time at a good studio you could try like a dozen or so combos of mics and pres. And really know what nails your voice. Then buy that combo. ;) Kinda like cheap insurance you will definitely be happy.

[tombrom]

Yes you're spot on. Thats a great tip.
Any suggestions in LA?

Thanks
Thomas

[TonyBelmont]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

Hardy is my go to preamp for voiceovers time after time.

I have a pretty high profile voice over talent who you've all heard in commercials, etc... He has sworn by the Hardy's in the past.

He got an Avedis MA5 a couple of months ago and has stopped using his Hardy's. I wonder if he will give me permission to post the clips he sent me of the two.

[tombrom]

Hi Tony,
I would love to hear something -esp as it is a couple of hundred cheaper than the Hardy!

Thanks
Thomas

[Player1]

I've been recording voiceovers for television and radio 15 years and if I were you
I would up grade your microphone first. You'll get more results than a mic pre at
this point. I would suggest a Blue Kiwi, or something along those lines. It will give
you a little more top end and it cuts through broadcast better.

[TVPostSound]

Is this overkill for a voiceover artist (I just give them a file of my voice recording)

Yes it is.

If you send files:
Get a Grace Designs 101 (VERY transparent), find a mic that fits your voice. Record at 24 bit, dont compress, dont eq.

I lost count on how many very talented VO artists recorded their own voices, and killed it with unneeded eq, and compression.

[tombrom]

Thanks this thread is FANTASTIC.
I started off wanting to buy something for $1700 (ISA430),then I was sold on the Avedis M5A (775) now I'm reading up on the Grace 101 (535).
How come the Grace is so much cheaper than all the other pres?
Sounds like its a bargain, thats what I like!!


Hey you guys are saving me money!

I like the look of the Kiwi Blue....but $1999 is probably more than I would like to spend.

One last question - what does BUMP mean???

Thanks y'all!

[TVPostSound]

Yes, a 416 on a Grace works very well for VO.
If you are in L.A. check out coffey sound, they will get you a decent price on a 416.
Look to pay between $900 to $1000.


Bump is a word added to a blank post, when the post is added strictly for the case of keeping a thread at the top.

[warhead]

Originally Posted by cfdude

Get a Safesound Audio P1. Ask Warhead about them. I love mine.

In many ways it really should be called the "voice box", the P1 is outstanding for this work from the clean pre, to dynamics control, and the built in headphone amp and stereo mixer for no latency monitoring.

War

[Vocalvoodoo]

I'm using a Safesound P1 for VO, and it works very nicely. I'm using it with a TLM103 and sE Titan.

[thatvoice]

You might want to take a look at the Summit Audio 2BA-221.

[NathanEldred]

I used the Atlas Pro Audio Juggernaut for a Derek Jeter Gatorade Superbowl commercial back in January with an SM-7b. Sounded great (of course, or I would have gotten my ass handed back to me by the production company!).

[Brent Hahn]

Originally Posted by tombrom

How come the Grace is so much cheaper than all the other pres?

Many VO producers and engineers (including me) feel that the best kind of pre for a 416 is the transformerless, ultra clean, ultra fast Class A type. These include, among others, the Avalon 2022 and M5, all the Grace Designs models, and the Buzz Audio MA2.2 (my personal fave).

Why these? Because, compared to most other mics, the 416 puts out a very hot, spiky signal that's tough for analog gain stages to reproduce.

The Avalon and high-end Grace pres have a bunch of fancy, expensive, client-stunning metalwork. The Buzz isn't quite as blingy, but it's still very high-end looking. The Grace 101, however, is a single channel in a plainish box with a wall wart. That, plus the fact that its R&D was already paid for, makes it a bargain. And it sounds great.

[Brent Hahn]

Originally Posted by Ethan Winer

Before you spend any money, try boosting a touch of high-end and see if that doesn't get the clarity you're looking for.

--Ethan

Ethan, as they say on The Sopranos, "all due respect." But as someone who is often the producer/director on the receiving end of home-studio ISDN sessions, all I want is Mic>Pre>Me. Often, when I'm doing my first session with a patched-in VO talent, it goes something like this:

Me: Did you print out the scripts?
VO: No, I can see them on my monitor.
Me: Is that why you're using the gate, so I won't hear your computer?
VO: You can hear that?
Me: Only when you talk.
VO: Wow -- you're the first person who ever...
Me: And while the scripts are printing, could you make sure to bypass the EQ and compressor?
VO: But that's my sound.
Me: (lame attempt at being tactful goes here)

[tombrom]

Thanks everyone for all your help.
I really appreciate it.
I am glad I didn't get the ISA430 - just because as you guys have pointed out,
its best to leave that stuff to the experts!
I'm happy to do that.
As a vo artist there is always that nagging thought - how can I sound better at my end???

All the suggestions were great - I'll let you know when I get my new stuff!

Thanks so much for all your replies

Thomas

[SveNaj]

Here is another SafeSound P1-for-VOs happy camper

I use mine on a daily basis with SM7 with astonish results...

this device never stop to amaze me after all those years

I repeat myself like parrot but for recording VOs there is nothing like..... especially considering 3P ratio (price/performance/possibilities)

Originally Posted by Vocalvoodoo

I'm using a Safesound P1 for VO, and it works very nicely. I'm using it with a TLM103 and sE Titan.

[Ethan Winer]

Originally Posted by Brent Hahn

VO: You can hear that?
Me: Only when you talk.

LOL, but that doesn't address the same issue I suggested. If a given preamp is down, let's say, 3 dB at 15 KHz, boosting with EQ to compensate is no different than using another preamp that's not down 3 dB. Either way you've brought the response back to flat, and have the same level of HF noise from page turns etc. I'm just trying to save the OP some money, and there's no harm in trying a free solution before forking over big bux for a high-end mic pre. It's just spoken voice fer crying out loud. <kidding, running and ducking>

--Ethan