U87ai recording levels

[Rob Ellis]

I picked up a U87ai for a great price from Soundpure, being the true gearslut I am...
is it just me or does it run hotter than most....I like it but up close it seems highly prone to becoming overly crunchy at times...recording voiceover stuff...

....the chain is U87>Avalon 737>MOTU Ultrlite

The Avalon gain is set at about +35db, input on the MOTU about +10. If I back off too much of either the sound gets a little too thin.

Other than backing off the mic, any tips for getting the best useable sound from this setup?

[macrae11]

I have a similar setup for VO. 87ai > 737 > Lynx Aurora.

No crunch here, even up close with some loud VO artists. What input are you going into on the Ultralite? Do you have your output on the 737 at 0? What are the meters reading? How hot are you tracking into your DAW?

[Yoda117]

very familiar with the U87AI > 737 > Aurora

No issues with that chain. Even with an Onyx 1220 running as the AD/DA by passing the input through I've had no issues. Usually though, I prefer to use a different preamp. Personal choice, and still no issues like what you're chatting about.

Sounds like it's running into either the DAW or the AD/DA a bit too hot, like Macrae said.

Personally, I like to keep the AD/DA with as little effect to the levels as possible. The HEDD is the only exception I have with that personal rule (and since I don't have one in my place currently, that's not an issue... yet )

Give it a shot and report back.

[digibird]

[QUOTE=elwood;3852675]I picked up a U87ai for a great price from Soundpure, being the true gearslut I am...
QUOTE]

New or used, how much? (IYDMMA...)

[author]

Do you use the -10 dB switch on the rear of the mic? Works great for me.

[88fingerz]

Originally Posted by elwood

Other than backing off the mic, any tips for getting the best useable sound from this setup?

Uhh....hmmm...



...back off the mic!

[Rob Ellis]

I know, seems very elementary (and is), but I had not noticed this problem with my other mics, so I was wondering if the maybe the U87ai was not as good for close micing, or if maybe I needed to change the sample rate, etc.

In retrospect I think maybe it was happening with my other mics but I just hadn't noticed it, and when you get a new mic (especially a U87) there's a tendency to scrutinize a little more...

But Yoda was right, lowering the MOTU setting to O db input removes most of the distortion, which by the way wasn't happening constantly, just at occasional points of louder volume or higher frequency (??)

Do you use the -10 dB switch

Tried that, don't like the sound but good suggestion

New or used, how much? (IYDMMA...) Today 05:13 AM

Not at all! $2400 new from Soundpure, an e-bay seller. Included a Peluso shockmount. You can see why I couldn't pass it up!

[Sonik31]

Originally Posted by elwood

I picked up a U87ai for a great price from Soundpure, being the true gearslut I am...
is it just me or does it run hotter than most....I like it but up close it seems highly prone to becoming overly crunchy at times...recording voiceover stuff...

....the chain is U87>Avalon 737>MOTU Ultrlite

The Avalon gain is set at about +35db, input on the MOTU about +10. If I back off too much of either the sound gets a little too thin.

Other than backing off the mic, any tips for getting the best useable sound from this setup?

Is the Hi Gain switch pressed on?

[DeepSpace]

Originally Posted by macrae11

No crunch here, even up close with some loud VO artists.

Same here, the U87 is smooth as.

Sounds like a problem with gain staging somewhere down the line.

[Rob Ellis]

Nope, no high gain switch either.

It looks (and sounds) like reducing the level of the MOTU is the key.

But to reiterate, I think it was being a new U87 owner that had me looking and listening more closely for occasional distortion that I may have been overlooking before with my other mics (Gefell M930 and Sennheiser 415).

And apparently they both have a lower output than the U87.

But now with the MOTU at 0 db input (factory default) and the Avalon at about +38 the sound seems much smoother, though noticeably airier and without the same "heft" and weight, but I will sacrifice a little of that in exhange for less/no occasional distortion.

Thanks for everyone's input!

[Yoda117]

I'd have to hear the clips to know for certain, but if you're running it through the 737 and you were using the channel's EQ or compressor, then some minor fine tuning will get you to where you were, minus the distortion.

If I ever have that problem, it's usually a minor setting change that's caused it, though I usually track clean for VO and let the outboard gear handle any processing that's needed... or better yet, let the studio engineer do the job so the client understands how much those guys are really needed

/a good engineer is worth their weight in gold.

[Rob Ellis]

I don't use any EQ or compression. Prefer clean and mean.

I've been experimenting and it seems at about 40+db on the Avalon and about 3 inches from the mic I get a sound that is upfront and clear and very present, but not prone to distortion.

Before I was running the Avalon gain at 12 o'clock (0 db) with about a +10 on the interface.

So I've taken 10 db from the interface and moved it to the 737. And that seems to be better for avoiding distortion and crunchiness.

Good suggestion Yoda!

I really didn't need this U87, but it was a price I couldn't pass up.

And while I really like it, it has also shown me that my Gefell M930 (which I continue to use because my biggest client wants me to for continuity purposes) is, to my ear, in the same class as the 87, though a slightly different flavor.

[Yoda117]

Originally Posted by elwood

So I've taken 10 db from the interface and moved it to the 737. And that seems to be better for avoiding distortion and crunchiness.

Good suggestion Yoda!

While I am not a recording meister compared to many here, I have my moments.

/for someone doing VO from a private studio, it comes in handy

And while I really like it, it has also shown me that my Gefell M930 (which I continue to use because my biggest client wants me to for continuity purposes) is, to my ear, in the same class as the 87, though a slightly different flavor.

Different sound to me, but they do have a lot in common. I prefer the U87, but the 930 is my backup (if I ever manage to not have a U87 in my place... I think they're breeding around here).

Now stop buying mics and add some preamps. Too many voiceover folks just concentrate on the mics...

I'd recommend a Sebatron... for kicks and giggles. Totally different sound, and great for promo and some imaging VO (especially when used with a nice compressor).

[nukmusic]

what level is getting recorded to DAW?

-25db(rms) for vocals would be a cool level on tape(daw)