Ultimate v/o pre? What do we need?

[Bond]

We've tried many different pres for voiceover(including great tubes amps like Fearn and Neve-ish Great River and cleanish SafeSound), but we're still searching for the Holy Grail.

So in general terms, what do we need from a great v/o mic pre?

Ir should be on the clean side yes, but not thin or sterile. Larger than life, but realsitic too. And not harsh. Especially not harsh in the upper mids. Something magical in the sibilance band would also help. Like a bad ess goes in and a smooth one is handed back on a silk cushion.

And quiet, really, really quiet. Like, OMG is it on? That kind of quiet.

I've heard people say to avoid transformers and look for something with a fast character or slew rate. Yes? No?

I know some will say that "it's only voiceover" - anything will get the job done - even a board pre on a Mackie mixer. Needless to say, I don't buy that.

So what single channel pre should I be auditioning? And if it's in the 500 series, that's a bonus.

Budget? There is no limit really.

Big thanks

[imaginaryday]

what mic(s) will you be using?

[_Ludovico]

I'm not speaking having experienced these units...

but...

IF I was searching for such a thing I would surely look into 500 units like Forssell, Grace, True Systems, Millenia, and get myself something like a Brauner Phantom or Valvet.

Don't flame me though, I have never tried those cleanish units. Just pointing you in a shopping direction

[Bond]

Originally Posted by imaginaryday

what mic(s) will you be using?

The usuals; U87, MKH 416, sometimes a tube Telefunken AR-521

[Brent Hahn]

For years we've been using Buzz Audio MA2.2's and Avalon AD2022's. Both very clean and open, and pretty much interchangeable (the Avalons might have a tad more "air").

But recently we got an API lunchbox with 512C's, and they've turned out to be really good too, but different. Fatter and grittier -- really nice for that manly, ballsy in-your-face thing, or for giving some weight and texture to kids and young women.

[Rob King]

My Holy grail (and I've been talking about it for years) is the Manley Slam! I shot out about 10 mics & 15 Pre amps. All high end. I came down to the U87 + the Manley Slam! I mostly do Video Games but have done a ton of VO the past 15 years. Especially on yelling type high energy sessions like Call of Duty type games the Slam! just simply kicks ass. The files match so well and I rarely EVER touch the knobs from the straight up 12:00 position.

This is my latest game production Prototype 2 that the U87 + Slam! combo is on. all the VO in this trailer is pretty much this combo.

Prototype 2 | Homecoming trailer (2011) SDCC Alex Mercer - YouTube

Here is a good video from James Bond Quantum of Solace as well. We did the VO for this game with this combo.

Quantum of Solace: Train (I'm the money) Part 1 - YouTube

[jbjoubaud]

Originally Posted by Rob King

My Holy grail (and I've been talking about it for years) is the Manley Slam! I shot out about 10 mics & 15 Pre amps. All high end. I came down to the U87 + the Manley Slam! I mostly do Video Games but have done a ton of VO the past 15 years. Especially on yelling type high energy sessions like Call of Duty type games the Slam! just simply kicks ass. The files match so well and I rarely EVER touch the knobs from the straight up 12:00 position.

This is my latest game production Prototype 2 that the U87 + Slam! combo is on. all the VO in this trailer is pretty much this combo.

Prototype 2 | Homecoming trailer (2011) SDCC Alex Mercer - YouTube

Here is a good video from James Bond Quantum of Solace as well. We did the VO for this game with this combo.

Quantum of Solace: Train (I'm the money) Part 1 - YouTube

sounds about perfect !

It's amazing how it did not even take a minute to make me feel like I really should invest 10 more grands into gear.
depressing really...