Anybody tried this Vocal Chain?

[Antagonist]

Slutz-
I've been working on updating my vocal chain for a while now... I think I have it narrowed down. First I want to know if anybody has tried this particular chain, or something close?

Shure SM7b--Universal Audio Solo 610-- M-Audio Firewire 410 Line in

Currently I'm recording through a pre with digital outs. This makes it pretty easy, as I can set my input just below clipping through the pre's compressor then put it digitally into the 410's spdif in. Makes a nice loud vocal get into my Mac digitally.

My main concern is that using a line-in that I would have problems with Clipping trying to get a loud signal into the Firewire 410. ( I tried to use my ART TPii for a while and kept having a problem getting the signal loud enough without clipping the 410)

So I guess main question is: 1. Will the Solo 610 control levels good enough that I can set it high and not worry about clipping?

Lastly, is the Firewire 410's converters going to destroy the high quality signal coming out of my 610? I'd hate to spend all that cash, and just ruin the signal by going into the M-Audio pre. through the line ins (Atleast until I can afford a better converter?)

Any help would be appreciated
Antagonist
www.myspace.com/leftcoastrider

[computa]

you need a compressor in the chain.

I dont know how folks can record good level vocals into a DAW without a compressor

[Methlab]

Originally Posted by computa

I dont know how folks can record good level vocals into a DAW without a compressor

I use a gain knob personally.

[third world]

I use a gain knob personally.

what gain knobs do you recommend?

[Twinskin]

When I tried it, I didn't feel the 610 had enough gain for the SM7b, nor was it a complimentary pairing.

[Joemamma]

The 610 tends to get noisy when using a lot of gain...

[feedback711]

Originally Posted by computa

you need a compressor in the chain.

I dont know how folks can record good level vocals into a DAW without a compressor

i agree. even if it is at low setting a compressor will add color to the vocal that you can not get from a plug in.
reguardless of what people say. every major studio has a compressor in the chain. if it wasnt needed then why do they have it....cause it works. lol



check it
MySpace.com - Feedback productions - Kansas City, US - Hip Hop / Indie / Rap - www.myspace.com/feedbackproductions

[Methlab]

If you need a compressor for a hot LEVEL, you really need a pre that has the proper amount of gain to drive the mic.

[Joemamma]

Yeah, you don't need a compressor. Just watch the gain, and as long as you're not clipping digitally, you're good...

[feedback711]

Im a hippy.............WHAT. That song is bonkers son. love it...........


didnt mean to spoil the thread but joemama gets props from me...hahahahah



MySpace.com - Special k beat page - UNITED STATES, Minnesota - Hip Hop - www.myspace.com/feedbackbeatsandfunnies

[Mo King]

...is that I would step up a little and get a pre with a little more headroom. May I suggest something like the SSL Alpha Channel. Tried recently with both an SM7 and an EV RE20 into a Digi 003. May be a little more money, but the old saying still applies-you get what you pay for!

Mo King

[Antagonist]

Thanks for the responses...
Up until this point I've been going out from a TC Triple C into the FireWire 410 digitally through the spdif. So I've always had a compressor in the chain.

Anyways I picked mine up this afternoon, and after setting everything up and letting the tubes warm up for about 2 hours, I began playing around.

After 3 hours I am kind of disheartened.

I've tried playing with the gain settings. I tried a ksm32, sm7b, MXL, Shure SM58. Out of all the mic's the ksm32 was probably the "best sounding". The Sm7b was definately right up there, yet it was a bit darker. I actually kind of preferred it, but they'd both have their place.

Here's the problem though...just as I expected, the 610 has a hard time driving the SM7B, as well as most of the other mic's. It also starts to sound very "fuzzy" when I push it to get the levels I need...

Which leads to the next problem...Pushing the levels makes my FireWire 410 Clip. I've only been able to get a full take into the computer at about 3/4 to unity. ALBIET AT LOW VOLUME THE VOCALS SOUNDED GREAT

Oh well, dilemmas. Might give it back, as I have 3 days. Kind of shocking though...I was expecting to plug this pre in and immediately hear a vast improvement in signal quality???? I didn't though...I'm not even going to say which other Pre it kind of reminded me of.

Lastly thanks Mo...that's kind of something I had thought of. The Logic Limiting/Compression coupled with the ad/da seems like a big plus.

Anybody messed with the Aphex 230 for hip hop vocals? I've heard a couple things very positive, but everybody seems to be hush about it's recording applications. It catches my eye due to the logic limiting/compression, the gate, and the spdif out. I ask because I've heard that coupled with the SM7b that it makes male voices sound phenomenal.

Antagonist
MySpace.com - ANTAGONIST - CALIFLORIDA - Hip Hop / Rap / Freestyle - www.myspace.com/leftcoastrider

[Joemamma]

Originally Posted by feedback711

Im a hippy.............WHAT. That song is bonkers son. love it...........


didnt mean to spoil the thread but joemama gets props from me...hahahahah



MySpace.com - Special k beat page - UNITED STATES, Minnesota - Hip Hop - MySpace

Thanks! Just trying to do something different!

[feedback711]

Originally Posted by Joemamma

Thanks! Just trying to do something different!

ok i know i look like a rapper(on my space) but me and my friends are a bunch of hippies. i just shower more than some lol. but i had every one checkyour song out last night and we want to buy that song...is it on i tunes..... i know i am ruining the thread but damn i just cant help my self

[Joemamma]

Originally Posted by feedback711

ok i know i look like a rapper(on my space) but me and my friends are a bunch of hippies. i just shower more than some lol. but i had every one checkyour song out last night and we want to buy that song...is it on i tunes..... i know i am ruining the thread but damn i just cant help my self

Thanks for the promotion!
I'm working on an independent release, which should be out next year. I'll let you guys know when it's done.

[H-Rezz]

Originally Posted by computa

you need a compressor in the chain.

I dont know how folks can record good level vocals into a DAW without a compressor

Nope , not always, i like to use the attenuator once i know where the dynamics occur , you'll be surprised how open and natural a sound you can get this way

[PettyCash]

Originally Posted by Antagonist

Which leads to the next problem...Pushing the levels makes my FireWire 410 Clip. I've only been able to get a full take into the computer at about 3/4 to unity. ALBIET AT LOW VOLUME THE VOCALS SOUNDED GREAT

Hopefully you are plugging in the quater inch into the input on the back of the unit, and not through the combi jack on the front.

[PettyCash]

Originally Posted by H-Rezz

Nope , not always, i like to use the attenuator once i know where the dynamics occur , you'll be surprised how open and natural a sound you can get this way

I agree. Most of those less experienced with using compressors probably overlook the fact that a compressor sounds better when fine-tuned to work with the tempo or the style of the music as well. You have to be well informed on exactly how the material needs to be handle if you are going to be using EQ or compression during the recording process.

Unless you really know what you are doing, its best to leave compression untill mixing. If you are recording in 24bit, recording with a compressor in the chain is less of an important thing, cuz you should have enough headroom to be well above the noise floor, yet stay out of clipping and distortion.

[azwun25]

Originally Posted by Twinskin

When I tried it, I didn't feel the 610 had enough gain for the SM7b, nor was it a complimentary pairing.

its definitely not a good match. not enough gain out of most tube pres to push the sm7b. However, the Solo110 might have the gain to do it without breaking up like the 610 does.