Best mobile setup for vocal recording chain?

superann · 24th June 2006

I have the ULN-2 and a bunch of mics, and am looking for a compressor to be used specifically for recording (female, in case that matters) vocals (post pre and pre uln-2). I lead a somewhat nomadic lifestyle and would prefer it to be portable. Mixing would be done elsewhere so I'm not looking for anything with a particular sound (I expect the vocals will be run through an 1176 later, but I want to tweak the sound as little as possible at this point in the chain because I want to make sure it fits in with the whole mix later...), just something fairly transparent to get good, useable levels into the computer.

Ideally I'd like to get something that I don't have to worry about upgrading in the future. If there's anything that professionals use for this purpose, I'd love to know.

On a side note, are there any pro recordings that use the ULN-2 built-in pres, or would it be absolutely worthless to try to produce a pro recording with vox through these pres?

warhead · 25th June 2006

The Safe Sound Audio P1 seems to be a great fit for your needs.

War

Jimbo · 25th June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by superann

would it be absolutely worthless to try to produce a pro recording with vox through these pres?

yes

MDM · 25th June 2006

Bullocks

The ULN-2's preamps are classy !!

Great preamps.

superann · 25th June 2006

Is there a mobile solution that has been employed in professional recordings (female vox, pop-rock/dream-pop), for just the vocal chain part of recording? My thinking was that a high-end mic right into the preamps of the ULN-2 recorded to my Powerbook would be sufficient, assuming I could ride the faders well enough to avoid compression in this chain (and add it later, since I wouldn't be mixing with this setup anyway), but I'm not sure if the built-in ULN-2 preamps are considered "pro" enough (assuming the A/D conversion is).

Jimbo · 25th June 2006

I was just having fun.

Yes, the ULN2 preamps are "classy" -- I like that description.

You should try them in combination with your mics to see which ones sound the best on your vocals. Like any preamp, they won't work in every combination.

See my prior posts. I think they are an outstanding value in 2 channel preamps/converters. Much better than I expected when I purchased my unit.

Also, the headphone amp is fine. Makes for a really nice mobile recording and monitoring chain.

I just purchased aa 2882+DSP with the notion of selling my ULN2. However, I'm unable to part with the ULN2 pres and headphone amp, so I'm stacking them

- Jim

Jimbo · 25th June 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by warhead

The Safe Sound Audio P1 seems to be a great fit for your needs.

War

BTW, as Warren knows, I've been riding the fence on a P1 for sometime now. It's on my short list.

I think a ULN2/P1 combined with a few choice mics, a laptop, and a good set of headphones would make a fine mobile recording chain -- and it would all fit in a backpack.

superann · 29th June 2006

Thanks for your suggestions! I'm assuming the P1 fits into the budget preamp/compressor category... anything else of that size that might be more high-end?

24th June 2006	#1
superann Gear interested Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 7 Thread Starter	Best mobile setup for vocal recording chain? I have the ULN-2 and a bunch of mics, and am looking for a compressor to be used specifically for recording (female, in case that matters) vocals (post pre and pre uln-2). I lead a somewhat nomadic lifestyle and would prefer it to be portable. Mixing would be done elsewhere so I'm not looking for anything with a particular sound (I expect the vocals will be run through an 1176 later, but I want to tweak the sound as little as possible at this point in the chain because I want to make sure it fits in with the whole mix later...), just something fairly transparent to get good, useable levels into the computer. Ideally I'd like to get something that I don't have to worry about upgrading in the future. If there's anything that professionals use for this purpose, I'd love to know. On a side note, are there any pro recordings that use the ULN-2 built-in pres, or would it be absolutely worthless to try to produce a pro recording with vox through these pres?

25th June 2006	#2
warhead Jai guru deva om Joined: Feb 2003 Location: South Carolina Posts: 12,257	The Safe Sound Audio P1 seems to be a great fit for your needs. War __________________ Warren Dent, Owner - ZenPro Audio: Gear Now & Zen

25th June 2006	#5
superann Gear interested Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 7 Thread Starter	Best mobile setup for vocal recording chain? Is there a mobile solution that has been employed in professional recordings (female vox, pop-rock/dream-pop), for just the vocal chain part of recording? My thinking was that a high-end mic right into the preamps of the ULN-2 recorded to my Powerbook would be sufficient, assuming I could ride the faders well enough to avoid compression in this chain (and add it later, since I wouldn't be mixing with this setup anyway), but I'm not sure if the built-in ULN-2 preamps are considered "pro" enough (assuming the A/D conversion is).

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25th June 2006	#4
MDM Gear maniac Joined: May 2006 Location: All around Posts: 261	Bullocks The ULN-2's preamps are classy !! Great preamps.

25th June 2006	#6
Jimbo Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2005 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,520	I was just having fun. Yes, the ULN2 preamps are "classy" -- I like that description. You should try them in combination with your mics to see which ones sound the best on your vocals. Like any preamp, they won't work in every combination. See my prior posts. I think they are an outstanding value in 2 channel preamps/converters. Much better than I expected when I purchased my unit. Also, the headphone amp is fine. Makes for a really nice mobile recording and monitoring chain. I just purchased aa 2882+DSP with the notion of selling my ULN2. However, I'm unable to part with the ULN2 pres and headphone amp, so I'm stacking them - Jim

29th June 2006	#8
superann Gear interested Joined: Jun 2006 Posts: 7 Thread Starter	Thanks for your suggestions! I'm assuming the P1 fits into the budget preamp/compressor category... anything else of that size that might be more high-end?