Voice over pre amp comparison - SM7B into Chandler LTD1, NPNG

[Scott Whigham]

I didn't spend much time trying to make these "gearslutz worthy" in terms of level matching, etc - you can if you wish. I just thought I'd share in case anyone wanted to hear the differences between these two pres and the various options.

I just bought a Shure SM7B for voice over work and wanted to match it for my voice with the right pre/EQ/switch settings. As you might know, the SM7B has two switches:

• Bass roll-off - 300hz HPF
• Presence boost

It also has a windscreen - would I like it better on or off? Had to listen! The NPNG also has an 80hz HPF - so which would I like better: the NPNG HPF or the one on the SM7B? Had to try both! The Chandler LTD1 also has a switchable HPF but then has the expanded 1081-style EQ. I had to tweak all the knobs and try all the options.

There are 16 tests (.WAV file) and each one is only one sentence ("The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain"). I tried to speak the same between each take but I'm sure that some of them are a bit different.

If you want to listen to them unbiased, download the file at the end of this post. If you want to read up on what's what before hand, check the next post!

The file: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47210265/SM7...er%20Tests.zip

[Scott Whigham]

Here's the "key" to the tests:

Test #1 (NPNG):
- Bass rolloff on preamp
- Bass rolloff on mic
- Presence boost on mic

Test #2 (NPNG):
- Bass rolloff on mic
- Presence boost on mic

Test #3 (NPNG):
- Presence boost on mic

Test #4 (NPNG):
- (no switches turned on and no HPF turned on)

Test #5 (NPNG):
- Bass rolloff on preamp
- Presence boost on mic

Test 6 (LTD1)
- No preamp EQ at all
- Mic bass roll-off
- Mic presence boost

Test 7 (LTD1)
- No preamp EQ at all
- Mic presence boost

Test 8 (LTD1)
- No preamp EQ at all
- Mic bass roll-off

Test 9 (LTD1)
- No preamp EQ at all

Test 10 (LTD1)
- Preamp EQ has HPF engaged

Test 11 (LTD1)
- Preamp EQ has HPF engaged
- Preamp EQ has 3.9k boosted +2db

Test 12 (LTD1)
- Preamp EQ has HPF engaged
- Preamp EQ has 3.9k boosted +2db
- Preamp EQ has 12k boosted +2db

Test 13 (LTD1)
- Preamp EQ has HPF engaged
- Preamp EQ has 2.7k boosted +2db

Test 14 (LTD1)
- Preamp EQ has HPF engaged
- Preamp EQ has 200 boosted +2db

Test 15 (LTD1)
- Preamp EQ has HPF engaged
- Preamp EQ has 200 boosted +2db
- Preamp EQ has 2.7k boosted +2db

Test 16 (LTD1)
- Preamp EQ has HPF engaged
- Preamp EQ has 200 boosted +2db
- Preamp EQ has 3.9k boosted +2db

[yotonic]

I liked #3 with the NPNG but that could have something to do with it sounding the largest and loudest. How did the Forssell SMP-2 compare to your NPNG Scott? Obviously not as big sounding but I'm curious if it sounded sweeter, tastier etc.

[Scott Whigham]

Originally Posted by yotonic

I liked #3 with the NPNG but that could have something to do with it sounding the largest and loudest. How did the Forssell SMP-2 compare to your NPNG Scott? Obviously not as big sounding but I'm curious if it sounded sweeter, tastier etc.

Yes, that's a nice sound. I'm trying to find the right match since this project is for something in which people will listen to these recordings for hours/days at a time (training videos).

As for the Forssell vs. NPNG on voice over, I never did try the Forssell for VO stuff so I can't say. I'd assume it would be AWESOME!

[2Loud]

Originally Posted by Scott Whigham

I didn't spend much time trying to make these "gearslutz worthy" in terms of level matching, etc - you can if you wish. I just thought I'd share in case anyone wanted to hear the differences between these two pres and the various options.

I just bought a Shure SM7B for voice over work and wanted to match it for my voice with the right pre/EQ/switch settings. As you might know, the SM7B has two switches:

• Bass roll-off - 300hz HPF
• Presence boost

It also has a windscreen - would I like it better on or off? Had to listen! The NPNG also has an 80hz HPF - so which would I like better: the NPNG HPF or the one on the SM7B? Had to try both! The Chandler LTD1 also has a switchable HPF but then has the expanded 1081-style EQ. I had to tweak all the knobs and try all the options.

There are 16 tests (.WAV file) and each one is only one sentence ("The rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain"). I tried to speak the same between each take but I'm sure that some of them are a bit different.

If you want to listen to them unbiased, download the file at the end of this post. If you want to read up on what's what before hand, check the next post!

The file: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47210265/SM7...er%20Tests.zip

Thanks for your time and effort, quite interesting!
Rgds

[yotonic]

Whoops... I made my pick based upon vocals for music. I think in a training video you want something gentle and softer as training videos are not so fun after the first 3 minutes I still would pick the NPNG as it seemed closer to the listener, the Chandler sounded removed in comparison like the video had been "duped" and lost a generation. ~