Vocals

[DaveMontana]

Will using a Behringer UB1204-FX as a mic preamp for vocals help with level issues when doing vocals on the VF160?


I cant seem to be able to get a decent level by itself.


I have SM58 in case anyone wonders....

[gospel]

Dave, I've used a SM58 and Beta 58a with my MR-8. So far I've been unable to use the SM58 (even though I like the warmer sound), but can't get the levels high enough without getting too close to the mic. And, of course, this causes you to have the proximity effect which is really prevalent with a SM58. The Beta is a hotter mic and there is still proximity effect, but not to the extent of the SM. The Behringer mixer will help you tremendously. As a matter of fact I saw a thread on another board not too long ago about low end mic preamps. The guy tested many and said that the UB series preamps are pretty good for the price.

[DaveMontana]

thank you again for your help!!!

I guess the Behr will be my birthday gift to meself

[bdbdbuck]

I second the motion! UB pre's are great.

bd

[DaveMontana]

I guess that answers the email I sent ya - BD LOL

[bdbdbuck]

Dave,
Did you send me an e-mail? A few other people have said they sent me e-mails today that I didn't get...........gotta check into this!


bd

[okobd]

Hey dad, let me know if you got my emails when you get a chance.

[bdbdbuck]

No, I didn't get any of my e-mails from today. I guess I'll have to go down and feed the hamsters and see if we can get this thing back up and runnin.

bdbdad

[morindae]

I am giving a third vote for the Behringer UB series preamps. To my ears they sound better than my Audio Buddy. They actually add some warmth to the sound While the Audio Buddy seems too clean and transparent.

[DaveMontana]

... i will get it in two weeks...

(gotta make my truck payment first, ha!)

[bdbdbucksKID]

Why wouldn't you be able to set your faders why a preamp? The sound checks might be time consuming...but unless your performing live...ok, Now, I think I am confused? I don't use one...so if you know something that I don't....spill it. Anything to get a better voice on my tracks!

[bdbdbuck]

Your vox seem to be ok on the tracks I've heard. You will eventually want to get a pre or a mixer just to make things easier. We discussed this sometime back. For now though, I think you're ok.....could be the mic you're using, I dunno.


bdbdad

[bdbdbucksKID]

My main mic rocks...nobody's gonna take it away...you'd have to pry if from my lifeless fingers. It is so clear!!! My problem is that I jack up the faders too much and then tweek the recording too much with bad effects...but I'm still learning.

[Garry Sharp]

My .02c, if I can briefly interrupt the filial banter

I can't get enough gain out of the Fostex pre's to push an SM58 signal up to acceptable levels, so I share the thinking behind your question and use an external pre. Doing this I think it's probably best to turn the Fostex trim all the way down, so you don't get colouring from two different pre's. (Unless you like the sound of course). Somebody more knowledgeable may like to correct me if I'm wrong.

[gospel]

Garry you brought up something that I have been wondering about. For those that use a mixer or a preamp how do you set the trim on the MR-8?

[bdbdbucksKID]

I am going to read up some more on this...I still have questions.

[Garry Sharp]

Gospel - at zero, my friend, all the way to "line" It's a line in you're giving it. Unless you find a different setting you like!! I'm finding that nothing's straightforward in this game. Like for example with my old Berri mixer you had to turn the Fostex trim up a bit to get the input hot enough. Probably not the case with the new UB's which have better pre-amps. But you really want that signal between the two lines on that li'l old LCD. A compressor makes that much easier.

If you want, have a listen to "Rizla" on our NWR page Vella

where the vox are kept fairly hot into the VF80.

Anyway I'm rambling now. Long day and a bottle of red.

Peace

Garry

[bdbdbuck]

You're right Garry, (uh..sorry for the little interlude) I normally set my faders right at zero and control the gain at the mixer. I also record with a flat eq because I can easily eq in the mix.


bd

[gospel]

Track faders or trim knob at zero?

Garry that's a nice tune. Girl has a good voice. I think the vocal sounded better at the part where it kinda slowed down and got quieter. They just seemed more clear at that point. What kind of mic are you using?

[bdbdbuck]

Gospel,
I was talking about the track faders.


bd

[gospel]

OK. How about the trim knob?

[Garry Sharp]

Gospel. My version is: Fostex trim all the way off, mixer fader / pre-amp output at 0dB, adjust the mixer/pre-amp gain control to get the input level you want.

Thanks for the comments on Rizla. The fast bits are meant to be dirty. The mic is an AKG C3000B, which the experts all slag off but I like it on female vox; anyway I got a good deal on it and I'm too newbie to know any better! Runs through a Focusrite Trackmaster.

All the best, Garry

[bdbdbuck]

Yes trim knobs @ 0 or at least full counterclockwise, whatever that is. The track faders aren't marked either, but zero is near the top where that group of lines is. I get a graphic picture of where the levels are by looking at the LED's on the mixer, and watching the LCD display on the Fostex. I like having a little headspace (keeping the bars on the Fostex between 12 and 0, closer to the 12) to work with because when I load the tracks into n-Track I'm not clipping right off the bat. Another thing about mixing with n-Track...when I have all my trax loaded, I mute all and then go one by one getting the levels near -9dB before I start mixing. I hate getting everything loaded and start mixing and then end up clipping and have to go through looking for the guilty track. Starting off this way eliminates a lot of that.


bd

[Axe4Yahweh]

I have last years version of the MX2004A with Berrie's IMP Pres and use it both with my VF160CDR and my puter. Another vote for the IMPs.

I'm thinking about getting one of the Small UB Series Mixers to use for Solo Gigs so I don't have to lug the MX2004A around when I don't need that many inputs.

CR ><>