dbx Pro Vocal

[mikeh]

Anyone have a chance to play with a dbx Pro Vocal yet???

I'm wondering if the mic modeling and preamp modeling has any value? We've all heard the ongoing debates about amp modeling (ie: POD, J-Station, etc. etc.) and I question if mic/preamp modeling is more hype than substance.

I also question if having the effects as part of the channel strip are wasted toys. I'm sure most of use prefer to track vocals dry - so why make effects accessible on the input signal???

Naturally you can bring the signal back into the dbx to add effects after tracking - I wonder the line in signal can bypass the mic/preamp modeling - and just pass thru the effects chain.

I don't need a thread to the dbx site - I will indeed go there and read the specs - but does anyone have any hands on with this???? At the < $300 price point it's got my curiosity going.

Thanks for any feed back.

 

[Tom Cram]

mmmmaybe...

The ProVocal is aimed at the first time recordist. The guy who just got his first sound card and wants to have a bunch of fx options available to mess around with. If you are past that point, it probably isn't the unit for you.

>I'm wondering if the mic modeling and preamp modeling has any value? We've all heard the ongoing debates about amp modeling (ie: POD, J-Station, etc. etc.) and I question if mic/preamp modeling is more hype than substance.<

I guess it depends on what you want. IME nothing sounds like the real thing. That said, I can see a use for modelling as a tonal option. I use J-Stations and POD's all the time, but as tonal variations. I would never fool myself into thinking they could replace a real amp-room-mic combination. Maybe if you squint your eyes enough...

>I also question if having the effects as part of the channel strip are wasted toys. I'm sure most of use prefer to track vocals dry - so why make effects accessible on the input signal???<

I agree, if it had S/pdif and AES/EBU in/out and Word Sync that would be pretty cool, you could do all kinds of re-tracking and stuff. This would also push it into the $1000 territory. The $1000 crowd already has various external MFX boxes and would not have a use for it. So it would be dead before it even came out of the gate.

>Naturally you can bring the signal back into the dbx to add effects after tracking - I wonder the line in signal can bypass the mic/preamp modeling - and just pass thru the effects chain.<

Yeah, but that is what external MFX boxes are for. If you don't have any external MFX devices, maybe the ProVocal is for you. If you already do have external MFX devices, well you've got it covered. The only choice at that point is whether the ProVocal has FX you don't already own.

I hope this helps.

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com

If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all.
-Noam Chomsky-

 

[mikeh]

Tom, thank you for your concise response!

As always your knowledge and presentation of the facts are clear and effective!

Given this information it seems the Pro-Vocal is not a must have toy for me - fortunately I'm sure I'll find another must have toy in a relatively short amount of time.

 

[Tom Cram]

You and me both...

>I'm sure I'll find another must have toy in a relatively short amount of time.<

Heh... Ain't that the truth!

Tom Cram
dbx Senior Technical Support
(801) 568-7530
tcram@dbxpro.com

If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all.
-Noam Chomsky-

 

[Buck62]

First of all, I have to say that I TOTALLY respect Tom's unbiased, honest opinions.

That being said, I think the ProVocal would be a nice addition for newbies who can't afford an arsenal of mics and want "tonal options" on their vocal tracks.
Secondly, what a great tool this could be for "live" applications!
It sure would be nice to be able to expand on mic types, since many songs require a change in tone to make them sound better or "more authentic"... especially on cover songs.