Digi 001 and mic pe-amps

  • Thread starter Thread starter Stone B
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Stone B

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It does excellent as far as music, but I'm not satisfied with the harsh sound my vocals come out with, I've noticed alot of complaints about this from 001 users. Someone told me to buy a pre-amp. Would I connect the pre-amp to inputs 1 and 2? (which are the mic inputs) or would I use the other ins? or am I just sounding reeeal stupid right now?
 
What mic are you using?

Maybe it's not the 001 that's harsh. The pres on the 001 were designed to be very transparent so what you put in is what you get out. If you do get an external pre you'd want to run it into the line-level in or you'd be defeating the purpose.
 
Hi Stone

Mr Brane is correct. It's more likely your mic than the Digi pre's. I think they are as good as, if not better than many lower priced outboard preamps like Joe Meek, Mindprint, DBX etc. This was said to me by a guru who runs a professional studio, and he doesn't sell equipment so he had no reason to bullshit me. And I was put onto him by my dealer, so if anything, he lost a potential sale. :p

What mic are you using? If it's one of the AKG 'B' series, they are known for being a bit harsh. There are others also.

If it's not the mic, then maybe it's technique or placement. You might be too loud and close? Are you using a pop screen? Maybe you need to use two? Try addressing the mic a little off axis.

There's heaps of things to try before you shell out on a new mic or pre.... but then again, maybe the mic/pre combination you have just doesn't suit your voice?

good luck

Mark
 
Stone B said:
Would I connect the pre-amp to inputs 1 and 2? (which are the mic inputs) or would I use the other ins?
Click to expand...

3-8 and not 1-2
 
Thanks guys

I do use a C 2000 B and I do use a pop shield. I never thought about using two though, I'll try it, I've tried some other things, but I guess I've been limiting myself. If you can think of anymore low cost things I could try, I would greatly appreciate it.

Also, Mark, I'm not sure what you mean by off axis, do you mean tilting the mic itself, tilting my head, or standing a little to the side?
 
A vocal strip with compression will enable you to taylor the sound a little better but you could just add some compression during mixdown.

I would agree with everyone here that a preamp is probably not going to fix your problem. Does this happen with every singer you record or just you?
 
Damn

I just listened to a bunch of stuff I recorded and I think you're right Tex, I didn't really notice that problem with my sisters, or this other guy. My voice sounds quite different from them, I usually have to turn the trim on the mic line down with them, but I always have to turn it up with myself. I also can't stand too far back from the pop shield, or my syllables don't come out clear. They have to be further from the mic. I think I have to try different stuff and find what's best for me. I'm making a list of all the suggestions you guys make, I'm willing to try them all.
 
Stone

Yep, off axis simply means don't sing straight into the mic. I can't say this with fix your problem, it's just one more thing to try.

Also, go and get friendly with somebody who sells mics and see if you can take a couple of different ones home to try. And if you can scrape together $99, you can get the MXL V67M from Mars. I find it to be very smooth in the top end.

Good luck

Mark
 
I don´t think the 001´s pres are as good or even better then my Meek (VC6). They are quieter than the ones on my Tascam 2524 board but the ones on the board do sound bigger!
 
You will find that the added warmth, depth different sound etc. is coming from the other stages in the Meek etc. ie the eq/comp.

The 001 pre's are deliberately very transparent, whereas the Meek gear is well known for coloration... which is great if that's the sound you are after. So obviously they will sound totally different.

I never said that all low end pre's sound the same, just that they are about the same quality.

Mark
 
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