Mic and Preamp

  • Thread starter Thread starter Take Two
  • Start date Start date
take two,

Another route would be to get a soundcard with preamps in it, like the Aardvark Q10. Check it out, I have two and they are great sounding.

For mics, I have a B1 and while I am finding more and more uses for it, I would REALLY suggest that you look at the C series. I have C3 and love it.

For Tube, your timing might just be right. Go to the PMI Audio site and look at the close outs. They have a B series Tube mic for $200.

Again, my suggestion would be to look at the C1 1st, if it is too much, check the B3.

I picked up my Studio Project Mics from Scott at ADK (advanced design ky) He gave me some great prices when I bought them along with my Q10's.

Hope this helps.

Jim
 
jdier, you should checkout the Marshall MXLV67G... it gives the Studio Projects C1 a run for the money.
 
Maybe it's the anonymity of the internet. Maybe, it's something I said. I'm not sure.

Apparently, though there has been a misunderstanding.

I checked this thread this morning, then went out to breakfast. After that I went to the gym. I did a half hour of cardio and a circuit on the Nautilus machines. The computer says I lifted almost 7,600 lbs. Not bad for being out of shape, even though I lost 24 lbs since we went into Iraq, on the Atkins diet. I'm down to 199 now.

So, I come home and check the thread. I find this:


I guess I missed that info some how.... for some reason I thought Take Two was a male and wanted a mic and preamp for voice overs only.... sorry about that Take Two, my mistake.
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So now I'm scatching my head. What was the info that was missed? The only clue I have is this:


The Oktava 319 is smooth and cheap right now, the SP C1 is much better for girls voices in my experience. but It an impressive offering for the price.
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I had just glossed over this post, since I didn't know why it contained some extraneous info. So, I look back a little farther:


The Marshall MXLV67G is only a few bucks more than the SP B1 and IMO it's sweeter on voice than the B1..
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to which I said:


I like sweet. And, if Harvey says so, it must be ok.
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So now I think I see that my reference to "sweet" and the post that referenced "girls voices" had started a ball rolling.

Let me stop any further speculation.

I've been a male since my original birthday, back in 1952. No one, not even Stevie Wonder, has ever mistaken me for a female.

I like sweet. Chocolate, ice cream, girls next door, music, and a well recorded voice.

So, to gather info from my posts, I'm a former rock, talk, and top 40 jock, I sing the lowest bass part in my church choir, I do occaisional voice work in the Philly market, and I'm ready to ramp up to do more voice over stuff. I'm also a flight instructor and Learjet pilot, currently laid off.

Here's what I've found out so far: the Delta 44 and Aardvark cards might be good, and the Studio Projects mics should be considered. A good preamp is essential, and I have to choose between the starved tube preamp or the straight transistor calss A amp. Effects in the preamp are optional, and cost more than a straight preamp.

So, moving on:

For Tube, your timing might just be right. Go to the PMI Audio site and look at the close outs. They have a B series Tube mic for $200.
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What brand would this "B series" be?
 
Well heck, I thought you were a male and looking for a mic and pre for voice over's only in the first place...... sorry about that... I meant no disrespect... man, I wish I could get down to 199 pounds and wearing a size 14 boot sure makes it hard finding shoes... lol. Again, sorry..... I meant no disrespect. Later.
 
Yo, take 2. The "B" Series refers to Studio Projects B-1, B-3, and TB-1, which is the tube mic he's referring to. Be advised that "Class A" refers to a specific type of solid state circuitry generally used only in wicked high-end preamps, and some guitar amps. Most solid state amps use other types of circuitry, and that doesn't make them bad, just different. It's not like US grade A, meaning the best. Class A amps draw a little more power than Class B designs, which can be an issue if you're near the limits of your available power.
Regarding mics, there are dynamics, FET condensers, Tube condensers, and ribbon mics, which are actually a sub-category of dynamics. You might do well to start with a top-of-the line dynamic and a good preamp, and maybe a good cheap FET condenser, and add the others later. For dynamics, Shure SM7B and Sennheiser MD441 are at the top of the heap, although there are Electrovoice (EV) and Beyerdynamics mics that many have used very successfully. For a good cheap condenser, Marshall V67G or B is pretty good.
Then, simply get the best preamp you can possibly afford. Dynamics put out a weak signal, and need a preamp capable of a lot of clean gain. Consider Gracedesign 101 for mid-price, just one channel. Better yet, break the bank and buy an Avalon M5, which *is* a Class A pre. Keep up the good work. You're doing the right thing, asking many questions, and getting many answers before you shoot the wad. Best of luck-Richie
 
I'm not offended!!! :D

When there is a screwup, I always check what I have done first, before I try to blame anyone else.

In 1995 I was 168 and doing competitive Judo, then I "got too busy" to work out, and in February I found that I had ballooned to 225. I hadn't paid much atttention to the increasing size of my gut, until one day when I flew a client out west, and stayed in a hotel, as I often did.

The can was positioned in the bathroom so I was facing the door, and could see accross the little hall of my room to the closet, which was covered by a MIRRORED door. I looked up and saw myself, sitting there, staring back at me, on the can.

That was a sight that I hope I never see again.

Back to audio.

The PMI site made it easy to find the closeout mics. Now, I have to make a choice:

The TB1, for with its own power supply, at $200.

The C1 for $179

The C3, for $ 314.

Now, to be frank, I don't have the kind of time to do an in-depth analysis of these mics, so I'd like to hear some general counsel here.

Is the TB1 a screaming bargain?

Is the price of the C3 too low to ignore, and I should just bite the bullet and call them up right now?

Your advice, please.
 
Richard Monroe... that was some VERY GOOD advice, thanks.

Hey Take Two..... do you work for Alan Hyatt?
 
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I like a good dynamic mic, like the RE-20. It doesn't come cheap. For the money, if I can get a great condenser mic, why not go for it?

I may not have mentioned that most of the stuff I do when I go to a booking is with a condenser mic, so I'd like to go in that direction. I'm interested in what you have to say about the three choices from the PMI website:

The TB1, for with its own power supply, at $200.

The C1 for $179

The C3, for $ 314.

Now, to be frank, I don't have the kind of time to do an in-depth analysis of these mics, so I'd like to hear some general counsel here.

Is the TB1 a screaming bargain?

No, Alan Hyatt doesn't ring a bell.

Is the price of the C3 too low to ignore, and I should just bite the bullet and call them up right now?
 
Hey Take Two... are you affiliated with PMI Audio Group in any way what so ever?
 
No.

I get the impression that if someone asks for an opinon about something, he is suspected as a shill for a manufacturer.

1) someone suggested that I could get a good mic on something called "the PMI site".

2)I didn't know what that was, so I asked. Then I went to google, and found it myself.

3)There are several mics available, and they are all letter/number designations that I have seen mentioned here. I see prices, and I don't know whether these are good prices or great prices. I'm sure the mics work, but which is the best of the three for my purpose: professional announcer, low/powerful voice with strong midrange?

This was a post from jdier:

For Tube, your timing might just be right. Go to the PMI Audio site and look at the close outs. They have a B series Tube mic for $200.
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Does this mean he works for PMI audio group?


Funny. When I ask about a military aircraft on an aviation board, no one asks me if I work for General Dynamics....
 
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Quote...
3)There are several mics available, and they are all letter/number designations that I have seen mentioned here. I see prices, and I don't know whether these are good prices or great prices."

Where did you see those prices on the SP website?

Are you friends with anyone affiliated with PMI Audio Group in any way what so ever?

I plan on answering your question... but you need to answer mine first?
 
I think DJL just saw you take the Studio Projects stuff and run with it with abandon.

While those mics would work, none of them would be the best for you to use for voice over work. Best options (all used):

Shure SM7
RE20
MD441 or 421

Out of curiosity what were the "condensers" you used most frequently when doing work?
 
I think DJL just saw you take the Studio Projects stuff and run with it with abandon.
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I'll try and remain calm here.

Let's go over the sequence of events. I'm used to standing in front of condenser mics. Most of the ones I see are Neumann's, and I see a great number of others, and took no note of their names. I worked witha lot of dynamic mics in the past, and I know that I like the way I sound a lot more through a condenser mic. I have used the 421 and the RE-20 for broadcast work, and they are fine for the non-critical work of introducing the latest Eagles song.

A poster here suggests I can get a good tube mic at a website for $200. This is less than I thought this type of microphone costs, so it gets my attention. You guys have recent and more extensive discussions about all kinds of mics, and can give some guidance to a person like me, who was a part of the 1/4 inch tape generation.

I don't even fly a jet with abandon.

Now, unless I have committed some kind of audio sin here, can I have some insight into theses three mics and the prices posted on the website?

Please?
 
theletterq said:
I think DJL just saw you take the Studio Projects stuff and run with it with abandon.

While those mics would work, none of them would be the best for you to use for voice over work. Best options (all used):

Shure SM7
RE20
MD441 or 421

Out of curiosity what were the "condensers" you used most frequently when doing work?
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You know I noticed that......

I also remember him saying "We used to use an RE-20 at the station."

And I'd like to here his answer to you question too?

Take Two..... thank you for letting me and everyone on this mic BBS know that those mic's and going to be discontinued (closed out), that's good to know.

The answer to your question is....... IMO, those are pretty fair prices.
 
The C1 is brighter sounding than the Marshall MXLV67G and at times the C1 can sound a little harsh... plus, IMO the C1 is not as smooth as the V67G. The C3, is not as bright sounding as the C1 and has a dip at about 4kHz... this may or may not be good depending on what your using it for. And I can't comment on the TB1 because I don't own one.
 
Ok, I will begin by saying that I have never used any of said mics. But, from what I have heard and gleaned...

TB1 - Sound samples I have heard (straight-away compared to other mics) were rather "flat" and "plain" sounding.

C1 - Generally regarded as a good vocal mic although it seems that I've been seeing quite a few people saying lately that they either don't use it as much as they used to or that it just doesn't seem to "fit" as well anymore.

C3 - BASICALLY a multi-pattern C1. They are however different mics and therefore sound a little different.

I'll quote Tubedude here (although not directly):

"Get a used 441 on ebay"

:)
 
DJL said:
Take Two..... thank you for letting me and everyone on this mic BBS know that those mic's and going to be discontinued (closed out), that's good to know.
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They're not being discoed....just unloading demos, etc.
 
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