Ultra-voice® Vx2000

[cjacek]

Hi,

It's quite likely that you might be sick of giving opinions with regards to this processor and I've read that some of you don't particularly like Behringer. Please be as objective as possible and think of the ULTRA-VOICE® VX2000 as just another product from some unknown company Anyway, briefly, here's my set-up:

1. SHURE BETA 58A

goes to ..

2. ART TUBE MP

goes to ..

3. TASCAM 414

4. ALESIS NANOVERB (fed through the EFFECTS 1 SEND, on the back of the 414 and into 5-6, 7-8 STEREO INPUTS).

***My main concern is to give my vocals more presence/sparkle, warmth and make sure that very occassional "clipping" does not occur - some slight compression migh also be helpful***

As you can see, any "processing" (except the NANOVERB processing) would be recorded directly to the 414. My main concern is my vocals as I sing to pre-recorderd music. I've perfected my setup in the last 2 years of doing this and am getting good results. (Yes I tried a condenser mic but I prefer a handheld dynamic mic). As you can see my setup is rather simple and I wish to keep it this way. Anyway, I found the ULTRA-VOICE® VX2000 and I was wondering if the VX2000's mic pre-amp is a STEP UP from the ART TUBE MP ? Other than that, and please keep in mind my simple set-up, would the VX2000 be a quality piece of gear ? Please don't compare it to any $5000 gear but for someone who wishes to get better results from his current set-up at a very reasonable and budget price, would it be a move in a "BETTER" direction ? Would it be a bad move for me to get the VX2000 ? I mean, ya can't ignore the price of the VX2000 which is just over $100 bucks US in some places For what the VX2000 is, how would you rate the (1) mic preamp, (2) equalizer, (3) compressor, (4) de-esser and (5) tube emulation. Thanks and be kind please

Daniel

 

[darrin_h2000]

Its fine expecialy for the price, Its a focusrite Voicemaster ask for opinions on that and you will get honest opinions.

 

[cjacek]

Its fine expecialy for the price, Its a focusrite Voicemaster ask for opinions on that and you will get honest opinions.

Thanks for the tip Darrin I suppose the reason many do not like Behringer is because they're kinda the "bootlegers" of the pro-audio world ?

Daniel

 

[darrin_h2000]

That is the reason I love them. Pay 600 bucks for the original, pay 125 for the behringer.

 

[cjacek]

That is the reason I love them. Pay 600 bucks for the original, pay 125 for the behringer.

precisely ..

Daniel

PS: What other Behringers do you own and "love" ?

 

[cjacek]

That is the reason I love them. Pay 600 bucks for the original, pay 125 for the behringer.

1. "reverse-engineer" (or shamelessly "rip off") a product that is popular

2. make it your own

3. offer it for at least half the price of the original to compete

4. sell alot of these

= sounds like a plan to me

Daniel

PS: I've ordered my VX2000

 

[darrin_h2000]

I have the Virtulizer, Modulizer, and the Ultramizer pro in my rack. and two ECM8000 mics in my cabinet.

 

[cjacek]

I have the Virtulizer, Modulizer, and the Ultramizer pro in my rack. and two ECM8000 mics in my cabinet.

Cool

Daniel

 

[notCardio]

I would especially like to know how well the de-esser works. That for me would be worth the price, if it worked really well.

As far as Behringer's practice of ripping off other people's designs, I'm kind of ashamed to say I buy some of their stuff just because that's the only way I can afford to get into this game. When the companies whose designs are being ripped off finally go under (and yes, it CAN happen), whose gonna design our cool new toys? Not Behringer. They don't know how, they just know how to rip other people off.

 

[cjacek]

I would especially like to know how well the de-esser works. That for me would be worth the price, if it worked really well.

As far as Behringer's practice of ripping off other people's designs, I'm kind of ashamed to say I buy some of their stuff just because that's the only way I can afford to get into this game. When the companies whose designs are being ripped off finally go under (and yes, it CAN happen), whose gonna design our cool new toys? Not Behringer. They don't know how, they just know how to rip other people off.

Nothing to be ashamed of .. Just take advantage of it I say Obviously it is a Voicemaster rip-off and I've read here on this board, by at least one person who did an A/B comparison, that there is very little difference between the Voicemaster and the VX2000. That said, I suppose the de-esser would be of similar quality to the Voicemaster. They have a website with an mp3 example of a vocal which was processed by the Voicemaster. Just go to the site and click on "downloads" and there you will find that mp3.

Daniel

 

[littledog]

I guess all this assumes that one actually likes the sound of the voicemaster...

 

[darrin_h2000]

Why look for the deesser to be any good when you can get a dbx 263a on ebay for $15us that little fucker works.

 

[cjacek]

I guess all this assumes that one actually likes the sound of the voicemaster...

You're right. Some do and some don't. This can be said about any piece of gear. For example, many people recommended the BOSS BR-532 over the TASCAM 414 (which I've had for over 2 years). You know what ? I tried the BR-532 and didn't like the sound. I much prefer my 'ol analogue, tape based, 414. I also use the ALESIS NANOVERB and like it. I tried the LEXICON (can't remember exactly which model but it was an entry level reverb unit that people said was better than the NANOVERB). I mostly use a plate reverb and the NANO is good enough for me to have kept it for over 2 years ! I tried the LEXICON but thought the plate reverb was not that much better than the NANOVERB's. It all comes down to people's expectations and their experience with pro-recording gear. A lot of it IS subjective. When someone says "Product X sucks" then I have to ask them: What are you basing your opinions on ? Do you have experience with $5000 pre-amps and then compare that to a $99 ART TUBE MP ? Best thing for everyone is to go, try out a piece of gear that you want and form your own opinion. Sure, ask away on homerecording.com but never form your opinion solely on that. It helps but it should not be your one and only way you buy equipment. Needless to say I'll post my opinion on the VX2000 as soon as I receive it and figure out how to use it

Daniel

 

[cjacek]

I guess all this assumes that one actually likes the sound of the voicemaster...

I listened to the mp3 example of a vocal processed by the Voicemaster and I think the vocal recording quality is excellent.

Daniel

 

[Chris Tondreau]

Behringer stuff...

There is a lot of talk about Behringer ripping off others' designs. I can't comment on each and every piece of gear, but it is a common belief that Behringer "ripped off" Mackie in the design of their mixers. Here is the story as it was clarified to me....

Mackie took Behringer to court over one of their mixing consoles, alleging that Behringer stole their design. An expert was called in to analyze the products, and the Behringer was of COMPLETELY different design - not a rip-off at all!! The case was immediately thrown out, and Behringer then proceded to counter-sue Mackie for libel or defamation or whatever.

That said...

I have the MX802A Eurorack mixer (which I've had for a couple of years now....) and have fairly recently acquired the Composer Pro MDX 2200. Neither have given me a hint of problems, and perform quite well IMHO. (Bon Jovi's producer uses Behringer compressors too, according to him in an interview with Recording Magazine.) As far as customer support goes... the music store I deal with has said, "if you have a problem, bring it here. WE'LL take care of you, and then WE'LL deal with Behringer. They don't give us any problems. We have no more problems with Behringer products being returned here than with any other manufacturer."

Chris

 

[littledog]

I listened to the mp3 example of a vocal processed by the Voicemaster and I think the vocal recording quality is excellent.

Daniel

I don't disagree with anything you said, Daniel. I guess I was just wishing that if they were going to re-engineer (de-engineer?) something and sell it for dirt cheap, I wish they'd have used the Focusrite Red line instead. (Or a Neve 1073, or a VIPRE, or a Voxbox, or a Pendulum... oh well, you get the point.)

By the way, I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock in listening to an MP3 either. You don't know how much of the great sound was due to the Voicemaster as opposed to the other parts of the recording chain:
Performer, room, microphone, converters and/or tape, effects, etc.

 

[crawdad]

If you use the VX2000's preamp and nothing else thats thrown in, its a fine preamp. Add in the other features and its one great deal. Mic/line in. phantom power (true 48v from my measurements), variable low cut, phase invert, expander/gate (works well) optical compressor, EQ (not as versatile as a full parametric but very useful), and the de-esser....its pretty amazing for the money. Ridiculous, actually.

The only feature that I don't like is the "tube emulation". Never use it. I mean, we're talking $129 brand new here. I think I'm gonna get another one.

 

[cjacek]

I don't disagree with anything you said, Daniel. I guess I was just wishing that if they were going to re-engineer (de-engineer?) something and sell it for dirt cheap, I wish they'd have used the Focusrite Red line instead. (Or a Neve 1073, or a VIPRE, or a Voxbox, or a Pendulum... oh well, you get the point.)

By the way, I wouldn't put a whole lot of stock in listening to an MP3 either. You don't know how much of the great sound was due to the Voicemaster as opposed to the other parts of the recording chain:
Performer, room, microphone, converters and/or tape, effects, etc.

Hi,

I'm not sure what you're referring to with regards to "Focusrite Red line". Is this a special series of products they have ? What's so great about them ? In any case I'm sure Behringer will "rip" these off too in no time !

Yeah, I guess you're right with regards to the mp3 but still .. the VX2000 packs a lot for the money spent

Daniel

 

[cjacek]

If you use the VX2000's preamp and nothing else thats thrown in, its a fine preamp. Add in the other features and its one great deal. Mic/line in. phantom power (true 48v from my measurements), variable low cut, phase invert, expander/gate (works well) optical compressor, EQ (not as versatile as a full parametric but very useful), and the de-esser....its pretty amazing for the money. Ridiculous, actually.

The only feature that I don't like is the "tube emulation". Never use it. I mean, we're talking $129 brand new here. I think I'm gonna get another one.

Hi,

I'm glad you're liking the VX2000. (Still waiting for mine ). You're right, it's pretty amazing what they give you for your money. For my situation I think it's a steal ! By the way, what exactly don't you like about "tube emulation" ?

Daniel

 

[crawdad]

Hi,

I'm glad you're liking the VX2000. (Still waiting for mine ). You're right, it's pretty amazing what they give you for your money. For my situation I think it's a steal ! By the way, what exactly don't you like about "tube emulation" ?

Daniel

The tube emulation just sounds rather harsh and unmusical to me. I suppose there are ways to make it work if it is used in a subtle way, but after messing with it, I decided it was better left alone.

I like this preamp. Thats not to say its the very best. I have a Great River and a Grace on my wish list, so I'd like to upgrade eventually. The Beri does what I need for now.