Let us hear your best LaFontaine!

Colin Campbell · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007, 05:16 (GMT) Post subject:

Phyllis... let's start at the beginning. First your microphone. What is it? Second... what do you feed it into? You can not, should not depend on software to fix it. You need a good condenser mic into a good preamp/processor such as a dBx 286a or Symetrix 528e. When you have quality going in, then we can talk about what to do in software. Garbage in, garbage out.

Phyllis K. Day

Todd Ellis · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007, 15:10 (GMT) Post subject:

Phyllis - I'm going to go with the obvious here - and please don't be offended - are you sure your mic is facing the right way? (ok - I'm editing this - that doesn't seem possible with the AT - but it could happen with the MXL) It still kinda sounds like you're talking into the back of the mic.

You will be very happy with the Shure - I know several female VOs who use it and love it like a child.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007, 15:12 (GMT) Post subject:

Well, I like to process the mic before it even hits the PC but since new equipment is not an option at this time... looking at the screenshot there... I would try to boost 3-5 k (3000-5000) I assume you can change those center frequencies above the bandwidth knobs. EQ is hard to understand and a very personal decision but it can be very important in the final sound. I am told that the Alessis itself has a bad "computery" sound to it and I think that is part of what we are hearing.

Since it seems you are pretty much doing voice straight in to the PC, I'd look at some other simple but good preamp/interface such as something from M-Audio, though I don't have personal experience with them, they are highly regarded and not awfully expensive.

For me, I use a Shure KSM32 into a Symetrix 528e mic preamp/processor into a LynxONE PCI audio card. But that is about $1500 worth of equipment right there. I don't see a need for an external mixer in this biz, I can do any music/sfx mixing right on the PC. For software, I am using Adobe Audition 1.5. I'm not crazy about Audition, but it gets the job done.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007, 15:19 (GMT) Post subject:

After talking with a colleague who is familliar with the Alessis (and returned it to the store) we are pretty sure the Alessis is your main problem. They have that "sound" we are hearing.

The Shure SM7 is a good mic but no matter what mic you use, the Alessis may still mangle the audio.

Phyllis K. Day

Colin Campbell · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007, 15:30 (GMT) Post subject:

Do you really need mixing capability?

Todd Ellis · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007, 15:41 (GMT) Post subject:

Colin - A lot of us "old timers" just feel more comfortable with knobs to twist and slides to push. We came up with it - and that's just what we're comfortable with. Secondly - while not applicable to everyone - when you start adding elements like a phone patch & ISDN a mixer comes in quite handy.

IF the mixer turns out to be the problem - which - I'm not sure - all I hear is mud and some splatter on the highs - you cannot beat the Mackie 1202VLZ - the built in pre-amps are some of the best around - very quiet. That also means you don't need an external pre - which saves you money in the long run and space in your lovely closet/pantyhose display/VO booth.

You can pick them up on ebay for $200 or less almost every day.

Todd Ellis · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007, 15:47 (GMT) Post subject:

ps - Freddie - we should probably move this conversation to "Geek Place" dya think?

Scott Pollak · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007, 15:54 (GMT) Post subject:

I run my EV RE-20 thru an $80 Behringer Eurorack MX-802A and it works great. I then will occasionally add a SLIGHT bit of processing (minimal compression) in Cool Edit Pro to the final cut depending on the spot.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007, 16:34 (GMT) Post subject:

I found out that the Alessis interface/mixers have that "smashing" swishy sound in their A to D conversion. If a mixer is required and price is an issue, I would suggest a Behringer into an M-audio interface. That could be done pretty cheaply.

Allen Scofield · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007, 16:52 (GMT) Post subject:

I run my Lawson L47FET into a VX2496 processor into a Behringer UB802 mixer then into an Echo Audio Mia/Midi PCI card. All balanced from mic to computer.

Can't beat the Behringer for the money. I've had mine for more than two years and it has not given me one bit of trouble AND is very quiet.

Allen

**edit: I don't know why my posts are jumping ahead of the last couple. I have my time zone set correctly for GMT -6 hrs (for US CST). Freddie?

Freddie Molina · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007, 19:11 (GMT) Post subject:

Colin Campbell · Posted: Thu Jan 25, 2007, 19:38 (GMT) Post subject:

Anyone have any experiece using M-audio stuff?