Post A Sample Of Your Microphone/Equipment

JJ Semple · **Voice Talent** Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 17

So now I have distortion. What about the buzz? Was that better? Could the distortion be the preamp settings or the compression I added in post? I certainly wasn't screaming in the mic.

I'm adding an unprocessed version of the file.

I'm not an audio pro like you guys, but I do want to set up a home studio for recording audiobooks. Thanks to everyone!

John Weeks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 186

The distortion sounds better on this file. I don't hear a buzz, only a good bit of hiss.

Josh Mahler · **Voice Talent** Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Posts: 44

Yeah, I also still hear some funky stuff going on. How about posting a sample with the Summit out of the equation? Just the mic straight to one of the MOTU pre's. That will let us know if the Summit pre is contributing to the problem.

I ask you to do that because at a time I had a problem with my Safesound creating some weirdness. It turned out to be a grounding problem and a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter on the power cord helped.

Eddie Eagle · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008, 18:24 (GMT) Post subject:

Here's a trailer I put together for a fictional movie. I did a mix of 2 mics together. MKH415 and NTK.

JJ Semple · **Voice Talent** Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 17

Here are two tests: one without the Summit preamp and one with. The test with the MOTU alone (no preamp) has two samples because the MOTU gain is limited to +24dB. So I included a sample that has compression and gain added. Otherwise, the level is very low because the mic, which is spec'd at -60dB, doesn't get enough power. I don't know how to get anymore out of it without a preamp.

And that's why I have the Summit because it has both Mic and Tube gains. Only problem is, I now have all the hiss and buzz I can handle.

The MOTU alone, even with compression and gain added seems quieter, even though it was recorded in a noisier room. I don't think that lowering the gain on the Summit will help diminish the noise.

I never had a problem with the Summit before and am not sure what to do about it. It would be nice if it was only a "3 prong to 2 prong adapter" issue.

Lance Blair · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008, 23:58 (GMT) Post subject:

What are the exact settings for everything on the Summit, and what cables do you have and how are they connected?

JJ Semple · **Voice Talent** Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 17

For the Summit recording I had the:

Tube gain = 3:00 O'Clock
Mic gain = 5:00
Impedance = 8:30
Hi-Pass = 12:00

Shure SM7b > via XLR balanced cable > mic input on back of Summit; Summit XLR +4dB (bal) output > via XLR to 1/4" balanced (tip/ring/sleeve) cable > 1/4" +4dB (bal) #5 input of MOTU Ultralite.

The same mic cable was used in the recording that bypassed the Summit.

Lance Blair · Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008, 03:02 (GMT) Post subject:

Thanks JJ...that all looks good, thanks for the info. Is there any performance difference between using input 5 vs. say 4 or 6?
Have you tried a different mic cable?

Josh Mahler · **Voice Talent** Joined: 03 Oct 2005 Posts: 44

There was a slight buzz with the Summit which wasn't there with just the MOTU. What about trying the Summit with just solid state gain and no tube gain? I'd like to hear that if you get a chance. Maybe a bad tube could be causing buzz?

Somehing to keep in mind. While the solid state stage may not have enough gain to push the SM7b to 0db, that's ok. When going digital, especially 24bit, you don't need to record even close to that hot. -18 to -12db should be fine sonically. That way you're cutting down on preamp noise because you're not pushing it so hard.

I agree with checking the cables. If the mic cable doesn't change anything, I'd go ahead and check the cables from the Summit to the MOTU also.

JJ Semple · **Voice Talent** Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 17

I enclose a solid state gain only test. NO Tube gain! No compression, no post processing.

Low levels but a lot cleaner. Would it be usable if skillfully mastered?

Am interested to hear your comments. Thanks, JJ

Rick Blade · **Voice Talent** Joined: 10 Aug 2005 Posts: 1

Love the sound of that Telefunken AK47 Don Capone:)

Don Capone · **Voice Talent** Joined: 13 Jul 2007 Posts: 89

your gonna luv the AK47 Rick

John Weeks · **Voice Talent** Joined: 04 Jun 2005 Posts: 186

JJ:
Distortion is gone now. You just need more level going in. That should lower the noise floor. I don't think recording at this low a level and then bringing it up in mastering is the answer. It will bring the noise up as well. You just need more juice on the input of the preamp.
Good Luck!

Rick and Don:
I'm still loving my AK-47!

Lance Blair · Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008, 02:46 (GMT) Post subject:

Does anybody have an M16? They seem a touch brighter and smoother which is more up my alley, although the AK47 is a stunner for VO.

JJ Semple · **Voice Talent** Joined: 18 Feb 2008 Posts: 17

Josh,

I posted a sample as per your suggestion. Several members have said the level is too low, but I haven't heard from you. Since you had the original idea of recording at a lower level with Tube gain only -- which I did -- I'd like to hear from you. Your idea was that boosting the levels in post could make a take acceptable, especially in digital. Do you think the -12dB level in this recording is sufficient to make an acceptable master.

I ask this because the humm seems to be coming from the Tube gain, so without it there's not much level, even with the SS gain all the way up. If it's a bad tube, I can get Summit on the case, but I'd like to get your feedback on this first...

I enclose two samples:

1) without post processing
2) with compression and added gain

Am I getting there? Or are there still issues?

Thanks, JJ