Recording VO on the G5: In search of Preamp & A/D Converters

Luis Caffesse

Luis Caffesse

Admin
Alright - here's the story.

I'm working with a TV station and they want to be able to record VO for their commercials.
They've just set up in town (in fact they are still in a temporary office).
So they're looking for something that can work until they move into a permanent office, and can build a VO booth (hopefully). But, I need to keep in mind that whatever gear they get now they will most likely still want to use when the setup becomes 'permanent.'

They are editing on a G5 using FCP.
They don't want to buy a dedicated system to record VO right now, and want to be able to record into their G5 editing system. I'm guessing we'd use the VO tool in FCP.

They're looking at me to tell them what to get.
I'm thinking I'd like to go in via FireWire or USB (as opposed to getting a card for the computer).

So I can either go with a single preamp a/d unit - or buy the preamp and a/d converter seperately.

Any suggestions? Recommendations?

I asked a few people I know, that these are the things that have come up so far:

M Audio FastTrack Pro
M Audio FastTrack USB
M Audio FireWire Solo
Focusrite Saphire

Keep in mind they only need to be able to record VO - 2 mics at the most (though 99% of the time it would be only 1 mic).

Thanks in advance for any tips or recommendations.
:thumbsup:
 
Yeah, it's deffinetly a good unit. Skip anything with only a USB interface. One of the cool things about the firewire 410 is the dual headphone outs with independant volume controls. It's built very nicely too. The Focusrite device you mentioned would also be a good choice.
 
To put it in perspective, this is a local TV station that is using a DVX100B to shoot their local commercials with. They edit on FCP. They don't do any local programming, it's an affiliate station that beams stuff in off satellite - so the VO would be for commercials and station promos.

It needs to be something that will last through at least the next year.
That said, I'd prefer "really good" - but there is no need for overkill.

They're looking to me to tell them what to buy - and it's always easier to bring the budget down than it is to bring it up.
So... ideally, I want it as good as it can be.

I'm guessing they probably don't want to spend much more than 1K - 1.5K on the whole setup (preamp, a/d, mic, stand, cabling, etc). But at the end of the day they'll spend whatever I tell them they need to spend to be able to get the work done.
So I can probably go higher than some of the stuff I listed.
 
I just ordered M-Audio 410, so that's what I am recommending for you also. :) Also one good is EMU soundcards...I think I would have gone with EMU if it supported GSIF drivers and had firewire...:thumbup:
 
Well what I recommend is a USB box but it has better mic pres than any of the M-audio boxes. It's the USB-Pre from Sound Devices. This is a very nice box with great mic pres. I don't know if you want a FW box. I mean your on FCP and your probably loading picture over FW and poss outputting to a monitor over FW. For 1-2 tracks USB is fine and you wont be on a fairly busy FW buss.
SK
 
Personally I would spend my money on good analog gear in this situation (or any situation really). Get great outboard mic pres, solid mics and possibly outboard compressors. This is where your bang for the buck lies. There is a difference between the D/A converters you get in something like M-Audio -vs- Apogee or PT HD192 but it comes at a great price and isn't nearly as big a leap as good analog gear (IMHO).

Most of the all in one preamp / USB / Firewire / SPDIF / Toaster / Clock Radio boxes have really weak preamps.
 
Wow, thanks for all the suggestions guys.
This is VERY helpful.
:thumbsup:

What about mics?
The radio station I used to work at used EV RE20 mics in the on air studio and the production room. Any thoughts on those? Or any other suggestions?
 
RE20's are good a hot new mic that is very RE20 like but with a bit more clarity and a lot less $$ is the Heil PR40, a very nice mic.
SK
 
EV RE20 mics are a pretty classic voiceover mic, they have a particular sound that is probably compatible with a 30 second spot. Sure SM7 (not 57) is another really common mic for this. The EV RE20 also doubles as large blunt object to beat people, which can be handy. Radio people are usually familiar with them and know how to work them.
 
tigeba said:
The EV RE20 also doubles as large blunt object to beat people, which can be handy. Radio people are usually familiar with them and know how to work them.
Click to expand...

Having worked in radio I can attest to the fact that most radio people know how to work them... both as a voice over mic, and as a blunt object to beat people with.

:)
 
Agree with tigeba. But the great thing about the firewire 410 is that when you get bored of in the box preamps, then just plug on an analogue pre!

Assuming you go firewire (cuz what noiz says is really valid), I would go with a firewire 410, and then if the moneys right get a good preamp, preferably one with built in dynamics controls (for me, its just easier). DBX make some nice stuff. Or, you could get a Really Nice Preamp (RNP) with a Really Nice Compressor (RNC) chained to its aux. Those are cool little suckers for the price, i forget who makes them again, I dont own one.

The reason I wouldnt go with the USB pre is because the fw410 has more functionality on the digital end, which i think should be your base when buying with the END system in mind: Id recommend starting with good converters and a good mic, then good pre's and dynamics. (If you have budget, get them all at once, cuz thatll obviously be best!)

The 410 will also support more OUTPUT channels (thanks to firwire) so you can do surround mixing, or set up a primary monitor output, and a secondary monitor output (for checking your mix on other monitors).

One more thing: you can actually record quite nic VO with really crummy stuff, as long as the environment you record in is awesome (quite, dead etc).. dont overlook the booth.
 
Here are some recommendations for preamps / dynamics that are probably all over budget.

UA 2-610 2 channel preamp
UA 6176 (A combination UA 610 preamp and a UA 1176 compressor *DROOL*)
Vintech 1272 2 channel preamp ( Neve 1272 clone )
Emperical Labs Distressor EL8-X ( slays everything )

As you can see, I am a big fan of the "ballsier" preamps, at least for something like vocals and voiceover :)

RE: Distressor: When will you ever get to own a piece of gear that has a button labeled "Nuke". It's a no brainer!
 
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