Warm Audio WA12 Preamp: best preamp for the Neumann TLM102 for warm voice over???

N

Nicholas Natteau

Veteran
I just got a Neumann TLM102 and very quite impressed with it for voice over.
Right now I'm just hooking up my 102 to my Zoom H5 via XLR 1.

But if i want my voice sounding even warmer than it does with the TLM102, would the Warm Audio WA12 be a very good preamp to get??? Is this a recommended mic preamp for voice over?

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...s1109ib4KG4yT72N3obs0lbjIwHvG9qalMaArd-8P8HAQ

Or would this be overkill when combined with the already warm sounding TLM102???

Just asking, because I understand that good mic preamps are essential and I'm not sure which one to get.
I know that the Zoom H5 has its own preamps, but I'm looking to get the best warm sounding voice possible.

Is that something I can achieve in post using Adobe Audition? Or Logic Pro X with all of its plugins?

Or would it be far better to start off with something like the WA12? Thanks very much in advance for any help.
 
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That is a Chinese made API clone. I don't know that I would call an API mic pre "warm". I think you are hearing the company name, and equating that with how the product sounds, which is not the case. Colored, is probably a more appropriate term when referring to this mic pre. If it were me, I would learn how to work a mic before I invested in new mic pres. And what I mean by working a mic, it's how you position yourself next to the mic when you are doing a VO. For example... By increasing the gain a bit, but backing off in your delivery intensity, while working the mic closely, you can get a nice warm feel.

If I were going to invest in a new mic pre for voice over work, the first one I would get would be one with plenty of clean gain. Not one that is overly colored. Remember you can always add an API, Fairchild, or what ever plugin in post to warm up the sound if needed.

All the best!

Dave
 
A long time ago, I recorded a 'news signature' with an old Neunann u47.. which I had just acquired, and at that time, I thought it was 'The Mic'.. It wasn't... and has come back to haunt me ever since. w/o specifics: CNN, JEJ (clue)
(addendum: through a Neve 8058 I might add)
 
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Years ago I had a U47 that Stephen Paul rebuilt for me. I traded it along with 2 extra V14 tubes for everything needed to re-setup my studio after the first wife.
 
Warm Audio WA12: is it too bassy for voice over work with the Neumann TLM102???

Warm Audio WA12: is it too bassy for voice over work with the Neumann TLM102???

Just asking this because I'm in the process of upgrading my audio gear.
My main microphone for voice over work is the Neumann TLM102.

But I've been hearing great things about the Warm Audio WA12 mic preamp in terms of lending more warmth or base for vocals. But given the fact that the Neumann TLM102 is already warm or bassy, I just don't know if this wouldn't be overkill (too much base?).

Thank you in advance for any feedback about this device.
 
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Why do you think you need it? What's wrong with the sound now? Don't try to fix problems that you can't articulate, there may not really be anything to fix. Gear purchases won't cancel the need for a great set of pipes and lot's of practice.
 
"Gear purchases won't cancel the need for a great set of pipes and lot's of practice"
+11
Expensive/new gear is not a substitute for lack of recording skills either
 
Steve, sorry if I didn't articulate my question more clearly. Because the WA12 has been getting a lot of positive reviews in terms of the greater base, presence, brightness that it adds to vocals, I was hoping to learn whether it would further enhance vocals from the TLM102. Or on the contrary, whether the combination of the two would not be recommended because it would introduce too much bass.
 
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Nicholas Natteau said:
... I was hoping to learn whether it would further enhance vocals from the TLM102. Or on the contrary, whether the combination of the two would not be recommended because it would introduce too much base.
Click to expand...

Bass.

Honestly, getting a pre-amp that colors the sound in any way can be counterproductive. Record as flat and natural a response as you can get, and leave the rest to post.
 
The Warm preamp appears to be designed for music recording, what it will do for speech is anybody`s guess. What it might do for your recordings can only be evaluated by getting one (loaner?) and trying it.

If you're looking for a preamp with signal processing that is an industry goto for speech recording and broadcast, consider one of these ... http://www.symetrix.co/products/legacy/#528e-voice-processor

For a overview of mics and equipment recoomeded for voice-over work, take a look at Don Capone`s website, http://www.nurple.com/voice-talent/voice-talent-equipment.html
 
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Steve, regarding the Symetrix 528E's knobs for low, mid, and high frequency manipulation, can these functions also not be achieved in post with the Parametric Equalizer in Adobe Audition or Logic Pro X? Or is there another advantage to doing so live via this analog hardware method?
 
For the most part, yes. Some prefer to do it in the analog domain. Analog versus digital sound ....... different.
 
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Steve, in your experience, in what way(s) would the analog method via the 528E be more advantageous than tweaking the vocals in post? Thank you in advance.
 
Nicholas Natteau said:
... in what way(s) would the analog method via the 528E be more advantageous than tweaking the vocals in post? Thank you in advance.
Click to expand...

Analog processing has its advantages, if you know what you're doing. It has, as Steve noted, a distinct sound from digital processing. You don't have to worry about dithering, and you can create/shape a rich sound with careful implementation.

The disadvantage is that you're stuck with it once it has been recorded. It is much more difficult to try and "fix" already-processed audio in post. The advantages to recording flat and processing in post are that you can work with a clean slate, and you can always go back and change it if you aren't happy with it.
 
There is little advantage to using something that will color your sound when you record it unless you know what the heck you are doing in the first place.

IF you are asking here you should record it clean as you can and mess with it in post.
 
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