Audio Setup

[chucktaylor]

Since we've been chatting quite a lot about preamps, I thought it might be interesting to share with each other what our audio chains were and maybe even share audio samples of our chains so we can get a feel how different setups sound! I'll start...

Behringer B-1 Condenser Mic
Presonus TubePre
Behringer Eurorack UB802
M-Audio Audiophile USB
Adobe Audition 1.5 (sometimes 3.0)/ProTools/Samplitude
I occasionally use my Yamaha REV500E for effects

This audition from earlier this week was done with my new setup (just added the Presonus to the chain)

ct

[SomeAudioGuy]

Nice chain chuck. That's definitely better than my first home rig:
Luna --> T1953 --> UB2222 --> Audigy Platinum

I don't really keep a set chain. It depends on where and who I'm recording. Usually it stays pretty simple, sometimes just mic to soundcard simple.

I'll be recording a table read in May, which'll be interesting. It'll take every mic in my cabinet, and I might need to daisy-chain my mixer and sound card to get enough individual inputs.

[JoeActor]

Hmmm... seems like we had a thread just like this earlier - well, it can't hurt to have a new one!

I've got two chains - here's my home one:
Shure SM58 -> PreSonus TubePre -> Sony Vaio (sound forge + acid + magix)
... and my travel one:
MXL 990 USB -> whatever laptop I have (audacity or sound forge + magix)

Been thinking about doing a side-by-side of the two to see if my travel setup sounds better than my home one.

Gotta make the time for that (where's Einstein when you need him?),
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio (http://www.JoeActor.com)

[chucktaylor]

I looked but didn't see anything under audio chains... I know we did one on recording software...if I missed it, we can just combine the two threads...

[AlanSimmons]

Here's mine:

Rode NT1000 > MOTU 8PRE > WinXP PC (Sony Acid Pro 6.0 and, right now, a trial version of Audition 3.0, which I reeeeeally like)

~Alan

[SomeAudioGuy]

Audition 3 is nice. I really wish I had a need for it to go and plonk down for the upgrade.

Hey, not to hijack the thread too much, but whose tired of paying for 0.1 upgrades to Pro Tools? Anyone? I think I'm done with this last update to 7.4 until maybe ... I dunno ... until 9.4 comes out.

[bobbin beam]

I'm still at PT 7.0- The upgrade really doesn't affect me doing my lil' ol/vo work much if at all, and I'm happy with what I have right now. My chain is: Neumann TLM 193 (or Rode NT1A)> Behringer Xenyz 1204> Protools LE 7.0 >Toshiba Satellite A105 Laptop. If I knew how to attach a stinking file here I'd do it. I do very little if any audio processing on auds, or jobs.

[JohnWeeks]

Here's mine...
Telefunken AK 47
Manley Voxbox (No compression, No EQ and a couple db of limiting)
Lynx L22 Soundcard

http://www.johnweeksaudio.com/micchains/JohnWeeks_chain.mp3

[rdsmith]

Here's mine:

ADK TL mic mounted on an SE Electronics SFC Reflexion Filter
Focusrite Saffire for preamp/soundcard
HP notebook computer. Cubase (LE) and Wavelab (Essentials) for recording/mastering/burning.
Use a Frontier Design Tranzport as my software controller.

I've just purchased a Aphex 230 channel strip. Haven't connected it yet. It's like a swiss-army knife of strips. Has a tube pre, compressor, gate, de-esser, aural exciter, their "Big Bottom" circuit, parametric EQ, and digital outputs. I'll post when I've had a chance to try it.

Looking to bump up to Wavelab 6 for future work.

Roger

[bobbin beam]

OK here's a link to a TV spot:
Bobbin's Blog: A Nice Spot (http://blog.bobbinbeam.com/2008/03/20/a-nice-spot.aspx)

Although the original was bounced at 48 AIFF (high quality) By virtue of the media conversion to flash ,the resolution isn't as crisp as the original, but this was recorded on my Rode NT1A.

[SueColas]

Very nice Bobbin!! As always!

Sue & EV

[lanceblair]

Bobbin,
How do you like the TLM 193? They're using that mic more and more in TV production...it's now the mic of Family Guy, so it's good enough for me. :)

[Emorgan_Voiceovers]

My setup is pretty simple. I have an AT4040 into a ART V3 Tube Pre. I use Adobe Audition 1.5, Acid and Vegas. I also have Soundforge. The file I am attaching is straight up audio with 2:1 compression and a light hiss reduction. I still find hiss in my recordings, but with this particular Tube Pre I hear that is common. I am going to eventually change the tube and go with the Russian made version.

[lanceblair]

Emorgan, that's just way too much hiss. How high is your gain? It might not be the tubes, really. You might be better off with a cheap solid state preamp or even a cheap behringer or yamaha mixer.

It's too bad, because it sounds pretty good too. Maybe check your cables too?

[Emorgan_Voiceovers]

Emorgan, that's just way too much hiss. How high is your gain? It might not be the tubes, really. You might be better off with a cheap solid state preamp or even a cheap behringer or yamaha mixer.

It's too bad, because it sounds pretty good too. Maybe check your cables too?

I agree 100%. I am working on that right now. I am trying to do some trading to get a solid state pre instead. I am sure it isn't the cables. I work for a radio station also and the engineer hooked me up with some very nice, shielded cable. There are a couple of tricks I am working on to try to get the hiss out, well, at least to an acceptable level.

[KRMDjames]

Neumann TLM 103
TL AUDIO Dual valve Pre Amp (Tube)
Echo Layla 24 sound card
WIN XP OS
Adobe Audition 3.0

I was running the Mic cable from the TL AUDIO preamp to the line in on a DBX Vocal strip instead of straight to the Layla Sound Card, but I was never happy with the sound. Maybe I am doing something wrong. Is it OK to cut the DBX VOCAL STRIP Out of the mix or does someone have an opinion on what I could do get a better sound out of it.

[lanceblair]

Hi!
Try cutting out the dbx...you're effectively running it through two preamps, and which ever is the last one in the chain will leave its mark on the sound.
The dbx 286a is a nice preamp on its own. I like the TL too (which one do you have?) TL Audio have come out with a whole new line that looks intriguing. Some high-end pieces too.

I'd take the 286 out of the chain, do your processing with software plugins (there are some good free or cheap ones) and then I'd replace the tubes in the TL audio (that's another topic unto itself).

Or, I'd sell the TL and the 286, save a couple hundred bucks (always hard, I know) and buy a John Hardy M-1.

At least you have options.

Option #1: $0. #2: 50-200. #3: $400

good luck,
Lance

[KRMDjames]

thank you!

[chucktaylor]

I've noticed a few people talking about audio chains here lately, so I thought I'd revive this old thread. I've also revised my audio chain since last year. (What is it about buying new toys in this business?) So here's my revised chain:
Behringer B1 Mic (main studio mic)
Presonus Tube Pre
Behringer Ultralink Pro mic mixer (allows me to send up to 6 mics to my optimod)
Orban Optimod 2200
Behringer Eurorack UB802
M-Audio Audiophile USB
2.5ghz Dual Core PC with Adobe Audiion 3.0, ProTools, Samplitude, and Nuendo
Yamaha REV 500 for Effects

I also have Marshall MXL 990 and 991 mics for Vocals and guitars for my guests and a Shure SM58 also for guest mics. Plus I recently purchased a Sterling Audio PHP1 Phantom Power supply, and have on the way a Gentner phone interface.
I think I've come a long way in a year equipment wise.