Neumann sound dream

[Ray Remillard]

Hi, Colik,

I have a decent basic set up at home: AT Digital Ref DX-1 mic, into a TubePre into a Sound Blaster X-Fi Platinum sound card. I use Cool Edit Pro and run on XP Home with 2 gig/ram.

I did a little recording at Studio Center and it sounded so great that I asked, what processing are you using. He said "Nothing, that's all you". Well, here's the dream. They used a Neumann mic (don't know which). What can i do or tinker with to try to get that sound from my system...short of spending 2 or 3 grand on a new mic?

I guess any thoughts on getting the best performance out of the system will be a great help.

Thanks

[JoeActor]

Hi Ray,

I use a Tube-Pre as well. I've heard that replacing the tube with a higher quality model can get you a bit more bang-for-the-buck.

Mine is paired with a Shure SM-58 mike, and seems to be well suited to my vocal range and attributes....

That doesn't mean I wouldn't love to try a Neumann!
(got to audition on one a little while back - sweet.)

Cheers,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio

[jsgilbert]

It's kind of like asking what you can do to a can of Chef Boyardee to make it taste like Chez Panis.

Lots and lots of ketchup.

You simply can't compare yourself to a professional studio. Many pro studios will have had designers like John Storyk WSDG Architectural and Acoustic Design design the accoustical treatments to the tune of thousands and thousands of dollars. Add to this a professionally trained and educated (experienced) sound engineer who knows where to place the mic and set the dials and then you get your Neumann microphone (probably a U87 or M149) at $2,500 - $4,500 and p[ossibly having a modification done by somebody like Klaus Heyne (Google him) and then that's run through a highend amplifier like a Manley or Avalon via cables that were possibly handbuilt or of very high quality.

Add to this mix the fact that the talent doesn't have to be responsible for being anything other than a talent and can actually focus completely on reading the copy and delivering an incredible performance.

The real answer is "you can't"

[Ray Remillard]

I was afraid you would say that. Thanks for the reply!

[Colin Campbell]

Well... the thing about the Neumann (probably a U87) is that it is a condenser mic. What mic do you own? You may want to try a Rode NT1a for about $300 to get that type of sound. I've never used a Rode but I'm told it's a poor man's Neumann.

[jsgilbert]

The Rode NT1 is a terrific microphone. It is an FET and not a tube, so it might characteristically be more like a NEumann TLM103 (brighter microphone) than either a U87 or M149.

Musician's Friend currently has the Rode NT1 for $229 with a freee 20' mic cable. The Rode does have high SPL and pretty low self noise.

I would look more into the tube upgrade for ART Tube Pre (or Presonus) as well. 12Ax tubes can be purchased as both new and new old stock. I have heardthat Seimens and Telefunken NOS tubes really sound good.

[Colin Campbell]

A lot of people put TungSol tubes in them as well and report good results.

[JoeActor]

... hmmm... seems like the tubes aren't too pricey.
Might be a good 2008 purchase for my TubePre...

Thanks JS and Colin,
Joe J Thomas
Joe J. Thomas Acting Portfolio

[billelder]

If you're getting work with your setup then something's right.

I was involved with an audio project where 14 voiceover people artists participated. The audio came from our own studios, and it sounded good! There's no telling how many different mics and chains were represented. I even posted a request for everyone to post their chain to see if there was one basic universally used piece of equipment. There was not.

Keep trying new things and eventually you'll find the sound you want. That happened with me and the Studio Project C-1. After that I stopped looking. I'm not saying it's right for you, but it's sure fun trying. Good luck!

[Colin Campbell]

I have to say here that I purchased a Presonus TubePre. Didn't like the sound. I thought it was "grungy." So... I did a little research and the popular concensous was to replace the 12ax7 with a Tung Sol which is a current production Russian made tube. So I did. Sounded better but I still didn't like it. So, I did an A/B/C comparison of Presonus stock/Presonus Tung Sol/ and my Symetrix 528e. Wow. The Symetrix just blew the Presonus away. For a second opinion, I sent the A/B/C recording to an audio engineer I respect. He agreed that the Symetrix blows away the Presonus stock or Tung Sol setup. So... in short, I am not a fan of cheap tube pres. I traded it for an equipment rack for someone who wanted to use it on guitars.