Do I need a mixer with this???

[SeptemberDay]

Originally Posted by Mike Sommer

Firstly I'm was only speaking in general round numbers, because that's all we can do.

To build a quality sound chain you'll need a good mixer, a quality interface, a quality mic and preamp, and a compressor.

Certainly you can get by with lesser gear, "you'll do fine with it" but if you want good professional audio, you'll need to step it up a notch.

But the items you've listed September Adobe Audition ($349), AKG C2000B ($289), Fast Track Pro ($249) = $887.00 before tax and shipping. Looks like a good part of a $1000 to me.

Ok, got it. Retail prices. I was thinking when purchasing at second hand music places and the like. Mike, I know you've heard some of my auditions; in your opinion, what's missing from my audio to make it more professional and what would help that? What would make me sound better?

[Mike Sommer]

Well, retail is all we can really go by. We can't set a budget based on fire sale prices, we can hope for them but...

Let me see what can be done with your present sound chain, as per your PM

[Jon Morss]

Bonnie - Well, as far as USB mics are concerned, Rodney Saulsberry mentions quite often that he voiced the Josh Groban Promos using his Blue Snowball USB mic from the desk of his studio with the door open.

I think it would be best to first concentrate on building your VO skills and then focus on getting a good mic for whatever purpose you will use it for. Do you need spend $1K? Maybe, maybe not. I opted for a Sen 416 which ran about 1K just for my own purposes. It really depends on what you plan to do. Talk to the folks at Guitar Center and see if they will let you test out some mics and pre-amp combos so you can get an idea of what will work best for you. Heck, even contact a local Studio and see if they can help. I would check out what is available before dropping a ton of money.

Good luck.

[Jacoby]

Before I start, I find it only fair to add that my current recording chain is about $4000 retail (not incl. my computer)... that said, I'm the same guy who for years in numerous threads on the subject has been recommending a starter kit that retails at about $500. A setup that would be more than sufficient for all kinds of auditions, demos and probably most actual recording jobs, too.

The thing you really need to spend money on is not the gear. It's the place where you put the gear: your recording environment (although you can come a long way with cheap DYI tricks here). And, of course, your real tools: your voice and talent. You can ALWAYS spend thousands of $ on gear along the way, but if you suck, the gear will only make you suck even more...

And btw Mike... : I don't generally use a compressor for voiceover recording. I also do not use a particularly good quality mixer, but my recording chain don't go through it anyway, I use it only for monitoring.

[Mike Sommer]

Very true on the room treatment- This is always over looked and can cost as much if no more than the equipment. And the better the room sounds the better you sound. Then there comes a point where you realize you're missing out on all this lovely detail- hence better equipment. "Snowball"

True you don't need a compressor.
But I like a little compression 2:1, this is enough to pull everything together, keeping the signal from being peaky and pulls out subtle details.

As for a mixer I like a good quality mixer with a parametric EQ to fine tune the mids, so my audio is ready to go. The less I have to do in the digital domain the better. Good clean audio in good clean audio out.

[Jacoby]

Originally Posted by Mike Sommer

Good clean audio in good clean audio out.

[P.R.E.Z.]

Originally Posted by Mike Sommer

That depends on what your definition of great is.

The problem is that the market has been flooded with cheap gear, that contains cheap components and with little or no quality control. In the case of microphones there are very few condenser mics (under $500) that are tuned with any degree of accuracy -which is why one mic will sound different form the next, from the same manufacture on the same day. Sometimes it's a crap shoot.

Here's the problem with these kinds of arguments: no one seems to care much except the engineers.

If I can make a recording sound dope, do you really care what I used? As a client, you don't. You just want it to sound good. You want your money's worth. If the client is happy, the equipment used matters little to nil.

Having the 'high end' gear means nothing if you can't mix/engineer it to sound decent. I've heard people who use Pro Tools whose material is sub par...at best. I've heard people who use FL Studio and sound off the chain.

Another thing to consider is if the chain is mostly in the box, outboard, or a conglomeration. Nowadays you can get a decent sound card and have everything in the box. Some people have opted to go this way and their stuff sounds fantastic.

Again, the point is moot if the client isn't happy but your gear is top of the line. Best to get some decent gear that's easy for you to work with and then perfect your craft as an engineer so it'll sound good.