Re: Signal Chain advice for Soundlux E47 Mic

[P Stamler]

An awful lot of good records got made with the U-47 and that Universal preamp.
If you want to have an all-classic chain and need the limiting, you could get
an 1176 and go into, say, an Apogee Rosetta. Otherwise, just the Rosetta.

Peace,
Paul

[Winter]

"NoSpam" > wrote in message
news:WCyUa.151194$N7.20195@sccrnsc03...
> Howdy,
>
> I am looking for some advice on my outboard gear setup.
> I am looking for some good advice and not smartass comments.
>
> If you have any experience with using the E47 in a signal path ending in
> SPDIF...
> I would really like to hear from you.
>
>
>
> Note: I only record vocals with this - no instruments.
>
>
> My current set up is as follows:
>
> Soundelux E47 Mic with Pauley Windscreen
>
> UA 2-610 Mic Pre
>
> DBX 160SL + 704x exp.
> -704x spdif to computer (Hammerfall dsp/Nuendo2)
>
>
> I got the 2-610 when I was using ribbon mics and non-tube mics.
> I get the impression that I should try something solid state instead since
> the mic is a tube mic already.
> Also I am think that the 2-610 is coloring the sound of the E47 (which
> perhaps does not need coloring).
>
> I usually do not use the compression on the 160SL and just use it for its
> SPDIF out.
>
> Requirements:
> *I am keeping the Soundelux E47*
>
>
> *I need a SPDIF out at the end of the outboard gear to interface with the
> computer.*
>
> Someone suggested getting the Apogee Trak2.
>
> I would like to get some more info. There are no shops anywhere near me
> that cater to high end.
> The people @ guitar center don't even kow what an Soundelux E47 is. The
> local studio people that I know produce rap and don't know about high end.
>
> This seems like the best place to ask.
>
> What would be better choices than the 2-610 and 160SL for use with this
mic
> . (It needs to have SPDIF out)
>
> Or do I have it right?
>
> I use Nuendo 2 and have both the Powercore and UAD-1 cards that I use as
> compressors within Nuendo.
>
>
>
> Thanks!
> Reply here to group.
>
While I don't have any personal experience I gather that you're looking for
uncolored preamplification w/SPDIF compatability. I'd say Apogee Trak2 or
MiniMe are good. Also check out the Grace Lunatec V3 at
http://www.gracedesign.com/products/product_frameset.htm
Folks on RAP rave about FMRs Really Nice Pre, which many call a simple but
clean & good-sounding dual mono pre for about $500. Don't know about your
160L, though. Chances are that even in bypass mode it'll color the audio. So
the Apogee or Grace w/built-in converters & SPDIF Out will be some of your
better choices.
Good luck.

--
Winter
www.EMBStudios.com
A World of Good Music

[NoSpam]

Thanks Paul,

Too bad the 2-610 does not have a digital out.

I will look into the Rosetta.




"P Stamler" > wrote in message
...
> An awful lot of good records got made with the U-47 and that Universal
preamp.
> If you want to have an all-classic chain and need the limiting, you could
get
> an 1176 and go into, say, an Apogee Rosetta. Otherwise, just the Rosetta.
>
> Peace,
> Paul

[Mike Rivers]

In article <WCyUa.151194$N7.20195@sccrnsc03> writes:

> I am looking for some good advice and not smartass comments.

> I got the 2-610 when I was using ribbon mics and non-tube mics.
> I get the impression that I should try something solid state instead since
> the mic is a tube mic already.
> Also I am think that the 2-610 is coloring the sound of the E47 (which
> perhaps does not need coloring).

Sorry, but since you already have the mic and the preamp, it invites
the smartass comment "well, what's wrong with what you have?" You
THINK the preamp is coloring the mic? Well, does it sound bad? Or does
it sound good? Or do you just think it should sound different?

The 610 is a fine preamp, and there's no reason not to use it just
because you're using a tube mic. If you don't like the sound, it could
be that the mic just isn't right for your voice or the voice you're
recording. Preamps do indeed make a change in the sound of a mic, but
it's not a huge change, and when it comes to subtlties, nobody can
really give you any valid advice other than to experiment and listen
for yourself. You might want to try the mic with a squaky clean premap
like a Millenia Media or Great River (not the NV) and see what it
sounds like, or get your hands on a Vipre and twiddle with the knobs
to see if you find a sound that you like.

> Someone suggested getting the Apogee Trak2.

That might be a good one to try, though I've not really heard anything
pro or con. I guess it's too expensive for people to fool around with.
It does offer quite a bit of flexibility, and while I don't know much
about Apogee's reputation for designing preamps, they certainly know
how to design A/D converters.

However, you really should be auditioning the mic/preamp direct to an
analog monitor. Because you're looking for an A/D converter as part of
this chain, that also implies that you have a D/A converter at the end
so you can hear something, and that's yet another variable that can
have its own sound, and usually not a great sound unless it's a really
great converter. Maybe you should start at that end of the chain
instead of fussing with the mic preamp first.



--
I'm really Mike Rivers - )

[Jim Kollens]

<< I get the impression that I should try something solid state instead since
the mic is a tube mic already. >>

It's never a bad idea to try different things but the "one tube in the signal
path" doesn't hold true for me. I think it is an individual thing. My Blue
Cactus (tube) sounds great through a tube pre but a little "hard" or too
forward through an api 3124. I like the Elux 251 thru the api. It doesn't
have that "hard" thing. But it also sounds great thru tube pres. In general,
I use tube pres with every mic, tube or otherwise. I often throw a tube
compressor after the pre as well, particularly with vocals. I really don't
care if it colors the sound. All I care about is that it sounds great and has
a cool vibe. That's all I care about. Do you feel differently? The purist
thing doesn't appeal to me at all. I know nothing about the spdif output, but
I wouldn't let it get in the way of having the appropriate mic-pre. If you
have money to throw around, there are a ton of fun pres to engage all your
fantasys. If you're in the Chicago area you're welcome to try out any of my
stuff.

[DJ]

I'd certainly recommend adding a Benchmark DAC-1 to the signal chain before
making any decisions at all about the sonic flavor of the rest of the signal
chain. I'm absolutely floored by the difference this has made in my decision
making at every step of tracking and mixing.

DJ

Mike Rivers > wrote in message
news:znr1059247658k@trad...
>
> In article <WCyUa.151194$N7.20195@sccrnsc03> writes:
>
> > I am looking for some good advice and not smartass comments.
>
> > I got the 2-610 when I was using ribbon mics and non-tube mics.
> > I get the impression that I should try something solid state instead
since
> > the mic is a tube mic already.
> > Also I am think that the 2-610 is coloring the sound of the E47 (which
> > perhaps does not need coloring).
>
> Sorry, but since you already have the mic and the preamp, it invites
> the smartass comment "well, what's wrong with what you have?" You
> THINK the preamp is coloring the mic? Well, does it sound bad? Or does
> it sound good? Or do you just think it should sound different?
>
> The 610 is a fine preamp, and there's no reason not to use it just
> because you're using a tube mic. If you don't like the sound, it could
> be that the mic just isn't right for your voice or the voice you're
> recording. Preamps do indeed make a change in the sound of a mic, but
> it's not a huge change, and when it comes to subtlties, nobody can
> really give you any valid advice other than to experiment and listen
> for yourself. You might want to try the mic with a squaky clean premap
> like a Millenia Media or Great River (not the NV) and see what it
> sounds like, or get your hands on a Vipre and twiddle with the knobs
> to see if you find a sound that you like.
>
> > Someone suggested getting the Apogee Trak2.
>
> That might be a good one to try, though I've not really heard anything
> pro or con. I guess it's too expensive for people to fool around with.
> It does offer quite a bit of flexibility, and while I don't know much
> about Apogee's reputation for designing preamps, they certainly know
> how to design A/D converters.
>
> However, you really should be auditioning the mic/preamp direct to an
> analog monitor. Because you're looking for an A/D converter as part of
> this chain, that also implies that you have a D/A converter at the end
> so you can hear something, and that's yet another variable that can
> have its own sound, and usually not a great sound unless it's a really
> great converter. Maybe you should start at that end of the chain
> instead of fussing with the mic preamp first.
>
>
>
> --
> I'm really Mike Rivers - )

[NoSpam]

That would be cool, but I am in the sticks of TX.


What do you think about the DBX Blue 160SL with the 704X?

I have been using it in bypass mode so I can use the AD conversion of the
704X.
The 160SL and 704X were big bucks, but most of the money is in the 160SL
which I usually have in bypass mode.
It does not make sense to keep the 160SL if I always bypass it unless the
704X is the greatest AD conversion.

I thought if I sold it I could either buy a solid state pre with AD so I
could have another option in addition to the 2-610
(different sounds for different recordings etc)
OR
Get a really nice AD converter and keep the difference.


Would I be better off with just a high quality AD converter instead?


Another thing is that I have never opened the E47 and set it for multiple
polar patterns.
It is currently locked in cardiod.



Thanks for all of the info!




"Jim Kollens" > wrote in message
...
> << I get the impression that I should try something solid state instead
since
> the mic is a tube mic already. >>
>
> It's never a bad idea to try different things but the "one tube in the
signal
> path" doesn't hold true for me. I think it is an individual thing. My
Blue
> Cactus (tube) sounds great through a tube pre but a little "hard" or too
> forward through an api 3124. I like the Elux 251 thru the api. It
doesn't
> have that "hard" thing. But it also sounds great thru tube pres. In
general,
> I use tube pres with every mic, tube or otherwise. I often throw a tube
> compressor after the pre as well, particularly with vocals. I really
don't
> care if it colors the sound. All I care about is that it sounds great and
has
> a cool vibe. That's all I care about. Do you feel differently? The
purist
> thing doesn't appeal to me at all. I know nothing about the spdif output,
but
> I wouldn't let it get in the way of having the appropriate mic-pre. If
you
> have money to throw around, there are a ton of fun pres to engage all your
> fantasys. If you're in the Chicago area you're welcome to try out any of
my
> stuff

[HenryShap]

Which tube pres are you using?

>I use tube pres with every mic, tube or otherwise