Kind of OT: Setting up components for Voiceovers

Jsnkc wrote on 2/25/2004, 8:16 AM
Ok, I am setting up a new system for doing voice production and I need a little help.
What I have is a Alesis Micorverb4 effects processor, a Alesis 3630 compressor, I am also going to be getting a EQ and a Mic Preamp or mixer.
What I need to know is how the signal should be routed through the various components. I was thinking going from the Mic into the preamp, out of that into the effects processor, out of that into the compressor, out of that into the EQ and then out of that into my soundcard. Does this sound right or should I be setting it up a diffrent way?? I will be using this withVegas 4 and Sound Forge 7 if that helps.

Comments

ibliss wrote on 2/25/2004, 8:36 AM
I would suggest that you get a decent 'voice channel', such as (low to high price)

Behringer Ultra-Voice VX2496
TFPro p3
Focusrite Trakmaster
Mindprint Envoice

All of the above feature a single mic pre with +48v, compression, EQ, and some have a couple of extras. Ok, so you already have a compressor, but I think any of the above would sound better than the 3630 (well, maybe not the behringer...). I can't see why you'd want to go through th effects unit - the microverb4 is going to degrade the sound quality a fair amound before you even add effects. Effets can be added post when your audio is in your PC using plugins, and I have to say that they will compare favourably to the Alesis, with reverb being the only possible exception. But you don't really want to record reverb to start with, because it's tricky to get rid of once it's there.

Hope this helps. What sound card are you using btw?
Jsnkc wrote on 2/25/2004, 8:39 AM
I just have a Sound Blaster Audigy, which I was concidering upgrading also. I also have a IRiver MP3 player which I might try recording to that as well to see what one gives me the better sound.

Is that Behringer basically a preamp and eq in 1? I'd still ike to use the Alesis processor and Compressor, if I could use the Behringer as a preamp and eq I'd be set.
cosmo wrote on 2/25/2004, 10:21 AM
The Behringer preamp sounds pretty decent, but the Behringer quality is questionable. I had a compressor and a mixer(both Behringer) just die out of the blue. Be careful with Behringer!

ibliss is absolutely correct in saying to leave the effects processors out til post. I think you would open your signal up to possible degradation(sp?) and in truth - the software effects processors are better than that Alesis unit.

FYI...my signal path these days(which I'm pleased with) goes from chosen mic(s) to a small Carvin mixer(16 ch) sraight to PC via an M-audio card. I use Waves plugins, a compressor always first...then anything else. Waves plugs are a bit pricey but worth every penny. I'll take the software Waves compressor(C1) over my dbx hardware standard any day. Sounds good and it's a little more convenient.

I think it's important to get your signal to the disk as clean and dry as possible. Hope that helps!
Rednroll wrote on 2/25/2004, 10:29 AM
You didn't mention that you had an external hardware mixer. This will make your life a whole lot easier, especially if you want to use the Alesis reverb for monitoring, but bypass it for recording the voice. Some of the Alesis stuff is alright sounding, the reverbs aren't bad, but the compressor is very questionable. It's always good to keep equipment because you may always find a use for it later and will kick yourself later. There's even uses for bad sounding equipment and using it for special FX's sometimes. I would steer away from the behringer stuff also, some of it is pretty good, especially at the price point. If price is an obstacle, I would look into something like the Yamaha 01V mixer, and then a dedicated mic/pre channel strip. I am using the DBX 286A and DBX 376 and they are excellent quality and won't break the bank on you. The 01V has internal FX's and compressors on every channel, so it makes it very flexible if you need to expand a little other than voice over work.
Jsnkc wrote on 2/25/2004, 10:45 AM
The main reason I wanted to leave the compressor and effects processor in the mix is that I don't always want to have to go through a computer to tweak the sound. Sometimes I might go direct to CD, or reel to reel and maybe even cassette from time to time. I'm an old Radio guy so I like to hear the final product in my headphones while I'm recording it. It will mainly be used for low budget commercial ads and voiceovers so I'm not overly concerned about a little degredation, it's not like it's for a hollywood production. I just want to get some good sound that I don't always have to go through the computer to get. I just purchased the Behringer unit so I will take that home and try it out tonight.
farss wrote on 2/25/2004, 1:30 PM
I'm not that far into the audio side of Vegas yet but I'm able to do what you want without resorting to any external signal processing boxes.

I've just recently bought M-Audio Firewire 410 and Rode NT1A mike for recording VOs. I can apply FXs in Vegas and monitor live through the cans. Biggest advantage though is I can record a dry signal in case I want / need to change it after the client has left.

One important lesson I have learnt well, its much, much easier to add something to audio than take it out. Well same goes for video as well.
cosmo wrote on 2/25/2004, 2:02 PM
I think you've got the right idea, you just want to be able to cover live and studio. While recording, go dry and add textures in post. For live, I think you have the chain about right. Red advised some really stuff...that'd handle your situation nicely.

Since you got that mixer, you're all set. Don't forget to try aux sends for effects. Not always such a good idea to place in-line. Good to experiment though...never know what you'll hear!
Jsnkc wrote on 2/25/2004, 2:20 PM
Yeah, I bought a little 4 slot portable rack case to put everything in then if I need to I can just put the covers on it at take it on the road with me. I do agree that computers can do the best processing for the most part, but I just wanted a completely flexible system that I can use with or without a computer. I got the computer part covered with Sound Forge, I just needed to get the non-computer based equipmet all set up as well.
cosmo wrote on 2/25/2004, 2:23 PM
you're set man, enjoy!
Jsnkc wrote on 2/25/2004, 4:34 PM
Well, I just got everything hooked up. I did a demo going through the compressor and processor and I didn't really notice any diffrence to a track I made just going directly into my soundcard and applying similar effects in Sound Forge. I must say, it sounds amazing!
Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.