Showing posts with label microphone accessories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label microphone accessories. Show all posts

10/26/2012

Focusrite TwinTrak Pro Dual Mono/Stereo Tracking Solution and True Stereo Compressor Review

Focusrite TwinTrak Pro Dual Mono/Stereo Tracking Solution and True Stereo Compressor
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
"Warning: Made in China" might have been a better label. I've got nothing against stuff that's made in China. In fact, most of what I use on a daily basis was made there. But when it comes to Pro equipment, I worry when I see that.
Well, I was right. The first preamp I received was DOA. OK, not truly DEAD, but channel 1 wasn't usable do to a lose connection inside the unit.
One RMA latter, and I have a usable unit. Almost.Noise:
It says "-128dB EIN @ 60dB of gain with 150 ohm source" Well, if that's actually true, it's a great marketing ploy.
What I actually got, when the signal entered the digital realm, was a noise floor between -65db and -70db @ 60db of gain with 150 ohm source.
Usability:
The headphone monitoring circuitry adds a lot more noise to the monitor signal. Not a problem, but it confused me when I first tested the unit.
The "AIR" function on the preamp isn't usable. Turning it on causes 60Hz Hum in the signal. Disconnecting the preamp from ground did nothing. I'm not sure if this is my unit, my house's wiring, or a design flaw. I don't want to RMA this thing again, but I might ask the support people about it. "AIR" isn't an option I'd ever use. (there's no control over the affect, just on/off)
I also get 60Hz Hum in the line and instrument inputs. More so in Channel 1 then 2. As I'll never use the line inputs, and probably always use a DI box with guitars and the like, this isn't a problem.
The Compressor and EQ modules work as expected.
Everything else seems to work as expected.
So, to sum up, It seems like a nice design, but with quality control issues.

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8/17/2012

Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid Review

Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
If you are looking for a microphone for voice-overs or broadcast use, THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO BUY.
The Shure SM-5 and SM-7 microphones are the best voice mics ever made. The large SM-5 is no longer made, so you can only find it used, but the SM-7 is just as good.Either one, you have the best.
Don't let the price fool you. I have brought this in to studios that have $3000 Neuman condenser mics and they laughed when I said I wanted to use my $300 Shure mic instead.I told them to put up both mics and do an A/B test while I spoke into each of them. The three other audio engineers in the studio had to agree, the Shure was better and it was a night and day difference, not hard at all to decide it was best.
This mic has a warmth and rich sound no other mic can give you.
Even industry publications like MIX MAGAZINE and RadioWorld have done reviews where they did the same tests and said the same things about this mic in comparison to the expensive condenser mics...
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from MIX MAGAZINE, March 1998, page 53:
Eric Paul has made a career out of recording country giants like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash and many others: "My favorite overall microphone for voices is the Shure SM-5. If they can't get a Shure SM-5, they can still get Shure SM-7s, which are still available. If you've tried out three very expensive tube mics and you aren't happy with any of them, then the next step should immediately be a Shure SM-7. I will almost always guarentee you that if the expensive mic doesn't work, an SM-7 will. For some reason, people sound better on them."----------------------------------------------
from RADIO WORLD, February 18 1998, page 62:
Joe Stack, director of engineering for ABC radio said: "When I worked at WATH in Athens, Ohio, I had someone call and offer me ten RE-20s for the three SM-5s we had. I turned him down." ------------------------------------------
from EQ MAGAZINE, July 2006 issue:
The SM7 is perhaps most famous for being used as the vocal microphone on Michael Jackson's Thriller engineered by Bruce Swedien. -----------------------------------------------
Some interesting facts about the SM-7..."When we were doing "Off The Wall", "Thriller" and "Bad" I ended up with 6 Shure SM7's. That is a fantastic mike." - Bruce Swedien
The Red Hot Chili Peppers have used the SM 7 on vocals on every album they have done.
You can see James Hetfield from Metallica singing into a Shure SM 7 on the "Some Kind Of Monster" DVD.
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Another thing I have noticed in the studio, is that some of my other mics require gating and downward expanders on the mics to get rid of room noise, but the SM-7 doesn't need it. It is quiet all by itself.
And to save many hours trying to edit out mouth noises, clicks and smacks from voice-over talent that use expensive CONDENSER microphones, just have them use the SM-7 next time, and no more wasted time editing out mouth noises anymore.Throughout the years on the Howard Stern Show, they have replaced and tried all sorts of microphones, from the Electrovoice RE-20 to Neuman mics. But if you notice, the Co-host, Robin Quivers, STILL uses the Shure SM-7 and refuses to change to any of the other mics. You can see throughout the years on the TV show that although the mics are always changing for everyone else, Robin ALWAYS has the SM-7 to this day.
Since the Howard Stern Show has moved to Sirrius Sattelite, the show had to buy new microphones, (couldn't take them with from CBS) and everyone seems to be using the same mics they did before. Robin has another SM-7 so she really likes this mic! It looks different now, because she has the larger windscreen that now comes with the SM-7.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone, Cardioid



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