Centrance Micport Pro..or Other Preamp in a Barrel?

Well, we expected to have tested a couple of the new "preamp/digital interfaces in a barrel" or "in-line" products by now....BUT--none of them have arrived.

We were excited about head-to-head test with some of our existing VO Mic Tests to compare the quality.

There is no doubt that the convenience and economy factor is a powerful plus for these types of units. I plan to switch to this work-flow for on-site client VO's.

There are lots of units to choose from reputable companies:
MXL
Centrance
Shure
Blue
..several others.

But my question is.... Is anyone using any of these devices for their day-to-day in-studio use. Have you replaced your "preamp to USB or FW to DAW" chain? And how does it compare to your old set-up?

You can remain anonymous if you like. I understand that "gear image" is very important to some clients. Your secret is completely safe with me.

Email me now. We all will appreciate it. Our future depends on it.

Oh, and the mailing address is still:
Vocal Impact Media
220 N. Main St.
Lexington, NC 27292

No Lawson Test...Yet.

Hi Willie,

Came across a test of a Lawson LM47 on Don Capone's website. Good grief! The guy on it was someone in Dallas. Great voice, but this mike really filled it out! Has anyone thought about running a vo-mic test on one of those?I saw the one post you had a year or so back about someone who had one.What a sound!

Thanks
Graham Smith

Thanks for the note, Graham.

I asked permission from Lawson some time ago to post those test from Dallas that are on the Lawson website on our VO Mic Test page. Gene Lawson replied and apparently did not see the need to allow us to do that.

We are dissapointed not to have a chance to compare the Lawson's in the same context as our other mics.

Our friends that have or had Lawsons spoke very highly of them.

WE

P.S. I think I used to work with "that guy in Dallas."

Digital microphone technologies on the rise

Press Release 05/04/09

At the 126th AES 2009 convention Neumann Berlin focuses on special microphone technologies developed for professional systems. Besides the well-known wide product range, visitors are invited to try and compare analog microphones with digital microphone technologies.

Experience shows that Neumann digital microphones offer decisive advantages in many fields of application. Neumann will offer valuable seminars held directly at the booth providing an interesting insight on digital workflows. In collaboration with experts from Optocore, Camelot, and Sennheiser visitors will be shown the added value of digital microphone technologies based on practical examples.

As digital microphones are being put to use in numerous practical applications, the specific advantages are becoming increasingly apparent. Many production workflows are being redefined, permitting enhanced effectiveness and reliability.

With their own peripheral products, more and more companies are providing for the seamless integration of digital microphones into large networks. In workshops with our partners at the AES, we would like to share and discuss these experiences.

Kind Regards from Berlin
Georg Neumann GmbH
http://www.neumann.com

We shall see.... WE

Need to Really Quiet a Room?

Do you have really noisy neighbors? Your air-conditioner is louder than you? Just can't get your room to "sound right?"

You may need MUTE MIC.

It Blow'd Up!!

I feel so stupid. My heart is broken. I am lost. let me share what happened.
I was in the old sound booth recording a movie trailer like spot for local radio and TV. I broke out the Sennheiser MKH-416 and WOW--it felt like the good old days. I was cooking. It really sounded good.
Then disaster struck. As I turned to make an adjustment on levels, I pulled a cord and WHAM-- I pulled my favorite testing preamp off the shelf.
Boom! Loud pop and lots of flash and sparks. My heavy duty surge protector not only shut everything down, the circuit breaker clicked off.

Shock and dismay. I felt like part of my soul had been ripped out. I really liked that little preamp. I had planned to write a detailed description and review of the Rane MS-1b preamp and why we used that particular unit.

Many of you have been asking lately about what preamp we used on most of our tests and why. I did not think it would be fair to test our wide variety and diversity of microphones on something like a John Hardy M1 (unless I actually had one) and after much consultation with many experts and technicians, we decided the little plain Rane would be the most appropriate for unbiased testing on a "lowest common denominator" basis.

Still, my feelings are hurt. Should I try to send the unit back to Rane for repairs? Just buy another? Or do you suggest another brand replacement to better serve our purpose.

Console me. Let me hear what you think. I am still too much in shock, literally, to make a sane decision.

Thanks
Fumbles

New Mic Tech..Is it coming?

Microphone diaphram moved by light bounced off sound waves!!

Is it time for new technology to get the most from the golden tones? This new Sennheiser mic is NOT going to make anyone sound like the ultimate voice.
But, isn't the idea interesting.

Is Apple Distorting the Term "VoiceOver?"

Ah! We showed you the Apple "how to record voiceover" with Joe Cipriano. (or was that Microsoft?) Anyway... Apple has adopted the term for a device that pronounces the name of the song and artist as you listen on your iPod. And it seems they intentionally used a very robotic voice to convey the information. Will that be a future trend we will need to emulate?
Check it out HERE.