VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[sdelgo]

[dagoldenknight86]

Does anyone have an aural excited? I would love to hear an A - B.

[allensco]

If I remember correctly, Jeff McNeal had one at one time. I'm not sure if he still does though.

Jeff ??

[Frank F]

I have one, an Aphex Type E, have not even plugged it in in years. Try some software versions from Waves to have a good representation of the types and styles of aural exciters.

Frank F
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

[dagoldenknight86]

Does Audition 1.5 have one built in?

[Frank F]

Not that I am aware of... sorry.

Please note: My comments regarding microphones and presense, etc. may be called imperfect and even incorrect by some artists who favor "shotgun mics" for voiceover. You may agree or disagree with my conclusions. The opinions expressed are wrought out of more than 35 years experience in the voiceover industry and are not necessarily those of the staff and managment of the VO-BB (or anyone else). Your opinions may vary.

Comment: Tube Saturation IS distortion.

F2
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

[Yoda117]

thanks Frank, I was about the say the same thing...

and yet it provides the "warmth" that makes so many vintage mics desirable.

perhaps, I'm missing something as the Neumann website forums lists that there are no differences between the AI and 75th Anniversary Gold. As I've not used the Gold, I'll defer to your experience.

But if the transformer is different as you say, then yeah a better one would impart a more desirable characteristic to the sound. A good analogy would be the Gefell UM-75 and UM92.1s. The main difference between the two is that the UM-75 has a bigger transformer and give it the "warmth" you're describing.

For those who can't get or afford a UM-75, ask for a 92.1 with the larger transformer... it's the same sound.

author's note: talking about subjective terms like "warmth" and "color" mean different things to different people. To many, certain terms imply slight distortion that is musically pleasing. Your milage and perception can and probably will vary from others
_________________
Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones

[Bill Campbell]

I've used an Aphex 204 for three years for fully PRODUCED commercials
with music & sfx. Can add a nice sparkle and thump.
Wouldn't reccomend it for voice only.

Most of the WARM sound people are looking comes from the VOICE and
MIC TECHNIQUE, not the equipment.

Sometimes an overly WARM sound does not cut through in the mix of music
and sfx very well. The producer can use his tools to create a sound.

VO talent are better off sending a very clean, neutral sound...and GREAT interperatation of the copy.
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www.asapaudio.com

[sdelgo]

[Jeffrey Kafer]

you know what would be really helpful? If someone had an example of a "warm" and "non-warm" sound file they could post.
_________________
Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

[sdelgo]

I'm in the process of putting something together Jeff.
At least how I perceive "warmth"
Steve
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you'll always have something on your plate... if you keep your bearings straight.

www.steviedproductions.com

[iladelf]

Jeff, I can understand you struggling with what the term "warm" means in today's audio lexicon. We deal mostly in digital files (mp3s, etc.)in this day and age, but I'll take a stab at it:

To me, the difference between "warm" and "harsh" could be best heard by listening to your favorite album on CD, then on a good turntable with vinyl. There is no comparison, IMO; the lushness of the sound from vinyl versus the harsh, tinniness of a CD player will give you a great perspective of what exactly "warmth" is.

In short, vinyl=warmth; CD=harsh.

Don't really believe you could hear the diff with any mp3 files, since they'd all be "digital" and not a true representation of warmth.

My choice of album? Dire Straits-Brothers in Arms.

Have fun at your local stereo shop Jeff; you'll then know the difference, and will want to buy a $1000 turntable with a $500 cartridge to experience that warmth once you hear it. It's that good.

[Jeff McNeal]

[CWToo]

Many, many years ago I was gifted with a $300 bonus which was used to purchase a Sony Compact Disc Player. $300 was a pretty astounding price for a CD player at the time and I believe it was a loss leader at Circuit City. Anyway, I threw a CD of The Planets into it and was worried that I went deaf between cuts... no clicks, pops, rumble, hiss, no NUTHIN'. The next morning I threw out the Thorens turntable* and all my LPs** because none of them sounded as great as any of the CDs. I still believe that a great CD sounds better than a great LP.

I also believe that music recorded from a citizens band radio sounds nearly as good as an MP3.

I also believe that "tube warmth" is a myth, it's really just eq.

I also believe that a really, really great tube mic pre sounds great.

I also beleive that a really, really, great solid state mic pre sounds every bit as great.

I also beleive that for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows.


*This is a fat lie. I sold it.
**This is God's truth.

[louzucaro]

So what are your thoughts on Santa Claus?
_________________
Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"