VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

KaraEdwards · Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 2:57 pm Post subject:

I'm waiting for the official 'field test' this next week before giving a final review...but I will say so far, so good!

I had a funny 'duh!' moment at first when hooking it up. I was recording and playing back and it just sounded horrible. Bad static, etc...I was about to get upset when it occured to me that it might help if I were to switch the input on Audacity to 'MicPort Pro' and not 'outside speaker'. Duh.

Once I got that squared away, it sounded great! I was using my Lawson into the MicPort into Audacity on my MacBook. It was easy to monitor what I was doing, adjust levels (thank goodness for my tiny fingers!), and there was little to no hum or buzz. So far- I really like it.

Best part? Hands down the size...traveling this week will be much, much lighter! Also, the fact you just plug it in and go- no major downloads or instructions to follow.

Worst part? You have to turn on the phantom power everytime you plug it in. Since it's such a tiny button, it can be easy to forget about it. Twice I couldn't figure out why I wasn't getting a signal- and then I would remember the button. Even with small fingers, I find it hard to plug in the headphones and cable.

I'll let you know how I feel about it once I'm really on the road. Thus far- I would say Frank was right on the money (and I'm glad I was listening to him!).
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JTVG · Backstage Pass Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 433

Ordered mine yesterday from Sweetwater, which has a sweet deal going on now. See Ben Wilson's post http://www.vo-bb.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4452.
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tackerman · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 11:26 am Post subject:

Well, I just ordered mine from Sweetwater. Backorder till the 5th. Cry

Popular item!

KaraEdwards · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:37 pm Post subject:

Well, I promised a post-vacation review...but the truth is I never plugged the MicPort in. Once we arrived at our cabin on Blackberry Ridge in Burnsville, NC- I knew in an instant I would spend my week totally boycotting work. Which is exactly what I did! Oh, and it was WONDERFUL!

So, I'll have to write my travel-tested review after my next trip. Oh well.
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CarynClark · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2007 1:44 pm Post subject:

This sounds like a great gizmo... if ever I get a laptop, I will consider this.

Thanks for bringing it up.
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Wow. This sounds like it could enable a great way for me to spend a few hours recording voiceovers in my car in a state park. Smile

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CarlWelden

I read a post of Frank's somwhere where he mentioned the MXL Mic Mate for doing the same task as the Micport Pro, but it seems like CEntrance may have the upper hand with better/selectable features.

I am on the verge of accepting a great deal on a Shure SM7B and am considering picking up the Micport while I am at it, but I have heard conflicting information on preamp setups for this mic. The combo is currently within my start-up budget, but before I order them, I'd love to hear from some of you who've had a little time with this gadget since the "new gear novelty" aspect has settled.

The Micport has Phantom power, but the SM7B is a dynamic mic, not a condenser so I'm guessing I won't need to utilize that feature, no?

On the other hand, I am told the SM7B needs lots of gain and I've only read about Micport users appreciating the gain for their headphones and not so much the mic's gain through it's USB powered preamp.

If anyone has tried this pairing or can post any links that can provide more info than the manufactures basic descriptions, I'd be much obliged.

It certainly looks like an ideal tool to have for whatever microphones are used with it, though I just want to be sure about confirming or dispelling info on what it can provide for a mic that may really need alot of gain.

Thank you all in advance.
-Carl

My character demo (clocking in at "too long" I'm told).
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Frank F · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 5:33 pm Post subject:

The CEntrance is good... and you would be do your self proud to own one. However, I also know of a couple more toys coming out soon... so do not be in too big of a hurry.

Be watching the trades (trade magazines, websites, etc.) later this month, I will be doing some reviews in February for two or three of the new toys by then.

Also to add to your dilemma, here is the LightSnake, a USB interface for your dynamic microphone.. and fairly inexpensive: http://www.soundtech.com/products/home-recording/stusbxlr10 This has no pre-amp, and no monitor feature, but could be usable in a pinch (for around $35.00 USD).

Toodles

F2
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Jowillie · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject:

If you are thinking about getting the MicMate or something similar....hold on just a tad longer.
Some really neat variations coming out very soon. cool

(Wait a minute, Didn't Frank just say that?)
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Frank F · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 2:08 am Post subject:

Great minds Willie, great minds...

Toodles

F2
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Jowillie · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 10:04 am Post subject:

By the way, Carl. There is a USB adapter coming out just for dynamic mics.
Supposed to have great quality at low price. We will see.
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CarlWelden

Thanks for the procrastination assistance on the urge to make an impulse buy, whew!
I had a feeling that there would be some new devices on the horizon. My eagerness vs. my patience for a little research are perpetually out of balance.

I got one clarification down for the Shure SM7B, in that it does not need alot of gain (unless you're miking an ant farm) but yes, it obviously does need some preamp. Searching "SM7B" in the forums gets a little random.

Since the LightSnake XLR to USB cable has no preamp, it might not cut it, Some have touted the clean quality of the preamp on the Centrance Micport Pro by saying that the Micport is way underpriced for what it can do.

Still, any more advice from the realm of voice culture is more than welcome.

-Carl

bobbinbeamo · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:31 pm Post subject:

I've had mine since early Nov. Thankfully it was "plug and play". Nice. Very Nice. Worked with my system right out of the box with my Neumann TLM 193. Now I have options when I travel.
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todd ellis · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:54 pm Post subject:

actually field-tested mine over the holidays --- worked like a dream! could not be happier with it!
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CarlWelden · Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 9:25 am Post subject: XLR to USB in-line preamps