Hi Master VO,

Fred

Hi Fred,

If you read my last entry on sound cards:
Master VO Sound cards
you'd see where I stand on those.

Your mic is fine and using a mixer is smart to adjust levels. Samson's stuff is very worthy equipment for the type of work we do.

The places to upgrade are #1, get a new, faster computer. 4 years is eternity in computer years. (or 30 in dog years) Microsoft and peripheral manufacturers are sorting out the kinks with VISTA and now I think its relatively safe to invest in a computer with that pre-loaded. I of course am using a new i-Mac with the Intel duo-core processors. I love it! Its real quiet too!

Second, get a digital interface as I mentioned in:
Master VO Sound cards

Those two things will significantly improve your sound. VO is a business. Invest in that business!

Good luck!

Master VO out

((((((GONG))))))))

Oh Master VO!

I'm new to VO (studying for one year, auditioning for about a  month) and new to this site, but I have a question.  First, my equipment:  I run a modest PC (1 MHz clock, 512k memory, SoundBlaster "Audigy" sound card, lots of HD storage), and Audacity DAW software.  I have an M-Audio Firewire 410 DI (which I am not using at present) and a new SE Electronics USB2200A microphone.  I'm only using the sound card for playback, as both the mic and the preamp interface through USB and Firewire ports, respectively.  My problem is that I can't seem to get enough gain in the mic.  I run the mic volume in the DAW flat out, have adjusted the Windows mic record volumes to the max, including the +20dB boost, and have to run Audacity's "amplify" utility after recording to get enough gain to see to edit.  This doesn't seem right, but I don't know what is wrong.  Also, I get some crackle and pop in the recording, which may or may not be related.  What would you suggest to correct these problems?  Thanks for your thoughts. 

Rick

Good questions Rick!

Well for starters, your modest computer is, well....modest. 1 mhz is pretty stone wheel slow compared to today's Intel Duel Core processors. If your running new hardware, like your SE 2200A USB mic, you may have some compatibility concerns. Those of us who have been building our VO businesses over the past 5 or so years have upgraded to the latest technology. MY old Mac PowerBook G4 wasn't hacking it anymore and new software required more computing power. You may have upgraded to a very nice USB condenser mic, but you may have left yourself with a computer that will only go so fast and most likely can't keep up. That's #1.

#2, We did a column on USB mics back in December of 2006.

Master VO 12/06

Back then, (an eternity by today's technology standards) we reported that there may have been compatibility issues with USB mics, specifically BLUE's "Snowball" USB mic, and Audacity. I don't know if this is still an issue, but it may be worth looking into. A quick solution to that is to bite the bullet and try another recording software. Last week we did an experts Podcast on this very subject. Check it out!

Master VO EXPERTS Podcast 1/08

#3. Generally, with USB mics, the manufacturer, in this case SE Electronics, release the mic with proprietary software to run the mic and interface with your recording software. Usually, that software has a gain control tab. The rule of thumb for audio processing is to get as much gain up front in your audio chain to avoid amplifying noise further down. You say you're running the audio through Windows sound utilities. That tells me you are probably not utilizing the companies software. If you are bypassing SE's software, your are not making full use of the features SE has provided you. My dad always said, especially to me.."When all else fails, read the instructions!" Your overloading of your Windows audio software may be causing your crackles and pops too.

USB mics are really cool for making your business portable. Also, as a beginner, they are a less costly alternative to the recommended audio chain of Mic-Preamp-mixer- Digital Interface. I would consider the SE 2200A to be a very top end (and 4 times as expensive!) USB studio condenser mic, as blogs I've been reading say that some big studios are using them for vocals and other purposes. Using your SE 2200A as your primary mic in your studio though, especially if you are having problems, seems unwise until you figure it out. Once you do however, you should have very clean audio.

My Samson C01U USB condenser mic that I bought in 2006 works great when I'm on the road. Its no comparison to my Neumann TLM 103 however. At home, I use the traditional studio set-up and audio chain I mentioned above, using a quality, Class A Pre-amp with my 103. That gives me tremendous control over my input signal as far as initial gain is is concerned. Perhaps I have to do a column on Preamps. That's a whole nother ball o' wax that is even more confusing!

Just remember to try and get as much gain as you can on the front end!

Try that solution Rick, and report back to the Master VO Dojo.

Master VO... out

(((((GONG))))))

Greetings, O Wise 1....

I've been in the freelance VO world for a few years now (35 in the radio industry, though - still at it, too) and have a good home studio set-up, but I've always wondered about my sound card, which is an integrated version in my Compaq Pressario. It's a Realtek AC97. From time to time I've been dogged with flutter and stutter while tracking (which I only discover on playback), which is frustrating, to say the least. I've upgraded the memory, closed down unnecessary programs, and it still happens. I have a good condenser mic, nice dry environment, good pop filter, and I know how to work a mic so it isn't that.

The computer geeks I talk to say the integrated sound card is crap. I broke down and got an Edirol UA-4FX USB external, but not sure if it's what I need. I may wind up returning it.

What's the best sound card for VO out there? I've heard Delta is good.

Gordon

Welcome to the VO Dojo Gordon,

Weren't the last years of "real radio" great? Now its all pre-programmed, voice tracked, corporate promotion. Where's the creativity?

But on to your question....You were using a sound card? Perhaps in 2003, but not in 2008! Todays producers are requiring audio that is better than "computer audio." While the Creative Labs or Turtle Beach cards were great for their day, they are essentially obsolete for the purposes of professional voice over.

A "DI" or "Digital Interface" is the only way to go. I feel this way for a couple of reasons. one, by getting the digital conversion process out of the computer and eliminating tons of noise that even a good PC spatters across the sound spectrum. Second, these external processors are designed to do what we want without having to also act as a MIDI interface (Although, most do) or a video game joystick interface. (Which none do)

A professional studio requires professional equipment. Sound cards are for MP3 music and maybe recording an answering machine greeting.

I guess the question I might ask is why would an Edirol not be what you need? Read what its manufacturer, Roland says about it.

http://www.roland.com/products/en/UA-4FX/index.html

You have more choices for DI's than deciding which Starbuck's, on which corner you want to get your Late' at. Delta, M-Audio, Presonus, Edirol, Digidesign, Lexicon,Tascam, etc. etc...All of them are better than a sound card. Once you plug one into your computer, whether its a USB or Firewire connection, it essentially becomes your sound card, sending your computers audio to your studio monitors.

If you splurged on the Edirol, you're fine, not only will it be your "DI" it has some other features you might find useful like compression, noise gates and reverb. Like many DI's, its USB powered so no external power source is needed. The drawback is that you cannot do a bunch of these things with it at the same time, not that you'd have to. It can only handle so much processing and if you try to sample at 96 Khz you'll run into trouble. You have no need for that sampling rate however.

When asked about DI's, I, as always, say, "keep it simple." M-Audio's stuff, even, their FAST Track DI is excellent for your needs. You don't need to over-purchase to get professional sound. $100 bucks should cover you until you feel you need to and can afford to upgrade. I used my trusty M-Audio Mobile-Pre for three years until it got zapped in a nasty power surge following a 3 day black-out. It actually still works and I use it for a back-up. I splurged and bought a Presonus FIREBOX which was not perfect with my old Mac Power-Book. Once I got my new i-Mac, It has been very tame and sounds magnificent, despite my voice.

I would suggest you do some research. Go to your local gear dealer and ask the staff what works best for your applications. My buddies at my local Guitar Center always are great to talk to about whats new and what is best for me.

The more expensive DI's, have multi-channels, which, unless you are recording the Boston Pops or Eminem, you don't have much need for. From a point of view of economy vs. 5D sound, I'd go economy. But since you already have the Edirol, try and explore what it does before you give up on it.

Your geeky pals are correct. Use your sound card to run the joystick for Microsoft Flight Simulator or Pac man.

Master VO out!

((((((GONG))))))))