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Shure sm58. built like tanks.
Very reliable.
Tim
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Hey Bob, the Saffire unit looks good. How are the ASIO drivers ?
The ASIO drivers are stable. It's the pres that really impressed me though. Incredibly clean, with no artifacts. I still love my VTB-1, but since I'm already using a tube mic, the VTB-1 tube is overkill.
I've also used the Saffire with a Tele and a 335 direct in to Guitar Rig in Sonar, and that sounds great as well.
Regards,
Bob
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Ended up getting the C1 and the VTB-1. That should do me just fine for what I plan to do. Thanks guys !
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Mitch,
You should be happy with that combination. I have heard that you can really improve the VTB-1 by swapping the tube with a Mullard, etc., but haven't tried it myself.
Regards,
Bob
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Thanks Bob... Still want to check more into the Saffire 6.
Been using the M-Audio Fast Track Pro and it was fine, but got the Tascam US-144 at the 'hint' of someone in PG Support. The Tascam ASIO drivers seem much more stable and also, I can have BIAB, Real Band, Windows Media player all open at the same time and switch back and forth at any time ! No switching Sound configs to use ASIO (only 1 app), then changing default device to use Media player etc.
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The VTB-1 can be modded, but even without using the tube, just using it as solid state, it will be cleaner and clearer than a lot of mixers and most soundcards.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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On the VTB-1, is it like most of the other lower end pres, where the tube is not central to the pre-amp, but paralleled off as a saturation circuit?
Actually I just answered my own question by looking at the site - yes, it's a parallel path.
Cool that it has a high-pass switch built in. All recording mics should have that IMO, but if you have it on the pre, you are all set.
I see that the C1 has selectable hi pass filters - also cool.
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I think these 2 will suit my modified needs... BUT the OCD part of me that's not dead yet is saying "But I haven't spent 7k on these 2 very important items !!"  ... But the part of me in checks n' balance says "You did the right thing. I'm proud of your self control"  Not as fun, but I'll still be married and get to do some music too ! (I *may* need a Shure SM7 Dynamic at some point however  Had one and loved it)
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I've been using the Shure Beta 58 for some time now and have been very pleased with the results, both live and recording. On stand-alone recorders, I've used various tube preamps with good results. Now, that I'm learning to use a DAW for the first time(Studio One), I plug straight into the Firestudio Mobile and use various effects in the software. Very clean sound.
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Quote:
I've been using the Shure Beta 58 for some time now and have been very pleased with the results, both live and recording. On stand-alone recorders, I've used various tube preamps with good results. Now, that I'm learning to use a DAW for the first time(Studio One), I plug straight into the Firestudio Mobile and use various effects in the software. Very clean sound.
We use two Beta 87A's live, and they are the best live mics I've ever used. Vocal clarity, good GBF. If you're used to the old standby (58), try an 87A. It's like taking a blanket off of your mic. 
Regards,
Bob
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Hey Bob, what is the difference between the 87a and the 87c ? For my non-acoustic treated room which would reject the most off-axis noise ? EDIT: Nevermind, did the research. Just picked up a used Beta 87a for a great price. So there, I HAVE indulged myself a tad and now have 2 mics and I will only use either very occassionally. Oh, the gasious flesh... 
Last edited by MitchC; 01/25/12 01:59 PM.
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Quote:
Hey Bob, what is the difference between the 87a and the 87c ? For my non-acoustic treated room which would reject the most off-axis noise ?
EDIT: Nevermind, did the research. Just picked up a used Beta 87a for a great price. So there, I HAVE indulged myself a tad and now have 2 mics and I will only use either very occassionally. Oh, the gasious flesh...
Mitch -
Frankly, I don't know the difference between the "A" and the "C". I've only used the "A". You should be very happy with the 87A. It's got a really tight pattern. We've used them indoors and out, in noisy bars and small stages, and they still sound great. As for "acoustically-treated" rooms, I think that is a canard used to sell room treatments. I'm recording with a tube mic with just a pop filter in a room cluttered with boxes, no Auralex. etc., and getting vocal tracks that I am satisfied with. If a plane flies over or a truck goes by, I just wait to do another track. Of course, I'm way back in the woods, so there isn't much ambient noise.
I'd be interested in how you make out with the C1 and the VTB-1.
Regards,
Bob
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Thanks Bob. Yep, I almost owned stock in Auralex..it was all over the place. I'm a lot less picky these days. I used to record demos for folks and charge for engineering and time. Also produced 3 CD's of my projects.
Now it's just me, a laptop, an interface and the great PG products and having a great time of it. I'm sure the C1 and VTB-1 will work out fine. I used to own both so I know exactly what to expect from each.
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Quote:
Quote:
Hey Bob, what is the difference between the 87a and the 87c ? For my non-acoustic treated room which would reject the most off-axis noise ?
EDIT: Nevermind, did the research. Just picked up a used Beta 87a for a great price. So there, I HAVE indulged myself a tad and now have 2 mics and I will only use either very occassionally. Oh, the gasious flesh...
Mitch -
Frankly, I don't know the difference between the "A" and the "C". I've only used the "A". You should be very happy with the 87A. It's got a really tight pattern. We've used them indoors and out, in noisy bars and small stages, and they still sound great. As for "acoustically-treated" rooms, I think that is a canard used to sell room treatments. I'm recording with a tube mic with just a pop filter in a room cluttered with boxes, no Auralex. etc., and getting vocal tracks that I am satisfied with. If a plane flies over or a truck goes by, I just wait to do another track. Of course, I'm way back in the woods, so there isn't much ambient noise.
I'd be interested in how you make out with the C1 and the VTB-1.
Regards,
Bob
The key there is your room cluttered with boxes. That actually breaks up reflection patterns not unlike products like this: http://www.auralex.com/sound_diffusor_minifusor/sound_diffusor_minifusor.asp
creating diffusion in the room. That is a very good thing. You'll see many folks recommend bookshelves stuffed with various sizes of books to accomplish the same type of treatment. Breaking up large flat surfaces is the key for diffusion.
Absorption is necessary if you are playing with loud levels and have a wide patterned microphone (many condenser mics will pick up reflections off of a low ceiling in a basement 'studio' for loud vocalists, etc.
-Scott
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I may end up getting one of these thingies ... ?
http://www.amazon.com/Primacoustic-VoxGu...;sr=1-1-catcorr
Mitch, likely no need for that with the mics you are talking about. Just don't sing towards a nearby wall. Got a clothes closet in your room? Open the door, put the mic in the door opening, back of the mic pointing towards the closet, and sing away.
-Scott
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Just saved me $100 Scott...was thinking the same thing myself.
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Quote:
Just saved me $100 Scott...was thinking the same thing myself.
Key is that the closet should have lots of clothes hanging in it. If it's an empty box, you just made your recording worse not better.
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Hey Bob, what is the difference between the 87a and the 87c ? For my non-acoustic treated room which would reject the most off-axis noise ?
EDIT: Nevermind, did the research. Just picked up a used Beta 87a for a great price. So there, I HAVE indulged myself a tad and now have 2 mics and I will only use either very occassionally. Oh, the gasious flesh...
Mitch -
Frankly, I don't know the difference between the "A" and the "C". I've only used the "A". You should be very happy with the 87A. It's got a really tight pattern. We've used them indoors and out, in noisy bars and small stages, and they still sound great. As for "acoustically-treated" rooms, I think that is a canard used to sell room treatments. I'm recording with a tube mic with just a pop filter in a room cluttered with boxes, no Auralex. etc., and getting vocal tracks that I am satisfied with. If a plane flies over or a truck goes by, I just wait to do another track. Of course, I'm way back in the woods, so there isn't much ambient noise.
I'd be interested in how you make out with the C1 and the VTB-1.
Regards,
Bob
The key there is your room cluttered with boxes. That actually breaks up reflection patterns not unlike products like this: http://www.auralex.com/sound_diffusor_minifusor/sound_diffusor_minifusor.asp
creating diffusion in the room. That is a very good thing. You'll see many folks recommend bookshelves stuffed with various sizes of books to accomplish the same type of treatment. Breaking up large flat surfaces is the key for diffusion.
Absorption is necessary if you are playing with loud levels and have a wide patterned microphone (many condenser mics will pick up reflections off of a low ceiling in a basement 'studio' for loud vocalists, etc.
-Scott
Close-micing a vocal track with a properly set gate will eliminate the necessity for any room "treatment". (unless, of course, if you live at the end of a runway. )
I've been recording since 1980, the days of tape hiss and noise floor. Now, with 24 bit recording and the processing at our disposal, good recordings can be made in less than optimal conditions. I'm a songwriter, not a RE. Auralex, room treatments, closets; been there done that. Now, I put up a good mic, set up a gate, and hit "Record".:)
Regards,
Bob
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Does the gate work to keep the goats out? LOL Baaaaad, I know.
John Conley
Musica est vita
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