|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,620
Veteran
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,620 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,192
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,192 |
Lots of single channel mic pres in the $279 price range. A Youtube review parroting the mfg. marketing talking points and using a mic that most don't own does nothing for me. 100% pure marketing without a single verifiable fact: The idea behind the Hornet is simple: give people an affordable, portable preamp/DI that can go toe to toe with any of the $1000+ preamps on the market. After years of development, it’s here. An ultra low-noise front end that gives signal the creamy thickness, bite and power that built-in pres on interfaces just don’t deliver like dedicated preamps. Need an even thicker, more powerful sound? Just dial in the Color control, and the personality of the signal is enhanced without the need for compression or EQ. The Hornet features discrete gain cell topology, a custom Cinemag input transformer, and JFET DI. Even at 60 dB of gain, it’s insanely quiet. The Hornet is tiny, but don’t let that fool you – it’s perfectly capable of serving as the front end of choice even in the best studios.For $20 more, you can get 2 channels and MIDI from SSL that has a Legacy 4K (coloring) switch of known tonality — and it is also a well regarded USB 2 interface, something the Hornet cannot do. SSL 2+ I'm not saying that $279 single channel mic pres can't be useful. I have yet to hear one without variable impedance that is necessary and the Hornet is no exception. Thou$and+ mic preamps usually bring something to the table and that includes the $999 and up mic pres from Useful Arts. Whether any will do anything for yiu is something you'll have to try for yourself. First you'll have to see if any of their Premiere Dealers has one in stock and check their return policies if they do. Go searching and you'll see. Need to spend $249 to improve your sound? The passive mics in your locker probably sound a lot better than you think. Problem is that they're seeing 1800–2700 Ohm input impedance. Many newer mics are designed for this and none of the older designs are including all the ones introduced more than 35 years ago. Many mics do benefit from variable impedance including passive ribbons and Shure SM7/57/58. A Cloudlifter CL-Z combines variable impedance and a switchable 12/25dB boost for $249. An SM57 can sound remarkably good when it's looking at the 600Ω for which it was designed over 60 years ago—reduced proximity effect and cymbals that sound natural are possible. The over-sibilant nature of a 58 is tamed and becomes a really nice studio vocal mic at 600Ω as well (the Bell Telephone spec of most tube PAs and desks of the day and the majority of transistor units). An SM7, EV RE20 (or lower RE) and all passive ribbon mics wake up and are boosted to usable levels with one of these before your interface — brand doesn't matter — and you can use the Impedance knob to color the low end response. Cloudlifter CL-Z The Hornet adds marketing mumbo-jumbo (no specs listed on the web site, by the way) while the CL-Z makes you start searching CraigsList for old EV RE12s and 15s, Altecs and other cool mics that can be picked up for a song. You might even discover why the SM57 was a favorite studio vocal mic in the 1960s.
BIAB 2023 Audiophile, 24/60 Core M2 Mac Studio Ultra/8TB/192GB Sonoma, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer 11, LogicPro
Finale27.4, Dorico5, Encore5, SmartScorePro64, Notion6, Overture5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,620
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,620 |
Mike.
with respect i'm aware of those details.
(var. impedence/clifter/ssl/old mics etc etc.)
but its good you went into such detail; particularly for people reading the threade and new to this crazy music biz.
frankly ive used the hi end gear down to junk gear over many many years.
and what ive found is of prime importance is often the source and how the track is conditioned after recording. in fact to add; ive seen top mix engineers take a track recorded elsewhere that i thought was "too far gone" and condition it back to health.
for example yesterday i was doing a voc trak and it wasnt working.
so i changed the vocal persona to more of a crooner persona rather than a raucous personality. and it worked.
(with same rig/mic pre.)
re mic pre's and comparison of low and hi end mic pre's.
when you have spare time for "giggles"; go to gearspace.com (formerly gearslutz) where a lot of users with big rigs hang out.
and look up threads such as ;
1. 5 dollar diy mic pre vs high end mic pre or
2. 50 buk art tube mp mic pre vs high end mic pre.
lots of fun threads.
me; i'm agnostic bout gear. frankly i wish the usb interface manufacturers would build in var impedence into their interfaces.
btw i nearly splurged a few months back for a hi end interface. but i decided to wait as the interface landscape is rapidly changeing.
but so far i'm happy with the audient mic pre in the evo.
perfectly good for the silly crazy songs i write.
best
oldmuso.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,192
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,192 |
Thanks for that. I'm a longtime member of Gearslutz (whatever it's called these days) but I'm not a gearhead by choice. frankly i wish the usb interface manufacturers would build in var impedence into their interfaces. As I've posted before, with a couple of exceptions, everyone is using the same chip family with the same mic pres and DAC. When they can get 8 mic pres, 4 line ins, 2 phone amps at 192/24 on a single chip under $7ea (min quantity 1,000), no one's going to offer circuits that add significantly to the cost. BTW, the two channel version is less than $4 in quantity but can be had for around $9 if someone wants to build his/her own. in fact to add; ive seen top mix engineers take a track recorded elsewhere that i thought was "too far gone" and condition it back to health. I'm one of those people that studios go to for this. Audio restoration is a major part of my business.
BIAB 2023 Audiophile, 24/60 Core M2 Mac Studio Ultra/8TB/192GB Sonoma, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer 11, LogicPro
Finale27.4, Dorico5, Encore5, SmartScorePro64, Notion6, Overture5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,620
Veteran
|
|
OP
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 2,620 |
Mike. out of curiosity who is makeing these all in one semiconductors ? (ie micpre+atod+usb+dtoa etc etc) TI ? analog devices ? nat semi ? maxim ? That ? others ? in addition ive been following usb audio mixer development closely eg .soundcraft 12fx notepad now 4x4 usb i believe. .allen/heath zedi 10fx looks interesting. 4x4 usb. .and the new mackie pro fx v3 mixers w onyx pre's but only 2x4 usb. but 24 bit/192. frankly i tried mackie in the past, and found the pre's didnt crank me up. you might find this review site interesting i came across. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?reviews/all sorts of audio product reviews. best oldmuso
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 05/03/21 10:33 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
|
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,192
Expert
|
|
Expert
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 1,192 |
Mike. out of curiosity who is makeing these all in one semiconductors ? (ie micpre+atod+usb+dtoa etc etc) TI ? analog devices ? nat semi ? maxim ? That ? others ? in addition ive been following usb audio mixer development closely eg .soundcraft 12fx notepad now 4x4 usb i believe. .allen/heath zedi 10fx looks interesting. 4x4 usb. .and the new mackie pro fx v3 mixers w onyx pre's but only 2x4 usb. but 24 bit/192. frankly i tried mackie in the past, and found the pre's didnt crank me up. you might find this review site interesting i came across. https://www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?reviews/all sorts of audio product reviews. best oldmuso I wrote a comprehensive teardown report — and I did name the component. Other than it's not one of the familiar names, I've been paid and can't blab the good stuff till it's been published. I will say that I figured it out before tearing down the first unit to read what was on the component. Start with the specs.
BIAB 2023 Audiophile, 24/60 Core M2 Mac Studio Ultra/8TB/192GB Sonoma, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP
Digital Performer 11, LogicPro
Finale27.4, Dorico5, Encore5, SmartScorePro64, Notion6, Overture5
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums66
Topics81,577
Posts734,594
Members38,497
| |
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean