I got the Langevin DVC recently and I have to say I absolutely LOVE it. It's an amazing pre and a great limiter for vox. It will likely be my go to pre on MANY sources, including vox, acoustic guitar and overheads (probably toms and hand percussion too!)

As for the Charter Oak, I will be reviewing that for this site soon. I have spoken with the owner and I'm next on the list to get his review sample.

YAY!

I also recently purchased the Soundelux U195 after hearing it once and WOW!! What a microphone. I think this has got to be one of the most versatile sounding cardioid LDCs on the market. It sounds absolutely huge and lovely!!

J.

Thank you for the input. How do you think the DVC stacks up to the Voxbox?

Looking forward to your review of the Charter Oak...

In truth, I've never used the voxbox. I have used Manley's pres before and they have a tendancy to be quite BIG sounding. The DVC does an admirable job of creating a huge, open sound very similar to the Manley but with more "grip" to the sound. The circuitry is similar in both, one has a transformer (Lang) the other has a tube.

BTW - I didn't catch it before that you are new...

Welcome to RO!

Jeremy (y) (y)

Thank you for the warm welcome & the advice. The Lange DVC is wonderful, I was all set to pick one up, and the sales rep @ Sweetwater made a point of how much more versitile the Voxbox was for voice production. I love the BIG sound, yet I also love the shimmering high end... Does that make any sense?

How about the Focusrite 7 or Liquid Preamp? Before I plunk down a few thousand bucks, I NEED to make sure, it'll be a reliable & great sounding unit...

I only allow myself to splurge once a year, It's my Valentine's gift to myself.

Scenario: $3500 to spend.

1. Buy a Manley VoxBox or Vari-Mu?
2. Buy Manley/Langevin DVC & New $1000. Mic?
3. Buy Focusrite 7 & New $1000 Mic?
4. Buy Focusrite Liquid Preamp?
5. Spend it on a great carribean vacation complete w/ frozen Margaritas?

ISDNguy wrote: How about the Focusrite 7 or Liquid Preamp? Before I plunk down a few thousand bucks, I NEED to make sure, it'll be a reliable & great sounding unit...

I only allow myself to splurge once a year, It's my Valentine's gift to myself.

Scenario: $3500 to spend.

1. Buy a Manley VoxBox or Vari-Mu?
2. Buy Manley/Langevin DVC & New $1000. Mic?
3. Buy Focusrite 7 & New $1000 Mic?
4. Buy Focusrite Liquid Preamp?
5. Spend it on a great carribean vacation complete w/ frozen Margaritas?

5. No doubt!! (y)

I think you'd be VERY happy with either of the Manley or Langevin products (although the VariMu is a compressor only - unless you have a VERY hot microphone...)

The focusrite 7 is a great pre, but if you're looking for HUGE big sound, that's not the pre you want. It sounds amazingly clear, but not huge.

My money would be on the Manleys/Langevins, no doubt. As for the Liquid Channel - I've only played with it for a limited time at a convention but I was NOT that impressed. It sounded fine, but certainly it wasn't the silver bullet preamp that they (and others) pitch it to be.

As for the mics - for a clean, big sound without ANY hype on the top end, the Soundelux U195 or the iFET 7 are great. For a big mic that has a bit of hype, the Rode K2. For a dark but silky mic, Beyer M130 or M160.

Any of the above combinations would yield excellent results.

I'm really pleased with the DVC/Soundelux combo though...

J.

To summerize:

1. Manley/Lang DVC w/ a Great Tube mic ie, Neumann, Charter Oak or Rode might be the best solution for me.

2. Voxbox is good not great. Forget focusrite.

I thank you for taking the time... Perhaps if I can find a great deal on the DVC, spend less than $1000 on a new mic (Charter or Rode). I might still have enough for a quick weekend in the sun!

ISDNguy wrote: To summerize:

2. Voxbox is good not great. Forget focusrite.

Oh No.... I hope I didn't give that impression. The Voxbox IS great. Granted, the cost is up there, but it's worth it.

I would say, don't skimp. If you want quality, you definitely gotta pay.

You're looking in the right direction for gear though. I'm not familiar with the Charter oaks yet, but I will be soon. The Rode is a GREAT mic - it does have a sheen on the top end - hard to say if this is positive or negative for VOs.

Who's your sweetwater dude??

J.

PS - I just can't say enough positive stuff about the K2 OR the U195, but they are completely different mics. For $4K you could get the DVC and both mics and you would still have a little cash left over....

J.,

I actually had been speaking with an engineer in NYC today who I patch into ISDN @ 3 x a month. His thinking for my tone was: 1st choice - use a great warm & full tube mic w/ a solid state preamp (DVC or alike) or 2nd - stay with my AT4050 or AKG 414 w/ a tube preamp (Avalon 737 or Voxbox) but not to use tube w/ tube or SS with SS.

What's your feeling on this, and what do you think about the Avalon instead of the VoxBox? I know the Avalon costs about 1/2 as much...

Check out the Mercury m72 and a Charter Oak SA538. We carry Charter Oak mics, we can let you try out the SA538. Mercury also makes vintage Langevin preamp reproduction the AM16. The Mercury m72 is a classic reproduction of the Telefunken V72 as used by the Beatles on Sgt. Pepper, Rubber Soul, and Revolver. The m72 pre and the Charter Oak is an incredible combination. If you want less tube warmth, then go for the Langevin AM 16, slightly warmer than the current Langevin. The Mercury AM16 is little airier and cleaner than the Mercury m72.

I've owned 2 Vox Boxes for more than 4 years and I'd have to say that I favored the EQ more than the pre or compressor.

Hey Jeremy, which mic are you reviewing, the SA538 or SA538B?

Thanks Nathan,

For strictly Voice over announcing, would you recommend the VoxBox as an alternative to the Mercury? I've heard great things about the Charter Oak 538, but now I'm almost convinced it might sound crisper with a SS preamp like the DVC.

How do feel about having a tube mic with a tube preamp? Again I have a deep register (more promo type work), I'm looking to keep a fat bottom in conjuntion with spacious, sizzling highs...

Yes, I want it all!

Oh, one last contender... Any feedback on the Avalon 737?

Millennia Media-- tube or SS(Check-out the Origin - for both +++!).

My "best VO sound" ever through a Brauner Valvet/Millennia SS(You said the good stuff...).

TG

IMHO the Manley and Avalons are overpriced for what you get. If you need brands the get customers, then sure, go for it. But that's a lot of what you are paying for... a brand.
Don't get me wrong, they are still quality units. But I'd go with the Manley over the 737.

Otherwise, for a great solid state unit, check out the Buzz Audio ARC Channel Strip.

Which Manley, VoxBox or Langevin DVC or either?

Read some great reviews about the Avalon 737, seems like many people here do not agree. Great River seems to be the preamp of choice here, but I'm looking for more of a combo unit...

Some good advice.

The Millennia is a VERY versatile beast.

I will also agree that both the Manley and the Avalon are overpriced. However, the Manley has a beautiful sound, the avalon simply doesn't impress me. I don't mind paying a price for a good piece of gear. Hell, that just indebts the manufacturer to me to provide me good service over the life of the product. (which is another whole aspect - call Evanna and talk to her - she'll help you with your decision. The one GREAT thing of many about Manley is, if they don't think their product is the best for your needs, they will tell you that. Of course, they'll be sure to find something in their product line that is great for you... :wink: )

I will say, the Buzz looks about as sexy as any solid state gear I've ever seen (the Langevin ranks up there in the looks department too) but I've not heard it except on one recording (classical - I was impressed).

As for the solid-state vs tube thing - I don't look. Meaning, I could care less what is inside (well, I do care, but I never use it as a purchasing determiner), as long as I can get the sound I want. I never hesitate to pair SS and SS together nor do I hesitate to pair tube and tube together. First of all, bear in mind that, how each device uses the tube is in fact different. But also, both of these devices are intended to play well with any combination of each other.

Hell, I can't think of much coooler of a sound than Manley's Gold Reference mic through their tube pre...Tube + Tube = COOOOOL sound - not bad, not dull, not lifeless, not "too warm" just big, present, and there.

Your best bet would be to contact a GOOD reputable dealer and have them send you a few pieces and let them know up front that you are trying out gear and to expect some back. I do this with most of my purchases BUT I remain loyal. So, if my dude at Sweetwater understands I may send back 2 of the 3 mics that he sent me he's cool with that. He's even more cool with the fact that I'm sure to keep sending business his way. What he wouldn't be cool with would be me constantly "borrowing" equipment and only ever making the occassional cable or blank-media purchase.

Nathan chimed in here - he's a pretty reputable guy. I've dealt with him a couple of times and always been happy. I'm sure if you contact him off-line, he'll hook you up. (By the way, he owns ALMOST every microphone and preamp ever made, so he can probably help you with what sounds good together and what doesn't...just don't get him bragging about his mic collection or your computer will crash with the size of the list he sends you... :wink: )

J

ISDNguy wrote: Which Manley, VoxBox or Langevin DVC or either?

Read some great reviews about the Avalon 737, seems like many people here do not agree. Great River seems to be the preamp of choice here, but I'm looking for more of a combo unit...

We must have been typing at the same time...

Avalon 737???? It's a shame there isn't an emoticon of a smiley-dude puking or with smoking barrel against his temple.

I truly think that a lot of people like it because it's built like a brick sh*t-house and cuz it's gold. If they packaged it in something that looked like my new DAVs, no one would own one. (Just look at ART's new Digital MPA. They can't keep that on the shelves....why? It's gold....)

Great Rivers are AWESOME pres. One pre and an EQ and you're set. Don't overlook Hardy's stuff either. The M1 is as clean of a pre as you could ever want. It's huge, open, clear and clean. Dude, you've got so many choices....Isn't it great, I mean awful, I mean great having the luxury of money and choice!!!

J.

J,

AWESOME advice!!! That's gonna be my plan, I'll buy 3 and work it out to send the other 2 back... or maybe keep 2

Thanks again,
Dean :D

Been looking @ the Millennia SST-1, looks interesting. Is this the one you were taliking about? Tube AND SS in one tasty little package?

ISDNguy wrote: Thanks Nathan,

For strictly Voice over announcing, would you recommend the VoxBox as an alternative to the Mercury? I've heard great things about the Charter Oak 538, but now I'm almost convinced it might sound crisper with a SS preamp like the DVC.

How do feel about having a tube mic with a tube preamp? Again I have a deep register (more promo type work), I'm looking to keep a fat bottom in conjuntion with spacious, sizzling highs...

Yes, I want it all!

I recommended the Mercury recreation as an alternative to a Langevin pre which you were looking at already...

I don't particularly recommend channel strips for 1 reason, they all have opto compressors. For strictly VO work, in a channel strip form, the Millennia Origin or the Buzz ARC over the Avalon or Manley.

Honestly though, I would get seperate pieces. I wouldn't use an opto compressor on VO work. If I were you, I would rather put the money into a better outboard compressor for the job. For voice over work, hard knee analog limiters always seem to be preferrable, this is "the sound" in the VO industry, followed up by the digital limiter. I'd either want the pre in Origin or the Buzz MA2.2.

I have a VO client who does TV, Radio and Movie work, he was using an Avalon 737 and it sounded bad on it's own. When he went to the Buzz MA2.2 TX it improved the sound of his entire chain immensely, needless to say he's using the MA2.2 now as his primary preamp. He still opted to use the 737 for it's EQ, he boosts 5k by about 4db.

My recommendation for VO work is to get a nice preamp and a single channel analog limiter. The Buzz MA2.2 TX is extremely popular with VO clients. Follow it up with a Purple Audio MC77 for your compression. Those 2 pieces will be more important and essential than having and all-in-one box with an extra EQ. The Purple in particular will bring you voice up front, whereas an opto makes you voice sound more subdued.

About the mics, tube mic - tube pre, it doesn't matter it winds up just coming down to using the right pieces regardless of it being tube or not. For VO the SA538B, it's the brighter one; with the MA2.2TX and the Purple MC77. 8-)

Hey, thanks again Nathan. I'll start doing my homework on the Buzz, Purple and the Mercury. Already bought the Charter 538, but with the enhanced pin.

Dean

Nathan, J, anyone...

What's your take on the DW Fearn VT-1.

Focusrite Red-7 owner and lover here. One of the most used and useful tools I own, and I got a tools to choose from.

The Fearn VT-1 mic pre is pretty much everything that everyone says that it is. It's on my must have list. In fact I was close to buying the Fearn, but ended up getting the ViPre and an API 525 compressor with money.

So you love the Focusrite 7? I have to admit, from what I've read here, seems like your box is on the "hit list". I looked into it (I was told the older versions were better than new), and between the Red 7 and Avalon 737sp, I'm not sure which one took more abuse... Again, for me it's strictly VO, so that's why I looked into Red 7, Manley Voxbox, Lange DVC, Millennia STT and DW Fearn.

Oh, I forgot about the Groove Tunes Viper...

The Focusrite Red-7 has been an industry VO standard for many years. Not perfect or always the best choice, but much better than it needs to be for VO work. And I much prefer my Red-7 (it is an older one) to anything I've heard in the Focusrite ISA series.

No need to guess. Use the phone, call around LA and other places and ask what they have and what they use...