Pro Audio Review - June 2008 - (Page 72) AUDIO EQUIPMENT EXCHANGE ProAudio Review ACOUSTICS CONTROL PANELS ® RPG DIFFUSOR SYSTEMS, INC. Listen To The Music, N o t T h e R o o m TM Absorption, Diffusion & Total Room Solution Packages. Find an Authorized Dealer @ EQUIPMENT ALAN SMART COMPRESSORS www.rpginc.com/proaudio CASES Case Specialists We Will Beat ANY Price! 1-877-692-2738 www.NewYorkcasecompany.com • C1, C2 & Multi-Channel Versions • Smart 2 Tools - SSL to Pro Tools Interfaces • Smart D.I. Boxes All Exclusively Distributed by: 323-469-1186 • SunsetSound.com STUDIO | REVIEW opened up. Next I got aggressive with my tape monitor signal path by applying a HPF, rolling off bottom end and adding a whopping 8-9dB of top-end shelving boost. I only compressed to tape, but applied the EQ and filters in the monitor path and final mix. After a little additional limiting I got a nice, almost creamy sound (with just a touch of room air on the loud notes) for such aggressive rock vocals. The VR88 accepted the boosting without fuss, as the transients and phase response still sounded good and the noise floor did not become too apparent. Interestingly, the VR88 handled plosives really well, barely even needing a pop filter. | SUMMARY In a crowded field of affordable ribbon mics, it was wise for Samson to add a full complement of accessories where their competitors SAMSON Continued From Page 66 and down. Chords were all thick and chewy like wads of taffy, but the piercing high notes of solos were clearly defined and musical — no harshness here, no EQ needed. Some acoustic guitar overdubs showed the VR88 to be picky about placement; it was just too boxy if used for miking the guitar’s body behind the bridge, too woofy and windy at the soundhole, but pretty nice at the 15th fret. Good dynamics were found at lower and medium levels, but if really chunking into it, slightly audible compression and distortion edged in. No test would be complete without an attempt at vocals, and I got some unexpected results. My first reaction was “This is going to be way too dark” as I had a male rock vocalist warming up. Fortunately, my Manley TNT preamp (the solid-state side) has selectable impedance and a 300-ohm “purist” setting that was perfect for the VR88 as the top end sometimes include nothing more than a stand mount. For many rising engineers who desire their first ribbon transducer, the VR88 represents a great choice if only for its active electronics, which will mostly free up users from preamp related issues like headroom and impedance (although I am recommending a low-impedance preamp for best results, 600ohm max). Flatter response would make the VR88 more flexibly useful, but even with its obvious character, the mic can be great for drum rooms or vocals where some interesting coloration can be downright desirable. The VR88 is a great choice to begin your travels with a ribbon mic or to increase the diversity of your mic closet. Just be careful with those accessories, have your HPFs ready to go, then go get creative with that rear lobe of the figure-8 pattern (yes, it’s decidedly different with a nice, low-mid scoop). After all, a little room ambience is good for you. Rob Tavaglione owns and operates Catalyst Recording in Charlotte NC. He welcomes your questions/comments at rob@catalystrecording.com. 72 | ProAudio Review | June 2008 www.proaudioreview.com http://www.acousticsfirst.com http://www.panelauthority.com http://www.rpginc.com/proaudio http://SunsetSound.com http://www.NewYorkcasecompany.com http://www.proaudioreview.com
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