Hi all:
I have put this off for too long. I plan to get me some high quality gear for my home based recording studio this year. I did the research, so, now, it's time to get the gear.
I started getting the gear last month in Feb.. I got me a Avalon Vt-737 SP used from Ebay. This month I bought new Electro Harmonix gold 6992 tubes for it. It did make a noticeable positive difference. It's a clean sounding pre-amp with a very good EQ, though the compressor is kinda weak, it does do a satisfactory job of limiting vocals from clipping if the vocalist uses a little discipline when yielding the vocal performance.
The EQ on this unit is extremely impressive! There is a wide range of tones that can be obtained from utilizing it, including very airy vocals. That's one of the things I've been wanting to be able to achieve.
However, I'm still wondering, in myself, if this unit is worth the $1700 I paid to get it. Surely, time will tell.
Today, UPS delivered my AKG C414 XLII. My impression is that this mic is of most excellent quality! For years, I have been uninspired to finish compositions of songs I started because, when I record the vocals, I don't hear what I hear when I sing live without recording. Last month I bought gold connector mogami cables. I bought the Avalon pre-amp, and today, I got this mic. When I connected this gear and started to sing, I was so impressed with the sound quality. I started to thank God,, plus was crying tears. I finally got an efficient result!
This microphone, as well as the Avalon pre-amp, is truly transparent. It appears, you get from it (the AKG), exactly, what you put in. Even, the nuances of your voice are captured, accurately and with feeling, as far as 8 or 9 inches away from the mic. And I've only tested with the cardioid polar pattern. Plus this mic captures the lows of the voice.
I haven't changed any setting, yet. There are 4 pad positions (0, 6, 12, and 18db). And three different low cut filters (0, 40, 70, and 160). I've only tried 0 for both. Haven't even read the manual, yet. I bought this mic brand new from eBay as a bundle with the sE Electronics Reflection Filter Pro. I feel it was a bargain deal, as I got them both for $1049.
The audio interface I'm using is the MOTU UltraLite-mk3. Coming from the Avalon into input 3/4 on the UltraLite. The sound quality is hyperly impressive to me, even with this audio interface.
The next piece of gear I get, which will take two months after this month, March, will be the Lynx Aurora 8 USB.
As, I get the gear in, I will post here to let any forum members that are interested know what's going on, on my end.
Thank you all for the help. And, cya around.