Mbox 3 voice samples

[tokyofan]

Just got the new Avid Mbox (un upgrade from the Mbox1).
Here are a couple voiceover samples recorded dry with a U87ai, smooth limit button engaged, normalized to -3dB:

U87ai into the Avid Mbox
http://www.chriskoprowski.com/mylinks/AVID_MBOX_U87.wav

U87ai into the Avid Mbox + RME ADI-2 (external clock)
http://www.chriskoprowski.com/mylink...OX_RME_U87.wav


And here are some earlier gear samples I posted in another thread:

U87ai into a Speck 5.0 pre (transformer engaged.)
http://www.chriskoprowski.com/mylink...i_Speck5.0.wav

U87ai into the Golden Age 73 pre
http://www.chriskoprowski.com/mylink...i_GAP73pre.wav

Harlan Hogan VO:1A into the Golden Age 73 pre
http://www.chriskoprowski.com/mylink...1_GAP73pre.wav

Thanks!

[barstool719]

just listening on my home machine, these all sound great.

the bottom three samples - are they from the mbox 1 or the new mbox?

[tokyofan]

The bottom three were not through any Mbox. I used separate preamps with the RME ADI-2 converters.

[barstool719]

Originally Posted by tokyofan

The bottom three were not through any Mbox. I used separate preamps with the RME ADI-2 converters.

gotcha!

[moshuajusic]

I hear no diff between the first 4 clips. Only the last one sounds different.

Makes me wonder what all the fuss is about over preamps, converters, interfaces... Have the ever more diminishing returns hit a point where it's basically technology for the sake of technology and one-upmanship between competing brands?

[Dism]

Originally Posted by jscomposer

Makes me wonder what all the fuss is about over preamps, converters, interfaces... Have the ever more diminishing returns hit a point where it's basically technology for the sake of technology and one-upmanship between competing brands?

You mean like how most people can't tell the difference between a $300 preamp, and a $5000 preamp?

It all comes down to how you use it. In the right hands, a $300 pre and a $100 mic can sound better than a $5000 pre and $8000 mic in the wrong hands.

That being said... let's consider that a U87 is involved, which is a very high end mic that should sound pretty nice even on lower end pres. It's going to sound pretty clean either way.

Now, given that it's being compared to a single channel pre that sells for between $800-1000, and a well established $300 single pre... It's probably safe to say that the new MBoxes are on par, especially considering what you get for the price.

[moshuajusic]

Originally Posted by Dism

You mean like how most people can't tell the difference between a $300 preamp, and a $5000 preamp?

It all comes down to how you use it. In the right hands, a $300 pre and a $100 can sound better than a $5000 pre and $8000 mic in the wrong hands.

That being said... let's consider that a U87 is involved, which is a very high end mic that should sound pretty nice even on lower end pres. It's going to sound pretty clean either way.

Now, given that it's being compared to a single channel pre that sells for between $800-1000, and a well established $300 single pre... It's probably safe to say that the new MBoxes are on par, especially considering what you get for the price.

Haha, you got me! It's just, there's so much COOL STUFF out there, and it's all supposed to be the best. I'll prolly just go with the Mbox 3.

Gotta say, it does suck that you can only use Avid interfaces with PT. I know, I know.

[moshuajusic]

Originally Posted by tokyofan

The bottom three were not through any Mbox. I used separate preamps with the RME ADI-2 converters.

How did you record from the RME ADI-2? There's no USB or Firewire on it. What did you then go through, or how did you hook it up to your computer? And did you record in Pro Tools or something else?

[Dism]

Originally Posted by jscomposer

How did you record from the RME ADI-2? There's no USB or Firewire on it. What did you then go through, or how did you hook it up to your computer? And did you record in Pro Tools or something else?

S/PDIF to the MBox, since it is acting as the clock source.

It would still be through Pro Tools.

[jpeele]

I had to chime in on this one. I don't hear a difference between these files that would justify spending any more than just having the mbox 3. I know I have good ears and other than perhaps some low end being rolled off with one of the samples and a little bit of boxiness with one of the others, they are very close. Close enough to really question the purpose of having and ADI-2. I would have felt like I waisted my money after hearing these clips. Some of this can be fixed with a little eq, but I can't see the difference stopping someone from making a hit record with a vocal recorded straight into the mbox 3. Certainly, no one would give a damn about the differences for some type of voice over work. I can't see the average person really caring about the quality of a v.o. unless it was really bad. This also testifies to the notion that good talent and the right mic make more of a difference than the converter. With so much focus on A/D conversion, it's easy to buy into the hype.

Now, I would love to hear if a converter like an Apogee Rosetta, Mytek or Lynx would give any audible differences besides that last .5% that we gear junkies are in constant pursuit of. If not, then I'm glad I didn't waste my money.