DBX 376 tube channel strip

Trey Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

Fellow VO'ers,

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the DBX 376 tube channel strip. I was considering adding it to my audio chain.
Currently my chain goes like this: large-diaphragm condenser ADK A-51s (Type IV) Mic, Maxie 802 VLZ 3 Mixer, MBox 2 Mini, and PC-based DAW. I'm considering the DBX to add a little tube warmth to my audio. But I can also get Pro-Tools plugins that emulate a similar sound. Any thoughts on this particular tube pre-amp? Also, what are your thoughts on hardware processing versus software emulators? Thanks for your help.

Trey

Lance Blair · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008, 15:43 (GMT) Post subject:

Listening to your demo, I don't think your sound needs any more warmth (your voice is naturally very warm) it needs a tighter more focused good preamp if anything, (but the Mackie is good so I don't know why it sounds a bit flabby) and I'm not sure about the mic placement on some of the pieces. How do you address the mic?

The dbx386 is decent, it's a starved-plate low voltage preamp. I'd consider the ART MPA Gold or the Studio Projects VTB1 or even a TL Audio also if you want to tube up your sound that way (and you'll have to swap out the subpar tubes they come with, which is easy).

The cheapest real tube pre is the Groove Tubes Brick.

I like some of the tube emulators if they're smooth and not too noticeable. I use the free VST Pluging Voxengo Tube Emulator sometimes and I really like it: it's very subtle but can really help when needed.

But for the $500, I'd use it for a Grace 101 or how about a mic upgrade? If you like ADK (and I do), they just came out with the Hamburg mkII which is a very nice affordable warm mic. But your Mackie VLZ should be fine for vo. Look at your studio acoustics and maybe a mic upgrade first.

Trey Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

Lance,

Thanks for the advice. I'll take it all into consideration. I wouldn't pay full price for the dbx 376. I have, however, seen a few units floating around eBay that are well within my budget. I guess I just want to give myself some additional recording options. The fact that the dbx 376 has an EQ, compressor, and de-esser makes it good buy in my book. I'm just curious what others think about hardware processing versus software. I know that hardware processing becomes a permanent part of the recording. Whereas, software processing can be eliminated or changed on the fly. I just don't know how effective software processing is, or if it will eventually replace hardware. I also don't want to buy something that will become obsolete shortly.

My demo was actually recorded, edited and mixed seven years ago. Back then my audio chain was very different and I had no idea what I was doing. Since then I have updated my gear considerably and have educated myself on recording and mixing digital audio by reading a few books and picking the brains of experienced and talented folk like you.

The old chain included the following: ADK A-51s; Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro; Sony MDS-JE510 Minidisc Deck; played back into a Creative Sound Blaster Live! 5.1 Platinum through the Live! Drive optical digital input; all into a Pentium III 1Ghz PC with 512MB of SD-RAM running Windows XP and Cool Edit Pro 2.0. But I don't think the muddiness you hear is the fault of my antiquated and uprofessional gear.

I made several amateur recording and mixing errors back then. First, (as you noticed) I didn't know how to properly work a microphone at the time. I often ate the mic, as is common in broadcasting. VO seminars from Elaine Clark and Rick Zieff helped correct those bad habits. Second, I EQ'd the bass (don't know why since my voice has a naturally deep timbre) on the crappy Mackie EQ's of the original VLZ series. My third mistake was allowing the audio to ping a bit in the red (another bad habit from my analog radio days). My fourth mistake was to use CEP's built in noise reduction religiously to supplement for not having a properly treated room. My fifth error was to normalize everything I recorded without really understanding what it does to the audio. Finally, I used a pair of Creative/Cambridge SoundWorks 2.1 amplified digital computer speakers instead of true studio monitors to mix my audio.

Now when I listen to my demo on my new M-Audio Studiophile AV 40's, which arguably aren't the best, the demo I labored over years ago sounds like crap. I have all of the original raw recordings so I can mix or even record it again if I choose to.

Right now I'm trying to build a true professional audio chain with some real options. I love my ADK-A51s! But I will probably buy an additional mic (possibly a Sennheisser shotgun) in the near future. For now, I am experimenting with the A51s chained through the Mbox 2 Mini alone, the 802-VLZ3 alone, and both pieces of gear chained together. I've also got a huge DIY project on my hand once I start building the DAWbox.com ISO booth. Gotta put that economic stimulus package to good use! Wink

Once that's built, it will make everything sound so much cleaner.

Lance Blair · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008, 19:00 (GMT) Post subject:

Sounds like you've got a good plan.

I've tried the channel strip route, and I like the dbx 286a, but when it comes down to it affordable channel strips don't excel at anything in terms of processing in any way over what good software can do. Also, it's not a great idea to process coming in unless you're absolutely certain about the sound and don't want to change it later. Ever.

For hardware, you really need a dedicated compressor, a dedicated EQ etc. unless you're willing to spend a lot on a unit. Then it all costs the same anyhow.

If you love your A-51, I'd really recommend looking into ADK's new mics. I like what I've heard of the new Hamburg, Vienna, A6 and S7 and ADK has started using some better manufacturers since some of their old ones has QC issues.

Good luck.

Trey Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

You make some excellent points Lance. I'll keep them in mind, and let you know how it all turns out.

-Trey

Bob Bair · **Voice Talent** Joined: 06 Oct 2003 Posts: 274

I'm going to echo something Lance mentioned. I also had an A-51s and moved over to a Hamburg. I really like the sound I get out of that mic over the A-51s. More depth. Give it a try and you might find you don't need any additional processing in your chain.

Trey Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 29 Sep 2004 Posts: 27

Thanks Bob. I'll have to hunt one down. I bought my A-51s when I was living in Portland several years ago. I might have to take a drive South if I can't find an ADK dealer in Seattle.

Trey