It has been nearly 4 years since you posted this review, and I just found it. I've owned the ART Voice Channel for about a year, and I learned more from you in 80 minutes than I have in a year of trial and error. The fact that your video is so enormously helpful 4 years after you created it proves how deep and accurate your knowledge is, and what a marvelous instinct you have for demonstrating your points. I'm so grateful to you for the diligent care, thought and time you put into your video. Like you, I am constantly impressed by the quality built into this unit. Unlike you, I was not as clear on how to benefit from its wide array of capabilities. I just can't thank you enough for showing the way.
Oh, I´am just a hobby guy....and I appreciate Your comment. The Art Voice Channel is still in My new, bigger, more professional studio, even after I turned everything to network based mixing from the Waves. I just can´t live without the sound of this box! So transparent, so cool analog gear for the money. Now I´m hunting for a matching pair, and for the VLA II.
That was one of the best audio equipment reviews I have seen. I wish there were more like this. I really appreciated the tips thrown in too (how to use a de-esser, how to find bad frequencies by reversing comp and eq). Thanks!
I just bought this unit 3 days ago and this is the only channel I have found that has given me such an in-depth review and how-to. Great stuff, even 4 years later!
"I hope You can find this video helpful"Are you kidding me???? It's not only helpful it is the best review ever!!!! You are amaze!! Thank you for this great teaching!
I have to say...this is a deep and very comprehensive review. Found it as a result of researching the Art Voice Channel. In a nutshell, you've convinced me to grab it quick...demoed it as exactly what I am looking for. So, just thought I'd comment and say thanks for an extremely helpful review.
For 36 years now, I have worked in the recording industry with many calibre of talent and gear. There is not enough kudos in the world to let you know how insightful and informational your review here is. I have just purchased a VoiceChannel because I can not afford all the individual hardware units for the vocal recording chain. Your video is eye-opening and endlessly helpful; thank you!
i bought mine today, and this video was an amazing help to understand it's complete function and put it into use in my home studio, and also for when i'm on stage and want to have a great vocal ready...thanks for the great rundown
This is the best review I remember ever seeing. Extremely interesting and detailed. Thank you for taking so much time to help so many other people. I was about to order the DBX 286s but due to this video, I've decided to buy this Art VoiceChannel. I think it'll be a great investment! Thank you sir!
Thank You for the nice words! DBX 286 is not a fair competitor to this beast :) ART Voice Channels rocks on every point! Twice the price, 4 times more function. PS: DBX 286 is a excellent tool for live PA applications, in your small rack tour case. And sounds good! you know what? Hunt down a second hand DBX 286S, just for fun :) and a ART Voice Channel for Your Studio!
What an amazingly generous gift you have given us by presenting this thorough review. I especially appreciated getting to hear a variety of microphones through the unit. (Since you asked, my favorite was the processed T-Bone.) I just ordered the ART Voice Channel and I may not even need the user manual because you have already taught me what it does, and how to tune it in! Thanks again for taking the time to go into such detail. You really helped me understand how this device can help my recordings.
The T bone SCT 800 for Me too :))) I really like it with this preamp. Bit hissy, but great dynamics, nice smooth top end, not mellow, mids are clear and has its own characteristic. Head to head My second favorite is the AKG preception 420. Is more precise, less noise, but somehow too precise to Me. I like this old Solton too :) Thank You for watching and the nice comment! I hope in the short future I can shoot a long video for You guys again (if rany days are coming)
Man this was the only best review I had found on this unit. Can't find too much more on it like what you did. Not even close! Thank you so much for the time and knowledge you shared on this wonderful product. I am picking one up used from a guy in a few days. Hope it will be in great shape so I could enjoy it for a long time. Cheers!
What an amazing work and review ! Even if i was very very tired when i found your video in the middle of the night, once i pressed play i couldn't stop watching. There's soooo much valuable information and very nice tips from beginning to the end. One of the best reviews ever ! Thank you very much for that and of course i did suscribe to your channel in the first minutes. I will have to watch your other available videos. Can't wait ! Thank you sir and keep up the good job !👍👏
Thank you so much for this video. Not only did I learn a lot, it also helped me decide on buying this device. This is one of the best tech reviews I have had the pleasure to watch here on TH-cam.
This just might be the deepest review on TH-cam, ever. However, it is exceptional! It was very helpful and detailed. And I've been looking at purchasing this unit too. I was even contemplating getting the Dbx 676, but I think this gives more bang for your buck. I will definitely be picking this up. Thank you for the time and effort you placed into this. In utopic world, ART will pay you for this lol.
DBX 676 is a great hardware. I had one for a half Year in My old radio talk-show setup. What I never understand, is the optional digital board price. so You are right, about the bang for Your buck. Compare their sound... hmmmmm personal opinion? ART better, more transparent to me somehow with ribbon, condenser and pro heavy dynamic microphones. For instruments, well the DBX has its own DBX character. Perfect for E or bass guitars. Compressor? DBX better on fast transients from instruments. Features? ART winner. Price? ART winner. Possible usages? ART winner. How much money I will get from ART? Nothing :) And from DBX? Nothing :) I love both brand! Thank You for watching!
Learned so much from you today, thank you. I have owned the ART VC for 5 years now and have done numerous experiments, it is a great piece of gear for a bargain price.
I really enjoy listening to your voice and the way you enunciate words. You have a beautiful setup in the studio, wish that I knew how to operate some of the equipment as well as you do.
I listened a few times to the mic tests, clean & processed. I like the AKG perception 420 and the T.Bone SCT 800. Thanks for the tips. Especially in using gain reduction LED meter to identify problem frequency. Cheers!
Excellent work my friend. I am picking up one of these tomorrow and will be using it to tailor my audio over the amateur radio HF bands. I too have a box of microphones to choose from. Can't wait
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. It was thorough and now my mind is made up. Looks like I'm getting the Voice Channel. Make sure Art sponsors you, pays you, or gives you some free gear bro!
I think I will thanks to this great video. I decided on getting the Art Pro Channel 2 version. It is like this one but without the d-esser, ex-pander, or digital options. I don't need any of that anyway. The Art Pro Channel 2 also does not give you the option of changing you eq or compressor order but I can work with that though lol. I have a tlm 103 so we will see what happens and I might post a video after a drink a few beers first lol.
With the TLM 103 i suggest to get a Voice channel. The TLM has a outstanding performance, meaning, from one microphone You can get many different type of behavior. Don't forget. All soundcards has a limited dynamic range, meaning You cannot solve everything only in the DAW post editing, and the Voice Channel has a great analog EQ. I realized, there is no virtual (stock) EQ in Cubase, Reason, what can come close to the this analog EQ. With this gear You also can increase the overall SNR ratio. More option is alway better the less option in recording :)
Yes the TLM 103 has a great frequency response and is very receptive to impedance changes. I have an ISA One and when I change the impedance settings on it I can easily hear a change in tone within the TLM 103. I agree with your recording strategy. I also look to do some analog processing before my DAW because EQ and compression is superior in the analog domain!
Very nice and detailed review!!! everything explained very well - especially all the purposes of the connectors including usecases... THANK YOU very much!
Sajnálom, hogy csak most találtam meg ezt a videót... érzek benne némi magyar akcentust... de ettől függetlenül megértettem... és köszönöm szépen ezt a sok tippet és magyarázatot, hogy mi miért van... sokat segített a további munkámban. Thx of lot!
Outstanding video, Thank You for taking the time to create it! I have an ART Tube Channel 259 (baby brother of this one?) that is just fantastic for most jobs.....I will be taking a serious look at this one now for a vox strip!
Smurf431 I glad You like this video! The 259 is kind of smll sister without the full pro features. If You find on second hand this, just go for it. One of the smartest analog gear for the money on the planet.
This has to be the best review on TH-cam ever!! Thank you ever so much! In one go I now know how to operate my device. Thanks a lot! This video however missed how to set immpedence for different mics. Can u please shed advice on that?
Thanks for replying. The ears is what I went with eventually although somethings really confusing. I'm using an AT2035 and it's impedance is rated at 120. The dial starts at 150 😂. Said clarity was achieved at something like 400 or so 🤣
Greatly appreciate the fast feedback. Im researching and learning alot about analog etc. To be honest im slightly confused still. I'm not sure how to route the output and re route it back in. Like on Protools if I has the outputs for 1&2 for my main speakers. Then if I had a new track using outputs 3&4. Would I make another track beneath that has input 1 & that input from input one is what comes from the ART VC? I know what I explained is a bit confusing lol. Inputs and outputs are intense. Thanks for your help. I really wanna understand this and be able to re route vocals that are sent to me to edit into my VC
unbelievable review ,wow really amazing ,thank you so much ,i feel like i want to get one thanks to you ,really good job on explaining a lot more than just the device itself but lots of information along with it ,very professional ,you know a lot about sound .do you mix music for others ? how can i hear your mixes ?
Been using this thing wrong do the last 3 years thank you and I stared to look at this video stopped and never got back to it till today smh now I know how to use this beast goin home to change everything to the rite settings
I can mirror Scott Pinzon's comments. I have owned the voice channel for 3yrs and haven't used in at least one year. I just did not know what I was doing. I didn't sell it however because I held out hope. This is not only the best tutorial on the voice channel, I think it is the best tutorial on anything on youtube. You, sir, are brilliant! I sat here through the entire tutorial in one sitting and just loved it. I have been prepping to do my vocals for an internet radio show and also my vocals on an album length music project I have been working on. I bought the voice channel for processing acoustic guitar originally. If you have any insight on using this tool for that application please share. I was so frustrated that I started using a whole other signal chain - a rode procaster dynamic mic into a cloudlifter then into the ART Tube MP then into a BBE then into my interface. It works really well but why get so complicated, right? I am ready to dig back into the voice channel now. Thank you so much for taking the time to do such a great tutorial. I have a question, I want try out running my BBE through the unit in its loop. Which output do I use and which input do I use to create the loop?
If Your BBE EQ is a Constant Q type, then feed with high level signal, lower a bit the out gain and voila. BBE Eq-s are a beast!. Regarding your setup... yes, a bit complicated :) ART can do all in one box, with much better results. Rode procaster has enough level to use without lifter. BTW, ART PRO CH... is not so good for guitars. Too precise and clean. Use some cheap HI-Z interface, or buy a old analog SOUNDCRAFT mixer channel strip on ebay for 10 dollar, and a symmetrical 15V PSU for 15 dollar...
@@BMRStudio Thank you so much for the instructions and insight. I will use the VC for my internet radio stuff now and vocals for tunes. The BBE is such an interesting piece of gear. The idea of doing time alignment to clarify the whole signal is pretty revolutionary. I have it as a vst plugin in sonar as well. I have a very nice Supro tube amp for the electric guitars so the voice channel will not be used for it. The acoustic guitar tone I just love and am trying to get is from Phil Keaggy's Beyond Nature album. If you listen to the song "County Down" you'll know what I mean about spectacular tone. I have a high end hand built acoustic guitar that gets great tone, just have to capture it and treat it right. I have a song called The Artist on youtube if you want to check it out. I'd like your input on how to make it sound its best, if you want to. Thanks!
Thanks for the very in-depth video - I'm in the market for a vocal pre and these are available used around here in Chicago for $250 or so. I'm rebuilding a home studio and wondered what you thought about doing the following: Black Lion Microclock ---> ART Vocal channel ---> SPDIF ---> MAUDIO Profire 610 ---> Mac. (This chain avoids the USB output on the ART since you mentioned it's not as high quality as the other digital outs. If I misunderstood that, I'd just bypass the 610 entirely.) Thanks again for the very helpful work!
+Rob Warmowski Thank You for watching :) Black Lion Microclock WINS! Excellent clock source! But take care of the SPDIF cable quality. M-Audio cards... so-so. I much prefer RME or Focusrite for Mac. Or UAD. Never try to save money on Your audio interface, because later on You will be faced with limits :) The USB output, I know :) I just use for frequency monitoring with TRUE RTA or other software, or for safe record for the vocalist.
+BMR Studio I understand about M-Audio quality being not so great and I do prefer RME myself -- I had a Fireface before I had to sell off all my gear, and I am rebuilding now. Also I'm interested in the UAD Apollo. But for just right now -- if I go SPDIF out of the ART and into the 610, then Firewire into the Mac, I thought I would be bypassing the 610's cheapest/lowest quality path (ADC), using it basically as a digital "thru". What I confess to not understanding is if the clock sync from the Microclock will benefit the 610 signal path or not. In other words, I know the 610 can take external sync, but I don't really understand if the improvement in clock signal is relevant to the 610 or not. Well, I guess a test will show something (or nothing!)
Basicaly You will not hear any difference in this setup. The clock sources always do a big impact on complex systems. Such as standalone converters, mixer, outboard effects, recorders combination. The fact is many soundcard or digital mixer just using a simple clock divider solution wich is basod on some cheap non thermal and voltage stabilized oscillator. Because of that, You can get a glitch or dithering issues. With a specific clock source You get mutch more higher ppm, or jitter free running. The specific clock generators has a pll loop and kind of other stabilisation in the dividing network. And the output stage is always capable to drive more units with nice undistorted clock signal. Anyway, if You see the Art pro for 250... go for it :)
With M-audio I much prefer to sync the Art to Your M-audio optical output. So if You change the sampling rate in Your Daw, the Art Voice channel will follow on automatic way. Less gigling with gear, more time for creativity :)
Your voice tone @1:02:00 of this video is so amazing colorful N pristine without any post processing ...just insane !!!! This review is life saving i found so much valuable info here // I have the ART Pro VLA II a Dual Channel Tube Compressor/Limiter/Leveller ...this stuff is so great i plug it straight after my Boss Gt100 multiFX unit to get a more kinda analog sound using a very subtle compression N most of all adding some vacuum tubes' tonal characteristics ...its so cool... i run a dual channel triad tube preamp pedal (Blackbird) straight after my guitar N before the FX unit to get some dynamic N awesome harmonics in my guitar tone N then a MXR 10bds EQ to shape my tone N adjust the volume with the I/O Gain, then the dual channel Komp to control the dynamic + remove part of the numeric treatment by the Gt100 ...it just sounds like a $$$$$ setup
Question: If I use SPDFI cable and connect Art Voice to my sound card will I be able to use it to record. My sound card does not have true Line In. All I want is to be able to record with Voice Channel without coloration from my Sound card ( RME HDSP 9652 + Focusrite Octopre Dynamic 8 channel Adat is my setup ). Or is there another way ?
I don't have Rode mics, but as You see, the Art Voice Channel work well with any kind of microphone. Just make sure, You play enough with the settings. Listen carefully, don't be rush. Once You find the best settings, write it down :) Thank You for watching!
As long as this video is, I still find it entertaining, thorough, and quite funny. Im trying to figure out what would be the best way to reamp from my DAW (Live 9) to the Voice Channel and back into the DAW again. My old desktop Mac Pro has ADAT i/o that I've used on ocassions but doesnt always seem reliable with Art Voice. I have a Saffire Pro 40 that has digital i/o too, so I'm not sure which is the best way for low latency recordings while avoiding feedback.
Art has to power the condenser microphone. But You can use standalone with USB in case of daily use. Or connect the AVC via digitally to Your interface.
hey wanna say thanks I set it up just like how you explain and play with it man. I'm glad I got this piece real quality vocals more full and up front this is dope
+jmizz15212 Films J-jigga I will make more don't worry :) But at the moment I'am fully fully fully bussy on My daily works. Summer for Me is meaning hell a lot work. I'am not living from TH-cam :))) Alredy 6 epiode is planned, halfly shooted etc. Soon bro, soon :)
So choose a next video: Casio CZ 1 merried with Lexicon :) or Alesis RA 300 amp repair, or One finger music making, or Build a Frankestein camera, or Studio tour - the acoustic design, or BMR gear developing part 1, or New BMR Studio part 1, or Recording construction machine sounds, or SECRET....
Excellent demonstration. I watched this and then your new home studio development. Ummm, this unit didn't make it to the new studio (or at least I didn't see it). Found something else?
Thanks brother, great tutorial ... I bought one and I am waiting for it, motivated by your excellent explanation. excuse a question: what kind of compressor does the channel voice use, Optical, FET or, Vari-Mu? Thanks for your answer. Greetings from Ecuador.
Is there a way to send audio recorded in your DAW & re route it back into the ART channel and do further tweaking while playing the audio in a loop in the DAW? If so how. Or will I need a different channel strip?
Hi! The Art VC does not contain DAC as I saidmany times in the video. SoWhat You can do, is route one of Your output via DAC from Your DAW to the input and reroute the output of tge ART VC into Your DAW.
@@BMRStudio Sir, could you please elaborate your response a little bit more? I have recently found myself in a situation where I have tracks recorded in Reaper DAW and would love to be able to route them through Voice Channel back into my DAW. Problem is I have no clue on how to do it. Cheers!
thanks for this perfect deep review . I have same questions . I have a motu ultralite mk3 interface how it work with art voice channel ? Which samplerate/dither ? and how can plug it with mu interface output or aes/ebu output ?and finaly ı have rode nt 1a mic. How can adjust its impedance. ? thank you .
+Gök Engin Thank You for the comment! Is far a way not perfect review :))) Q and A: I have in the past a full MOTU system with couple 2408, 24IO and PCIe 424. Excellent interfaces! I love them with My Soundcraft studio mixer! ! I like the converters inside! ART with MOTU: with some tube mics, is work better if You use the MOTU analog inputs. On basic dynamic mics, like SM58, AKG, Beyer, I always preferred the ART converter. AES: Motu ultralite Mk3, don't have any AES/EBU....at all. Zero. Null. :)))ART MOTU sync: Your interface just can receive SMTPE on one selected analog input. Therefore that, You don't have a good, precise sync solutions. But. The MOTU spdif output can go up to 24 bit 96 Khz. on Your interface. So try to drive the ART with EXT/24. If it instable, (MOTU can do few jitters on 24bit, because of the DSP ) try on 48K 24bit.Dithering: just run together with the real sample rate. There is no noticeable dither noises on all settings. You cannot hear it.. The mics imperfections, and noise is always bigger :) Rode NT1: the Rode NT1 has JFET impedance converter. So its meaning, will be around 110-200 ohm on 1Khz. But, the JFET is happy around 1-1.5 K load, because the parasitic impedance of the input filter in the ART, and the cables, connectors.. The best, if You turn down around 360 Ohm, play some acoustic guitar front the mic, place a headphone, and turn the knob. You will arrive to the sweet point quickly. On too high, You will hear some weak base and too smoshybussy highs. On too low, You will lose power and clarity.
+BMR Studio I tried to set my art voice channel like your advice . I got nice voice.Thank you again :) I use art voice channel for get vocal records. but someone say you must get records without effect is it true ?
Yes. Is depend on Your workflow. Example if somebody has its own effect, what give some original tonality to the instrument or voice, then You have to record with that. But if You do everything on Your system, then of course, the best if You record the dry. In some cases, You need to record both :) Mostly in guitar amping. Record the clean guitar and the amped mic channel. Then You have a reference and a clean, what You can modify, update. Or apply other kind of amp-effect-speaker modelling.
+NYchristofferflowers The red "peak" is the momentary peak level on the ADC input. The green solid is the RMS kind analog. Nice meter, because is give You a nice read about overall loudness and the status of peak level. I also confused a bit when first time I used. If You keep the solid in the -15 -5 range without peak clipping, then You get a best results. check this at 43:49
+Yung Gwop dB and dBFS is two total different thing. If You read the Art voice channel manual, then You can see the real levels. This is Why I show the meter bridge in this video. If Your IO card setup is correct, then The digital and analog levels will match perfectly. If You use only the USB port from the Art, then You have to calculate also the 98dB range of the USB port wich is lower then the dB range of ADAT port. Is just take a few minutes to matching the digital and analog levels.
Thanks a lot for your great Tutorial!! I'm going to buy this one in the next weeks. One question: When I plug the output from the Art Voce to my Focusrite Input, is there a rule regarding the gain knob? because I have now two gains, one from the ART and one from the Focusrite. Thanks for your help. All the best Dirk
old rule: drive the recorded gear on 85% output, and adjust the gain on the recorded to achieve -10 db , but clean signal Older rule: get 60-70% of output, and bit more gain, to get both gear character Stupid rule (Red Hot Chilly Peppers) fock that knob! Twist it 100% Who cares, sounds dafukkk Yeaah!
Someone please help, I just bought one and trying to connect it to my Scarlett 6i6 interface, im using a balanced TRS cable connecting it to my mic pre output, into my line input on the interface, the tube shows there’s volume being registered but I’m not getting any sound from it. PLS HELP
when i connect my microphone into the input "mic/inst" on the font of the mic pre i get signal, the problem I'm having is when i put a cable into the output (as shown @ 48:38) then directly into the back of my scarlett 6i6 input i don't get any sound as a result. I'm not sure if its my interface. I also used an unbalanced cable to see if it would make any difference but still no luck. Thank you so much for the reply.
Thanks, I am thinking about getting this one or to buy the Pro Channel II. The only reason to get this is the de-esser, but as I can see it does not work very well especially because it is tied to the compressor. How useful or is compared to the dbx 286 de-esser?
@@BojanBojovicI think the de-esser work very well on this gear. DBX 286 is far more noisy then the Voice Channel. Less dynamic range, and dbx is not transparent at all. Has its own typical Dbx smiley curve on low ends. But nowadays, You can replace all this analog gears with even stock plugins..if the application is not live. For live, there is a lot of decent intelligent interfaces for around 1000$ where You can load a damm good FPGA based 48bit algorithms, on a 24bit direct AD conversion line, for Your channel strip. So.. Yeah, technology is just running.
Yes and no. The back is only for MIC on XLR, but with 6.3 mm jack you can go with line level. Just adjust the signal level properly. Bypass all processing, send some clean 1 Khz signal with -1 dB and start rotate the input gain from the minimum till You see on the output a same. Then Lower the input with -9 -6 dB to make enough headroom for the EQ and the compressor. I used for My guitar pedal with nice results. Maybe You need to decrease also the output gain of Your EQ (less noise).
Thank you for sharing all this info with us I really appreciate it you need to make more videos like this or videos to show us how you record mix and master your music thank you
Thanks! I will, but now we are moving to some new place and all of My gears in boxes. I have some problem with the dimensions of the new studio, and lot of other things are going in My job, daily life etc... I hope soon I can release new videos. I have tonn's of ideas what to share :)
Hi there, I have a question I am looking to record the best possible vocal quality. I am stuck between THIS and the Warm Audio WA12 MKII Thing is if I buy this and get all my settings sounding good, I would still be going to the DAW after to be doing EQ, Compression and De essin anyway right? So is there a point having all these knobs when I could buy a better vintage sounding Preamp (Warm Audio), have a raw clean untouched recording, save the time and just edit and process in the DAW. Help please?!
With this You can record the clean incoming signal, and the processed. Watch the video again, when I show the mixer channels. For this amount of money, this is the best choice. Second hand, you can get it around 200$ 😀
My one is connected to 3 different digital gear, a video processor, a recorder, a spectrum and loudness analyzer, and a Raspberry pi 4. I have around 20 preset for the microphone s (simple photo of the front panel 😀) and 4 different tube. It Can create warm, precious and natural records..
Hello there and thank you for this video. I want to ask you if i can use this preamp without wordclock. I don't understand what is this for. I want to record vocals with this preamp directly to my PC using a mixer with a built in interface (yamaha mg12xu). Thanks.
I'm stuck between this product, the MPA, and the VLA. I use a Scarlett 2i4 and a rode NT2A but I want to Polish up the vocals and and take studio sound to next level. I deal with most R&B and loud rap vocalist....anyone please help
WildMan 36 Scarlet and Nt2 is a great combination. Kind of neutral setup, mean... in the post production, You can polish with mic modeliing plugins. VLA is for mostly for stereo polish on the media writeout process, or for final touch on mastered songs. You know what? buy all :) really. Don't be limited by some hundred USD. More gear, more fun!
WildMan 36 MPA is less functinality then Voice Channel. go for this :) and shure beta. Beta can handle loud rappers :) Snoop dog use also! in gold finish with diamonds :)
Awesome review. This channel strip seems too good to be true, I will have to check one out. I am after something that can send a digital signal to my DAW and also an analogue feed to my monitoring mixer to avoid latency during tracking. This looks like it will do the job if it is quiet. Thanks.
+David Harry Hi! Thank you :) Believe me, is quiet :) place your headphone up, and listen when the digital channel samples are coming. The tascam mixer analogue input is a bit not precise but clean. So the ART is blows a way :) Even at cross TH-cam! If you connect a monitor to Your ART voice channel, may You will think, the singer is front of You! Check it out! You will love it! Or get two for after summing mixer - channel strip :)
awesome explanation btw would you need also to connect word clock with audio interface like focusrite scarlett 18i20? could you sync through with some other connections too?
Dave Maverick Is depends on Your system. All My system is clocked to a master clock generator, so for Me is important to keep everything in sync. Never trust on computer interface as clock source :)
Hi i'm planing to buy an ART Voice Channel . my main intention is to use it for analog mastering. can i input 2 mono ( straight L R outs from my audio interface ) and do summing into a stereo ? get an stereo output ?
Jeewantha hewabandu No. This is a mono processor. You need two from them to process stereo signal. But this will be not an easy task, since there is no link option. So You neeed to copy the settings by hand. I do not recommend this unit as mastering solution. Get some decent mastering plugin pack for a same price like two AVC, will owerkill :) or get DBX Quantum II, or TC Finalizer 96K, or Apollo twin with mastering pack. I hope this is helpful informaion :) This processor made as mic preamp with processing. For that is unbeatable on this price level.
Hello there, Thank you so much this informative review. I just wanted to how can I connect the voice channel to steinberg ur824? Will it work with adat or I have use an xlr input to connect?
+Prabhjot Singh Hi there :) Thank You for the comment. Well, this puppy will work with ADAT optical interfaces, just make sure, You also provide the ADAT clock sync on the optical input. I did try with My Tascam mixer, and working perfectly. I prefer the AES/EBU because the signal integrity (no electric-optical converting in the path) Optical ADAT is good choice if You want total electric isolation from Your microphone room.
Btw.. The Steinberg interface excellent choice! One of the on the market now. If You use with Cubase.. Such a massive stabile system. I like them! And the converter, and the preamp is clear like a summer sky :) Enjoy!
BMR Studio Yaa I'm a Cubase user and that interface really helps and has such good preamps everything is just awesome..And Thankyou so much for answering my questions!!
Yes. It has a decent A/D converter. All digital output is driven by the same circuit. I measured few nanosecond delay between the AES and SPDIF output. around 1/10 clock on 96K. Jitter error is about 1 per week :)
now when I go into my focusrite 8i6 spidif in...what do I select to record from in the daw? because the mc wont be plugged into mic 1 anymore ittl be plugged into the art which goes into the focusrite via spidif...what would I select as a record from source in the track?
@@divinityvrms6743 first, You have to make the Art Voice channel as Your Digital master clock. check the focusrite settings, clock source SPDIF External. on the ART, select the desired samplerate on the dial pot. In your DAW, look for SPDIF-digital In 1-2 as source.
@@BMRStudio thank you so much this is exactly the information I needed! =D . Now as far as gain staging goes do I use the art as my master gain and then set the focusrite at Unity? . And furthermore should I avoid the focusrite preamp and just go into the back of the focusrite with a line input because I've been told you want to avoid going into too many preamps because it adds noise..then i have to figure out where my roland VT-4 voice changer is gonna sit in the chain..i THINK it comes after the ART then plug from the VT-4 to the focusrite 8i6 but im not sure
@@divinityvrms6743 Drop the VT-4 into the ART Voice Channel Insert port! Is just right after the first stage. If You drive the Focusrite on digital, there is no additional noise. Or, on unity gain, with Line level of signals... meh, like a cable. 8i6 has a pretty good clean preamps. simple cheap design, but 123 dB SNR :) I think, the best if You try everything. Don`t waste Your time to get the most perfect, most cleanest record. Receipt for good songs: 10% tech licking, 70% fun with creativity, 10% friends and girls, 10% get out to the air! Receipt for F bad songs: 90% tech licking, 5% nerdism, 5% actual work
Hi, thank you for this clear video, I really enjoy all your work, to present the preamp, just a little question, what is the latest small mic preamp you show o your ur video ? For the mic choose, I prefer the old 70's mic :) but hard to find in France....
+John Bouchet Hi! Thank You for the comment :) This small device is a FETHEAD preamp. Is around 70 EUR, and super clean super simple mic preamp with 70dB amplification! Neat small preamp! I fall in love with that :) The 70s mic is a rare but not expensive microphone from Solton. One of My favorite too :) You have to hold in Your hand to understand why is My favorite also. There is some similar to it from Sennheiser, and from GDR Beyer. Those old microphones are running on ebay around 5-200 Eur, depend on condition and brand. The Solton is not a very well know brand, and I bought it for almost nothing :) 4 EUr far as I remember. So keep Your eyes on the Ebay and hunt some old microphone. Few of them blows a way almost any new microphone for the same money.
Thank you so much! You couldn't do it better :) I get the voice next week and i hope to do the right thing. I have some Greenhorn questions....what for are the digital in and outs?....can.t hear any differenz ...i will place it analog before an antelope Zen Tour ...makes this Sense? Best wishes fonky
THX! The digital IO is for studio setups. No noise, and no double conversion. The built in ART digital converter is a freaking good one! With almost 140 db range and 24 bit on high frequencies etc..... Try it with acoustic guitars. You will hear the difference with high resolution headphones!
You Must Try PMI Audio Studio Project Mic's Wow they sound like a Neuman U 47. For $150-200. The small dia C-4's are great as well. You can find the B1 for $120. The C-1 & the T-3 are very nice one's Also the LSD2 is a awesome mic.
Szia! Most találtam meg ezt a bemutatót erről az ART termékről. Nagyon szemezek vele. Pontosabban ezzel illetve a Prochannel 2-vel. Megkérdezhetem, hogy mennyire vált be ez az eszköz illetve volna esetleg más eszközökkel való összehasonlítási tapasztalata? Az MPA 2 és a VLA már meg vannak és nagyon gondolkodom egy channel stripben is. Gratulálok a videóhoz és előre is köszönöm a válaszát!
Ennyi pénzért, ez a legjobb. Annyira bevált, hogy azóta már kettő van belőle. Ebben a kategóriában nincs párja. ADC, digitalis kimenetek, wordclock szinkronizáció, meg az a rakás ki-bemenet… Hangja szerintem simán vetekszik igencsak máregdrága channel strip-pekkel. mint pl. SPL Frontliner, Channel One... Még valami. Közel 6 éve megy 24/7! Cső egyszer volt cserélve a saját hibámból. Ráejtettem egy kombinált fogót :)
James Cassidy Is My patchpanel with balanced unbalanced mirroring feature. All gears are wired on the back connectors, while if I want, I can patch input and also output from the front. Neat patchpanel for a good price. And is Neutric quality. Noiseless and good contacts.
It has been nearly 4 years since you posted this review, and I just found it. I've owned the ART Voice Channel for about a year, and I learned more from you in 80 minutes than I have in a year of trial and error. The fact that your video is so enormously helpful 4 years after you created it proves how deep and accurate your knowledge is, and what a marvelous instinct you have for demonstrating your points. I'm so grateful to you for the diligent care, thought and time you put into your video. Like you, I am constantly impressed by the quality built into this unit. Unlike you, I was not as clear on how to benefit from its wide array of capabilities. I just can't thank you enough for showing the way.
Oh, I´am just a hobby guy....and I appreciate Your comment. The Art Voice Channel is still in My new, bigger, more professional studio, even after I turned everything to network based mixing from the Waves.
I just can´t live without the sound of this box! So transparent, so cool analog gear for the money. Now I´m hunting for a matching pair, and for the VLA II.
That was one of the best audio equipment reviews I have seen. I wish there were more like this. I really appreciated the tips thrown in too (how to use a de-esser, how to find bad frequencies by reversing comp and eq). Thanks!
The level of knowledge in this video is astounding. It sold me on the unit 7 years later.
I just bought this unit 3 days ago and this is the only channel I have found that has given me such an in-depth review and how-to. Great stuff, even 4 years later!
"I hope You can find this video helpful"Are you kidding me???? It's not only helpful it is the best review ever!!!! You are amaze!! Thank you for this great teaching!
I have to say...this is a deep and very comprehensive review. Found it as a result of researching the Art Voice Channel. In a nutshell, you've convinced me to grab it quick...demoed it as exactly what I am looking for. So, just thought I'd comment and say thanks for an extremely helpful review.
For 36 years now, I have worked in the recording industry with many calibre of talent and gear.
There is not enough kudos in the world to let you know how insightful and informational your review here is. I have just purchased a VoiceChannel because I can not afford all the individual hardware units for the vocal recording chain. Your video is eye-opening and endlessly helpful; thank you!
i bought mine today, and this video was an amazing help to understand it's complete function and put it into use in my home studio, and also for when i'm on stage and want to have a great vocal ready...thanks for the great rundown
Enjoy! This gear good as is for the purpose of all kind of situation with vocal. Like a swiss army knife.
Brilliant review, thank you so much for all you effort to do this.
This is the best review I remember ever seeing. Extremely interesting and detailed. Thank you for taking so much time to help so many other people. I was about to order the DBX 286s but due to this video, I've decided to buy this Art VoiceChannel. I think it'll be a great investment! Thank you sir!
Thank You for the nice words!
DBX 286 is not a fair competitor to this beast :)
ART Voice Channels rocks on every point!
Twice the price, 4 times more function.
PS: DBX 286 is a excellent tool for live PA applications, in your small rack tour case. And sounds good!
you know what? Hunt down a second hand DBX 286S, just for fun :) and a ART Voice Channel for Your Studio!
What an amazingly generous gift you have given us by presenting this thorough review. I especially appreciated getting to hear a variety of microphones through the unit. (Since you asked, my favorite was the processed T-Bone.) I just ordered the ART Voice Channel and I may not even need the user manual because you have already taught me what it does, and how to tune it in!
Thanks again for taking the time to go into such detail. You really helped me understand how this device can help my recordings.
The T bone SCT 800 for Me too :))) I really like it with this preamp. Bit hissy, but great dynamics, nice smooth top end, not mellow, mids are clear and has its own characteristic. Head to head My second favorite is the AKG preception 420. Is more precise, less noise, but somehow too precise to Me. I like this old Solton too :) Thank You for watching and the nice comment! I hope in the short future I can shoot a long video for You guys again (if rany days are coming)
Man this was the only best review I had found on this unit. Can't find too much more on it like what you did. Not even close!
Thank you so much for the time and knowledge you shared on this wonderful product. I am picking one up used from a guy in a few days. Hope it will be in great shape so I could enjoy it for a long time. Cheers!
Thank you for watching! And, shape is never affect the sound :)
This was easily the best video on the Voice Channel on youtube. Excellent work.
Very thorough work! After this, there's no need to watch any other reviews on this unit. Thanks!!!
What an amazing work and review ! Even if i was very very tired when i found your video in the middle of the night, once i pressed play i couldn't stop watching. There's soooo much valuable information and very nice tips from beginning to the end. One of the best reviews ever ! Thank you very much for that and of course i did suscribe to your channel in the first minutes. I will have to watch your other available videos. Can't wait !
Thank you sir and keep up the good job !👍👏
this comment worth 24 beer and 2 bottle of Vodka! We will send it to you on the next live event at Sunday 20:00 Berlin time :)
Thank you so much for this video. Not only did I learn a lot, it also helped me decide on buying this device. This is one of the best tech reviews I have had the pleasure to watch here on TH-cam.
Very helpful video. I watched it entirely. Thanks for all the explanations. I enjoyed it! Blessings!
This just might be the deepest review on TH-cam, ever. However, it is exceptional! It was very helpful and detailed. And I've been looking at purchasing this unit too. I was even contemplating getting the Dbx 676, but I think this gives more bang for your buck.
I will definitely be picking this up. Thank you for the time and effort you placed into this. In utopic world, ART will pay you for this lol.
DBX 676 is a great hardware. I had one for a half Year in My old radio talk-show setup. What I never understand, is the optional digital board price.
so You are right, about the bang for Your buck.
Compare their sound... hmmmmm personal opinion? ART better, more transparent to me somehow with ribbon, condenser and pro heavy dynamic microphones.
For instruments, well the DBX has its own DBX character. Perfect for E or bass guitars.
Compressor? DBX better on fast transients from instruments.
Features? ART winner.
Price? ART winner.
Possible usages? ART winner.
How much money I will get from ART? Nothing :)
And from DBX? Nothing :)
I love both brand!
Thank You for watching!
Eliminating the unwanted frequencies was a big tip for us... thank you so much
...awesome video
Learned so much from you today, thank you. I have owned the ART VC for 5 years now and have done numerous experiments, it is a great piece of gear for a bargain price.
I really enjoy listening to your voice and the way you enunciate words. You have a beautiful setup in the studio, wish that I knew how to operate some of the equipment as well as you do.
My voice is in some cheap horror movies as well. As background noise :)))))
Knowledge? Eh... piece of cake. Just pots and buttons. Spaceghost!
I listened a few times to the mic tests, clean & processed. I like the AKG perception 420 and the T.Bone SCT 800. Thanks for the tips. Especially in using gain reduction LED meter to identify problem frequency. Cheers!
I agree with others, the unit cleaned up room noise and enhanced mic sounds. you did a great job on review, We and Art are much indebted
Thank You James!
Behringer ECM 8000 :also great on overheads and rooms . Easy to EQ.
I didn't know that! THX!
Thank you for this very detailed and thorough review, it was very helpful!
Amazing review. I learned so much. Purchasing a Art Voice Channel and will use this video to help set it up. Thank you! Much love from America
Looking into buying a tube preamp, I learned so much from your video. Thank you!
Excellent work my friend. I am picking up one of these tomorrow and will be using it to tailor my audio over the amateur radio HF bands. I too have a box of microphones to choose from. Can't wait
Thanks for taking the time to make this video. It was thorough and now my mind is made up. Looks like I'm getting the Voice Channel. Make sure Art sponsors you, pays you, or gives you some free gear bro!
:))) Thank You for watching! I just love this gear.:) If ART (Tascam) will give me something I will be happy :)
You will ove this gear! I can take a bet on it! Don't forget to make some video about Your favorite settings with Your mic!
I think I will thanks to this great video. I decided on getting the Art Pro Channel 2 version. It is like this one but without the d-esser, ex-pander, or digital options. I don't need any of that anyway. The Art Pro Channel 2 also does not give you the option of changing you eq or compressor order but I can work with that though lol. I have a tlm 103 so we will see what happens and I might post a video after a drink a few beers first lol.
With the TLM 103 i suggest to get a Voice channel. The TLM has a outstanding performance, meaning, from one microphone You can get many different type of behavior. Don't forget. All soundcards has a limited dynamic range, meaning You cannot solve everything only in the DAW post editing, and the Voice Channel has a great analog EQ. I realized, there is no virtual (stock) EQ in Cubase, Reason, what can come close to the this analog EQ. With this gear You also can increase the overall SNR ratio. More option is alway better the less option in recording :)
Yes the TLM 103 has a great frequency response and is very receptive to impedance changes. I have an ISA One and when I change the impedance settings on it I can easily hear a change in tone within the TLM 103. I agree with your recording strategy. I also look to do some analog processing before my DAW because EQ and compression is superior in the analog domain!
just bought one of these, thanks for the awesome run thru!
Very nice and detailed review!!! everything explained very well - especially all the purposes of the connectors including usecases... THANK YOU very much!
Thank You for watching! Have a look on other videos to. See You next time!
Sajnálom, hogy csak most találtam meg ezt a videót... érzek benne némi magyar akcentust... de ettől függetlenül megértettem... és köszönöm szépen ezt a sok tippet és magyarázatot, hogy mi miért van... sokat segített a további munkámban. Thx of lot!
You did a great job on this video. Thanks for review... best one on youtube to date.
Man, thanks for this amazing review. You really took the time to break everything down. Much appreciated! 🙏🏽🙌🏽
Thank You for the motivation! It was a pleasure to make this video! Can Yo please tell TH-cam, to not SHADOW BANNNNNN me then?
@@BMRStudio Free this man TH-cam! 🤣🤣
@@JayEllyiot Susan Youtubsky: 👮♀️👮♂️🕵️♂️
perfect video! i'm 40 minutes in and still soaking up every word
Thanks! Far a way not perfect, but this is a video :)
Really good video and just what we need.
thank you for the great review! excellent details and explanations!
thank you for the great overview about the features and the possibilities with this channelstrip
+ezkimo Thank You for the nice comment!
Such an excellent review! Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
man you are amazing, I learned too much. Thank you
Thanks very much and thank you for kindness to help.
Outstanding video, Thank You for taking the time to create it!
I have an ART Tube Channel 259 (baby brother of this one?) that is just fantastic for most jobs.....I will be taking a serious look at this one now for a vox strip!
Smurf431 I glad You like this video! The 259 is kind of smll sister without the full pro features. If You find on second hand this, just go for it. One of the smartest analog gear for the money on the planet.
Great, Great, Great Review, thank you so much!!!
+Daniel Rodrigues Great great great comment :) Thank You so much!!! Greetings :)
Love my S7. Upgrade in two months. Can't wait. Left the iPhone years ago and never looked back.
i think you're on the wrong video
This has to be the best review on TH-cam ever!! Thank you ever so much! In one go I now know how to operate my device. Thanks a lot! This video however missed how to set immpedence for different mics. Can u please shed advice on that?
Sweet spots are clean, not dull, and not too “Sony type” of chirping.
Just use Your ear… it’s a studio gear for sound after all😂
Thanks for replying. The ears is what I went with eventually although somethings really confusing. I'm using an AT2035 and it's impedance is rated at 120. The dial starts at 150 😂. Said clarity was achieved at something like 400 or so 🤣
This is a great review. Thanks a lot!
What a beautiful video. So much respect. 😊
Thank you for this demo it was very interesting for me and I learned a lot, thanks again.
In the US the Prez has used the SM 57, two of them w/wind screen on the podium since they came out they have never changed it YET.
Lot of mics are good for presidents :) They have a voice and power in their voice. At least this they have :))))
Genius!
Greatly appreciate the fast feedback. Im researching and learning alot about analog etc. To be honest im slightly confused still. I'm not sure how to route the output and re route it back in. Like on Protools if I has the outputs for 1&2 for my main speakers. Then if I had a new track using outputs 3&4. Would I make another track beneath that has input 1 & that input from input one is what comes from the ART VC? I know what I explained is a bit confusing lol. Inputs and outputs are intense. Thanks for your help. I really wanna understand this and be able to re route vocals that are sent to me to edit into my VC
unbelievable review ,wow really amazing ,thank you so much ,i feel like i want to get one thanks to you ,really good job on explaining a lot more than just the device itself but lots of information along with it ,very professional ,you know a lot about sound .do you mix music for others ? how can i hear your mixes ?
Been using this thing wrong do the last 3 years thank you and I stared to look at this video stopped and never got back to it till today smh now I know how to use this beast goin home to change everything to the rite settings
3 years? LOL :)
Very impressive! Thank you for this.
I can mirror Scott Pinzon's comments. I have owned the voice channel for 3yrs and haven't used in at least one year. I just did not know what I was doing. I didn't sell it however because I held out hope. This is not only the best tutorial on the voice channel, I think it is the best tutorial on anything on youtube. You, sir, are brilliant! I sat here through the entire tutorial in one sitting and just loved it. I have been prepping to do my vocals for an internet radio show and also my vocals on an album length music project I have been working on. I bought the voice channel for processing acoustic guitar originally. If you have any insight on using this tool for that application please share. I was so frustrated that I started using a whole other signal chain - a rode procaster dynamic mic into a cloudlifter then into the ART Tube MP then into a BBE then into my interface. It works really well but why get so complicated, right? I am ready to dig back into the voice channel now. Thank you so much for taking the time to do such a great tutorial. I have a question, I want try out running my BBE through the unit in its loop. Which output do I use and which input do I use to create the loop?
Thank You sir! Time to share the radio URL :)
If Your BBE EQ is a Constant Q type, then feed with high level signal, lower a bit the out gain and voila. BBE Eq-s are a beast!. Regarding your setup... yes, a bit complicated :) ART can do all in one box, with much better results. Rode procaster has enough level to use without lifter. BTW, ART PRO CH... is not so good for guitars. Too precise and clean. Use some cheap HI-Z interface, or buy a old analog SOUNDCRAFT mixer channel strip on ebay for 10 dollar, and a symmetrical 15V PSU for 15 dollar...
@@BMRStudio Thank you so much for the instructions and insight. I will use the VC for my internet radio stuff now and vocals for tunes. The BBE is such an interesting piece of gear. The idea of doing time alignment to clarify the whole signal is pretty revolutionary. I have it as a vst plugin in sonar as well. I have a very nice Supro tube amp for the electric guitars so the voice channel will not be used for it. The acoustic guitar tone I just love and am trying to get is from Phil Keaggy's Beyond Nature album. If you listen to the song "County Down" you'll know what I mean about spectacular tone. I have a high end hand built acoustic guitar that gets great tone, just have to capture it and treat it right. I have a song called The Artist on youtube if you want to check it out. I'd like your input on how to make it sound its best, if you want to. Thanks!
Thanks for the very in-depth video - I'm in the market for a vocal pre and these are available used around here in Chicago for $250 or so. I'm rebuilding a home studio and wondered what you thought about doing the following: Black Lion Microclock ---> ART Vocal channel ---> SPDIF ---> MAUDIO Profire 610 ---> Mac.
(This chain avoids the USB output on the ART since you mentioned it's not as high quality as the other digital outs. If I misunderstood that, I'd just bypass the 610 entirely.)
Thanks again for the very helpful work!
+Rob Warmowski Thank You for watching :) Black Lion Microclock WINS! Excellent clock source! But take care of the SPDIF cable quality. M-Audio cards... so-so. I much prefer RME or Focusrite for Mac. Or UAD. Never try to save money on Your audio interface, because later on You will be faced with limits :) The USB output, I know :) I just use for frequency monitoring with TRUE RTA or other software, or for safe record for the vocalist.
+BMR Studio I understand about M-Audio quality being not so great and I do prefer RME myself -- I had a Fireface before I had to sell off all my gear, and I am rebuilding now. Also I'm interested in the UAD Apollo.
But for just right now -- if I go SPDIF out of the ART and into the 610, then Firewire into the Mac, I thought I would be bypassing the 610's cheapest/lowest quality path (ADC), using it basically as a digital "thru".
What I confess to not understanding is if the clock sync from the Microclock will benefit the 610 signal path or not. In other words, I know the 610 can take external sync, but I don't really understand if the improvement in clock signal is relevant to the 610 or not. Well, I guess a test will show something (or nothing!)
Basicaly You will not hear any difference in this setup. The clock sources always do a big impact on complex systems. Such as standalone converters, mixer, outboard effects, recorders combination. The fact is many soundcard or digital mixer just using a simple clock divider solution wich is basod on some cheap non thermal and voltage stabilized oscillator. Because of that, You can get a glitch or dithering issues. With a specific clock source You get mutch more higher ppm, or jitter free running. The specific clock generators has a pll loop and kind of other stabilisation in the dividing network. And the output stage is always capable to drive more units with nice undistorted clock signal. Anyway, if You see the Art pro for 250... go for it :)
With M-audio I much prefer to sync the Art to Your M-audio optical output. So if You change the sampling rate in Your Daw, the Art Voice channel will follow on automatic way. Less gigling with gear, more time for creativity :)
Your voice tone @1:02:00 of this video is so amazing colorful N pristine without any post processing ...just insane !!!!
This review is life saving i found so much valuable info here //
I have the ART Pro VLA II a Dual Channel Tube Compressor/Limiter/Leveller ...this stuff is so great i plug it straight after my Boss Gt100 multiFX unit to get a more kinda analog sound using a very subtle compression N most of all adding some vacuum tubes' tonal characteristics ...its so cool... i run a dual channel triad tube preamp pedal (Blackbird) straight after my guitar N before the FX unit to get some dynamic N awesome harmonics in my guitar tone N then a MXR 10bds EQ to shape my tone N adjust the volume with the I/O Gain, then the dual channel Komp to control the dynamic + remove part of the numeric treatment by the Gt100 ...it just sounds like a $$$$$ setup
LushKordz Sounds Interesting setup what You did! Video???
Not yet i just got it recently (the Pro VLA Komp) it works so great
Question: If I use SPDFI cable and connect Art Voice to my sound card will I be able to use it to record. My sound card does not have true Line In. All I want is to be able to record with Voice Channel without coloration from my Sound card ( RME HDSP 9652 + Focusrite Octopre Dynamic 8 channel Adat is my setup ). Or is there another way ?
Thank you very much for your guide. Very helpful video in details. Thanks again.
AWESOME JOB...MAKES ME FEEL MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE ABOUT MY PURCHASE..THANKS...HOPE IT GOES WELL WITH MY RODE K2
I don't have Rode mics, but as You see, the Art Voice Channel work well with any kind of microphone. Just make sure, You play enough with the settings. Listen carefully, don't be rush. Once You find the best settings, write it down :) Thank You for watching!
As long as this video is, I still find it entertaining, thorough, and quite funny. Im trying to figure out what would be the best way to reamp from my DAW (Live 9) to the Voice Channel and back into the DAW again. My old desktop Mac Pro has ADAT i/o that I've used on ocassions but doesnt always seem reliable with Art Voice. I have a Saffire Pro 40 that has digital i/o too, so I'm not sure which is the best way for low latency recordings while avoiding feedback.
Any help would be very very appreciated. Thank you kindly!
well of course i don't have to say it, but i'm gonna say it anyway. best review i have ever seen (for ANY type of equipment -- pro or consumer)
nice!
Thanks for watching! Let Me finish the new Studio, and new more are coming! we have a bunch of gear to make a reviews.
BMR Studio subbed!
Best vid I've seen yet....nice job
jerry chiasson No, You just missed yesterday the online gaming with 99 dollar microphone... can You imagine me under gaming?
jerry chiasson Thank You for watching and for the nice comment! See You next time!
I have this preamp but am going to be runing the out puts to my audio interface i have a condenser mic. which one needs to have the phantom power on
Art has to power the condenser microphone. But You can use standalone with USB in case of daily use. Or connect the AVC via digitally to Your interface.
What an incredible video
Thank you, great review and teaching.
hey wanna say thanks I set it up just like how you explain and play with it man. I'm glad I got this piece real quality vocals more full and up front this is dope
Thank You for watching and use My suggestions :)
+BMR Studio your welcome bro got my vocal sounding very professional very more detail. man thank you keep making video don't stop
+jmizz15212 Films J-jigga I will make more don't worry :) But at the moment I'am fully fully fully bussy on My daily works. Summer for Me is meaning hell a lot work. I'am not living from TH-cam :))) Alredy 6 epiode is planned, halfly shooted etc. Soon bro, soon :)
+BMR Studio I understand thanks I will tune in thank you again
So choose a next video: Casio CZ 1 merried with Lexicon :) or
Alesis RA 300 amp repair, or
One finger music making, or
Build a Frankestein camera, or
Studio tour - the acoustic design, or
BMR gear developing part 1, or
New BMR Studio part 1, or
Recording construction machine sounds, or
SECRET....
Excellent demonstration. I watched this and then your new home studio development. Ummm, this unit didn't make it to the new studio (or at least I didn't see it). Found something else?
don`t worry, this baby is still operating as my main mic preamp. We made a hell a lot of movie synchron works with it.
This is like a free education course on this thing lol I own the Pro Channel II and you're making me want to get this one instead lol
Get two! Then you can do magic with them on home mastering!
Thanks brother, great tutorial ... I bought one and I am waiting for it, motivated by your excellent explanation. excuse a question: what kind of compressor does the channel voice use, Optical, FET or, Vari-Mu?
Thanks for your answer. Greetings from Ecuador.
Is there a way to send audio recorded in your DAW & re route it back into the ART channel and do further tweaking while playing the audio in a loop in the DAW? If so how. Or will I need a different channel strip?
Hi! The Art VC does not contain DAC as I saidmany times in the video. SoWhat You can do, is route one of Your output via DAC from Your DAW to the input and reroute the output of tge ART VC into Your DAW.
@@BMRStudio Sir, could you please elaborate your response a little bit more? I have recently found myself in a situation where I have tracks recorded in Reaper DAW and would love to be able to route them through Voice Channel back into my DAW. Problem is I have no clue on how to do it.
Cheers!
thanks for this perfect deep review . I have same questions . I have a motu ultralite mk3 interface how it work with art voice channel ? Which samplerate/dither ? and how can plug it with mu interface output or aes/ebu output ?and finaly ı have rode nt 1a mic. How can adjust its impedance. ? thank you .
+Gök Engin Thank You for the comment! Is far a way not perfect review :))) Q and A: I have in the past a full MOTU system with couple 2408, 24IO and PCIe 424. Excellent interfaces! I love them with My Soundcraft studio mixer! ! I like the converters inside! ART with MOTU: with some tube mics, is work better if You use the MOTU analog inputs. On basic dynamic mics, like SM58, AKG, Beyer, I always preferred the ART converter. AES: Motu ultralite Mk3, don't have any AES/EBU....at all. Zero. Null. :)))ART MOTU sync: Your interface just can receive SMTPE on one selected analog input. Therefore that, You don't have a good, precise sync solutions. But. The MOTU spdif output can go up to 24 bit 96 Khz. on Your interface. So try to drive the ART with EXT/24. If it instable, (MOTU can do few jitters on 24bit, because of the DSP ) try on 48K 24bit.Dithering: just run together with the real sample rate. There is no noticeable dither noises on all settings. You cannot hear it.. The mics imperfections, and noise is always bigger :) Rode NT1: the Rode NT1 has JFET impedance converter. So its meaning, will be around 110-200 ohm on 1Khz. But, the JFET is happy around 1-1.5 K load, because the parasitic impedance of the input filter in the ART, and the cables, connectors.. The best, if You turn down around 360 Ohm, play some acoustic guitar front the mic, place a headphone, and turn the knob. You will arrive to the sweet point quickly. On too high, You will hear some weak base and too smoshybussy highs. On too low, You will lose power and clarity.
+BMR Studio Thank you so much .
You welcome :)
+BMR Studio I tried to set my art voice channel like your advice . I got nice voice.Thank you again :) I use art voice channel for get vocal records. but someone say you must get records without effect is it true ?
Yes. Is depend on Your workflow. Example if somebody has its own effect, what give some original tonality to the instrument or voice, then You have to record with that. But if You do everything on Your system, then of course, the best if You record the dry. In some cases, You need to record both :) Mostly in guitar amping. Record the clean guitar and the amped mic channel. Then You have a reference and a clean, what You can modify, update. Or apply other kind of amp-effect-speaker modelling.
Why is the output peak hold about 10 dB higher than the solid green part of the meter?
+NYchristofferflowers The red "peak" is the momentary peak level on the ADC input. The green solid is the RMS kind analog. Nice meter, because is give You a nice read about overall loudness and the status of peak level. I also confused a bit when first time I used. If You keep the solid in the -15 -5 range without peak clipping, then You get a best results. check this at 43:49
my vu meter isnt moving correctly pro tools says its coming out at -5 db but the art voice channel says - 18db im just puzzled
+Yung Gwop and it is distorting very easy
+Yung Gwop dB and dBFS is two total different thing. If You read the Art voice channel manual, then You can see the real levels. This is Why I show the meter bridge in this video. If Your IO card setup is correct, then The digital and analog levels will match perfectly. If You use only the USB port from the Art, then You have to calculate also the 98dB range of the USB port wich is lower then the dB range of ADAT port. Is just take a few minutes to matching the digital and analog levels.
+Yung Gwop 58:51 :))))
Thanks a lot for your great Tutorial!! I'm going to buy this one in the next weeks. One question: When I plug the output from the Art Voce to my Focusrite Input, is there a rule regarding the gain knob? because I have now two gains, one from the ART and one from the Focusrite. Thanks for your help. All the best Dirk
old rule: drive the recorded gear on 85% output, and adjust the gain on the recorded to achieve -10 db , but clean signal
Older rule: get 60-70% of output, and bit more gain, to get both gear character
Stupid rule (Red Hot Chilly Peppers) fock that knob! Twist it 100% Who cares, sounds dafukkk Yeaah!
@@BMRStudio OK, thanks a lot for your time to answer the question. All the best Dirk
Someone please help, I just bought one and trying to connect it to my Scarlett 6i6 interface, im using a balanced TRS cable connecting it to my mic pre output, into my line input on the interface, the tube shows there’s volume being registered but I’m not getting any sound from it. PLS HELP
Just to check, can you connect the main TRS output to your Scarlet? there is signal?
the Mic pre output is unbalanced… use a simple Instrument cable
check the user manual page 4
Mentioned in the video 48:38
when i connect my microphone into the input "mic/inst" on the font of the mic pre i get signal, the problem I'm having is when i put a cable into the output (as shown @ 48:38) then directly into the back of my scarlett 6i6 input i don't get any sound as a result. I'm not sure if its my interface. I also used an unbalanced cable to see if it would make any difference but still no luck. Thank you so much for the reply.
never mind i just fixed it, i updated my computer and software, thanks again for the reply
Can you hook up two mics to the Voice Channel?
Thank you! VERY VERY informative!
Thanks, I am thinking about getting this one or to buy the Pro Channel II. The only reason to get this is the de-esser, but as I can see it does not work very well especially because it is tied to the compressor. How useful or is compared to the dbx 286 de-esser?
@@BojanBojovicI think the de-esser work very well on this gear. DBX 286 is far more noisy then the Voice Channel. Less dynamic range, and dbx is not transparent at all. Has its own typical Dbx smiley curve on low ends.
But nowadays, You can replace all this analog gears with even stock plugins..if the application is not live. For live, there is a lot of decent intelligent interfaces for around 1000$ where You can load a damm good FPGA based 48bit algorithms, on a 24bit direct AD conversion line, for Your channel strip. So.. Yeah, technology is just running.
www.thomann.de/intl/antelope_discrete_4_pro_synergy_core.htm
Wow ! GREAT Video , THX a lot !!!
denys rod Thank You for watching!
Can I connect an equalizer xlr´s out to the mic/line at the back of the ART?.I want to have both in and outs balanced.Thank you!
Yes and no. The back is only for MIC on XLR, but with 6.3 mm jack you can go with line level. Just adjust the signal level properly. Bypass all processing, send some clean 1 Khz signal with -1 dB and start rotate the input gain from the minimum till You see on the output a same. Then Lower the input with -9 -6 dB to make enough headroom for the EQ and the compressor. I used for My guitar pedal with nice results. Maybe You need to decrease also the output gain of Your EQ (less noise).
Thank you for sharing all this info with us I really appreciate it you need to make more videos like this or videos to show us how you record mix and master your music thank you
Thanks! I will, but now we are moving to some new place and all of My gears in boxes. I have some problem with the dimensions of the new studio, and lot of other things are going in My job, daily life etc... I hope soon I can release new videos. I have tonn's of ideas what to share :)
Hi there, I have a question
I am looking to record the best possible vocal quality.
I am stuck between THIS and the Warm Audio WA12 MKII
Thing is if I buy this and get all my settings sounding good, I would still be going to the DAW after to be doing EQ, Compression and De essin anyway right?
So is there a point having all these knobs when I could buy a better vintage sounding Preamp (Warm Audio), have a raw clean untouched recording, save the time and just edit and process in the DAW.
Help please?!
With this You can record the clean incoming signal, and the processed. Watch the video again, when I show the mixer channels. For this amount of money, this is the best choice. Second hand, you can get it around 200$ 😀
My one is connected to 3 different digital gear, a video processor, a recorder, a spectrum and loudness analyzer, and a Raspberry pi 4. I have around 20 preset for the microphone s (simple photo of the front panel 😀) and 4 different tube. It Can create warm, precious and natural records..
Thanks for video. Video is very helpful!!! Great job! How is the latency?...no delay?...
Latency??? on the digital outputs outputs: 1 clock, USB: I never used for pro recording, only for frequency spectrum monitoring
u just got urself another sub! awesome job
Thx!
Hello there and thank you for this video. I want to ask you if i can use this preamp without wordclock. I don't understand what is this for. I want to record vocals with this preamp directly to my PC using a mixer with a built in interface (yamaha mg12xu). Thanks.
I'm stuck between this product, the MPA, and the VLA. I use a Scarlett 2i4 and a rode NT2A but I want to Polish up the vocals and and take studio sound to next level. I deal with most R&B and loud rap vocalist....anyone please help
WildMan 36 Scarlet and Nt2 is a great combination. Kind of neutral setup, mean... in the post production, You can polish with mic modeliing plugins. VLA is for mostly for stereo polish on the media writeout process, or for final touch on mastered songs. You know what? buy all :) really. Don't be limited by some hundred USD. More gear, more fun!
WildMan 36 MPA is less functinality then Voice Channel. go for this :) and shure beta. Beta can handle loud rappers :) Snoop dog use also! in gold finish with diamonds :)
Ended up with the MPA just because it had so many more reviews. Thank you for the response
WildMan 36 With MPA how You want to polish? Is only a low cut filter and a preamp with tube distortion...
BMR Studio your right lol I just switched my order..lol there is not enough videos out there about this unit.
Awesome review. This channel strip seems too good to be true, I will have to check one out. I am after something that can send a digital signal to my DAW and also an analogue feed to my monitoring mixer to avoid latency during tracking. This looks like it will do the job if it is quiet. Thanks.
+David Harry Hi! Thank you :) Believe me, is quiet :) place your headphone up, and listen when the digital channel samples are coming. The tascam mixer analogue input is a bit not precise but clean. So the ART is blows a way :) Even at cross TH-cam! If you connect a monitor to Your ART voice channel, may You will think, the singer is front of You! Check it out! You will love it! Or get two for after summing mixer - channel strip :)
awesome explanation btw would you need also to connect word clock with audio interface like focusrite scarlett 18i20? could you sync through with some other connections too?
Dave Maverick Is depends on Your system. All My system is clocked to a master clock generator, so for Me is important to keep everything in sync. Never trust on computer interface as clock source :)
Hi i'm planing to buy an ART Voice Channel . my main intention is to use it for analog mastering. can i input 2 mono ( straight L R outs from my audio interface ) and do summing into a stereo ? get an stereo output ?
Jeewantha hewabandu No. This is a mono processor. You need two from them to process stereo signal. But this will be not an easy task, since there is no link option. So You neeed to copy the settings by hand. I do not recommend this unit as mastering solution. Get some decent mastering plugin pack for a same price like two AVC, will owerkill :) or get DBX Quantum II, or TC Finalizer 96K, or Apollo twin with mastering pack. I hope this is helpful informaion :) This processor made as mic preamp with processing. For that is unbeatable on this price level.
BMR thanks bro
Hello there, Thank you so much this informative review. I just wanted to how can I connect the voice channel to steinberg ur824? Will it work with adat or I have use an xlr input to connect?
+Prabhjot Singh Hi there :) Thank You for the comment. Well, this puppy will work with ADAT optical interfaces, just make sure, You also provide the ADAT clock sync on the optical input. I did try with My Tascam mixer, and working perfectly. I prefer the AES/EBU because the signal integrity (no electric-optical converting in the path) Optical ADAT is good choice if You want total electric isolation from Your microphone room.
+BMR Studio Ok! Thankyou so much
Btw.. The Steinberg interface excellent choice! One of the on the market now. If You use with Cubase.. Such a massive stabile system. I like them! And the converter, and the preamp is clear like a summer sky :) Enjoy!
BMR Studio Yaa I'm a Cubase user and that interface really helps and has such good preamps everything is just awesome..And Thankyou so much for answering my questions!!
Good demonstration....
will the spdif output give you all the AD converter goodness of the unit to the spdif input of the audio interface its plugged into? ( focusrite 8i6)
Yes. It has a decent A/D converter. All digital output is driven by the same circuit. I measured few nanosecond delay between the AES and SPDIF output. around 1/10 clock on 96K. Jitter error is about 1 per week :)
now when I go into my focusrite 8i6 spidif in...what do I select to record from in the daw? because the mc wont be plugged into mic 1 anymore ittl be plugged into the art which goes into the focusrite via spidif...what would I select as a record from source in the track?
@@divinityvrms6743 first, You have to make the Art Voice channel as Your Digital master clock. check the focusrite settings, clock source SPDIF External. on the ART, select the desired samplerate on the dial pot. In your DAW, look for SPDIF-digital In 1-2 as source.
@@BMRStudio thank you so much this is exactly the information I needed! =D . Now as far as gain staging goes do I use the art as my master gain and then set the focusrite at Unity? . And furthermore should I avoid the focusrite preamp and just go into the back of the focusrite with a line input because I've been told you want to avoid going into too many preamps because it adds noise..then i have to figure out where my roland VT-4 voice changer is gonna sit in the chain..i THINK it comes after the ART then plug from the VT-4 to the focusrite 8i6 but im not sure
@@divinityvrms6743 Drop the VT-4 into the ART Voice Channel Insert port! Is just right after the first stage.
If You drive the Focusrite on digital, there is no additional noise.
Or, on unity gain, with Line level of signals... meh, like a cable.
8i6 has a pretty good clean preamps.
simple cheap design, but 123 dB SNR :)
I think, the best if You try everything.
Don`t waste Your time to get the most perfect, most cleanest record.
Receipt for good songs: 10% tech licking, 70% fun with creativity, 10% friends and girls, 10% get out to the air!
Receipt for F bad songs: 90% tech licking, 5% nerdism, 5% actual work
Hi, thank you for this clear video, I really enjoy all your work, to present the preamp, just a little question, what is the latest small mic preamp you show o your ur video ? For the mic choose, I prefer the old 70's mic :) but hard to find in France....
+John Bouchet Hi! Thank You for the comment :) This small device is a FETHEAD preamp. Is around 70 EUR, and super clean super simple mic preamp with 70dB amplification! Neat small preamp! I fall in love with that :) The 70s mic is a rare but not expensive microphone from Solton. One of My favorite too :) You have to hold in Your hand to understand why is My favorite also. There is some similar to it from Sennheiser, and from GDR Beyer. Those old microphones are running on ebay around 5-200 Eur, depend on condition and brand. The Solton is not a very well know brand, and I bought it for almost nothing :) 4 EUr far as I remember. So keep Your eyes on the Ebay and hunt some old microphone. Few of them blows a way almost any new microphone for the same money.
Thank you so much! You couldn't do it better :) I get the voice next week and i hope to do the right thing. I have some Greenhorn questions....what for are the digital in and outs?....can.t hear any differenz ...i will place it analog before an antelope Zen Tour ...makes this Sense? Best wishes fonky
THX! The digital IO is for studio setups. No noise, and no double conversion. The built in ART digital converter is a freaking good one! With almost 140 db range and 24 bit on high frequencies etc..... Try it with acoustic guitars. You will hear the difference with high resolution headphones!
You Must Try PMI Audio Studio Project Mic's Wow they sound like a Neuman U 47. For $150-200. The small dia C-4's are great as well. You can find the B1 for $120. The C-1 & the T-3 are very nice one's Also the LSD2 is a awesome mic.
I will check it :) Sounds interesting!
I am trying to decide on art pro channel 2 or presonus studio channel for home studio. any suggestions
Depend on the usage my friend. So what's your plan?
Szia!
Most találtam meg ezt a bemutatót erről az ART termékről. Nagyon szemezek vele. Pontosabban ezzel illetve a Prochannel 2-vel. Megkérdezhetem, hogy mennyire vált be ez az eszköz illetve volna esetleg más eszközökkel való összehasonlítási tapasztalata? Az MPA 2 és a VLA már meg vannak és nagyon gondolkodom egy channel stripben is.
Gratulálok a videóhoz és előre is köszönöm a válaszát!
Ennyi pénzért, ez a legjobb. Annyira bevált, hogy azóta már kettő van belőle. Ebben a kategóriában nincs párja. ADC, digitalis kimenetek, wordclock szinkronizáció, meg az a rakás ki-bemenet…
Hangja szerintem simán vetekszik igencsak máregdrága channel strip-pekkel. mint pl. SPL Frontliner, Channel One...
Még valami. Közel 6 éve megy 24/7! Cső egyszer volt cserélve a saját hibámból. Ráejtettem egy kombinált fogót :)
@@BMRStudio Köszönöm szépen a választ. Úgy gondolom akkor én is benevezek egy ilyen eszközre :)
what is that black neutrik box sitting on top of the dbx? if you dont mind me asking!
James Cassidy Is My patchpanel with balanced unbalanced mirroring feature. All gears are wired on the back connectors, while if I want, I can patch input and also output from the front. Neat patchpanel for a good price. And is Neutric quality. Noiseless and good contacts.
awsome! ill check it out!
Very well done!
+Richard Woltz Thx :) Not well, but done hahaha :)