Hi Simone, sorry for always using you as a point of reference, I need another piece of advice.
I need some advice before undertaking a significant expense, which is wanting to purchase an Avalon M5 microphone preamplifier.
As available equipment, I have a Blue Spark condenser microphone and also a Rode NT1, a MOTU 828mk3 audio interface, and I work with Logic 9.
I should mention that unfortunately I record in an environment that is not soundproofed, and after various tweaks I've made, unfortunately, I still cannot achieve a melodious, warm, and satisfying sound.
Someone planted a seed of doubt in my mind by telling me that a good preamplifier might solve perhaps not all, but a huge part of these problems, since as microphones I have two microphones that are not exactly of the highest quality.
So here is my question, Simone: in your opinion, is it indispensable to have a good preamplifier like the Avalon M5 to achieve good work?
Thank you for any clarification, Simone; I am sure you will be able to give me all the answers.
Avalon is an excellent microphone preamplifier... But... It's always the same old story. You have to see what results you want to achieve. If you want to record with quality close to that of a record, you need to turn the page. First of all, before buying them, microphones should be tested; I know that most of the time this is impossible, but use some friends as a reference or go to some studio for this purpose. In addition to the preamplifier, it would be appropriate for you to get a good A/D converter. That is what reconstructs the sound. As a preamplifier, I always recommend the Avalon VT-737, which is tube (and this warms up the sound a bit). As an A/D converter, the Lynx Aurora. Here we are going quite high in price! The preamplifier itself does not solve problems of cold sound unless, as I told you, it is a TUBE. Even a tube microphone could help. So far I have spoken to you about recording quality, but sound quality depends on voice by voice. If you send me one of your recordings, even privately, I can take a look and advise you on something. Of course, it's not easy via a recording (skewed by the quality of the components), but we can try.
In any case, many fixes are made in post-production. Which plugins do you use in Logic? How do you improve the performance? It is probable that the settings you apply to improve the sound are wrong or totally absent. In fact, many defects are resolved in post-production without one having to invest billions to obtain a satisfactory result. If I let you listen to studio recordings without post-production, you would be stunned. Most things are done in post-production. Anyway, if you want, you can send me the Logic project, including all extensions, AIFFs, etc., and I'll take a look at it. Then maybe I'll send you an MP3 back...
