DACs and midrange performance (i.e. voices playback)

[gino1961]

I went through through a NOS DAC period in my journey. Notwithstanding all the associated nasties, one aspect I liked about NOS DACs vocals never sounded harsh through them. For the record, this is an observation, not a recommendation

Hi this is very interesting. i would like to try one very much. I wonder if this one for instance could be a good start ...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/L1543DAC-1...sh=item3f891d4a7a:g:sx0AAOSwovFZ3g3Q&LH_BIN=1

 

[gino1961]

It's the recording master, not the DAC... write to the singer and tell her to stop singing harshly, lol.
JSmith

Hi ! anyway ... i have received the SMSL Sanskrit .... and i am impressed for now. Very. But now i have already another obsession ... NOS dacs.
When the midrange is bad all is bad ...

 

[gino1961]

His DAC has Lupus

hi after all the advice i think i could be allergic to too much signal processing ? anyway i like recording very much. Unfortunately it is very difficult to get a salary in this field where i live (Italy). I should retire soon and i have a friend who knows a recording engineer. My dream way to spend retirement would be to go out and record small ensembles and make cds for no profit. I would be very curious to listen what i can get.
Live recordings. I like so much the idea to fix a music performance for ever. And some amateur ensembles are also very very decent.

 

[gvl]

Hi this is very interesting. i would like to try one very much. I wonder if this one for instance could be a good start ...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/L1543DAC-16X-Parallel-TDA1543-HiFi-Fever-Decoder-Reproduction-TDA1541/272883337850?hash=item3f891d4a7a:g:sx0AAOSwovFZ3g3Q&LH_BIN=1

I wouldn't bother, all NOS DACs are inherently broken by design. But if you just want to satisfy your curiosity and waste $150 or so in the process may be ok... Better than spending thousands on a Metrum DAC anyway.

 

[CtheArgie]

hi after all the advice i think i could be allergic to too much signal processing ? anyway i like recording very much. Unfortunately it is very difficult to get a salary in this field where i live (Italy). I should retire soon and i have a friend who knows a recording engineer. My dream way to spend retirement would be to go out and record small ensembles and make cds for no profit. I would be very curious to listen what i can get.
Live recordings. I like so much the idea to fix a music performance for ever. And some amateur ensembles are also very very decent.

Caro Gino,

First step for you is to go buy a USB microphone and record using GarageBand on a Mac. You will see how steep the learning curve is! Then, you can slowly move into separate microphones and a good interface. Start there, this is enough for you to initiate the process. You will then change from GarageBand to a different software, but the issues will be similar.

I was "forced" to do this as my wife sings in a master chorale group and because of the pandemic, they have to record their part at home and send the file to a member who then incorporates all files and creates the "choir". Recording her voice alone was sweat inducing! This isn only with the USB mic and the Mac.

 

[gino1961]

I wouldn't bother, all NOS DACs are inherently broken by design. But if you just want to satisfy your curiosity and waste $150 or so in the process may be ok... Better than spending thousands on a Metrum DAC anyway.

hi ! thank you very much again. Good to know ! actually i am enjoying quite a lot the new little Smsl .... and also the volume control does not impact detail.
It is very hand to use with amps without a remote control. Very nice.

 

[gino1961]

Caro Gino, First step for you is to go buy a USB microphone and record using GarageBand on a Mac. You will see how steep the learning curve is! Then, you can slowly move into separate microphones and a good interface. Start there, this is enough for you to initiate the process. You will then change from GarageBand to a different software, but the issues will be similar.
I was "forced" to do this as my wife sings in a master chorale group and because of the pandemic, they have to record their part at home and send the file to a member who then incorporates all files and creates the "choir". Recording her voice alone was sweat inducing! This isn only with the USB mic and the Mac.

Hi ! i have already one of this ... bought 2nd hand and still not used
https://www.amazon.it/Tascam-DR-70D-Registratore-canali-fotocamere/dp/B00OQUJ362
But i understand that a laptop and a decent usb interface would be a much better solution ... the SWs are great this days. To say it all i have already two interfaces ... an Audient ID 22 and a Tascam uh-7000. I have to buy the mics ... i will make some research asap.
Very interesting indeed I understand that to get great results is not that easy. But i love the idea too much.
If my plan works I should early retire (i am 59) within the current year After that, for sure I will throw my head down at least to learn how to use the equipment And then as soon as it reopens I look for a music group that wants to be recorded some test
Thanks a lot for your very kind and valuable advice.
Kind regards, gino

 

[Blumlein 88]

Hi ! i have already one of this ... bought 2nd hand and still not used
https://www.amazon.it/Tascam-DR-70D-Registratore-canali-fotocamere/dp/B00OQUJ362
But i understand that a laptop and a decent usb interface would be a much better solution ... the SWs are great this days. To say it all i have already two interfaces ... an Audient ID 22 and a Tascam uh-7000. I have to buy the mics ... i will make some research asap.
Very interesting indeed I understand that to get great results is not that easy. But i love the idea too much.
If my plan works I should early retire (i am 59) within the current year After that, for sure I will throw my head down at least to learn how to use the equipment And then as soon as it reopens I look for a music group that wants to be recorded some test
Thanks a lot for your very kind and valuable advice.
Kind regards, gino

I'd start with a couple microphones. I'd suggest considering the sE8 omni's from sE electronics if they are available where you are. You can also get them in cardioid and I believe they now make the capsules so you can have both and swap them out. These are pretty good quality without being terribly expensive.

 

[danadam]

I particularly liked:

• 0:23.6 - a tick in the left channel
• 2:35.1 - a tick in the center, maybe a bit to the right
• 2:56.5 - a tick in the left channel

And at 1:09.3, I don't know, maybe that's the instrument, but sounds suspicious to me.
(clips, repeated 3 times, in attachment)

 

[gino1961]

I'd start with a couple microphones. I'd suggest considering the sE8 omni's from sE electronics if they are available where you are. You can also get them in cardioid and I believe they now make the capsules so you can have both and swap them out. These are pretty good quality without being terribly expensive.

Hi ! thanks a lot for the very valuable advice ... yes they are available
https://www.thomann.de/it/se_electronics_se8_stereo_set.htm
very nice looking. I have to study a little first anyway ... it will take some months. I would like to start very low
https://www.thomann.de/it/behringer_b5_b_stock_2.htm
and move upwards only if the results will be encouraging.
I have already made a big mistake in life with my studies. Stubbornness is a bad thing. Better to follow the attitudes ... if they are legal of course.
Seriously i am fascinated by capturing and fixing an event in time ... also as a picture but much more as a sound or video. I will start with sound.

In the meantime i have replaced the amp and now the feelin is quite better ... Using this now:
https://www.amazon.com/Qinpu-6000-I...0057OI448/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
I had the one in the pic ... a little cheap hybrid. I am starting to feel that an hybrid solution could be pleasant.
I am using also the remote control on the dac and the resolution remains good ... very very great little dac. I am sincerely impressed.
At the point that i am thinking to a better psu for the dac ... it deserves something really good.
Thanks a lot again. Kind regards, gino