How I Monitor in my booth with the Rolls PM50s

[@TheMisterDavis]

Could you do a video showing all the stuff you have in your control room? I'd love to see it.

[@icondark]

Mike, I've been a fan of your work for a long while (NoSleep!). Thanks SO much for this video; this is the best layman's explanation of compression that I've heard.

[@polish.english.voiceover]

This helps a lot. Up to now I haven't got any monitoring system because I couldn't find anything specially designed for voice over - 0 latency etc. Thanks Mike DG! By the way this is also my style of recording - controls as far away as possible, I have only the mic in my booth, fixed for good and I am not touching it at all, after recording I close the door and do all the rest of the job in the control room or anywhere else.

[@ThraceFulton]

I think I may add one of these for my streaming setup! I currently run without monitoring at all, and I'm sure there would be a benefit to being able to hear myself during a broadcast. I struggle with wanting to show/hide the mic on screen as well - I think monitoring would help me dial in the right mic distance and finally get 100% comfortable with the physical mic space.

[@Verkrustet]

Mike! I love your videos! They're super helpful. It's totally cool if you don't have enough time to answer my question, but on the topic of monitoring microphones, I'm having a bit of an issue. My goal is for me to hear both my PC and microphone outputs through my mixer's monitoring jack, but without people hearing my PC's sound as I'm broadcasting. So far, the possible solutions I've come up with include either separating my 3.5mm headphone cable with a female-to-male splitter (which would heavily decrease volume), or buying a separate "mini mixer" to control multiple sound sources going through one output. Thanks for all that you do! edit: If this helps, I have a Yamaha MG10XU for my mixer.

[@stringstorm]

A more elegant way, and affordable I suppose for small home studios, is to just have longer cables. Your interface is in the booth all wired to where your computer is. Then just have two monitors that duplicate each other. Then you can just have a DAC on your desktop so that you have two sound drivers which you can switch between using free software.

[@AmazingmaxAM]

But you still won't be able to change the mic volume independently from the overall volume in direct monitoring. You can turn up the gain, but what if you don't want the levels to be different, you just want to hear yourself clearer for a quiet part of the recording.

[@the_box_of_shame]

Alright now I'm a 15 year old and thanks to certain podcasts I've listened to, *cough Nosleep cough* I'm very interested in voice acting. Whenever I aquire my own income and begin buying equipment, this is where I'll be.

[@GalaxyNexus1]

Aaron Serna best of luck to you

[@LightningSpiritVA]

Man I am learning alot more for my xlr set up, not only getting a new cable but with this little guy can help during and after recordings, thank you so much:D honestly only thought you need really good headphones for the interface, the headphones I have is the audio technica M70X for the id4 but knowing about that got something else to add :)

[@gjlaird]

Hi Mike - I always enjoy your videos. This is another interesting one, but it seems to me that most modern mic interface devices, especially USB connected devices are made to be used in the booth and have monitor headset output. I use a Focusrite 2i2 and it works great. I too would love to hear you review mic interfaces as I am looking to upgrade my 2i2. Thanks again Mike!

[@VOByRobbins]

Great Video as always Mike!! Speaking of noise free, an iPad works perfect!! --- Last month I switched from my Zoom H5 recorder to using my iPad Pro with a Steinberg UR 44 interface, wow, what an upgrade, I'm using the cubasis app and then I upload the files to dropbox, then I can edit them on my PC (I use Adobe Audition) in the other room. The Ipad is noise free, and I read my copy on my Kindle. This has really helped me with my audiobook workflow, as well as cut down on my editing time, due to the high quality of the interface. --- Still using my Sennheiser 416, love that mic, thanks Mike for that tip!!!!

[@SaturdaySoundGuy]

I'm sorry if this seems like spam but it's crazy because just this week I made an episode on my channel on pretty much this exact same topic. I found another headphone amp from Behringer that does the same thing. The MicroMON MA400. It's only just $25. Just started following your channel and I'm loving it.

[@RobertShaverOfAustin]

I use the same Rolls PM50S when I'm booming on a video shoot. That way I can hear exactly what the boom mic is picking up ... especially if I make noise by bumping something, or if my hands make noise on the boom pole. If we have a talk-back radio then I can plug that into the monitor input, but most of the projects I work on, I'm the only sound person there. I record to my Zoom H6. One thing I found out the hard way is the printing on the outside of the PM50s is not very durable. Over the years as it has bounced around in the bag with the rest of my sound equipment, the printing has warn clean off is some places. I recommend that anybody that buys this device spray something protective like clear Krylon to protect it. Or you could stick some clear wide packing tape over the printing. I found a good photo of the PM50s and used Photoshop to print out an exact duplicate of the graphics (black printing on white background, but good enough). Then I stuck it onto the box with packing tape. :)

[@AlexanderOspanov]

The voice and the room sounds amazing!

[@Zerkeier]

Thank you so much. This is exactly the solution I was looking for!

[@moullietvoicepro9173]

Great Stuff Mike, Thanks for the knowledge as always.

[@EricLefebvrePhotography]

I do mostly video (and photo work) and I use a Tascam DR-40 with a variety of mics for recording from lavalier mics, condenser mics, dynamic mics ... mostly on the cheaper end (like the cheap Boya lavaliers, the BM800 condenser mics, ATR-6550 shotgun ...). I'm not normally the one talking but my client / talent is. One of the things I do when I record video, if I can, is to split my headphone jack to my headphones and to my camera using a spliter and a patch cable. So Mic to Tascam to Splitter branch 1: Headphone. Branch 2: patch cable to camera. I split the recorder monitor because depending on distance, speaker direction and the likes, the scratch audio from the camera's mic might not be usable at all for syncing. One of the issues I have with recording audio, either in the field or in my "studio" is that my Canon 5d2 (and T3i) doesn;t allow me to control audio gain (unless I add Magic Lantern) and so to hear my output on my Senheiser headphones, I have to increase my headphone volume on my Tascam almost to max and that causes the audio on the camera end to blow out. I don't care about the quality of the in camera audio because ... well .. Canon has crap pre-amps so i'll be using the recorder audio anyway but I need to find a balance where the camera audio can still be used as scratch (the waveform still usable) to synch in post and still be able to monitor for sound issues during recording (like planes, bad wind, squeaking floors ...). In your opinion, would a cheap consumer battery powered inline headphone amplifier be useful to be placed between the spliter and the headphones? I need something portable and small since I need to be mobile. Love the chanel.

[@BoothJunkie]

I dunno about the Tascam, but a zoom h5 has a Line out, separate from the headphone out, that can go the the camera, and be independent of the headphone mix.

[@EricLefebvrePhotography]

Yeah ... the H5 was out of my budget. I was debating originally between the Tascam DR-40 and the Zoom H4n, The h4n has quite a few more functions than the tascam but the tascam was quite a bit less expensive. :/

[@Pahapukki3]

Hello Booth Junkie? Could you do a review on "VB-Audio VoiceMeeter?" I heard it boosts even the cheapiest mic quality, Blue snowball ice, for instance. Keep up the good work!

[@PictureFit]

No CAD e100s in this video. Surprising!

[@paulrysdale2142]

PictureFit he often uses the senheiser shotgun mic

[@EcubedProds]

I love the idea of zero latency to monitor your reads, but if you don’t have your interface in your booth, what are you doing to control the gain so your audio levels are appropriate?

[@quailstudios]

So helpful Mike! I love it!

[@dolsigma]

I'd love to see a review of the Warm Audio WA-87

[@sbsphotographer]

Hi Mike, as a fellow Zoom H5 lover ❤️! It would be super cool 😎 if you reviewed the Zoom U44 Audio Interface!!!

[@timcrane9022]

So Mike, I use a Behringer mixer that has a left & right "Control room" 1/4'' outputs. I could get a tip (left) ring (right) to TRS cord to the Rolls box in the monitor in input? If that works that would be stellar!

[@avrecords2279]

Does this work with scarlet 2i2 as my interface ? Thanks

[@jdweyd]

could you also compare the scarlet 18i8 and the audient interface that you have. it would be interesting for people.

[@zadegetsfaded]

does this affect the unison preamp on an apollo twin ?

[@dantedt3931]

Great video mike! How does the PM50s compare to the Presonus HP2?

[@jdweyd]

which model is the audient interface that you are using?

[@MonkeyworkPlays]

Hey Mike - any chance you could do a review on various audio interfaces, budget interfaces and upwards?

[@BoothJunkie]

Sure I can add some, based on the devices I have (and can get my hands on)

[@MonkeyworkPlays]

thanks - I use a focusrite 2i2 and would love to see how it compares

[@EricLefebvrePhotography]

Maybe explaine the difference beween some various devices. Like Audo Interface (like scarlet solo) vs Mixer / Interface (like Behringer Q302USB) vs Phantom Power Supply (like Neweer Phantom Power Supply) vs Field Recorder (like Tascam DR-40 or Zoom H4n). I know the difference but people new to the field might find a clarification on the topic useful so it might make a good video for your channel.

[@Mopsie]

YES!

[@cdinternetmall6370]

Is it powering the microphone or passing through the power?

[@tuckerdrez]

Love this channel!

[@mr.tarlos6624]

Thanks for sharing. Looks like a handy thing to have. When is the review of dbx 286s coming out ? :)

[@BoothJunkie]

Next week.

[@ingeniousclown]

Say you're doing an audition and the test lines include something softly spoken as well as something aggressive and shouty. Do you have to go outside to change your gain or is your whisper room silent and dead enough to actually back up a few feet without a noticeable difference in quality and clarity?

[@BoothJunkie]

depending on how big the difference is, I might back off the mic or I might do each part as a different take Or I might add a compressor / limiter on the inbound audio to compress the loud parts down a bit so I don't clip. I'd probably try each until I found the way that worked best.

[@ingeniousclown]

It almost sounds like you're recommending a bypassable side-chain compressor in some of these circumstances?

[@heyyitsandy]

Would this still be used in conjunction with a ZOOM recorder?

[@JBoy340a]

Good stuff. I would love to get a whisper room, but having trouble justifying the cost. I was wondering if you were planning on doing a video on which headphones to use when doing VO work. I currently use the Sony MDR-7506 which have good sound. But after a while my ears are sweaty and my head hurts from the clamping pressure. Any recommendations on good AND comfortable headphones to wear in the "booth"?

[@BoothJunkie]

The Sennheiser hd380 pro have been my go to for years (amzn.to/2ndBHjF -- affiliate link), strictly for comfort. They don't actually touch my ear, so I never suffer clamping force. I can and do wear them for hours at a time with no discomfort. I also like the 280pro and use the in my control room. They have a very similar fit. The removable cable on the 380's was the deciding factor as I changed out the cable for something shorter in the booth. A word of warning, after the 7506 pretty much everything probably sounds dull, as they are very bright, crisp headphones. Your ears will need to adjust to a new sound if you switch. I can't wear them for long periods for the clamping force.

[@GunnarsFilmTips]

Awesome videos, have you ever tried the Audio Technica shotgun mic (at875r) I would love a review of that mic :)

[@BoothJunkie]

if I can get my hands on one, I'll review it!

[@TheNinjawizardman]

I just got a BM-800 with a kit and the BEHRINGER U-PHORIA UM2 audio interface. I'm using xlr from Mic to interface and usb to laptop into audacity. Trying to create a demo reel and find a spot to do the recording. What should my ambient noise level be for recording and do you have any tips on making my first reel? I've found a spot where I can make the ambient as quiet as 22 dB. Should I go for quieter?

[@CortMarshal]

It only matters in relation to the volume of your voice. ACX requires a minimum that the room noise be -60db when your voice is -18 to -24db. So the noise has to be around 40db lower than your voice volume, at the microphone. That's just the baseline and you should aim for better than that though. You can use an expander plugin if necessary to make the quietest parts of the signal even quieter. Worth noting is that if your demo has music or other voices going on, you won't hear the noise from the room anyway as it'll be covered up by the other sounds.

[@thangliancin3846]

The rolls PM50s have monitor input, mic input and mic thru but if you are drummer which input do u need to plugin to the sound board in order to hear the other sound?

[@leonardsproule3165]

Monitor signal comes from the mixer into the monitor input on the Rolls. If the drummer sings, that Vocal mic goes into the Mic input on the Rolls, and Mic Thru goes from the Rolls to the Mixer.

[@JackRatermannFilms]

I currently have an audio interface, I am seeing these audio mixers that you can EQ your mic from the mixer, rather than in post, do you reccomend a mixer instead of an interface? Is there an application that can live EQ a mic?

[@BoothJunkie]

A mixer can live EQ. generally I try and record flat / dry, then EQ when I'm bouncing my final audio to disk. But that's just my choice.

[@JackRatermannFilms]

OK, thanks! Wanted to hear your opinion considering your experience with voice over and stuff!

[@markgould3260]

Looking to set up a studio how does this work with a pre amp? Like would the mic go into the pre amp then the Rolls or does the rolls work as a pre amp with phantom power?

[@d-boyzeighteenhundred]

- from what I gather it uses the phantom power from your mixer or interface, im pretty sure it would go mic, rolls, pre amp, interface , computer.

[@markgould3260]

DBP 1800 I actually ended up buying it. So it has a power box you plug in. So acts as a through for the mic. So pre amp to rolls to mic. Phantom power goes through it right to the mic. It works phenomenally.

[@d-boyzeighteenhundred]

Awesome man thanks definitely thinking about getting one !!!

[@NewbArchitect]

@@markgould3260 hi, i have the focusrite 2i2. how exactly does this hook up? so 2i2 > rolls > mic? what cable do you use from interface to rolls and do i put in the headphone jack of interface or the line in where i would normally have mic? thanks :)

[@wouterdeen]

I have a question what is very important to me before buying it. Can this thing actually apply phantom power, or how do I set it up if I have a pre-amp and an audio interface? Thanks for helping me out :)

[@BoothJunkie]

It will pass through phantom power from your mixer / interface. But it does not supply it on its own. It goes in between the mixer / interface and the mic.

[@carlosgonzalez-mx8sw]

Hey mike I asked this question on a different video but I guess you didn't see it. I'm planning on making a small booth. Is there such a thing as too much acoustic foam? for example if I line every wall with 2 inch auralex wedges will that cause a problem? I have heard people say that too much foam can make your recordings muddy but others say you want your whole booth lined with foam. what do you recommend?

[@BoothJunkie]

I think there is a point at which it is too much, but it depends on the size of the booth and the density of the foam. . Lining every wall with 2" is probably fine, every wall with 4" might be too much. But again, it depends on the density of the foam.

[@Leighgendarium]

I have a question about your whisper room. I don't know much about them. Do you air that keeps your whisper room at a comfortable temperature?

[@BoothJunkie]

+The Leighgendarium it gets hot. I don't run the ventilation when I record.

[@Leighgendarium]

How long do you normally record before you have to get out of it to cool off?

[@edgarshoe]

Hey Mike. How did you monitor yourself before?

[@BoothJunkie]

My Interface was actually in the booth.

[@Xenomorph358]

Ouch my ears at the start lmao

[@I-LOG]

Last

[@iqcq2063]

You look like wolverine

[@bonearmy1518]

First

[@Sonnivate]

Why the fuck would you leave the feedback in the video, seriously, fucking painful.

[@jgcas713]

Get to the point!