Set The ART Voice Channel For Great Voice-Overs

[@mr.monkei]

I love how your showing the Art while also showing the Beast Manley in the video lol.

[@BobHarperProductions]

Nice Lenny. Great job! I picked up mine for VO a couple years back and the guy at Sweetwater highly recommended a Gold Lion tube to replace the stock version. When I did the swap-out I heard a discernable improvement! Ah, but then I read a very obscure article online (I was never able to find it again, sorry) about a guy who was convinced he had found a GREAT tube for it. Well, I bought that tube for another 30 bucks or so but before switching out, I recorded a few lines with the Gold Lion installed. I then did the swap and recorded the same lines again. (I believe with either a TLM 103 or maybe the 416) I listened to play back and knew immediately that the obscure article's author wasn't kidding! To be sure I wasn't tainted in perception due to having spent ANOTHER 30 bucks on a tube, I brought my wife in the studio and played both tracks a couple of times. After the first pass she said, "I like the 2nd one better." I played both again and she quickly replied half way through, "Definitely the second!" With that said, the tube was a JJ ELECTRONICS: ECC--83s! It's been in there a couple years now and still doing it's thing. BTW, an interesting side note, when I was working with noise floor testing, the ART, with this JJ, beat the numbers of a brand new, tubeless Focusrite ISA One. Because of some "not-so-liked" early offerings, ART sadly got a really bad wrap fast but I'm convinced now that this is one of the best channel strips out there regardless of the lower price! At 600 it's still a steal! (I love the sound too with that JJ tube) I've done some source connect sessions with a couple large studios and the one engineer said, "Great sound man." (If I told him it was going through an "ART" I'm sure his opinion would have been different. '-) Brand snobbery is prevalent throughout the audio world. Heck, back in the day, I recorded a spot and the engineer in Philly loved the sound of my voice and said, "You use a U-87 Neumann don't ya?" I said, "Yeah, how'd ya know?" He chortled, "It's not my first paper route." Well, truth be told, I did HAVE a U-87 but hated it on my voice. The spot was recorded on a 421 Sennheiser dynamic. He He He.

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi @BobHarperProductions, Thanks for the info! How difficult was it to swap out the tube?

[@BobHarperProductions]

@@HeyLennyB Quite easy if memory serves. There's about 8 screws that hold the lid. Remove the lid and you'll see the tube. SORRY, PREVIOUS REPLY WAS INCORRECT. (I was thinking of a different preamp) With the ART, I seem to recall (2) screws that hold down the cage covering the tube. Just unscrew those (2) screws on either side of the small cage and pull up. You'll see the tube and it can be pulled out gently. The only thing to be careful of is to be sure to unplug the unit and wait a minute or so just in case any capacitors haven't fully drained any stored current.

[@BobHarperProductions]

One more thing, when working with tubes try not to get your fingers on the glass part. A little rag or such will suffice. Like little analog lights, the oil residue from our fingers may reduce operating life. It's very minimal but a guy told me it's true.

[@BojanBojovic]

​@@BobHarperProductionsI am thinking about getting this one or the Pro Channel II. I like the Pro Channel II more except I need the de-esser. In this video it seems like it does not work at all or it works very mildly, but really not sure I like it is just a compressor sidechain. Could you please share your thoughts on this and your suggestions, thanks.

[@GettowayDriverSoCal]

So I’m curious Bob, what change in sound did the tube make? How did it change the tube saturation effect?

[@davidgadowvo]

Oh Lenny. Thanks. Great to see this. Have one I’ve been sitting on for years. Might move it into the chain again…

[@HeyLennyB]

@davidgadowvo, that's great to hear!

[@VK3CSJ]

Thanks Lenny, I have one of these arriving next week from Amazon, love the way you've described this units operation, once I heard this I decided this is what I want in my audio chain.....Cheers Clint, Melbourne, Australia

[@HeyLennyB]

Cool! I'm glad I could help. Thanks for watching.

[@jonkthompson]

I so needed this a 2 years ago when I 1st got mine and yet this was still very helpful! Thanks Lenny.

[@thisjaredrussell]

Excellent video, thanks 👌

[@MrJustinEdits]

Extremely helpful while I set up my new art voice thank you sir!!

[@jmartinianovlogging1482]

Thank for making your time on this Sir!!!

[@TartanKiwi]

Been contemplating getting one of these to use with my Lauten Atlantis FC-387! I have this theory that the +10db switch on the mic used alongside a good preamp like the A.R.T would just SING. the +10db switch on the Atlantis will give more character from the mic into the preamp and then on top of that the tube preamp would then further just give some meat onto the audio in a lovely warm way

[@seanstewart5044]

Another great Video. 🎉

[@trillbands9062]

What a great job you did🎉

[@AR-bj5et]

Have you ever had the chance to try out a Millennia STT-1? I know that's not something everyone just has sitting around or can grab easily to try out but I loved the detailed walkthrough of this strip I was wondering how that would compare as a similar feature-packed strip, albeit much more expensive

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi @AR-bj5et, the #Millennia #STT-1 is definitely on my radar. I've seen them and met the #Millennia folks at the NAMM convention. I'll put it on my list. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@blvkqmusicgroup]

0:04 I saw it while the video was playing! ART is cheap cheap cheap. Look how the light meter is crooked... Like that's a very easy fix. But instead of fixing it, they let it "pass" inspection.

[@HeyLennyB]

Yeah, that peak meter always bothered me.

[@BojanBojovic]

Thanks. How useful the de-esser is considering it works together with the compressor? Also, how to saturate the preamp but not overload the eq or the compressor, it does not have the preamp output knob like the Pro Channel II.

[@elissitdesign]

How does this compare to the DBX 286s? I’m already getting decent sound out of my DBX but I’m always looking to improve. I like ART hardware.

[@HeyLennyB]

I think the sound of the two are similar. If you want to improve, a new/different hardware channel strip may not be your solution. Send me an example of your raw audio, and I'd be happy to make suggestions. You can send audio here www.lennyb.com/get-your-voice-processed-submission-form

[@jonkthompson]

I had the DBX 286s for about 3 months and then found a used ART VC in mint condition on Reverb for a great price. It didn't take long after using the ART VC to realize it's a stark difference. Your able to really dial in the saturation you want and the EQ is a more versatile. I also think the Expander sounds more natural in the VC than the DBX. I sold my DBX a little over a week of using the VC. I use mine for vocals and voiceover.

[@ClaudioPerin]

Hi Lenny, I have this Art Model. Your "tutorial" was amazing to dive in my preamp. Now a question for you: I have a MKH416 and an AT4053B. Which one do you best recommend for my Voice Over?

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi @ClaudioPerin. It's difficult to answer because those are both great mics. I might lean toward the MKH416. However, the mic that sounds most natural and best to you is the one you should use. I expect that they will both sound good if the ART is dialed in. Thanks for watching!

[@skottmellins4584]

Hi Lenny, this video is absolutely stunning. One question please... I went toyour site, and I'd like to know if you are making a course bundle for your courses, and how much is it please ? Thanks

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi, @skottmellins4584. I am working on creating bundles now, and they should be available soon. Can you tell me which courses you're interested in? In the meantime, I can create a custom bundle/discount for you.

[@skottmellins4584]

@@HeyLennyB Hi, Thanks for your response and sorry for the late answer. For now, I will only need the one about EQ, but I was asking that for the future just in case. In fact, I have some problems fo now, to connect my art voice channel to my imac and my audio interface and I cannot take any lessons until I find what's going wrong in my setup. I think that all the Apple's lastest operating system updates, prevent my audio interface from communicating properly with my imac.

[@RolandDobbins]

I used one for about a year before I switched to a UAD Apollo TwinX Quad. It’s a good unit. Unfortunately, the EQ is semi-parametric, as you noted.

[@tkarim]

Hey Lenny, If I paired this with my Sennheiser MK4 🎤 + Scarlett Solo 4th Gen USB audio interface, would it work as well as you demonstrated in this video? Or would the Solo limit my results..

[@HeyLennyB]

The Solo isn't really necessary because the Voice Channel is an audio interface by itself. If you were to run the Voice Channel into the Scarlett Solo, I don't think you'd be limited at all. However, it's extremely important that you gain stage the two units. This means making sure that your level out of the Voice Channel not too high or low. You also must use a line level into the Solo. Hope that helps.

[@tkarim]

@ your answer is extremely helpful. Many thanks 🙏🏻

[@narrator-timothymckean]

Lenny, how would you say this unit compares to the Presonus Studio Channel?

[@HeyLennyB]

I have a Presonus Studio Channel because I had the same question. The Studio Channel doesn't have a gate/expander like the ART does. Personally, I prefer the sound of the Voice Channel if I were to compare the two. But that's just my opinion.

[@josephmcgregor6959]

I may have missed the episode, but what about that Voxbox?

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi @josephmcgregor6959, No you didn't miss it. I haven't done it yet. I'm going to do a Manley VoxBox hardware walkthrough soon. Thanks!

[@ainursery]

Great video, as usual! You really deliver great quality! Thank you for that! ❤ Are you certain that the de-esser is actually working? Even after you have set up the de-esser in the video, there still are some pretty harsh and offending sharp s sounds. For me it sounds like it's in 10k and up. Both on my TV speakers and Beyerdynamic 770 DT Pro 😮

[@HeyLennyB]

I don't disagree. I noticed that (at least on my unit) the DeEsser isn't as effective as let's say the DBX 286s. I think it's beacuse the DeEsser is only making the compressor work harder.

[@Star-Trekking]

Very good review, but i don't like the sound of Art Voice Channel Strip

[@davidgadowvo]

One more comment related to this. What would you say to someone criticizing this unit because you need to record “clean” audio … and do the processing post voicing..?

[@HeyLennyB]

It's my opinion that every client is different. There are very few rules these days because you can be working on/delivering to a number of different platforms. I prefer to communicate and find out exactly what the client wants. If you can't get clarity on what the client wants, offer both. Split your signal, record with and without the tube pre, then deliver both options. That's what I would do.

[@CloroxBleach-gz6cb]

Is there a budget hardware alternative to this?

[@HeyLennyB]

I think the DBX 286s or the Behringer UV1 are your best options. I have videos on each.

[@FrostS1de]

Вот бы этот ролик вышел лет так 5 назад, когда этот замечательный прибор был на руках

[@HeyLennyB]

Я понимаю это чувство. У меня был один, я продал его, затем пожалел об этом решении и купил его снова. Спасибо за просмотр.

[@skillfulwebdesign]

I need your help with this! 😄👍

[@HeyLennyB]

Hey Bro, you know where to find me. Happy to help.

[@auralplex]

The last sentence makes it so I want to sell the unit now. I already have other interfaces that have preamps… and I have plenty of plugins. I guess there was no point to buying the Art if plugins do a better job than it’s onboard EQ and compressor.

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi @auralplex, it depends on your goal. I think you can process more surgically and in more detail with plugins, usually offering a better quality sound. However, if you require a processed sound in real-time, hardware is the right move.

[@ultrazvuk_studio]

Ищу замену своему умирающему и ЛЮБИМОМУ DBX376. У Art Voice Channel есть весь нужный мне функционал, а как у него с шумом блока питания? Самая большая проблема DBX376 - гудящий блок питания внутри прибора, из-за этого приходится выносить преамп из комнаты, где пишется голос. ART шумит? Что у него с отношением сигнал-шум? В вашем тесте конечно всё идельно звучит, но мы же все знаем как делают обзоры "на продажу" ))))

[@HeyLennyB]

In my experience with this unit, there has never been any external noise from the power at all. I hope this helps.

[@davidgadowvo]

These have gone up to about $600 USED now…

[@brokenhero6828]

Buy mine for cheap 😔

[@jonkthompson]

Wow. I got mine about 2 years ago used and in Mint for $425.00 on Reverb.