Unlocking the Full Potential of My Sennheiser MKH-416 for Voice Over with the Elysia Skulpter Preamp

[@astralaudio101]

It’s great you’re pushing this old standard into new territory. Especially with hardware.. Love it 👍

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

Thank you! It has become a necessity. The VO sound clients want today is continually evolving at a rapid pace as the gatekeepers of old are replaced by younger generations.

[@TheRecordist]

This was great! Man that Skulpter sounds fabulous. It took the 416 to another level. I never thought of adding real analog saturation to my 416. I'm going to try it!

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

There's nothing quite like analog saturation, especially when it's designed to give you that kind of soft clipping that sounds very natural. The Skulpter just makes everything sound better. Wait until you hear it on the 87.

[@TheRecordist]

@ oh yeah! Can’t wait!

[@davidgbeneke1]

Very smooth! I wish more mic preamps had a variable high pass filter like the Elysia, and the saturation really helps tame the highs on the 416, with out dulling it's punch.

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

You got it. Exactly! This is why the Skulpter is such a perfect pre for VO. It makes it so easy to dial in a great sound and lots of punch.

[@garyembar4774]

“Not in your face, but in your space”….man, that stays! Elysia seems to be quite the on-demand ‘tone sculpting partner’ carving, chiseling and shaping tonal glory. And Mark, the 416 was indeed the right choice to showcase elysia; because it takes a beast to tame a beast!

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

Gary, I have been attached by the hip to the Skulpter and it is just slaying it on work. That extra variable of using the saturation to imply the level of intimacy I want to impart on my read is a real game changer. Totally in your space.

[@garyembar4774]

@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff I can totally see why! Skulpter is your new hipster! Have fun Mark🤟

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

@@garyembar4774 Thanks Gary!

[@ndavies8]

Great content! The Skupter is an excellent tool. it's just as versatile with instruments as well. I'd love to hear you try it with the Soyuz 017!

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

Thanks! That’s a great idea. I can make that happen.

[@tkarim]

Can I achieve similar results with a dbx286?

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

You can sure try.

[@rbryanrace]

Is there a way to achieve similar results using software?

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

The one thing I don't think a plug-in can replicate nearly as effectively is this analog saturation. When you do it in the digital realm, it's just not as organic sounding as this very tube-like soft clipping they designed in the Skulpter. I was one of those guys who always thought you can do anything with plug ins that you can do in analog and now, several years later, I'm realizing that the sometimes subtle differences between an analog preamp and a digital plug in have real impact in terms of listener engagement for VO and sounds better overall.

[@rbryanrace]

@ I am grateful for your thoughtful and thorough response. Keep up the great work love the channel.