Empty sound w AT898 & DBX 286A at DVinfo.net

David Pakman · September 3rd, 2012, 03:56 PM

Hi all,

Hoping to get some advice about our mic setups on my program. We used to be exclusively a radio show and used EV RE20 mics through DBX 286A processors. of course, they sounded great.

Eventually we started doing TV simultaneously and moved to where I wear an A899 mic. It sounded not quite as full, but we found some pretty good settings with the 286A. Problem was, it's multidirectional and would pic up my producers voice from across the room, which meant we were getting his voice on his own mic (still EV RE 20) and on mine.

Thus, we moved me to an AT899, much more directional, resolved the issue with picking up other voices. However, I haven't found settings with the DBX 286A that i'm happy with in terms of depth and sound.

I'm hoping that there ARE such settings that will improve the sound and it isn't just a matter of "the mic won't sound good." Based on the reviews i've read, few people report that the AT899 doesn't have good sound for vocals in a quiet room.

I've gone through the DBX 286A quick start guide (DBX 286A Quickstart Guide - VU) and am not really improving things by tweaking.

To give examples, here's a clip utilizing the AT899 (now):

Here's one when we used the AT898 (still not great, but better than now):

EV RE20 from a while back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4yD8esML5w

Any advice on 286A settings, or any other way to get this combination sounding better would be much appreciated

Richard Crowley · September 3rd, 2012, 06:01 PM

A little twinky lav will never sound like an RE-20, no matter what kind of processing you use. You didn't mention WHY you switched from an RE-20 just because you are now using cameras? Why is an RE-20 good enough for your producer, but not for you? There are plenty of video podcasts where people are using radio-style microphone techniques (including using RE-20s like you producer is using).

Maybe you need a gold-plated RE-20 like Rush uses.

David Pakman · September 3rd, 2012, 06:09 PM

to be clear, i'm not looking for it to sound like the re20, just like the multidirectional mic would be something to shoot for.

we got away from the RE because of (1) look (show is now on more tv outlets than radio and (2) for some other setups that we do and things that we do, having an RE20 in front of me to talk into isn't convenient, including when looking at things on the screen behind me, charts etc, and other issues.

September 3rd, 2012, 03:56 PM	#1
David Pakman Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 35	Empty sound w AT898 & DBX 286A Hi all, Hoping to get some advice about our mic setups on my program. We used to be exclusively a radio show and used EV RE20 mics through DBX 286A processors. of course, they sounded great. Eventually we started doing TV simultaneously and moved to where I wear an A899 mic. It sounded not quite as full, but we found some pretty good settings with the 286A. Problem was, it's multidirectional and would pic up my producers voice from across the room, which meant we were getting his voice on his own mic (still EV RE 20) and on mine. Thus, we moved me to an AT899, much more directional, resolved the issue with picking up other voices. However, I haven't found settings with the DBX 286A that i'm happy with in terms of depth and sound. I'm hoping that there ARE such settings that will improve the sound and it isn't just a matter of "the mic won't sound good." Based on the reviews i've read, few people report that the AT899 doesn't have good sound for vocals in a quiet room. I've gone through the DBX 286A quick start guide (DBX 286A Quickstart Guide - VU) and am not really improving things by tweaking. To give examples, here's a clip utilizing the AT899 (now): Rush Limbaugh: Kill Poor Dems By Building Levees Out Of Money - YouTube Here's one when we used the AT898 (still not great, but better than now): Sarah Palin CLUELESS on 1st Amendment Chick-Fil-A - YouTube EV RE20 from a while back: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4yD8esML5w Any advice on 286A settings, or any other way to get this combination sounding better would be much appreciated

September 3rd, 2012, 06:01 PM	#2
Richard Crowley Trustee Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,238	Re: Empty sound w AT898 & DBX 286A A little twinky lav will never sound like an RE-20, no matter what kind of processing you use. You didn't mention WHY you switched from an RE-20 just because you are now using cameras? Why is an RE-20 good enough for your producer, but not for you? There are plenty of video podcasts where people are using radio-style microphone techniques (including using RE-20s like you producer is using). Maybe you need a gold-plated RE-20 like Rush uses.

September 3rd, 2012, 06:09 PM	#3
David Pakman Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 35	Re: Empty sound w AT898 & DBX 286A to be clear, i'm not looking for it to sound like the re20, just like the multidirectional mic would be something to shoot for. we got away from the RE because of (1) look (show is now on more tv outlets than radio and (2) for some other setups that we do and things that we do, having an RE20 in front of me to talk into isn't convenient, including when looking at things on the screen behind me, charts etc, and other issues.