Help with an AVALON PRE AMP

[Mike Cali]

I recently started working with a friend of mine, using his equipment -- and he has the VT-737SP Avalon pre amp, hooked to an m audio box. Now before i started working with him, i was recording at my own house, just using a m audio box and a mic, and for some reason I dont see a HUGE difference. Now the avalon is still on HIS settings from the previous engineer he had there -- and i have no experience with such an expensive machine and was just wondering if anyone can help me wiht the settings. I understand the knobs and what they mean - I just feel kind of intimidated with a 2300 piece of equipment.

Just for a quick example -- when recording in pro tools -- before i hit the "r" so the input is being heard, there is no sound, then the second i turn it on -- theres a ton of hiss, but the vocals do sound pretty clear, i was just wondering how to clear the hiss out and utilize this machine to its fullest. ANY help would be appreciated. i went from FL studio to a 2300 avalon and im just lost.

thanks in advance!

[Smithcok]

I would start by not using anyone else's settings, and just normal the unit (put the knobs back to their default position, disable the EQ and the Compressor).

Start by just plugging a mic in, turning up the gain, and listening.

From there, worry about adding EQ and compression. But for starters, just use the mic pre to get the handle on it. (Remember, just because there are a lot of buttons/knobs doesn't mean you need to use them all to get a great sound).

[Mike Cali]

I did the tell the dude im working for that keeping the settings the normal would probably be the best -- all that goes through there are his vocals, nothing else. I know a bit about compression, if you ask me...i would turn the ratio the highest -- the threshold to -5, attack and release as fast as possible. but maybe im wrong, i was just hoping there is some sort of "standard setting," most people would use and id just have to fix it a bit from there.

thanks for your help!

[Smithcok]

I would most likely not do that with the compressor.

The threshold typically can't just be set and left for any source. You will want to set that level based on the source material.

Also, the highest ratio possible is also likely not a great place to start. Vocals *typically* (and I use that word with caution) use lower ratios (2-5 perhaps). Obviously there are situations where that is not the case.

Additionally, defaulting to super fast attack and release is also probably not the best (as many times vocals benefit from much slower attack time).

Never set settings into your mic pre/EQ/compressor in advance.
Always set things after you hear what's coming through.