|
Joemeek VC1 Studio Channel
More than a mic preamp.
By Michael Molenda
Electronic Musician
It's always something, isn't it? In the pre-MDM days, home recordists
looked at their four-tracks, sighed, and complained that they'd
never break the "demo" barrier unless pro recording gear
magically became affordable. When that miracle finally happened,
the homies whined that high-class peripherals such as condenser
mics and tube compressors remained out of reach. Today, just about
every type of pro-audio tool is available in high-quality, affordable
versions and that's still not good enough. Now, these never-satisfied
recordists cry, "If only I had a classic Neve console I could
really do some damage." Humph!
To be charitable, some frustration is warranted: classic, high-end
mixers will remain out of the home set's reach for quite some time.
But that doesn't mean that you can't upgrade the quality of your
signal path until you can afford an SSL-just that you have to do
it one mixer channel at a time. Individual input-channel strips,
such as the Focusrite Green Series Channel Strip have brought the
peerless audio quality of big studio consoles into the home studio
without forcing users to seek small business loans. The portability
factor is also a boon, as these channel strips require just one
or two spaces on your equipment rack.
One of the hippest of these dedicated mic preamp/channel strips
is the Joemeek VC1 Studio Channel. In addition to a mic preamp
with 48V phantom power and a high-pass filter, the solid-state
VC1 offers the wondrous Joemeek compressor (see "Squeeze Boxes" in
the July 1996 EM for our evaluation of the Joemeek SC-2 compressor)
and a signal enhancer. At $1,099, the VC1 is not a budget box,
but if you crave magnificent, high-end sonics, the single-channel
processor will drive you absolutely crazy with sensual timbres.
DOWN THE HATCH
Although the VC1 is horizontally oriented, it follows the design
scheme of vertical console channels by offering a sectionalized
arrangement of preamp, compressor, and enhancer controls. All of
the controls are well-constructed and quite sturdy: the knobs turn
smoothly and the buttons operate with a tight "click." The
large VU meter not only adds a nice retro touch to the design,
it's also easy to see from most viewing angles.
If you mount the 2U device into a rack, front panel balanced XLR
and balanced 1/4-inch inputs make it a snap to operate the VC1-you
don't have to reach behind the unit when you switch from tracking
vocals to tracking guitars. The balanced XLR and 1/4-inputs are
duplicated on the back panel. Plugging into the front 1/4-inch
input disables the rear input, which means that you can leave the
rear panel, 1/4-inch input and balanced output connected to an
insert cable for immediate use during mixdown. That's a pretty
groovy ergonomic feature, as it's a major drag to constantly repatch
equipment. The front and rear XLR inputs, however, are wired in
parallel and only one connection may be used at a time.
The remaining rear panel I/O includes: a balanced 1/4-inch and
a balanced XLR DI output that produces a -20 dB mic-level signal
for live and studio use; an RCA link for joining two VC1s together
for stereo processing; a 1/4-inch Mix In that allows you to combine
effects or other outside processing with the VC1's mic or line
input; and a 1/4-inch insert point that can be used to patch, say,
a de-esser into the signal path.
SONIC REACTIONS
Testing the VC1 mic preamp with a Neumann U 87, Shure SM57, Sennheiser
MD 421, and a Rode Classic revealed that the preamp is consistently
robust and pristine with dynamic and condenser mics of different
flavors. Especially with condensers, the Joemeek preamp delivered
a higher level of timbral clarity than usually evident from the
average console mic preamp. Extremely subtle details such as the
percussive snap of a fingernail on nylon guitar strings and the "airiness" of
a performer's breathy vocal style were crystal clear when recorded
through the VC1.
When tracking with most affordable, home-studio level consoles,
slight EQ tweaks are typically required to flesh out those types
of sonic details, but, with the VC1, we nabbed 'em without touching
a single tone control. Practical noise levels were very quiet with
all the mics tested. Even at "full out" settings, audible
hiss was minimal enough to be masked by the overall soundscape.
(Although on solo instruments such as flute and classical guitar,
the hiss was noticeable enough to compromise soft passages.)
If there is anything that the Joemeek line knows, it's compression.
The company makes some of the most blissfully aggressive "squeeze
boxes" on the market, and the VC1's photo-optical compressor
is worthy of its pedigree. The sound is warm and chunky, whether
you lightly compress a signal to seat it into a track, or mangle
it towards the 60s "spit and polish" tone that graces
classic British rock and blues rock productions. For some, the
domineering quality of the VC1's compression may be an acquired
taste, but if you adore in-your-face vocals, guitars, drums, and
basses, you'll find that the Joemeek method is absolutely brilliant.
The VC1's enhancer is like a "bonus" process-you may
not dig it on everything, but it's there when you need to clarity
a muddy or otherwise indistinct signal. Although the enhancer offers
comprehensive control over the level of processing, the "Q" of
the high-frequency harmonics, and the depth of the processed signal,
it wasn't easy dialing in "enhancements" that complemented
various signals. For example, most vocalists did not benefit from
the high-end sheen, no matter how little of the effect was active.
In fact, a slight, belligerent sibilance was added to the vocal
timbre. On bass and drum tracks, however, the enhancer added a
shimmer that helped the grooves punch through dense mixes. The
process also improved submixed (i.e.-layered) guitar and keyboard
tracks by adding dimension and crispness.
NOT MEEK
The evolution of the personal studio as a serious audio-production
tool cannot be attributed solely to the availability of affordable,
high-quality gear. The continuing sophistication of the home recordist's
ears must also be given some credit.
Today's savvy tone sculptors, who-thanks to MDMs and hard-disk
recorders-evaluate sound from a digital audio perspective, are
extremely adept at recognizing subtle timbral colors. They are
well-aware of the aspects of their home studios that don't cut
the sonic mustard and they constantly strive to improve their signal
chains. And that's where outboard gear becomes critical.
The recordist may be happy with his or her recorder and console,
but finds that the shimmer and sparkle of pro-audio productions
often can't be matched by inexpensive compressors, multi-effects,
and mic preamps. Signal processors such as the Joemeek VC1 Studio
Channel give the ambitious home recordist a fighting chance to
produce magnificent sounds.
Used for recording direct-to-tape (or disk) or during the mix via
an insert point, the VC1 delivers undeniably pro-studio audio quality.
When tracking instrumental performances through identical mics,
the VC1 tracks sounded clearer, punchier, and more dimensional
than those recorded through the onboard preamps of various mixers.
While the sonic improvements are admittedly subtle, subtle improvements
are often the only discernible advantage whenever I've recorded
rhythm tracks at big studios and then A-B'd them with rhythm tracks
recorded at a well-equipped personal studio. And believe me, I'd
feel a lot better about upgrading my signal path by spending $1,099(now$799.99)
on the marvelous VC1, than I would about spending tens of thousands
of dollars on a used Neve or Trident console.
Michael Molenda is an independent producer and studio owner whose
work has been (somewhat) audible in the Michael Douglas-Sean Penn
film, The Game, and the documentary We Hold the Rock.
MANUFACTURER:
Joemeek/PMI Audio Group (distributor)
tel. (310) 373-9129
fax (310) 373-4714
e-mail info@joemeek.com
Web www.joemeek.com
The Joemeek VC1 Studio Channel gives home recordists the aural
benefits of a high-end mixing console by integrating a mic preamp,
compressor, and enhancer in a 2U case.
JOEMEEK'S MUSCLES
Frequency Response 6 Hz-20 kHz
Line Gain -6 dB-24 dB
Mic Gain 15 dB-70 dB
Noise -125.5 dB (below input)
High-Pass Filter 25 Hz at 12 dB per octave
Compression Ratio 1.2:1 to 6:1
Attack 0.5 ms to 6 ms
Release 250 ms to 2.5 sec
FIE
 |
