External Microphone for VoicePrint: Expetiment

[Rodrigo Pandelo]

Would it work?

The idea is to use an iRig 2...

[url]https://www.ikmultimedia.com/products/irig2/[/url]

... and use it with an 2019 iPad (the simple version of it), that have the right plug for the iRig 2.

The connection between the Microphones would be made with a Mixer (Touchmix 8), and I'd use one of the outputs of it into the iRig, so the iPad recognize the external microphones as the iPad microphone.

I just wanted to test the external microphones to create VPs, since I have a few nice condenser microphones at home (KM184 and u87ai, both from Neumann).

Thank you, guys!

[Caleb_Elling]

Hey Rodrigo,
That's definitely possible. I've done a few tests like that with good results.

I ran a high-end tube mic into an audio interface connected to the phone. I also did some tests using a mixer with two mics running at the same time. The results were great.

I think if I were going to do a lot of direct recording with the VPDI, I would definitely make some VPs that way. For live performance, I still like what I get with the phone mic.

[Rodrigo Pandelo]

I just wanted to say that I just got the VP!

Made a VP using a 2019 iPad, and the results were nice. Then, I used my wife's iPhone 11, and the results were better.

Then, I used two mics: u87 and KM184. The u87 sounded really full, but not in a way I'll be able to use live, probably.

But, man... the KM184... what a AWESOME sound I got! I will definitelly make a video and post into my YouTube channel. People in Brazil need to know more about your stuff, guys.

The LR Baggs Session DI was not needed. I used to abuse of the Comp EQ with the K&K only, but with the VP, I just don't needed. And the Saturation knob wasn't used that much (I used to set it only a hair... and I just felt like it was awesome without it... and it would be better to simplify the signal chain, since in Brazil we have a lot of electric problems, and everything can possibly make more noise into the equation).

My next step will be to get myself a LR Baggs Align Reverb, then I'm done.

Thank you, guys!

[Benzflieger]

I just used an Lewitt LCT 140 Air with my cello and then a DPA 4099 with my violin. I used the advanced VP training option and used an older Presonus usb audio interface with my iPhone attached. After some FB training (on the cello) and EQ (on both) I am getting some very promising results.

[Benzflieger]

I should add that I am a long time ToneDexter user but was looking for a little more parametric EQ control than the TD offers, time will tell whether the occasional Bluetooth connectivity issues I have had with the VPDI are worth overlooking for the increased EQ control.

[Caleb_Elling]

[QUOTE=Benzflieger;n11890]I should add that I am a long time ToneDexter user but was looking for a little more parametric EQ control than the TD offers, time will tell whether the occasional Bluetooth connectivity issues I have had with the VPDI are worth overlooking for the increased EQ control. [/QUOTE]

Thanks for sharing!

[Twowheels]

1) Can I assume the quality of the IRs improves with the quality of the microphone used vs a basic Android phone?
2) Can I use 3rd party IRs in the Voice Print?

[Caleb_Elling]

I wouldn't say that the quality of the Voiceprint goes up with a nicer mic. The distinct characteristics of the mic change when you use different mics, but those qualities are not always ideal for live sound. The more "mic-like" the signal gets, the more mic-related issues come along with it (like feedback and different resonances). The phone mic is pretty neutral sounding and makes great-sounding Voiceprints for live use. If you're using the VPDI for recording, making VPs with different mics is a lot of fun.

Currently, the VPDI doesn't support 3rd party IR's.