Weekly VO Workflow: Dedicated Controls

With a number of audio interfaces, there’s a tendency to simplify the control panel. While this gives a very clean look to the device, it means that what a given knob or button controls changes depending upon what mode you are in. We see this on devices like the Universal Audio Apollo series, where the single rotary adjustment knob can alter radically different parameters.

On my SSL2 Plus interface, the input gain knob, the headphone output, and speaker volume controls are all on separate controls. I can visually see exactly what those settings are and I can immediately make adjustments. Those analog controls on the surface of the unit feel solid and consistent under my hand. Through repetition during audition and recording sessions, I’ve developed a specific technique on that device so it feels familiar. Nothing is hidden. If I want to adjust my input gain, there’s only one control that changes it, and it always only controls that one thing.

That means the SSL2 is more similar to the Scarlett 2i2 Gen4 I spoke about last week than it might seem at first. It’s also one of the reasons I like working with my new PASport VO. All three of these interfaces provide direct tactile control of the device settings. While I do appreciate a good software control interface, these analog controls (even though they may actually be digitally controlling things) mean less brain power needs to be devoted to housekeeping tasks when I’m working behind the microphone. There’s no need to remember what “mode” I’m in because there’s only a single task under each switch, knob, or slider.

It’s the point I was making about the Scarlett: it maintains direct access to all controls on the device itself. I can always reach over and push the button or twist the dial on the unit itself. The ability to do that in the Focusrite Control2 software is more of an “added value” option than anything else. It is not required if you never want to use it. While I do appreciate the ability to change parameters through the computer, I don’t want that to be the only method. A simple set of analog controls on a reliable unit will cover most tasks in the home VO studio.

SSL Vocal Strip Surprise
I was going through my iLok License Manager and realized that SSL had provided access to the SSL VocalStrip 2 Plug-in in VST, AU, and AAX formats. Though many of the offers I’ve received from them are free trials of subscription-based tools, this is actually a standalone effect which is included to purchasers of SSL interfaces and does not appear to be time-limited. While testing it over the last couple weeks, it does seem to be a useful tool.

VocalStrip will show up in your Effects menu or list after installation and it can be utilized like any other plug-in. It is a “channel strip” type plug-in which provides a number of modules which can be used singly or in combination. The order of processing can also be tuned for your needs. There is an expander (often referred to as a “noise-gate”) which can be very obvious on spoken vocals. Set poorly, this will cut off parts of words and can sound “choppy” on breaths. I’d use caution on this tool. The compressor seemed very transparent (though there is a “Drive” circuit which will add coloration/distortion to the signal – not appropriate for most VO uses) and both the De-plosive and De-esser seemed quite useful. There’s also a “console” style EQ with High Pass filter, notch filter and high band options.

While there are other versions of all these tools which can be found, the SSL VocalStrip 2 was a nice surprise to add to my effects list.

Have you tested your studio’s audio quality to make sure it meets professional standards? For a free review of your vocal recordings, please use the upload tool on my Audio Review page.

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