Hi Tim,
I'm also really into audio, and was a big proponent of the new audio processing chain that originally came along in PowerSDR mRX, and is now even better in Thetis. The look-ahead VOX with side chain gating is especially fabulous
Before all that I used to do a lot of processing using DAW software, but no longer, the built-in features of the SDR software we use make it unnecessary for 99% of us.
W8JJ wrote:Thank you for the detailed and thoughtful response Scott. You have opened my eyes to a new world of microphones. I've never considered condenser microphones in the past. I also appreciate your concerns regarding the cost factor. However, all of the equipment that I've listed is currently surplus gear at my station. I also have an RE20 collecting dust that I may substitute for the PR40 in the plan. Since I already have the dynamic microphones and CL-1 in stock, does this change your recommendation at all? Any thoughts on the RE20 for this application with, or without, the CL-1? I am also fine with going in a different direction using a condenser mic if that optimizes the audio potential.
If you already own all of the gear, then by all means use it! I'm not a fan of the PR40 sound, but that's just me. I'd go with the RE20 given a choice. And if you like the way the CL-1 sounds, again by all means use it (but not on a condenser, and make sure "mic boost" is off in the software). But, again, a lot of that is very subjective. You need to like how you sound to you. BTW, do not use the MON TX monitor feature with PureSignal turned on. MON picks off the audio after predistortion. So be aware of that. Get things set, then turn on PureSignal.
In other words, are there any inherent benefits to using a condenser microphone to achieve great audio?
In your case not really, because you already own everything. However, for someone starting from scratch, they can achieve a nearly ruler flat, colorless response from any number of large diameter condensers. With a flat response it can be easier to bring in the EQ you want/need, rather than trusting that a more "colorful" mic will do it for them automagically. Also, there are so many outstanding condenser choices at right around the $100 price point, it is a lot less expensive than buying a dynamic mic with equivalent performance. And, admittedly, I'm somewhat biased by a philosophical viewpoint that one should not do their EQ in the microphone. But other than that, and cost, there's no reason per se to use one mic over another.
I'm building this station from the ground up with a sharp focus on transmit audio. After listening to Anan users on the air it is clear that this radio, and the available software tools, are very capable of producing the sound that I'm seeking. For now, I intend to keep my Elecraft gear for CW until I have a chance to test the Anan in the real world during a contest. But, the phone duties are definitely being migrated to the Anan with this station upgrade.
With PureSignal linearization working, the very high-Q passband filters, and the look-ahead, soft-limiting ALC, even without the rest of the audio bells and whistles in the software there is no question that a properly set up PowerSDR/Thetis/ANAN combination is the best sounding configuration in ham radio. If you put in the skull sweat you will not be disappointed! And the bells and whistles are just icing on the cake. Three different stages of compression (leveler, CFC 10-band semi-parametric compression, and the ALC), two stages of 10-band semi-parametric EQ, and the phase rotator. It's a rack in a box, all in software! Plus the fully adjustable expander/VOX with look-ahead and side-chain gating. Whatever you do, don't use the old COMP compressor or CESSB. That stuff is old and outdated.
Also, I had not realized that PTT functionality was available on the back panel until now. PTT was a significant factor for selecting the W2IHY iBox. Your concerns about the 5 pin DIN are noted and under consideration as well. This makes me consider the possibility of selecting a different commercially available transformer since the PTT issue is moot and the attenuation feature may not be necessary. Or is it?
I do not believe you will need any attenuation. If you already own a balanced to unbalanced transformer by all means employ that instead.
It's worth noting that many of us who are serious about audio avoid the analog section of the ANAN hardware entirely. It's a pretty low end CODEC in there. Instead many of us purchase a professional sound interface, like the Behringer UMC series. I use a somewhat higher-end Presonus interface. This lets us plug our microphones right into a professional level pre-amp and digitizer that supplies real 48V phantom power and uses legit balanced audio I/O. We then utilized the VAC interface facilities of PowerSDR/Thetis to send and receive audio. I route my receive audio out of that interface to a pair of JBL LSR305 studio monitors, which does wonderful things for my receive audio! It takes a little more skull sweat to get the VAC interface tweaked and tuned, but IMHO it's worth it.