A Good Mic for ADR Work? at DVinfo.net

Ken Tanaka · June 1st, 2003, 12:46 AM

Can anyone recommend a mic that might be particularly good for ADR (additional dialog recording) work? I have a Senn ME-66 and ME-67, as well as an Audio-Technica AT822 (stereo). My inclination, in the absence of better recommendations, is to use the ME-66 on a boom with a shock mount. But reviewing the forest of available mics suggests that a studio-style mic with a "low proximity effect"(?) might produce better results. I'm not terribly sensitive to price but, as this may be an infrequently used device, I'd like to keep the budget at or under $1,000US. I envision feeding the mic into my HHb PortaDisc.

Do we have any veterans of ADR who can make a recommendation?

Thanks very much.

Jacques Mersereau · June 1st, 2003, 07:55 AM

The Neumann TLM-103 is a great mic for under a grand.
No bells or whistles such as the ability to change patterns,
but it is clean and sounds great.

The issue is that the TLM-103's sonic quality is much better than
either of the two mics you have to mix it with. It will be cleaner,
phatter, and have much less hiss.

(I always heard that ADR stood for audio dialog replacement.
Additional Dialog Recording is much nicer :)

Ken Tanaka · June 1st, 2003, 10:44 AM

Thank you, Jacques. I'll look at that Neumann.

Isn't it funny how many meanings for ADR people have? I had always thought that it meant "additional dialog replacement". Others thought it meant "automatic dialog replacement". I think "audio dialog replacement" sounds best...but, come to think of it, what other kind of "dialog" would one have? <g>

K. Forman · June 1st, 2003, 11:21 AM

Not necessarily dialogue, but perhaps sound effects and foley work?

Robert Knecht Schmidt · June 1st, 2003, 05:15 PM

To my knowledge, ADR (or "looping") stands for automatic dialogue replacement, automatic in the sense that (in the old days of ADR) the same bit of film and reel of nagra tape would loop in synchronicity for the talent to view on a screen and listen to in cans until he/she could mimic his or her own inflection perfectly without having to laboriously play and rewind, play and rewind the footage and audio repeatedly.

These days it's done digitally and more automatic than ever.

See the IMDB glossary, which dutifully points out the great example-on-film of looping in Postcards from the Edge. Another film that demonstrates looping is Roman Coppola's CQ.

June 1st, 2003, 12:46 AM	#1
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	A Good Mic for ADR Work? Can anyone recommend a mic that might be particularly good for ADR (additional dialog recording) work? I have a Senn ME-66 and ME-67, as well as an Audio-Technica AT822 (stereo). My inclination, in the absence of better recommendations, is to use the ME-66 on a boom with a shock mount. But reviewing the forest of available mics suggests that a studio-style mic with a "low proximity effect"(?) might produce better results. I'm not terribly sensitive to price but, as this may be an infrequently used device, I'd like to keep the budget at or under $1,000US. I envision feeding the mic into my HHb PortaDisc. Do we have any veterans of ADR who can make a recommendation? Thanks very much. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 1st, 2003, 07:55 AM	#2
Jacques Mersereau Trustee Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 1,334	The Neumann TLM-103 is a great mic for under a grand. No bells or whistles such as the ability to change patterns, but it is clean and sounds great. The issue is that the TLM-103's sonic quality is much better than either of the two mics you have to mix it with. It will be cleaner, phatter, and have much less hiss. (I always heard that ADR stood for audio dialog replacement. Additional Dialog Recording is much nicer :) __________________ Jacques Mersereau University of Michigan-Video Studio Manager

June 1st, 2003, 10:44 AM	#3
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Thank you, Jacques. I'll look at that Neumann. Isn't it funny how many meanings for ADR people have? I had always thought that it meant "additional dialog replacement". Others thought it meant "automatic dialog replacement". I think "audio dialog replacement" sounds best...but, come to think of it, what other kind of "dialog" would one have? <g> __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

June 1st, 2003, 05:15 PM	#5
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	To my knowledge, ADR (or "looping") stands for automatic dialogue replacement, automatic in the sense that (in the old days of ADR) the same bit of film and reel of nagra tape would loop in synchronicity for the talent to view on a screen and listen to in cans until he/she could mimic his or her own inflection perfectly without having to laboriously play and rewind, play and rewind the footage and audio repeatedly. These days it's done digitally and more automatic than ever. See the IMDB glossary, which dutifully points out the great example-on-film of looping in Postcards from the Edge. Another film that demonstrates looping is Roman Coppola's CQ. __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

June 1st, 2003, 11:21 AM	#4
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	Not necessarily dialogue, but perhaps sound effects and foley work?