Need help picking voice over mic

Steven Gotz · April 20th, 2005, 10:15 PM

Last month's Post Magazine had an article on the subject:

http://www.postmagazine.com/post/art...l.jsp?id=87847

Mike Morrison · April 21st, 2005, 01:48 AM

I do a fair amount of voice-over recording here, and my feelings echo much of what Glenn Chan suggested. It's more about the talent and the recording space than about the microphone, and for the budget you've got, you should be able to do just fine.

The material on the voice-over reel on my web site was all recorded through the same mic -- a CAD Equitek E-300. You can't buy it new anymore, but you can get 'em used. (There's one on

E-bay right now.)

It's a fairly versatile large diaphragm condenser. I've used it on vocals (spoken and signing), acoustic guitar, djembe, trumpet, and a couple of other things. It's a bit bright, though not as transparent-sounding as, say, a Neumann U87 -- but it's been a good friend to the studio here. It's got plenty of switchable options, too. A pad, a LF cut, and switchable omni, cardioid, and figure-8. It requires phantom power. I wouldn't describe it as the 'ultimate' voice-over mic, but until recently, it was the best option we had in the cabinet.

Good luck with your purchase!

Dwight Flynn · April 21st, 2005, 09:45 AM

Dave, I called B&H, they do not know what you are talking about (ie AKG 414 for $254). Is there a link you could give, or is there a particular model number or a particular version of the 414 (and must I reference this forum????)

Mike Morrison · April 21st, 2005, 11:04 AM

Even the low-end AKG C 414 B-XLS typically goes for about $900. Perhaps Dave was thinking of the AKG C2000B (~$200) or C3000B (~$300)? (Or maybe a used B-ULS?)

The 414 is a nice general purpose mic, but if you're going to spend that much, you might be better served going with Neumann BCM 104 (~$825).

Jay Massengill · April 21st, 2005, 11:34 AM

He was talking about the NT1000 for $254.

Ty Ford · April 21st, 2005, 09:31 PM

Well, it's the voice first, then the mic/preamp.

THE NT2000 and NT2-a are fine for the job. They are much better than the earlier RODES.

The AT2020 at $99 is also quite acceptable. You can see and hear what it sounds like by looking in the quickies folder in my online archives. I have an mp4 file recorded on an XL2 with the at2020.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Hsien Yong · April 21st, 2005, 10:19 PM

Wow Ty.. the sample sounds good. Do you own an AT2020?
Any thoughts about it?

Ty Ford · April 22nd, 2005, 09:24 AM

Hi H,

Thanks, I do have one here. The issue was a price limit of $400. I don't really know of many mics in the up to $400 range that sound a lot better than the AT2020. I'm not saying they don't exist. There are a lot of mics in that range that sound a lot worse.

I normally use more expensive mics and preamps for my narration work. Schoeps, Sennheiser, Neumann with GML, Aphex or Millennia Media preamps.

Samples of my VO work are on my main page.

Regards,

Ty

Dave Largent · April 27th, 2005, 03:35 AM

I just received the mic and one of the screens was
not even connected to the mic -- it had
fallen off. Has anyone had this, where the
screens fall off?
It was broken away when I first unwrapped it.
It looks like it had been glued.
Any thoughts?

Graeme Fullick · April 27th, 2005, 04:00 AM

Dave,

My Rode is built like a tank. I know that you can take them apart, but I have never had the need.

The screen seems to be held in behind the body of the mike. I understand that Rode has very good QC - so I might send it back - as I assume that it has had a belting in the post. See if B&H will send another.

Graeme

Martin Yap · April 8th, 2006, 03:00 PM

I've had my NT1000 for close to a year now and I just love it, of course I'd spring for a Neumann in a heartbeat if I had the cash but the Rode has kept me happy for the most part!

Dave Largent · April 8th, 2006, 03:36 PM

This is a little bit older thread but I just wanted
to say I have gotten rid of my NT1000. It just
really wasn't what I wanted. It wasn't what
I would call "warm". There was nothing really
wrong with it, but it was just a touch tending
toward the harsh side. For a VO mic, I think
I'd prefer something more neutral. I don't
know what the current pricing is but I'e heard
good things about the Shure SM7. I know the
Electrovoice RE20 is very popular as well.
I've heard that the RE27 has a bit more
presence to it, but maybe that means it's
more tending toward harsh which may not
be a good thing. Another one I'd consider
is the Rode NT2-A, but have not
actually heard this one.

Ty Ford · April 8th, 2006, 08:44 PM

I still have recordd sample of the NT2-a and some othe miccs in a folder called
RAP on my server. Help Yourself.

Ty Ford

Daniel Wang · April 8th, 2006, 10:37 PM

I own 4 AKG C414s, IIULS series. At $900 a piece... Mostly because they are my drum overheads for live sound. But for VO - with the right accessories, it'll be great. The shouckmount is made for AKG mics, but can hold others - you can use universal clip mic holders or anything small enough to hold the XLR shaft at the bottom of the mic. I like the switchable patterns, I use the cardiod @ Odb, no cut, most of the time. But in the $400 range, this is probably out of your reach.

The 57' is a great mic. $80...and sounds great, but it is a performance mic, not a recording mic, and it isnt the best. I like the stuff from CAD - it looks good, but I've only heard vocals on it. The EV RE20 has been the standard for radio for years, but I prefer the Shure SM7. If you are a pureist for natural sounding output, boom the person. Use a Sennheiser 66' and an large boom stand, large enough to go over a standing subject. Is the $400 just for the mic, or for the entire setup. Are you factoring a good music stand, mic stands, cables, pop-filters, spare parts, recording equipment, etc? An imporatant, but overlooked part is the music stand. Manhasset and Wenger make great stands, you cant get away with some $10 folding stand from a garage sale. Would you be able to pad the feet somehow? I would go with a $100-200 mic, and set the room up well.

30% mic - 70% where it is and what's around it.

Allen Kaufman · April 14th, 2006, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dwight Flynn

I am in need of a good (for the price) voice over mic for my home studio. I want to use it in connection with a documentary I am finishing, and anticipate using it with a short I am about to start. My budget is about $400 (give or take a $100). I am looking for clean sound (with a bit of warmth). I know opinions will vary, but I want to know which mic YOU think is best for the money. Obviously I value actual experience with a particular mic over speculation. Thanks.

Hello. My experience has taught me that it is often necessary to match the different voice characteristics of a particular speaker with a compatible response characteristic of a given mic. I own a lot of mics - and my most expensive $1700 hasn't always been the solution in every circumstance I have heard one of my $200 mics sound better in a particular setting.

But to answer your question, IMHO, an often over-looked gem of a mic in that budget range is the AKG C-3000 series.

April 20th, 2005, 10:15 PM	#16
Steven Gotz Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Clermont, FL Posts: 1,520	Last month's Post Magazine had an article on the subject: http://www.postmagazine.com/post/art...l.jsp?id=87847 __________________ Steven Gotz http://www.stevengotz.com

April 21st, 2005, 09:31 PM	#21
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Well, it's the voice first, then the mic/preamp. THE NT2000 and NT2-a are fine for the job. They are much better than the earlier RODES. The AT2020 at $99 is also quite acceptable. You can see and hear what it sounds like by looking in the quickies folder in my online archives. I have an mp4 file recorded on an XL2 with the at2020. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

April 22nd, 2005, 09:24 AM	#23
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	Hi H, Thanks, I do have one here. The issue was a price limit of $400. I don't really know of many mics in the up to $400 range that sound a lot better than the AT2020. I'm not saying they don't exist. There are a lot of mics in that range that sound a lot worse. I normally use more expensive mics and preamps for my narration work. Schoeps, Sennheiser, Neumann with GML, Aphex or Millennia Media preamps. Samples of my VO work are on my main page. Regards, Ty __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

April 27th, 2005, 04:00 AM	#25
Graeme Fullick Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Newcastle, Australia Posts: 337	Dave, My Rode is built like a tank. I know that you can take them apart, but I have never had the need. The screen seems to be held in behind the body of the mike. I understand that Rode has very good QC - so I might send it back - as I assume that it has had a belting in the post. See if B&H will send another. Graeme __________________ Graeme

April 8th, 2006, 03:00 PM	#26
Martin Yap Tourist Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 4	I've had my NT1000 for close to a year now and I just love it, of course I'd spring for a Neumann in a heartbeat if I had the cash but the Rode has kept me happy for the most part! __________________ Martin V.Yap Yappy Dog Productions http://www.martinyap.com

April 21st, 2005, 01:48 AM	#17
Mike Morrison New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NY Posts: 9	I do a fair amount of voice-over recording here, and my feelings echo much of what Glenn Chan suggested. It's more about the talent and the recording space than about the microphone, and for the budget you've got, you should be able to do just fine. The material on the voice-over reel on my web site was all recorded through the same mic -- a CAD Equitek E-300. You can't buy it new anymore, but you can get 'em used. (There's one on E-bay right now.) It's a fairly versatile large diaphragm condenser. I've used it on vocals (spoken and signing), acoustic guitar, djembe, trumpet, and a couple of other things. It's a bit bright, though not as transparent-sounding as, say, a Neumann U87 -- but it's been a good friend to the studio here. It's got plenty of switchable options, too. A pad, a LF cut, and switchable omni, cardioid, and figure-8. It requires phantom power. I wouldn't describe it as the 'ultimate' voice-over mic, but until recently, it was the best option we had in the cabinet. Good luck with your purchase!

April 21st, 2005, 09:45 AM	#18
Dwight Flynn Major Player Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 393	Dave, I called B&H, they do not know what you are talking about (ie AKG 414 for $254). Is there a link you could give, or is there a particular model number or a particular version of the 414 (and must I reference this forum????)

April 21st, 2005, 11:04 AM	#19
Mike Morrison New Boot Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: NY Posts: 9	Even the low-end AKG C 414 B-XLS typically goes for about $900. Perhaps Dave was thinking of the AKG C2000B (~$200) or C3000B (~$300)? (Or maybe a used B-ULS?) The 414 is a nice general purpose mic, but if you're going to spend that much, you might be better served going with Neumann BCM 104 (~$825).

April 21st, 2005, 11:34 AM	#20
Jay Massengill Trustee Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Burlington Posts: 1,976	He was talking about the NT1000 for $254.

April 21st, 2005, 10:19 PM	#22
Hsien Yong Regular Crew Join Date: May 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 111	Wow Ty.. the sample sounds good. Do you own an AT2020? Any thoughts about it?

April 27th, 2005, 03:35 AM	#24
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	I just received the mic and one of the screens was not even connected to the mic -- it had fallen off. Has anyone had this, where the screens fall off? It was broken away when I first unwrapped it. It looks like it had been glued. Any thoughts?

April 8th, 2006, 03:36 PM	#27
Dave Largent Trustee Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 1,483	Nt1000 This is a little bit older thread but I just wanted to say I have gotten rid of my NT1000. It just really wasn't what I wanted. It wasn't what I would call "warm". There was nothing really wrong with it, but it was just a touch tending toward the harsh side. For a VO mic, I think I'd prefer something more neutral. I don't know what the current pricing is but I'e heard good things about the Shure SM7. I know the Electrovoice RE20 is very popular as well. I've heard that the RE27 has a bit more presence to it, but maybe that means it's more tending toward harsh which may not be a good thing. Another one I'd consider is the Rode NT2-A, but have not actually heard this one.

April 8th, 2006, 08:44 PM	#28
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	I still have recordd sample of the NT2-a and some othe miccs in a folder called RAP on my server. Help Yourself. Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

April 8th, 2006, 10:37 PM	#29
Daniel Wang Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 113	414, 57, on and on... I own 4 AKG C414s, IIULS series. At $900 a piece... Mostly because they are my drum overheads for live sound. But for VO - with the right accessories, it'll be great. The shouckmount is made for AKG mics, but can hold others - you can use universal clip mic holders or anything small enough to hold the XLR shaft at the bottom of the mic. I like the switchable patterns, I use the cardiod @ Odb, no cut, most of the time. But in the $400 range, this is probably out of your reach. The 57' is a great mic. $80...and sounds great, but it is a performance mic, not a recording mic, and it isnt the best. I like the stuff from CAD - it looks good, but I've only heard vocals on it. The EV RE20 has been the standard for radio for years, but I prefer the Shure SM7. If you are a pureist for natural sounding output, boom the person. Use a Sennheiser 66' and an large boom stand, large enough to go over a standing subject. Is the $400 just for the mic, or for the entire setup. Are you factoring a good music stand, mic stands, cables, pop-filters, spare parts, recording equipment, etc? An imporatant, but overlooked part is the music stand. Manhasset and Wenger make great stands, you cant get away with some $10 folding stand from a garage sale. Would you be able to pad the feet somehow? I would go with a $100-200 mic, and set the room up well. 30% mic - 70% where it is and what's around it.