Need a mic for deeper "sexy" voiceovers

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jbroad572

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Well, I am wanting to aim specifically for the women and do some talking/recording over music tracks. I don't know how to describe my voice personally, but I know what I am going for. I was thinking a condenser would be my best bet, listening to a mic shootout, I think it will give me a bigger, bassier (but not too much) sound, but still allow me to articulate without forcing my voice.

I know this is a long shot, but I thought perhaps I might be able to make some voice over demos at home and attempting to get some work here and there on some of the vox forums. So, I'd like whatever I get to be good quality and able to record good quality. I was originally thinking an SM7, but listening to the demos it seems too soft and polished ? Most of the dynamic mics did. I used to own a RE20 for my saxophone and it did a decent job, but just want the best I can buy with my money. I'll have to buy a pretty cheap/decent preamp as well.
I'd like to stay in the $400-$500 range on the mic.

Guess, I'll head to the preamp forum to get some suggestions on another $400-$500 piece of equipment.

Here's a voicemail attempt I made about 4 years ago with an MXL v67g, I believe. Please don't mind the playing and piano.. .. it was just for fun and I was just starting out at the time. My voice is a little more mature these days as well as my sax playing ;).

Ideas? Suggestions?
 
I work a good deal with Maureen "Mo" Fleming, a rich contralto with that "chanteuse" kind of voice. She is the low voice in an Andrews Sisters tribute trio. For a condenser, she favors Oktava MK319:

Oktava MK319 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

and AKG Solid Tube which is discontinued, but can be found used at the high end of your price range.

But here's the odd tip: We have achieved *excellent* results doing voiceovers with her on AKG D112:

Akg D112 | 8thstreet.com | Call 1-800-878-8882 | Free Shipping on most orders!

They call it a "classic bass drum mic", but it was designed for orchestral recording of double bass. Although a dynamic mic, it has a fairly high output, as they go, and is crystal clear on the lower end voice, whether male or female, and has become my go-to mic for deep, rich voiceovers. Good luck-Richie
 
Thanks for the post... any other suggestions. Come on, I know the clip was corny, but... lol
 
+1 on the d112...

who woulda though it huh? but to me it's just a slightly more scooped and deeper sm7b.

Proper deep radio sound for £100 :)
 
Hi,

I do voice over for my radio show and spots. I have worked hard on my radio voice which is deep and breathy but I don't know about sexy.

And this is weird.

I talk right into my iRiver H320 dictaphone mic which is probably a 25 cent omni capsule and I record in mono to the iriver hard drive from about 6 inches away. Then I use the USB to put it on my computer. I put it into SAW, cut everything below 120 and boost the bass from 200-300 down. Light compression and then I normalise to about 90%.

Works for me. I don't know that I'd recommend it for anyone else. I've got over 100 microphones and this is my favorite voice over setup.

You can hear me here.

Something Blue | Blues is the Mainstream

Thanks,

Hairy Larry
 
The AT4033a that I used to have had a pretty smoking low end. But the baritone end was kind of weak, so not for all voices. Hopefully your voice also has that low end, and the sample seems to suggest. Not quite Barry White, but in proximity of. You might also look into preamps with a better low end. My SD MM-1's are way better on the low side than those that came with my Korg MR-1000. And/or turn off any bass roll off / low cut / HPF / ??? that might be available and ON for your current gear.

I saw a youtube video on deep(er) voice techniques. And a lot of the suggestions seemed legit. Like record first thing in the morning, right after you wake up. Take out stress and other basic relaxation techniques. When I was toying with Tuba and Bass Trombone, there's a whole warmup thing I would do to loosen up. And a lot of times with brass playing in general, you don't really get that "sound" until you've been going at it for four or more hours. When your muscles are just too tired to NOT be relaxed.

Beyond that you could always pitch shift your voice down an octave and MIX that with the original audio. Although in my experience pitch shifting only sounds okay when going up from the native sound, not down. Not to imply okay sounding, just more passable, or less annoying. Not that you'd want to do that professionally IMO, but it could help give you a better understanding of where to head versus where you're at.

I've been toying with shock mounts and room treatments and oddly both of those things seem to bring out the low end in my existing mics. A very subtle difference, but a difference.
 
Shadow_7 said:
I saw a youtube video on deep(er) voice techniques. And a lot of the suggestions seemed legit. Like record first thing in the morning, right after you wake up. Take out stress and other basic relaxation techniques. When I was toying with Tuba and Bass Trombone, there's a whole warmup thing I would do to loosen up. And a lot of times with brass playing in general, you don't really get that "sound" until you've been going at it for four or more hours. When your muscles are just too tired to NOT be relaxed.
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Thank you for that information. I will check on those YT videos as well. Didn't think about that, but makes perfect sense.
 
Try the Neumann KMS 104 PLUS - this has extra bass response and is ideal for the female voice and those wanting extra bottom-end.

But make sure it's the PLUS version and not the standard one!
 
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