A LDC mic that doesn't push higher frequencies for Sibilant Female Voice Over?

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buyerpro

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OK, I am taking Harvey's advice, and pointing to a "particular application" re: a mic choice strictly for voice over work in a start-up home studio. Any recommendations on a Large Diaph. Condenser mic that doesn't push higher frequencies for a sibilant female voice over? Prefer something under $500. Also, is there data in the spec sheet of a mic that I can look for that will tell me if it is a mic that will be less prone to pushing the higher frequencies? In my research through the forums, it appears a dynamic mic would require too much gain (I'm using a mic port pro as my pre-amp...I know, many of you may balk at that, but it actually has great reviews.) Thanks so much, all.
 
I would start with an EV RE20 and if that didn't work move on from there.

Are you able to audition different microphones? Say friends or at a store.
 
Is a dynamic mic (like the EV RE-20) though, going to require too much gain?

thanks, moresound, for your quick response, but I have read that a dynamic mic may require too much gain to be pleasing in use at my modest start-up studio (I will be using a mic port pro). Am I mis-informed in that regard? Thanks. (Also, is there a notation on a mic's spec sheet that I could look for, to tell if it "pushes higher frequencies?")
 
The Violet - Black Knight may be worth considering.

It's in the price bracket mentioned and does not have a hyped top end (see frequency response curve).

black_knight_freq.gif


It's also pretty quiet on the self-noise front, with one of the quietest figures around.

Hugh Robjohns gave it a very nice review in Sound on Sound - see HERE.

I have just got one of these for my own mic. locker; but it only arrived a couple of days ago and I have not had a chance to put it through its paces yet.

Violet-Design-Black-Knight-530-100.jpg
 
Personally I would dump the Centrance in-line thing and get a DMP3 or VTB1 with an RE20 or SM7. But if you're married to the other device some condensers to look at for reduced high hype in your price range would be Oktava 319, AT3035, MXL 67G. But IMHO in this price range the best "LDC" would be a dynamic mic.
 
Any reason that you cannot address the high end bump with some EQ? As in for someone else that doesn't know how to do that? A lot of LDC mics are going to have the high end bump to enhance the spoken word clarity of a voice (i.e. flattering versus transparent). AT3035 is a decent cheap one that doesn't require a hefty back end or hefty price tag. And has a fairly flat EQ. But if you're already looking for better based solely on EQ, you're probably looking for better than that. Otherwise a good dynamic like the EV RE-20 or Shure SM7b can go a long ways towards sounding more familiar. Given that most broadcasters use at least one or the other of those. But they're both dynamic mics that require a bit more gain / better back end.
 
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Kel HM-2D.

I bought one for the same reason you state--a female voice, but found it so lacking in high end hype that I tested it in front of an amp. It's stayed there ever since! I'll get another one some day for vocals, but in the meantime, I do just fine with an SM7b or an RE-20.
 
High sibilance can be handled not with just a de-esser. There are better ways. The method AT THIS LINK allows you to really focus on the trouble frequencies without being ham handed about it. I also use this same method for a "De-boomer" when you have a kick and bass hyping a particular frequency.
 
JB's Studio said:
High sibilance can be handled not with just a de-esser. There are better ways. The method AT THIS LINK allows you to really focus on the trouble frequencies without being ham handed about it. I also use this same method for a "De-boomer" when you have a kick and bass hyping a particular frequency.
Click to expand...

Cool tutorial. Thanks for posting that!
 
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