Mic and Preamp

  • Thread starter Thread starter Take Two
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Take Two

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First, thanks to Harvey for the many hours I just spent reading the mic sticky. I hadn't thought about that stuff since I mic'ed live folk music on Philly radio in the 70's. Sheesh!

Some of you may be aware that I am the New Guy this week, and I need some input. I'm getting back into voice over work, and I've been told that auditioning at home via mp3's is the new deal in commercial work.

I need to set up a small home studio, and another thread recommended the Delta 44 sound card. Fine.

My remaining choices include a low cost condenser mic (one to two hundred?) and an appropriate preamp.

One poster suggested a tube mic, but I think they are closer to four or five hundred dollars, right? I was thinking of the Rode or the Berhinger B1. Any other recommends for a good cheap condenser?

That leaves the preamp. One poster suggested the ART type, with a small tube that adds "warmth". Another poster said that the tube is a starved plate circuit that merely distorts the sound to one that is more pleasing but not as accurate.

What are my other choices for a preamp, and what are the best of those choices?

Thanks.
 
JoeMeek. Maybe a used VC6Q off Ebay
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I'm a little embarassed.

Is Joe Meek a manufacturer? Is a VC6Q a mic?

Has a good opto compressor and 3-band EQ with sweep mids.
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I imagine this is an optical isolated compressor? A three band EQ? That I understand.

I guess for a mic you're looking for something that's not too bright
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I always thought of the Sennheiser as a "bright" mic. We used to use an RE-20 at the station. I have a low voice (I sing the lowest bass parts in SATB music) but I get a lot of midrange, too...maybe an influence from my early top 40 days?

Does anyone like the B1 or low cost Rode mics?

All other ideas are appreciated.
 
Do a search on the b1 (type b1* in the search engine) and rode budget mics. If you're thinking about the rode nt-1 it's considered to be a bit harsh. The b1 is more neutral and a more popular choice among the members of this forum.
 
If it were me. I'd knock the Behringer off the list for condensers.
They have a reputation of having an unpleasant "edge".

For VO work, however, how about also considering a dynamic microphone? For example...

You can pick up an Electro-Voice EV RE15 (get mesh pop screen too), or a RE16 (has internal pop screen) for around $80 used.
They have a nice warm tone to them, and have been a standard VO microphone in the radio industry for years.

If you mention your budget for the mic pre and/or voice channel,
we can give you better selections.
It's also a good idea to use the "search function".

Chris

P.S. I also have some gear that could possibly be for sale,
that can work for you.
Send me a "PM" (private message) if interested.
 
how about also considering a dynamic microphone
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Actually, a few folks have said I should go with a condenser. I could spend as much as $200 if pressed, and it was an excellent value.

Budget for other stuff? Another $100 or so for the preamp, and then the Deltaa 44 for whatever it costs ($150?)

Ah, yes, the search function. I typed in "b1", and the search engine said I need a three word mimimum.

What are the best vendors for stands, cords, and pop screens?
 
The MXL V69G is a popular budget condenser here, as is the B1. The prices of these inexpensive chineese condensers is pretty impressive.

But a lot of voiceover and broadcast work is done with dynamic microphones like the electrovoice RE20 and sennheiser 421

A condenser needs a very quiet environment, is rather unforgiving of things like breath noise, and requires a stand and usually a shockmount too.
 
A condenser needs a very quiet environment, is rather unforgiving of things like breath noise, and requires a stand and usually a shockmount too.
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Yes, I'm planning on a stand and shock mount. I like the sound I get when I go to a booking and use a condenser.

I thought the 421 had a liitle too much high end when we used it for broadcast back in 1983. We switched to the RE 20, and used the spider mount to help isolate it from jocks who would come out of a song while beating on the desktop.

Just out of curiosity, what does a used RE 20 go for nowdays?
 
Checkout the Marshall MXLV67G microphone, even Harvey recommends it... here's a link http://www.8thstreet.com/product.asp?ProductCode=6458&Category=Microphones the V67G is only about $100 and I like it better than the Studio Projects mic's. But if you've got a few more bucks you could get something a used Sennheiser MD441 microphone and it's an awsome mic and will hold it's value... unlike the cheaper China made mic's... and it will last you a life time.

Keep an eye on ebay for a used EV RE20 http://search.ebay.com/search/searc...rtProperty=MetaEndSort&query=re20+re-20+re+20
 
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Keep in mind the Behringer B1 and the Stdio Project B1 ARE NOT the same... Most like the Studio Projects B1 VERY MUCH.
 
Take Two said:
What are the best vendors for stands, cords, and pop screens?
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I like the Atlas MS25 floor stands with AKG KM211/1-B arms and the Atlas SB36 large boom stands.
 
I remember the Atlas brand.

I just found a website called Humbucker Music. The Studio Projects B1 is just $79.75, and just $109.74 with the shock mount. Sounds like it might be the way to go, since I have yet to hear a complaint about it.

Anyone think I should consider a mixer instead of a plain preamp? The Mackie four channel is about the cost of the upper end ART preamp.

??
 
With the Mackie preamps you get into the lack of 'smooth' that IMO a voice-over guy needs.Yeah its cheap and maybe four channels would be a good thing but theres better stuff out there.The Studio Projects B1 is a very good choice as would be the B3.With a good pop filter and suspension you shouldn't have to worry too much about the breathing....but hey, you already know how to control that through your experience.As for a mic pre, theres just so many and most of em sound the same in the price range you're suggesting. This last statement will cause me a lot of heat I'm sure. If you can find one, I would recommend the ART Pro Channel.It has all the tools you will need and sounds really good.I have personally used one with the aforementioned B3 mic and it was quite good.This unit may run as much as $350 used but is a piece that will do what you need it to do.

As far as a dynamic mic, the Shure SM7 is one of the most used mics in radio and voiceover work.As is the RE20 EV.Both of these mics if you decide to go that way, would need a pre simply for level as they dont own the hottest output around. I agree with you on the 421....just too nice and airy.
 
The Marshall MXLV67G is only a few bucks more than the SP B1 and IMO it's sweeter on voice than the B1... even Harvey recommends the Marshall MXLV67G... maybe you could get both and keep the one you like best.

Unless you need a bunch of channels.... I'd just get one good preamp instead.
 
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I like sweet. And, if Harvey says so, it must be ok.

What's this I hear about some of the newer posters giving Harvey a hard time? What's their problem?
 
Take Two said:
What's this I hear about some of the newer posters giving Harvey a hard time? What's their problem?
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You don't really want to know.... it's all just a bunch of crap. But, if you must know... go read the post in the cave. But don't bring it back here to the mic board.

Better yet, just stay here... you'll be happier, trust me.
 
I'll take that advice.

They probably won't like me very much, either.
 
Yo take 2! I think the V67G (or V67B- same mic, different color) is a better choice for vocals than the Studio Projects B-1. The B-1 is a studio workhorse, and a great mic, but it is not my first choice for vox. I like the B-1 on acoustic guitar, recorder, strings, and on percussion, either on high toms, or as an overhead. I don't like the V67 on any of that stuff, but I do like it on vocals a lot. You couldn't go wrong to buy both of them for under $200 the pair.-Richie
 
The Oktava 319 is smooth and cheap right now, the SP C1 is much better for girls voices in my experience. but It an impressive offering for the price.
 
I guess I missed that info some how.... for some reason I thought Take Two was a male and wanted a mic and preamp for voice overs only.... sorry about that Take Two, my mistake.
 
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