Moving up to a better VO mic

[IceAnnouncer]

Hi,

I'm new to this forum, but have been a VO artist for years - using budget equipment.

I'm very close to purchasing a new microphone (or microphones) and I'm wondering what some here would recommend.

I have tried a few, and plan to try more - and of course I know that I should get what I like.

However, because of the possibility of buying some pretty decent mics for pretty decent prices on ebay (gently used) I'm consdering buying a couple without having heard them.

I want to spend no more than around $300 - and if I can get a couple or 3 mics for that price - all the better.

I'm not a movie trailer guy... my voice is more "regular guy."

My current mic (a Samson) is very "flat" - and by that I don't mean true... I mean it sounds like there's not enough high and low end - taking away some of the richness and crispness from my voice. I guess it sounds bland without really being muddy if that makes sense. I usually have to add EQ after recording through Audition - (Pop EQ pre-set works well)

What NON-USB microphone or microphones from the 80 dollar range all the way up to 250-300 dollar range are warm, low self-noise, and will capture the bottom parts of my range as well as the clarity of the upper frequencies?

I've worked in radio for a lot of years (not anymore) and I'm looking for a condenser mic that has that studio dynamic sound - rich bottoms, clear highs, etc....

Thanks for your suggestions.

Thanks!

 

[darrin_h2000]

If you have worked in radio for years you should be familiar with the SM7...the EV RE20 and the Senn MD421 are pretty much what is being used in radio in almost every situation.

You wont want a condencer for this because it will pick up more than just the voice, but any other noise nearby.

 

[IceAnnouncer]

If you have worked in radio for years you should be familiar with the SM7...the EV RE20 and the Senn MD421 are pretty much what is being used in radio in almost every situation.

You wont want a condencer for this because it will pick up more than just the voice, but any other noise nearby.

sorry to disagree, but a good condenser is EXACTLY what a voice-over professional wants. You want a mic that picks up every last detail - you avoid the external noises by eliminating them in a studio that is acoustically treated and quiet. That part I have covered, I just need a mic that is rich and full sounding without losing the crisp and bright high ends.

 

[darrin_h2000]

I assumed by the mic budget that maybe you didnt do a $10,000 room...I like the AT3035 or the Shure KSM32 as a condencer...its not very forgiving though but it gives you nice detail.

 

[IceAnnouncer]

Thanks,

I'll look into those - I think I can probably find those at one of my local retailers to test.

I didn't do a 10,000 room, but I'm converting part of my office into a studio. I'm doing the work myself, and I got my hands on some nice wall treatment that was being taken down from an on-air studio my company is no longer using.

I've been using a condenser already, even without the "perfect" environment, and it's done me well so far - I'm working regularly. I just want to step up into the "lower middle class" of microphones as I move into a real "studio."

 

[Richard Monroe]

Sure, on your budget you could do a dark mic, like Oktava MK319 and a brighter mic, like B.L.U.E. Bird, or you can buy the best all-purpose condenser you can afford, such as Audio Technica AT4040. If you want *real* lip-smacking detail, you might try a small diaphragm mic. Usually they are not recommended for vocals, but that didn't stop The Beatles and numerous other people from using them in that capacity. Consider one of the little Naiant mics as a cheap experiment- 2 pop filters, 3" apart, and that quiet studio. One dark horse- a hand held condenser- AKG C535. It will do exactly what you are asking for. Good luck

 

[pohaku]

The AKG C535eb Richie mentioned is good. If you come across an Audio Technica AT-4055, you might want to consider it. It is the predecessor to the AE5400 which is a cardioid hand held mic based on the AT-4050. It is an excellent mic that now typically goes for @$140-160 or so on e-bay. New they listed at $500. The AT-4054 is the same mic with roll off. The AE5400 now has a roll off switch. You might be able to find an AE5400 new for @$300 or so. You might even be able to find a used AT-4050 for $350 or so. I have a couple of the AKGs mentioned, a couple AT-4055s, a couple 4050s and have used the AE5400. Aside from the roll off switch, the AT-4055 and the AE5400 sound the same. Personally I like the AT-4055 better than the AKG, but, since we are talking mics here and all their idiosyncrasies, YMMV.

 

[darrin_h2000]

Id still stick with a nicer dynamic for that use...the Audio Tecnica is a great reccommendation...they are built as tight as you would expect the Japanese to make anything...I have the AT4047 and it is the only one in the line that isnt put together to be a workhorse but to be a copy of a U47...and it does that nicely.

 

[pohaku]

Id still stick with a nicer dynamic for that use...the Audio Tecnica is a great reccommendation...they are built as tight as you would expect the Japanese to make anything...I have the AT4047 and it is the only one in the line that isnt put together to be a workhorse but to be a copy of a U47...and it does that nicely.

Actually, I'm inclined to agree with you. An RE-20 or an SM7 personally. The U87 does get used fairly frequently for VO and sounds good, but it kind of blows the budget. I have one of those too, and, at least for my voice, I prefer the dynamic mics.

 

[Shadow_7]

I guess one should ask, do you want to sound like you?

I'm tending to like my dynamic mic for VO type stuff. Not that I ever do any yet. But while a condesor looks good on paper and in theory. Do you really want every little grunt / breath / cricket / creaky chair / humm of electronics getting picked up by the mic? You know, you're doing a voice over for some nature scene in the middle of nature and included in the mix is a squeeky office chair. What? Survivorman is roughing it in an RV this time?

 

[Big Kenny]

I guess one should ask, do you want to sound like you?

I'm tending to like my dynamic mic for VO type stuff. Not that I ever do any yet. But while a condesor looks good on paper and in theory. Do you really want every little grunt / breath / cricket / creaky chair / humm of electronics getting picked up by the mic? You know, you're doing a voice over for some nature scene in the middle of nature and included in the mix is a squeeky office chair. What? Survivorman is roughing it in an RV this time?

zackly.......