sp b1 too harsh?

[revamp]

the sp b1 sounds good but it seems that it is a little harsh especially when pronouncing "S" anyone else have this problem?

 

[waitingroom]

are you using a pop filter?

 

[ozraves]

I've never thought that of the B1. I've found it to be more on the neutral side of things. However, problems can pop up when you place a mic with a particular source. When that happens you just move on to another mic.

If you made your comment about the C1, then I'd probably agree with you.

 

[billisa]

the sp b1 sounds good but it seems that it is a little harsh especially when pronouncing "S"

If you think it sounds too harsh, then it does. Mic placement makes a huge difference, as do individual voice characteristics. Last week I recorded 17 people -- none with 's' problems. But if you get too close, then the "esses" can get a bit heavy. I'd back off to about 6"-12", use a pop-shield, place the mic at about the level of your nose. Another thing to try is to address the mic at a 45 degree angle, where you're still in directly in front of the grill, but facing a tad to the left or right... You could always eq the "esses" down a bit, but I think it's better to get it right with out any eq.

 

[revamp]

awesome.. all good advices

 

[Dot]

revamp, a mic is only part of an overall system. "Harshness" could be caused by mic positioning, levels, room acoustics, mics pres, A/D converters, D/A converters, substandard cables, monitors, monitor amps.

If you're not getting harshness from some of your other mics, then I'd suggest using a pop filter on the B1 and also work with mic positioning. Rather than singing straight into the diaphragm, try singing aimed at the top or bottom of the mic.

 

[baekgaard]

B1 can be harsh...

the sp b1 sounds good but it seems that it is a little harsh especially when pronouncing "S" anyone else have this problem?

Contrary to popular belief, my experience is that the B1 can sound a bit harsh at times ;-)

I agree what others have said above; it depends a lot on the rest of the recording chain, mic placement and room acoustics.

Of LDC's, I have a SP B1, SP C1 and a Røde NT1000. With a VC3Q type of preamp, the NT1000 sounds warmest of the 3 -- many (but not all) other people find it bright; maybe the difference is either my specific sample or the preamp? The B1 and C1 are brighter, and the B1 can sound a bit harsh on some material, in my room.

I've found that moving closer sometimes helps tame the harshness of the B1. I think one reason could be that the more room sound it picks up from the sides, the more distortion it makes, and moving closer means less room sound. It of course also impacts the proximity effect, and when moving closer, having the mic just above you pointing down at an angle is good advice to get rid of S'es.

I guess you are already using a pop filter.

Just my 0.02 cents,


-- Per.

 

[darnold]

If its bright because of your chain then there is no connection that the mic can be bright, its whatever is in the chain.

Danny