V/O mic: upgrade from v67 to 960?

[crinz83]

I did a bunch of V/O projects on a V67 (maybe around 100 or so). I liked it, clients liked it... but I took a couple years off doing V/O's, and don't have the V67 any more.
So now, I'm thinking about getting another mic. I've spent the last week doing searches, Googling, etc.
I really liked how the V67 worked, versus something like an Re20, or a 421 (and I liked both of them).
So... would a tube like the 960 be yet another 'notch' up?
I would really like to hear from folks who have experience with both mics. I don't want this to turn into a "Why not try this OTHER mic" thread. But If you REALLY know what you're talking about, I'd accept another suggestion.
Keep in mind, this is for a baritone voice. I did stuff years ago on tubes (U47, I think U87, too, but not sure), but was young and stupid, and didn't keep copies of the spots.
I'm asking for any additional advice to the research I'm currently doing... I believe in leaving no stone unturned. Thanks,
CRINZ

 

[PhilGood]

The 960 is a very good mic. It has a bit of high-end sheen that could translate to sibilance with the wrong technique, but could be dialed back.

All in all it's a very smooth mic, and IMO is better than the V67.

 

[whyseye]

Another one to consider might be the MXL V69M....



....and if you're interested, I have one (in the LA area) that I'm probably looking to sell....you can PM me if you want to know more...

 

[mrface2112]

All in all it's a very smooth mic, and IMO is better than the V67.

i have both mics in question and can give a hearty thumbs-up to this statement.

the 960 is really an excellent mic for the money--quite smooth, warm and BIG sounding, with none of that midrange hashiness the V67's got. it's the first mic i've actually liked the sound of my voice through.

it might be too big sounding for some things.

it's also physically quite large. we refer to the 960 as the donkeydick. it requires a manly stand and you should spring for a shockmount b/c the included stand adapter sucks. why they didn't include a shockmount with this thing is beyond me.

in short, yes, it's a step up from the V67........and from what i understand, it's essentially a V69 in a different housing.

cheers,
wade

 

[crinz83]

Another one to consider might be the MXL V69M....



....and if you're interested, I have one (in the LA area) that I'm probably looking to sell....you can PM me if you want to know more...

Yeah, I've been looking into the V69 a bit, too. I need to research it a little more, though.
Thanks for the responses, guys... very helpful.

CRINZ

 

[Gus]

CRINZ

Just staying with MXL in this post to make it simple there are many possible microphones to try.

Go to the MXL site and look at the curves of the MXL V67 and V69 and 960. note the high end bump in the V69 and what is transformer or transformerless.

Will that bump work for you or against your voice?

Do the preamp(s) have an EQ that you can use to change the microphone sound?

It is hard to say what is BEST because it depends.

Now if the V67 worked for you and the clients were happy why not get another one?

Something to keep in mind If this is paying V/O work and you travel with your microphone(s) and you have a tube microphone like a V69 you might want to carry a known good replacement tube.

Now another MXL microphone is the MXLV67i (I have not tried or seen inside this model)I don't know what they did maybe they removed the high end EQ for one setting or maybe different tensions on each side of the capsule.

As I quess you know, you are asking a hard question. Things like amount of money you can spend and what preamps that you will plug into will make a difference in the possible answers.

Sometimes you just need to try the different microphones. Try to test them with the microphone preamp(s) they will be used with.

 

[crinz83]

Gus,
Thanks for the advice. I checked the curves, and both the v69 and 960 have similar bumps in the 10-12k range.
That's exactly what I'm looking for! When I used to use an RE-20, I had an Orban parametric EQ, and I always punched up that range. I notched it pretty tightly, if I remember correctly. That boost adds such a crispness to my voice. One time, someone brought in an aural exciter, and I think it mixed/enhanced harmonics in that same range (long time ago, I may be wrong).
Yeah, I certainly can get more work with another V67, but I'm always looking to improve.
Thanks again for posting here. Your thoughts are very appreciated.

CRINZ

 

[Gus]

Check the two curves for the V67i. One looks like more likethe stock V67 and the other kind of likethe V69 curve.