Voiceover Microphones/Audio Interfaces (ST6050 vs U87 with Focusrite Scarlett 6i6)

[prescott911]

Hello!

This is my first!

I am getting into the voiceover industry and I quite new to the various types of Condenser microphones and Audio Interfaces.

I went to Guitar Center earlier this week where they were extremely helpful in setting up a Neumann U87 and Sterling ST6050. Both were connected to a Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 audio interface.

I don't know if we used all of the available settings for patterns on the mics and and settings for the interface but I really liked the way my voice sounded on the Sterling ST6050. I felt the Neumann was a little TOO clean and made my voice sound less engaging while the ST6050 sounded much more rich and subtly more attention grabbing.

I wanted to see what your thought are on the two microphones, if you have other microphone suggestions and also how you feel the the Scarlett 6i6 stacks up when compared to other interfaces. And any other suggestions you can think of.

Thank you!

 

[JLondon]

As for your interface question:

If you only require one input (the mic) and output you can get by with a lower model than the 6i6. You can get by with a 2i2 model or something less expensive with the same quality preamps in it. Both have 2 microphone inputs but the 6i6 has extra types of inputs/outputs you may or may not need. I have a 2i2 and like the brand- it has a warm sound to me with music/voice playback and recording. Others here also like the Steinberg models like the UR22.

I do not know enough about microphones for voice-over work to answer there- but use one of good quality that sounds good with your voice for sure.

 

[Mickster]

[I went to Guitar Center earlier this week where they were extremely helpful in setting up a Neumann U87 and Sterling ST6050.]

Oh........I BET they were extremely helpful!! Did they perhaps suggest that you get two Neumann U87's.......just as a backup? Ok....being sarcastic here.......

 

[DaleVO]

Prescott,
Unless you have already spent as much money as that mic costs, on sound treatment for your recording area, you may want to consider a less expensive microphone/ interface.

Definitely, GC showed you an industry-standard, top-of-the-line mic. So you now have a benchmark. However, how many auditions will you have to win and produce, or audiobooks to narrate, to recover your cost?

I do not want to tell you how to spend your money. But I would encourage you to try less expensive mics and work on sound treatment for your recording environment, until you get established in the industry.

Mics that I use to produce different sounds for me are:

Condensers
CAD e100S
Rode NT-1A
AT 2035
AT 4033

Dynamics
EV RE20
Shure SM7B
(These two require a lot of clean gain. I use a CloudLifter)

I run all of these through either a DBX 286A or Symetrix 528E, to a Lexicon Alpha. Since you are recording one voice (mono), with one mic, the interfaces that were suggested will get you started using condenser mics. Heck, my first rig was the Rode, into a M-audio Fast Track Pro, to laptop.

All of this is just my .02¢ and for information only. I hope it helps.
Dale

 

[ecc83]

Hi Prescott and welcome.
Don't know about your neck of the woods but we have a phrase here..."They saw you coming"!

Two lovely mics but not, IMHO needed for VO work? Your primary consideration for speech is a very low noise system. Any of the AIs mentioned should be good enough given a really low noise capacitor mic. The NT1a still rules here?

I also assume the GC did not loan you the mics to try at home? You could well have chosen differently in YOUR room! Note also that without $10,000+ major building work you will never get your space sound PROOF (treated yes, for much less) so your editing skills will get ever sharper doing dropins and cutting out local wildlife!

Dave.

 

[prescott911]

[I went to Guitar Center earlier this week where they were extremely helpful in setting up a Neumann U87 and Sterling ST6050.]

Oh........I BET they were extremely helpful!! Did they perhaps suggest that you get two Neumann U87's.......just as a backup? Ok....being sarcastic here.......

I got my Yamaha HS5 monitors at a different location in Boston. The guy there is somewhat of a salesman and kind of tells me what I want to hear, with little substantive guidance. I know they work on commission but the other location, where I tested the mics, is about a 1/4 mile away next to Fenway Park and much bigger. The two guys I worked with there were much more consultative and helpful. They actually recommended a lower priced microphone for my needs. The Sterling ST69, which I will be testing out in the next week or so.

 

[prescott911]

Prescott,
Mics that I use to produce different sounds for me are:

Condensers
CAD e100S
Rode NT-1A
AT 2035
AT 4033

Dynamics
EV RE20
Shure SM7B
(These two require a lot of clean gain. I use a CloudLifter)

I run all of these through either a DBX 286A or Symetrix 528E, to a Lexicon Alpha. Since you are recording one voice (mono), with one mic, the interfaces that were suggested will get you started using condenser mics. Heck, my first rig was the Rode, into a M-audio Fast Track Pro, to laptop.

All of this is just my .02¢ and for information only. I hope it helps.
Dale

Thanks! I am still doing my research and wanna get the best bang for my buck. I have watched a few YouTube reviews about the Rode NT1. It seems like a great choice. Hopefully GC has it for me to test out.

Are you in the VoiceOver industry? Also, what DAW/software program do you use on your computer? Do you use a mac or PC?

Thanks again!

 

[prescott911]

Hi Prescott and welcome.
Don't know about your neck of the woods but we have a phrase here..."They saw you coming"!

Two lovely mics but not, IMHO needed for VO work? Your primary consideration for speech is a very low noise system. Any of the AIs mentioned should be good enough given a really low noise capacitor mic. The NT1a still rules here?

I also assume the GC did not loan you the mics to try at home? You could well have chosen differently in YOUR room! Note also that without $10,000+ major building work you will never get your space sound PROOF (treated yes, for much less) so your editing skills will get ever sharper doing dropins and cutting out local wildlife!

Dave.

It was actually my choice to test the U87. Just for giggles. I can afford it but don't think it's worth it. I liked it less than the ST6050.

The NT1 seems a lot more logical. I just need to hear how I sound on it.

---------- Update ----------

As for your interface question:

If you only require one input (the mic) and output you can get by with a lower model than the 6i6. You can get by with a 2i2 model or something less expensive with the same quality preamps in it. Both have 2 microphone inputs but the 6i6 has extra types of inputs/outputs you may or may not need. I have a 2i2 and like the brand- it has a warm sound to me with music/voice playback and recording. Others here also like the Steinberg models like the UR22.

I do not know enough about microphones for voice-over work to answer there- but use one of good quality that sounds good with your voice for sure.

Is the 6i6 vs the 2i2 different in terms of quality or is the price difference just because of the inputs/outputs?

 

[DaleVO]

Thanks! I am still doing my research and wanna get the best bang for my buck. I have watched a few YouTube reviews about the Rode NT1. It seems like a great choice. Hopefully GC has it for me to test out.

Are you in the VoiceOver industry? Also, what DAW/software program do you use on your computer? Do you use a mac or PC?

Thanks again!

Prescott,
Test drive a bunch of mics. The NT1 or NT1-A may not be the best for your voice. The NT1-A worked for me, until I wanted a different sound. However, I have heard the Michael Joly-modded 1A, and it sounds pretty sweet. I plan to send mine in for him to work his magic.

I have been doing VO, seriously for 3 years, focusing on e-Learning and audiobooks, with a few radio spots, narrations, and how-tos thrown in. I am not to the point of quitting my day job. But I can cover my expenses, whenever I get an attack of G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome). I am a PC guy and use Reaper and Adobe Audition for editing.
Dale