Comments on: Which Voice Over Microphone is Right for You? http://www.procommvoices.com/wordpress/choosing-a-voice-over-microphone Articles about Voiceovers and the Voice Over Industry Thu, 03 May 2012 21:38:27 -0400 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Dan Friedman http://www.procommvoices.com/wordpress/choosing-a-voice-over-microphone/comment-page-1#comment-23702 Dan Friedman Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:32:09 +0000 http://procommss.com/wordpress/?p=122#comment-23702 Kurt, Its quite possible that they left out the piece of information that explains how they are powering the mic or perhaps they meant to say the Lexicon Lambda or Omega (both of which have phantom power) as opposed to the Alpha. Dan Friedman www.procommvoices.com www.sound4vo.com Kurt,

Its quite possible that they left out the piece of information that explains how they are powering the mic or perhaps they meant to say the Lexicon Lambda or Omega (both of which have phantom power) as opposed to the Alpha.

Dan Friedman
http://www.procommvoices.com
http://www.sound4vo.com

]]> By: Kurt Feldner http://www.procommvoices.com/wordpress/choosing-a-voice-over-microphone/comment-page-1#comment-23622 Kurt Feldner Sat, 14 Jan 2012 15:05:43 +0000 http://procommss.com/wordpress/?p=122#comment-23622 Listened to someone the other day say his audio chain includes a Neumann TLM103 with a Lexicon Alpha audio interface. I'd been doing some extensive research lately, wanting to get an audio interface to work with my Harlan Hogan VO-1A microphone. I currently use a MicPort Pro pre-amp. Because the Lexicon Alpha seems to have a nice pre-amp, I figured this means I'd be able to remove the MicPort Pro from my chain. So I placed the order for the Lexicon Alpha yesterday and afterwards, noticed it does NOT include phamtom power, which I believe my microphone requires. This would seem to make a lot of sense, but then I think back to the VO veteran who told me he uses the Lexicon Alpha in his chain with his Neumann TLM103, which should likewise require phantom power. If he can use it in his setup with a large diaphragm condenser microphone, does that mean I could do the same with mine? Listened to someone the other day say his audio chain includes a Neumann TLM103 with a Lexicon Alpha audio interface. I’d been doing some extensive research lately, wanting to get an audio interface to work with my Harlan Hogan VO-1A microphone. I currently use a MicPort Pro pre-amp. Because the Lexicon Alpha seems to have a nice pre-amp, I figured this means I’d be able to remove the MicPort Pro from my chain. So I placed the order for the Lexicon Alpha yesterday and afterwards, noticed it does NOT include phamtom power, which I believe my microphone requires. This would seem to make a lot of sense, but then I think back to the VO veteran who told me he uses the Lexicon Alpha in his chain with his Neumann TLM103, which should likewise require phantom power. If he can use it in his setup with a large diaphragm condenser microphone, does that mean I could do the same with mine?

]]> By: The Voiceover Meet Up Group… What Do You Do? | SOUND4VO.com http://www.procommvoices.com/wordpress/choosing-a-voice-over-microphone/comment-page-1#comment-10642 The Voiceover Meet Up Group… What Do You Do? | SOUND4VO.com Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:04:58 +0000 http://procommss.com/wordpress/?p=122#comment-10642 [...] can forget about the technical aspects of our business? Nobody. From microphones to mixing boards, there is plenty to discuss. Everyone in this business needs to understand the [...] [...] can forget about the technical aspects of our business? Nobody. From microphones to mixing boards, there is plenty to discuss. Everyone in this business needs to understand the [...]

]]> By: Howard Ellison http://www.procommvoices.com/wordpress/choosing-a-voice-over-microphone/comment-page-1#comment-6360 Howard Ellison Fri, 29 Apr 2011 09:12:22 +0000 http://procommss.com/wordpress/?p=122#comment-6360 Lucky you are, Pierre, to own a Neumann! I started, as posted previously, with the NT1A and it continues to bring work, but I did get a ribbon as well - the Coles 4038 as designed by the BBC. It is much crisper than the vintage Cadenza I tried, and better still given a tiny bit of top EQ. The sound is 'friendly' - great for long-form. Even with the HF lifted, there's less need to edit clicky 'k's - a time saver. Dan Friedman was right about acoustic with a bi-directional: I put up more lagging. But an unexpected plus with the ribbon is less pickup of low-pitched exterior noises, such as vehicles passing. I assume this is because generalised sound pressure of that kind reaches both sides of the ribbon? It's not the side-null effect, as rotation makes no difference. Anyone come across that? Lucky you are, Pierre, to own a Neumann! I started, as posted previously, with the NT1A and it continues to bring work, but I did get a ribbon as well – the Coles 4038 as designed by the BBC.
It is much crisper than the vintage Cadenza I tried, and better still given a tiny bit of top EQ. The sound is ‘friendly’ – great for long-form. Even with the HF lifted, there’s less need to edit clicky ‘k’s – a time saver.
Dan Friedman was right about acoustic with a bi-directional: I put up more lagging. But an unexpected plus with the ribbon is less pickup of low-pitched exterior noises, such as vehicles passing.
I assume this is because generalised sound pressure of that kind reaches both sides of the ribbon? It’s not the side-null effect, as rotation makes no difference. Anyone come across that?

]]> By: Pierre Maubouche http://www.procommvoices.com/wordpress/choosing-a-voice-over-microphone/comment-page-1#comment-6112 Pierre Maubouche Fri, 22 Apr 2011 07:31:00 +0000 http://procommss.com/wordpress/?p=122#comment-6112 Great article. One thing not mentioned: the importance of the pre-amp, which can dramatically alter (in a good or bad way) the sound of your voice on your mic. My mic is a Neumann U87, my pre-amp is an Avalon VT-737S and it works very well with my voice but... depending on your voice it might not be the best choice. For instance for more medium voices or if most of your work is for radio a U89 might be more appropriate - this is just one example... If you're a professional VO making a living out of your trade, one advice: invest in the best possible mic/pre-amp combination for your voice. And if your register is deep then make sure to try the Neumann M149 - this is my next investment! Great article. One thing not mentioned: the importance of the pre-amp, which can dramatically alter (in a good or bad way) the sound of your voice on your mic.

My mic is a Neumann U87, my pre-amp is an Avalon VT-737S and it works very well with my voice but… depending on your voice it might not be the best choice. For instance for more medium voices or if most of your work is for radio a U89 might be more appropriate – this is just one example…

If you’re a professional VO making a living out of your trade, one advice: invest in the best possible mic/pre-amp combination for your voice. And if your register is deep then make sure to try the Neumann M149 – this is my next investment!

]]> By: Trevor Jones http://www.procommvoices.com/wordpress/choosing-a-voice-over-microphone/comment-page-1#comment-5762 Trevor Jones Sat, 09 Apr 2011 06:47:42 +0000 http://procommss.com/wordpress/?p=122#comment-5762 Great article! Everyone seems to get stuck on getting the mic everyone recommends instead of the one that's right for them - which might not be the same thing! Trevor Jones Great article! Everyone seems to get stuck on getting the mic everyone recommends instead of the one that’s right for them – which might not be the same thing!

Trevor Jones

]]> By: Howard Ellison http://www.procommvoices.com/wordpress/choosing-a-voice-over-microphone/comment-page-1#comment-4948 Howard Ellison Fri, 25 Feb 2011 11:23:40 +0000 http://procommss.com/wordpress/?p=122#comment-4948 Hi Dan. How right you are on that point - it's a reminder that a good acoustic and noise isolation is always high priority, if it's not to limit our aspirations. By the way, you probably know there was another Brit mike, I forget the brand, which combined a ribbon with a moving coil dynamic to neutralise the rear pickup. Popular in TV drama, but hard-going on the boom-swinger as it was heavy. Hazardous to actors... hence "It's a Knockout"! Hi Dan. How right you are on that point – it’s a reminder that a good acoustic and noise isolation is always high priority, if it’s not to limit our aspirations. By the way, you probably know there was another Brit mike, I forget the brand, which combined a ribbon with a moving coil dynamic to neutralise the rear pickup. Popular in TV drama, but hard-going on the boom-swinger as it was heavy. Hazardous to actors… hence “It’s a Knockout”!

]]> By: Voice Over Demo Advice for Beginners: Are You Ready? | ProComm Voice Over blog http://www.procommvoices.com/wordpress/choosing-a-voice-over-microphone/comment-page-1#comment-4574 Voice Over Demo Advice for Beginners: Are You Ready? | ProComm Voice Over blog Tue, 25 Jan 2011 15:38:47 +0000 http://procommss.com/wordpress/?p=122#comment-4574 [...] how to record and edit. You also need to invest in the proper equipment to do so. This requires a good quality microphone, preamp, interface, computer, recording software, headphones, cables and ideally a [...] [...] how to record and edit. You also need to invest in the proper equipment to do so. This requires a good quality microphone, preamp, interface, computer, recording software, headphones, cables and ideally a [...]

]]> By: Dan Friedman http://www.procommvoices.com/wordpress/choosing-a-voice-over-microphone/comment-page-1#comment-4224 Dan Friedman Wed, 05 Jan 2011 22:35:18 +0000 http://procommss.com/wordpress/?p=122#comment-4224 Thank you for your comment Howard! The biggest potential problem with ribbon microphones is that they are bidirectional, as such they will pick up the room as well as the source. Thank you for your comment Howard! The biggest potential problem with ribbon microphones is that they are bidirectional, as such they will pick up the room as well as the source.

]]> By: Howard Ellison http://www.procommvoices.com/wordpress/choosing-a-voice-over-microphone/comment-page-1#comment-4092 Howard Ellison Tue, 28 Dec 2010 23:00:54 +0000 http://procommss.com/wordpress/?p=122#comment-4092 First mike I tried upon setting out on narration as a later-life career was a semi-pro ribbon, made in 1950. Very flattering! Warm, cosy. My daughter said it sounded like a pre-war radio. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, her young ears could hear the noise that comes with amplifying an old low-output mike, so it had to be replaced by the ever-quiet Rode NT1A. It gets me jobs, and can be gently eq'd to suit the work in hand, but there's still a certain character about that old Cadenza ribbon and (as an ex BBC man) I could yet be tempted by the legendary Coles 4038 ribbon. Not as iconic as a Neumann, and a quarter the price, but I recall it as very well behaved on most voices, not to mention musical instruments. First mike I tried upon setting out on narration as a later-life career was a semi-pro ribbon, made in 1950. Very flattering! Warm, cosy. My daughter said it sounded like a pre-war radio. Unfortunately, or rather fortunately, her young ears could hear the noise that comes with amplifying an old low-output mike, so it had to be replaced by the ever-quiet Rode NT1A. It gets me jobs, and can be gently eq’d to suit the work in hand, but there’s still a certain character about that old Cadenza ribbon and (as an ex BBC man) I could yet be tempted by the legendary Coles 4038 ribbon. Not as iconic as a Neumann, and a quarter the price, but I recall it as very well behaved on most voices, not to mention musical instruments.

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