VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

georgethetech

In this test: Rode NTG-3, NTG-1, NT2-A, & Podcaster, Audio Technica 3035, Apogee Duet, Sound Devices MM1, CEntrance MicPort Pro, Digidesign Mbox (original), and the Grace Lunatec V2 (same guts as the better known 101).

Nothing too scientific, just wanted to test all this gear I had around the house as much for my own curiosity as for the benefit of others.
We'll have each individual mic/pre combo separated out on the VOMicTest site soon. I am going to hit up Marshall Electronics and visit their office, conveniently located about 5 minutes from my house! Stay tuned for a relatively exhaustive test of the majority of the MXL line.
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George Whittam
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bobsouer · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:29 am Post subject:

George,

Thank you!
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

Nice test George. The NTG-3 is clearly better for VO than the NTG-1.
I liked the NTG-3 into the Grace combo. Definitley need some high pass dialed in. I own an NTG-1 and find it a little boxy sounding.

Congrats on the new boom operator (baby)!
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

I don't like Rode mics for the most part but I liked the NTG-3 quite a bit. I didn't like the others at all. The pres all sounded pretty close perhaps since you were giving a low-pressure even pitched read. I liked the MM1 better than the Grace and the MicroPortPro thingy sounded great as usual.

I really disliked the Podcaster, but hey, I guess there aren't that many USB dynamic mics out there (who else makes one, Samson and Nady?). I think I'd rather have a cheap Sennheiser handheld and a cheap USB interface.

Thanks again for great info, and I look forward to hearing the good, bad, and the ugly from MXL. Smile

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Jason Bishop · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 7:50 am Post subject:

George,

Thanks for taking the time to do this!
Have you (or anyone else) compared an NTG-3 with a 416, specifically medium to hard imaging/promo reads?

I use a Rode NT1a as my base mic because I feel is the cleanest/most transparent for my voice. (YMMV) but am exploring using something else for when I have hard sell spots and/or promos to voice.

Thoughts?

Thanks,
Jason
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georgethetech · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 11:07 am Post subject:

I had the NTG-3 in a booth of a 416 user two weeks ago, and he really liked the sound, kicking myself for not getting a recording of it. When I did it I was too close to it and the proximity effect was pronounced.
It definitely has a fuller bottom end, so it won't be perfect for everyone, but it will cut through the mix like a 416.
The NTG-1 is a completely different animal, different design, electret style capsule. Engage the high-pass on it and it is closer to usable. I'll do some more recordings with them in the near future.
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If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
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Jason Bishop · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 2:01 pm Post subject:

Hmmmm......I have some pretty good bottom to my voice already and often roll off the stuff that makes it sound "tubby" unless the client says don't.
Does Rode have a generous return policy? If I bought one and didn't like it after a week, could I return it?

Also, I'm assuming (and you know what happens when you do that!) the 416 and the NTG3 cut through the mix primarly because of their pickup pattern and not because of any drastically different technical differences to traditional Cardiod large condensors?

Thanks to all in advance for the education I'm sure I'm about to be slapped with!

Jason
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SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Mon Mar 23, 2009 3:53 pm Post subject:

Hi George,

Thanks for taking the time to do the test!
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paulstrikwerda · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 2:08 pm Post subject:

Hi George:

Thank you so much for doing this test. It was really enlightening! My CEntrance MicPort Pro has become one of my favorite gadgets, and I'm not surprised it did well on your test.

At this point in time, I'm quite ready for a new mic myself. Unfortunately, I don't have tons of money to spend, and for now I have narrowed my choice down to:

-AKG Perception 220 Professional $129
-MXL V88 Condenser Microphone $199
-Rode NT1A $229
-Shure SM7B $299
-Rode Procaster $229

...and just for the retro look, I'd love to own a Heil Sound Heritage Dynamic Cardioid Studio Microphone $169.

Although I realize that different voices do well with different mics, I'm open to any feedback and suggestions you may have. Thanks!
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

Paul:

Over the last ten years I've owned about 20 sub $600 condenser
mics. Until I bought a Neumann TLM-193, I was never content with
what I had. (TLM-193 is the mic used on all THE FAMILY GUY
actors. Neutral with no vices, the mic, not the show)

Now, I have owned an Electro Voice RE-20 dynamic for 15 years and have always liked it, and still use it for hard sell VO.

Still own a Perception and an NT1A and cannot recommend them.

The MXL V67G ($99) and 2003 sound very good for VO.
I use them on male and female talent and they always work fine.

The Neumann is for my personal use! VO is competitive. lol
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georgethetech · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:18 pm Post subject:

Paul, this is the million dollar question. We put an SE2200a in front of Don LaFontaine for a few weeks in place of his Manley Reference Cardioid, and no one complained (true story).
Any of those mics will work just fine, but not everyone will work for your voice and studio acoustics. If you want to try the NT1-A, let me know. I can sell it to you with a 14 day return policy.
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If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder

paulstrikwerda · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 4:51 pm Post subject:

Great feedback, guys. The (sound)proof is in the pudding... I'm still keeping options open... I'm off to a studio to test of few out, and I guess I'd better start saving for that Neumann!
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Paul Strikwerda
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

Good advice, as always, George. The problem I have with some of the cheaper mics is on females. Many of these cheaper chinese condensers just splatter on 7k sss sounds. I produce TV and radio commercials, and when we compress and hard limit some of these mics, they could break glass. That's why I always like a neutral mic with no hyped top end.

That NT1A, while quiet, sounds like a dentist's drill with hot processing.

LOVE the RE20 on females...and sometimes some hot fudge.
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georgethetech · Posted: Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:53 pm Post subject:

My lady VO clients use TLM103's, although one has at AT4047 which works really well. Another is on a 416, but she does hyped promo reads in English and Spanish, and it works for her.
I used to record a girl with a very "broadway" stage voice (read cuts like a knife) with an Oktava ribbon mic.
Guess we are getting OT since Paul is a male.
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If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder