VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

jrkaiser · Guest

3 Mic samples, unprocessed… what do you hear? Which do you prefer? Why?

http://www.creativeidentitygroup.com/clients/jrkaiser/justinmictest.mp3

I'll let you know what they are after you tell me…

Thanks for the listen.

Frank F · Posted: Thu Apr 23, 2009 9:18 pm Post subject:

The first one is a shotgun and "in your face", the second - I don't know; but is muddy and mid's were flatter. The third sounds like a Lauten Audio Clarion.

The third is clear, has body, and much better presence but could sound better if you worked on the proximity effect.

Toodles

F2
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

jrkaiser · Guest

Frank, thanks for taking a listen. None are correct... I appreciate the ear time.

Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

#3 sounds best to me. It was recorded 2-3db lower than the other two files,
so I raised it.

All three sound good, but 3 is very good. 9-10 inches away from the mic seems a little far for VO, unless your screaming BIG SALE!!
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jrkaiser · Guest

It's amazing what you can hear after a fresh nights sleep. Last nights choice, for me, is different from this morning.

Fresh ears possibly.

Thanks again for taking a listen.

Philip Banks · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 6:16 am Post subject:

I hear no meaningful difference.

Don G. · King's Row Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Posts: 1071 Location: MA

Bless you, Philip. I could barely hear any difference, either. It's comforting to know I'm not alone in that regard.

SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 8:34 pm Post subject:

I like mic number 3 best, but I'm hearing some room acoustics and computer noise on all three. I agree with Frank that some work with proximity would change the sound dramatically.
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jrkaiser · Guest

Yes, the room still needs some work and I need to move the computers...

Here's another sample... 3 cuts about 6" away and 3 cuts about 3" away for proximity effect...

http://www.creativeidentitygroup.com/clients/jrkaiser/justinmictest2.mp3

Thanks again for taking a listen...

JK

SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 11:01 am Post subject:

Being closer solved the problem with acoustics and computer noise. I still like number 3 (Mojave) best. Now try 7.43 inches away. Smile

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Philip Banks · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 11:45 am Post subject:

I see my problem. You're recording using imperial measurements whereas I am listening in metric. Try 19.5cm, that way I'll be able to hear significant indifferences.

jrkaiser · Guest

So, Philip/John, are you saying... "You're over thinking this?"

Philip Banks · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:02 pm Post subject:

Yes. If you're mic is so bad it's a distraction or your performance is so dreadful people compliment you on your EQ/Compression/noise floor then you need to do something about what the mic is doing or what you are doing.

A few months ago I tried the MKH416 and it was ok but genuinely brought nothing to the party. Someone told me, without a hint of irony, that I would need to "work with it" (position, preamp settings etc) for a few months to get the best - OH I DON'T THINK SO!! So I sold it.

I know people with tube mics who work sending mp3s, people with $200 mics plugged into $2,000 preamps, $2,000 mics direct into microports and worst of all people with fully broadcast spec studios who are unable to read. Why? They don't know what they're doing and were probably advised by someone who doesn't know what they're doing either.

Don't drive yourself mad over thinking/over listening. People will hire you, everything else should simply work properly.

Frank F · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 12:18 pm Post subject:

I would add my $ .02 to Phillip and John.

It seems once folks get a taste of the VO business; we get "gear-itis". Meaning: the gear will some how magically change the "hire-ability" factor and the more expensive the gear, the better the VO product.

Well the sad truth is: Most clients will not know the difference between a great mic or pre-amp and a Barbie microphone and an iPod recorder. What a client wants is something which is intelligible AND audio which makes their product sound better than it is in reality.

Mic Test:
Although you wrote the mic's were different than than I had guessed, my opinion was based on how I heard the microphone test. I still like Mojave - although with some care and feeding and proper working of the mic, the Lauten would also be a good fit for your voice.

Keep your money in your pocket and work with the toys you already own. The VO world is fickle, so make hay while the sun shines in your neighborhood.

Better acoustics will make a huge difference in the sound of your studio, better mic technique will enhance your performance more than any expensive pre-amp, and finally (although I too like to play with the "toys") choosing one good mic, pre-amp, and sound-card and sticking with those choices will enhance your pocketbook and in some cases your marital relationship.

Toodles

F2.
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2009 1:32 pm Post subject:

What Phillip and Frank said.
I think before worrying about what new mic to get, your first few steps in a better sound is acoustics (getting that under control), computer noise (getting rid of it) and mic technique (finding the sweet spot).
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