VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[markt]

Hi All,

I'm looking to purchase my first condenser mic, and would like to get some experienced input.

My budget is less than $300. I've done my own research and gotten some varied input. I'm in hopes to have some of you help me sift thru these choices:

Rode NT1a, SP C1, AT 3035, AT 4040, MXL 9000 and MXL V69. I would, of course, be happy to hear any other suggestions.

I will appreciate ant guidance that I may get at this point.

Thanks,
Mark

[Bill Campbell]

Describe your voice. Clean and crisp? Deep? Soft? Loud?
What kind of VO do you specialize in?

I have owned many of the sub $500 condensers. I have a choice about four that I could sell you,

Rode NT1A, MXL2003, SP B-1, M-Audio Luna, AKG 120. They all sound good,
but we need to match you up with the right one.

For me, mid range and clean, I settled on a Neumann TLM-193 and Sennheiser 416.

You'll get some good thoughts from board members.
_________________
www.asapaudio.com

[markt]

Thanks for your reply. My voice is mid-deep. My narrative voice is usually referred to as "warm and smokey", but my forte is character work. I have a pretty wide range in that niche. I hope this helps pin things down a bit.

All of these years in front of a mic and I never payed any attention to what type I was using...

[Bill Campbell]

I recommend the Rode NT1A. It's very revealing and clean.
It will pick up the nuance of your characters. Very crisp for a
deeper smoky voice. Not always the best choice for a thin, crispy voice.

I put it slightly ahead of the MXL and Studio Projects mics for it's
low self noise and honest sound.

It's one of the better sub $500 mics, IMHO.
Made in Australia.
_________________
www.asapaudio.com

[markt]

Thanks for your advice, Bill. The Rode seems like a logical first step into condensers.

Have you ever used a Heil PR 40 dynamic for anything? Just curious..

Thanks again,
Mark

[Tom Test]

Hey Mark,

Bill's advice is sound, but I will say some folks do not like the NT-1A. Complaints surround the fact that it can be overly brought and sibilant, among other concerns.

I think you have a good list. From your list, I think the ones with the best rep for VO are the SP C1, the AT4040 and the MXL V69. Bill's suggestion of the Studio Projects B1 is an excellent one, for about $125 (I like it better than the C1 even, but many folks rave about the C1 - DB Cooper has one for example). Also in the sub-$200 range to consider is the Marshall MXL V88, which I think is very good.

I had the PR-40 for awhile and did not like it. It added too much character to my voice, didn't sound natural at all.

You *might* be able to find a retailer that will let you try several out and keep the "winner," though it might be tougher at your price range to find a willing retailer. Doesn't hurt to ask. Where are you located?
_________________
Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com

[Philip Banks]

Buy a Studio Projects B1. The difference between a $125 mic and a $500 is $375 and to informed ears (better informed than me) that is where the difference begins and ends. The B1 as an entry level mic is certainly fit for purpose.

[Rob Ellis]

I had a Rode NT1-A for awhile, not crazy about it.

I would go for a Studio Projects mic instead, or if you would consider a dynamic and can stretch the budget a tad, an Electro Voice RE 20 IF your pre-amp or interface has enough gain to drive it.

Or maybe an AT 2020 or something in the Audio Technica line.

But if your room and acoustics are less than ideal, an RE 20 might be worth considering. You could get a used one on ebay in your price range.

Oh yeah, and Sweetwater will let you try one for 30 days and return it if it's not "the one."

[markt]

Hi Tom and Philip,

Thanks for taking the time to provide me with your thoughtful advice.

First of all Tom, what a sweet photo of you and your daughter.

You know, I think that Bill was thinking of the crispness, and especially the really low noise level of the Rode. Both of you seem to like the SP B1 over the C1. Is there a notable difference in quality(not price)?

Also Tom , could you please expound upon what "too much character" was in your experience with the PR 40? I'm really curious.

Tom, I live in Boston. One of the major pro shops is Guitar Center. They say that they will not allow anyone to test drive mics due to a health code issue. This kinda makes sense as almost all of the online dealers will not let one return a mic for the same reason. This is why I'm asking so many questions that could be answered by simply trying out my choices.

Any more thoughts?

Mark

[markt]

Thank you too, Rob. What a Great Logo! just left my grill.

Thanks for the EV tip.

Funny, my sales rep at Sweetwater told me that mic returns are frowned upon because of the mouth-to-equipment thing. She said they would reticently take a mic back, but the restocking fee would be substantial.

Mark

[Tom Test]

Thanks for the kind comment on my photo, Mark! It was taken right after my daughter caught her first fish ever.

Mark, I'm going to e-mail you some files of a mic shootout I did a year or so ago. It has the SP C1, RE-20 and some other mics on it. I'll also send you one or two separate files I recorded with the PR-40. Maybe this will help clarify - but it might also help confuse matters, too. I've tried out a lot of mics in your range over the past 6-7 years, so I know how tough the decision can be!
_________________
Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com

[markt]

Thanks much, Tom! I look forward to getting your info.

Mark

[Deirdre]

I use a Studio Projects C-1 all the time these days. My other mic is an RE 20 which I use when my stuff needs to be really loud. I love love love the C-1 but would probably recommend a B1 for a guy. That C-1 loves an Alto voice.
_________________
DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

[markt]

Thanks for the info Deirdre. Interesting, this is now the second B1 over C1 suggestion I have gotten. Does it handle the bottom end more efficiently than the C?

Do you have any samples of you with your C1 or RE 20 that I could listen to?

Thanks,
Your Massachusetts Neighbor,
Mark

[donrandall]