VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

Like many of you infected with gear-itis, I have too many mics that do not see enough use. I’m trying to winnow the field a bit, but thought perhaps I should borrow another set of ears to decide what is best for my voice. So here is a shootout with 7 different mics in random order – from $100 to $1,000 – all read with a high energy/hard sell script. Please tell me which ones are your favorites, then I’ll reveal what the mics are in a few days.

Here is a link to download the 4.5 MB WAV file: https://www.onlinefilefolder.com/4sDLIXoMmWyi39

From least expensive to most, here are the mics I’m using: MXL 909, Kel HM-1, AKG 200, SM-7B, AT4047, Rode NTK w upgraded NOS 60’s Amperex tube, and the Neumann TLM-103. Special bonus points to any who can guess which mic is the dynamic mic, and which one is the tube mic (the rest are all condensers).

All of these were recorded through the preamps on my Soundcraft Compact4 mixer (w high pass filter engaged), except for the MXL 909 and the AKG 200. They were the only mics I thought sounded significantly better through the Speck 5.0 preamp. I have used Wave Hammer (an intelligent compressor) on all the files, since that’s what I would have done if I were submitting an audition. I have not done any EQ. I do have the raw unprocessed files if anyone is interested.

Thanks for playing!
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Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com

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

I did an elimination type shootout with your files.

#7 was the winner. Better articulation than the others, low distortion, and full sounding.
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Heavy D · Contributor II Joined: 01 Jan 2007 Posts: 58

From my ears: #1 was bland but clean
#2 had a touch richer/fuller sound than #1
#3 pretty much the same as #2
#4 again pretty much the same as as #3 #2
#5 Slightly fuller sound than previously, a little cleaner
#6 much better, fuller, richer
#7 Clean, Rich, Full, great punch. Best of them all.

At least that's my take from my laptops speakers....in an airport to boot.
Heavy D

Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

Here is an interesting twist. A generous fellow on the Gearlstuz forum placed these cuts behind some appropriate music. Since this is how the VO would end up being used, I think this was a great idea, and may change your opinion.

Here's a link to download the MP3 file w music: http://tinyurl.com/yd5s3r3
_________________
Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

I liked #1 and #7 best, dry.

With music, #6 and #7 seemed to cut through the best.

#2 sounded kind of boxy to me.

tackerman · Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2009 7:21 am Post subject:

#7 then #4.

Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

I like 6 best, 1 was pretty good, 4 is decent, and I like 7 but felt it needed some EQ to brighten it up a bit. Here’s the list - read 'em and weep:

1. MXL 909 (through a Speck 5.0, lauded in Harlan Hogan’s book as a poor-man’s 416...) - $90
2. Shure SM-7B (classic dynamic VO mic) - $350
3. Audio Technica AT4047 - $700
4. Neumann TLM-103 - $1,000
5. Kel HM-1 (small diaphragm condenser) - $180
6. AKG 200 (through a Speck 5.0) - $175
7. Rode NTK w NOS Amperex tube $529 + $80 for upgrade

Between the comments here and on gearslutz, the Rode NTK, AKG 200 and MXL 909 got the best reviews in that order, with some love directed towards the TLM-103. So yup, some of the favorite mics for this type of read are el cheapos! I'm disappointed in the 4047 (though I do like it for warm and fuzzy), and I just don't like the SM-7B. I am intrigued enough by the 909 that I am sending it to Mike Joly to get his MJE-K47 suite mod.
_________________
Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com

georgethetech · Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2009 10:51 am Post subject:

Love the Test, Tom! Looks like I should get an NTK in stock. That 909 keeps popping up as the top of the bottom for VO mics. I wouldn't compare it to a 416 as Harlan does, but he sure sold a lot of them for MXL. Maybe it sounds a bit like one, but not being a shotgun it can't possibly have the same characteristics. 4047's are nice on shrill, women's voices IMHO. 103's are pretty good on everyone, but great on few. SM7b's (SM57's) are radio mics, but dull for VO. Those AKG200's are quite amazing!
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