VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Zach

Its time for me to upgrade my mic closet. I have an EV re27nd. I like it but would like to upgrade to a to a nicer microphone. I set aside a budget of around a thousand dollars and I have a few models that I am considering for the purchase. I would also like to get any suggestions on other mics that are in my price range that might be better suited for VO.work. I plan on going out and listening to as many of these as possible before making a selection.

I have been looking at:

Neumann TLM103
Lawson L47 FET
Blue Mouse
MKH 416

The other equipment I already have is:
Mackie 820i
Symetrix 528e
FastTrack Pro

I am a guy, 32, and have a decently deep voice.

Thanks for the help.

Zach

bobsouer · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 8:51 pm Post subject:

Zach,

I use the Sennheiser 416 for pretty much everything and I like it a lot with my voice; but I must say that if I had another thousand to spend on a microphone there's no question in my mind that I would get that Lawson. (By the way, I too use a Mackie mixer and an M-Audio Fast Track Pro.)
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Zach · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:10 pm Post subject:

One of the reasons I picked up the FastTrack Pro was because you mentioned that it was a good piece of equipment. I really like the Mackie. I have it installed in my booth along with a lcd monitor, keyboard, and trackball. It's connected to my MacBook Pro outside the booth by firewire.

I was really interested in the 416. I wasn't sure how well it would work for different kinds of reads or if it was something that was good for only a certain type of delivery. Do you find it is a pretty versatile mic?

Thanks,
Zach

bobsouer · Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2010 9:40 pm Post subject:

Zach,

The 416 works with my voice in many contexts, but not everyone has that experience. The Lawson is a great microphone (I've been able to try it out in person in a friend's studio) and much more versatile than the Sennheiser for a larger number of voices.
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Just go with a gear outfit that has a generous return policy....although for me, it took a long time to learn how to work my voice on a 416...much longer than
your typical "return" window.

Sweetwater has a good "try it out" return policy.

Your decision also depends on the kind of voice work you are doing, will be doing, and/or hope to do.

Dayo · Cinquecento Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 544 Location: UK

I use a 416 and a Lawson L47 tube. Awesome as it is, I would say that the 416 is a pain in the rear for long form - that sweet spot is soooo small. I think it's going to depend on your room. The Lawson has huge bottom end extension and you need a pretty good booth if you're not going to get swamped by it; mucho bass trapping. The 416 is much better in that respect.

Recently I've been using a Michael Joly modded Rode NT1. It's a peach on my wife's voice and really puts the energy where you want it. Cheaper option too - a good allrounder.

Try before you buy - your booth is going to be a big factor in your choice.

todd ellis · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 8:12 am Post subject:

not sure where in the world you are, zach --- but if you can find someplace that will let you demo a few mics --- that would be the way to go.
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Mike Sommer · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 8:38 am Post subject:

Everyone will have an opinion here.

I am not a fan of the 416 for many reasons, one of which is because washes away so much, that we worked so hard to perfect as actors. --It's not for everyone.

Before I recommend any condenser mics, I will state that it is pointless to get a condenser mic if your room is not properly treated. If the room you record in is full of echos, refections, and resonance, you will never be happy with any condenser mic you get. You will also what to make sure you have good isolation from outside noise too.

Because condenser mics are accurate transducers, these mics sound only as good as the room that they are in. In other words, 80% of your sound comes from the room you record in- period.

- Lawson mic is wonderful mic.
- Pearlman TM 1 is a very affordable handcrafted American mic.
- Gefell MT71S or UMT 70s (These are wonderful general announce mics)

-Studio Project CS1 is another contender for the budget minded.
- Harlan Hogan VO: 1-A. I was at the Don La Foantain VO Lab, working out the acoustics with Geroge Whittam, and I wanted to hear how the room sounded with a mic the VO: 1-A was on the stand. I can say I was impressed with what I heard.

If you can rent or demo mics this is the best way to do go about choosing the best mic for you.

You will want to upgrade the preamp too. The Golden Age Project Pre 73, is a wonderful and affordable preamp.
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Gefell M930 is IMO another good all-rounder.

It's considered by most to be Gefell's answer to the TLM 103.

I have owned both. I liked my TLM 103, but for my voice, the M930 works better.

You will find 416 lovers and haters here. For my voice, the jury is still out on the 416. But lots of folks happily use it with success. I would say the 416 is usually hit or miss--you either like it or you don't. With a standard LDC there's less chance of a miss.

Monk · Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2010 12:23 pm Post subject:

and don't forget the good ol' RE-20.

Very forgiving on the room and solid sound. Plus it makes for a good travel mic.
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

I would second all of the mics mentioned so far. I'm a happy CS5 (multi-patterned CS1) abuser. I also love the Lawson and Pearlman mics on my VO-BB brethren especially for narration.

Ideally, I'd go with a 416 or a Neumann TLM mic only if I had a character/colored-flavoured preamp with tube or transformer goodness. I had a 416 and I only liked it with heavy transformer pres. With a nice clean Mackie or Symetrix it could be kinda vanilla.

But really, all of the four you're looking at are great mics for guys with deep voices, so pick the one that is the most cool looking to you. No seriously, having a cool looking mic (by your own tastes) is really important. I love that my mic looks like an old German bottle mic. I wish U87s came in a MXL v67 body. I don't care what I'm using in studios, at my home studio, it's got to have that comfort-effect.

Enjoy your Blue Mouse. Nine Inch Nails uses them. Wink

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Hestoft · Contributor Joined: 11 Jul 2010 Posts: 39

I too am struggling with finding the sweet spot of a 416, and am curious as to why so many VO's use it in their home studios when so few actual recording studios (outside of LA) use them for voiceovers.

Is there something about the 416 sound in a home studio that makes it work, or is it the noise reduction that a well-aimed shotgun provides? For me, it sounds a bit clinical with a "clean" pre, but I haven't really tried it on a "colored" pre yet as I am still trying to figure out how to place the darn thing...

I also feel that it picks up a ton more mouth noise, so much so that it almost negates the facts that, with the mic placed above my head, I get no pops or plosives to speak of.

With all the talk of them here, I feel that I should have one and should master it, but is that really the case? Will I ever encounter one in the wilds of Chicago? Is the sound of a 416 the "special sauce" that gets a lot of home studio guys (and gals) gigs? What is it about the 416? Please enlighten a young grasshopper oh enlightened ones!

Ralf-Finn Hestoft
The NEW(ly contributing) Voice of Chicago

bobsouer · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 10:00 am Post subject:

Ralf-Finn,

There is no "special sauce."
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

KaraEdwards · Posted: Sun Jul 18, 2010 10:48 am Post subject:

I have the Lawson and the 416. The 416 sits on my studio floor- like, always. Very sibilant for my voice. I use the Lawson all the time- very clean, clinical- I like the way I sound on it.

If I were to trade in my 416 I would get the TLM103. Love that mic! I use it quite a bit in other studios.

But I'm convinced the 416 and I will find a way to play nicely one of these days, so we haven't broken up...yet.

I would nevah evah get rid of my Lawson.
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Robert Leach · Guest

"Ideally, I'd go with a 416 or a Neumann TLM mic only if I had a character/colored-flavoured preamp with tube or transformer goodness. I had a 416 and I only liked it with heavy transformer pres. With a nice clean Mackie or Symetrix it could be kinda vanilla." - Lance

I have a TLM103 and just use the pre on my Mackie 82-i. Should I consider a more colored pre? I am not sure if I should want to flavor up my voice or leave it vanilla and let the clients spice it up.