VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 3:50 pm Post subject: AKG 451EB/CK8

Has anyone tried this combo for VO? I have a chance of picking up a used one really cheap (like 200 bucks) but dunno if it'll be worth it.
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Ed Gambill · Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 4:02 pm Post subject:

I have 3 451 EB with ck1. A highly saught after preamp and Cap.

I use to use them on location sound for dialogue with a hyper cardioid cap. Not as hot as Schopes but in my estimation very outstanding sound quality
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Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 4:14 pm Post subject:

Ed, (by the way, so nice to see you active on forums again, it's been a while since we talked!!)

I actually used to own two 451/CK1's but sold them several years ago. This however is a CK8 (short shotgun) and I was wondering how it holds up to other shotguns, from NTG-1/2 to the elusive 416.

Also have my eyes on a cheap Sennheiser ME66, which Lance B. has spoken about a couple of times.
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Charles Nove · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 9:59 am Post subject:

We went through a phase at BBC radio where they tried to standardise on the 451/CK8 combo for the presenter mic positions on the daytime pop shows. Using a shotgun in a close-mic setup worked quite well in terms of producing a tight, bright daytime sound, though of course they were not great with presenters who liked to move around a lot, as you'd be off-axis straight away. As soon as the Management's backs were turned, people found every excuse to drift back to the U87s.

I love the 451 with a CK1 on the end, for a variety of studio work. I wouldn't choose the CK8 for v/o work, but then I wouldn't choose a Sennheiser 416 either....so what do I know?!
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Frank F · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 1:08 pm Post subject:

Thank you Charles!

No, no, no, no, no, to shotguns for VO - period. Despite what anyone says, a shotgun was not designed for closeup work and VO is close up work.

I mentioned in another thread about building a VO shotgun mic. I am opening up the sound stage and have created a circuit to de-emphasize certain frequencies while adding push to others to improve the "presence" and bring the voice out in front of a mix (not an easy job with the limitations of a shotgun barrel).

I hesitate to go into details of the why's and wherefore's of one shotgun compared to another, but suffice it to say each mic has a specific sound when used for EFP or ENG work and they do not compare - except in the fact they are super or hyper-cardioid microphones. A 416 is a line gradient, a Rode is a cardioid condenser - they are two different animals and are as similar as apples to oranges.

Frank F
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Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Thu Apr 05, 2012 2:52 pm Post subject:

Nevermind. Was already sold.
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Jacob - Danish Voice Overs (try it... it sounds really funny, too!)