VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD! Forum Index VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!
Established November 10, 2004
 
 FAQFAQ   SearchSearch   MemberlistMemberlist   UsergroupsUsergroups   RegisterRegister 
 ProfileProfile   Log in to check your private messagesLog in to check your private messages   Log inLog in 

Do I "need" a Sennheiser 416?
Goto page 1, 2  Next
 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD! Forum Index -> Gear !
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Tom Test
DC


Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Posts: 629
Location: Chicago, IL

PostPosted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 3:37 pm    Post subject: Do I "need" a Sennheiser 416? Reply with quote

I have been running with ISDN for about a year and have had enough sessions to pay it off many times over - but more importantly, feel confident enough with it to offer my services to some of the big production houses that require ISDN.

I'm Chicago-based, and my go to mic in my studio is the Gefell M930 (very similar in sound to the TLM-103 that many studios use). But a lot of studios here and in LA use the Senn 416. What I am asking is, should I invest in a -416 in order to do business them these productions houses (ProComm, Voice Hunter, SunSpots, etc)? Wouldn't it be an advantage to be using the "industry standard" mic that they use?

Or not?
_________________
Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Lizden
A Zillion


Joined: 04 Dec 2006
Posts: 8864
Location: The dark recesses of my mind

PostPosted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 4:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

IMHO: No.

I booked a gig with a large company last week that will be recorded in the next week or so.

My contact sent me the technical specs that they got from their engineer which included the audio format they wanted and the words "a Neumann U-87 microphone would be ideal" Laugh

I sent them a test file from my space and told them that although I didn't have the U-87, I had its "little brother the TLM103"

The engineer came back after I sent my test file with the comment "no issues"
Laugh
It's all about how well treated your space is, how clean your audio files are & how YOU sound.

YMMV Wink
_________________
Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Bruce
Boardmeister


Joined: 06 Jun 2005
Posts: 7977
Location: Portland, OR

PostPosted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 4:33 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm with one of those houses, do quite a few spots and narrations a year through them, and never once have they asked me what mic I use. As long as it sounds good it doesn't matter.

I use a standard side address condenser mic (GrooveTube). I've got a 416 hooked up if they ever want it, but in over five years now they haven't said a thing.

From my readings here and my personal experience 416's are only a plus for people who do promo and trailer work. I save mine for only my most "announcery" stuff.

B
_________________
VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Chuck Davis
M&M


Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 2389
Location: Where I love to be...Between the Vineyards and the Cows.

PostPosted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 4:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It still comes down to what sounds right on you. Shotguns work for me. I discovered that after trying/owning a number of LD condensers in both fet and tube flavors.
_________________
Wicked huge.....in India.
www.chuckdaviscreative.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Ed Gambill
Cinquecento


Joined: 18 Nov 2007
Posts: 561
Location: King, NC 35mi SE of Mayberry

PostPosted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

And I thought I was the only one who has a Grove Tube Microphone.
_________________
Esse quam videri "To be rather than to seem"
www.SaVoa.org No. 07000 Member AES
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail
Rob Ellis
M&M


Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit

PostPosted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 3:36 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Tom,

Count me as one of those who didn't immediately bond with the 416...

HOWEVER

It can do some things that many other mics simply can't do.

To me it's worth it to have one. I only own two mics---and one is a 416.

If you get one, give yourself some time to learn how to work it, and to get comfortable with it. For some VOs it is definitely an acquired taste.

Worth having? I say yes.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
samowry
Club 300


Joined: 11 Nov 2006
Posts: 371
Location: Portland, OR

PostPosted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 4:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have a Groove Tube too!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website AIM Address
Philip Banks
Je Ne Sais Quoi


Joined: 20 Jun 2005
Posts: 11075
Location: Portgordon, Scotland

PostPosted: Sun Apr 22, 2012 11:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Indeed a 416 can do things other mics can't do and looking awful and sounding yeuk never did Arrowsmith any harm.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Dayo
Cinquecento


Joined: 10 Jan 2008
Posts: 544
Location: UK

PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

A timely post this one. I've had a 416 in my locker for about 12 years and I've many times blown hot and cold on it - not literally, of course
I'm back in a hot phase now. Here's why:

There is something unique about the way this mic reaches into your throat and pulls the words right out of you.

It has extremely low self noise so I can work at volumes hardly above a whisper without a ton of hiss to deal with.

It's nicely articulate. By which I mean, it doesn't smash and mangle my consonants into horrid peaky approximations of how human speech actually sounds in real life.

And with the right pre it's bigger than life.

But I didn't always know how to use it - maybe that's why I've been hot and cold.

Firstly, although it is forgiving of less than perfect rooms, it's sounds absolutely stellar in a room that's really well treated.

Secondly, we all know that good mic technique is vital to get the best from the mic. There is actually quite a wide sweet spot, but when you really get to know it, you'll find an extremely narrow "super-sweet" spot. I guess that's where the presence peak is at it's greatest. It takes some careful positioning to ensure you stay in the zone. Then of course there's mic distance; I used to work it too close and get bass overload.

Lastly, I think this mic really shines on reduced volume reads - 98% of what I do these days. Having said that, Emma did a high energy read on it this morning that sounds quite fab - even with a kitchen sink-load of post processing. (Happy to share if anyone wants to hear).

So, all in all, the 416 not the easiest mic to get along with, but this month it's absolutely killing my vintage U87 in every department.
Smile Smile Smile
_________________
Colin Day - UK Voiceover
www.thurstonday.co.uk
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Rob Ellis
M&M


Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit

PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If you're a savvy e-bayer you can pick up a 416 for around $700 and should be able to re-sell it for about the same if you don't like it.

They re-sell quite well on ebay
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Chuck Davis
M&M


Joined: 02 Feb 2005
Posts: 2389
Location: Where I love to be...Between the Vineyards and the Cows.

PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 7:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

...and as is often said here when these mic's come up, the MHK-415T can be had for even slightly less. $500 or so. They're a touch warmer than the 416
_________________
Wicked huge.....in India.
www.chuckdaviscreative.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Dayo
Cinquecento


Joined: 10 Jan 2008
Posts: 544
Location: UK

PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 8:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Rob Ellis wrote:
If you're a savvy e-bayer you can pick up a 416 for around $700 and should be able to re-sell it for about the same if you don't like it.

They re-sell quite well on ebay


Rob is correct. As to whether you "need" a 416 to be competitive; of course you don't. But if you feel you need one so you can be confident enough to tackle the markets you mention, then it's a bargain.
_________________
Colin Day - UK Voiceover
www.thurstonday.co.uk
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Donna
King's Row


Joined: 08 Feb 2008
Posts: 1118
Location: The studio or the barn.

PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 12:29 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

416 has been my fave for almost two decades.
_________________
Dangerous.

Donna Postel
donnapostel.com
donna@donnapostel.com
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Dan-O
The Gates of Troy


Joined: 17 Jan 2005
Posts: 1638

PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 1:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

...

Last edited by Dan-O on Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:42 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
georgethetech
The Gates of Troy


Joined: 18 Mar 2007
Posts: 1878
Location: Topanga, CA

PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 6:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

+1 what Dayo and Dan-o said, saved me a lot of typing.
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website AIM Address
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD! Forum Index -> Gear ! All times are GMT - 7 Hours
Goto page 1, 2  Next
Page 1 of 2

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2005 phpBB Group