VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Nathaniel Grauwelman · Joined: 13 Oct 2011 Posts: 10 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Hello,

I'm setting up my first home studio and am looking to purchase a microphone. I've heard great things about the Blue Yeti and Blue Bird as far as auditions are concerned but what about for actual home studio use? Thoughts? Are there any other microphones in that price range that you would recommend?

Thanks, everyone.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 4:32 pm Post subject:

All a bit hit n miss up to around $300-400. The best of the bunch is the Studio Projects B1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3HBRSHEPj8

As to the rest in the price bracket, more hype than real quality.

Also .... listen to this mic being used by someone who does more than we would ever do ..beautiful! http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=B8tQDpKb7ss

graemespicer · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 4:42 pm Post subject:

At that price point, you might want to consider a used mic. Mics tend to be cared for, so usually "age well" Smile

I've always thought that the Studio Projects C1 sounds great for the price. I've known very successful commercial voice actors who use this mic to record national spots. I'm sure others here will offer other opinions on possible "pre-owned" options. You can generally find them for under $150 used.

If you really want a new mic, some of the Chinese mics sound pretty good for the price. Maybe a little shrill, but some of that problem that can be corrected with some judicious equalization. Consider the MXL 2003A. I own one and it holds it's own against some expensive mics.

Or - spend a little bit more and look at the Apogee MiC. It's tiny, can plug right into an iPad or iPhone, or use the USB cable into your Mac. I travel with one and have more than once recorded with my MiC into my iPad for broadcast use.

I personally don't like the Blue USB mics much. I bought a Snowball years ago and regretted it. Your results may vary.

Mics are a very personal thing. Ask ten vo-bbers here and you'll get ten opinions. Please remember that a great acting performance into a tin can connected to your computer with a piece of string will also always win over a crappy acting performance into a Neumann U47.

Good luck!
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Nathaniel Grauwelman · Joined: 13 Oct 2011 Posts: 10 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio

Great. Thanks, guys. I'll check them out.
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todd ellis · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 5:24 pm Post subject:

i use an AT2020 in my travel rig & like it just fine - $99. i primarily use an AT4050 at home so i'm in the same family. i really don't know what that means - maybe nothing. maybe somebody can tell me.
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Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 8:34 pm Post subject:

I've got an AT3035. Been using it for years. Of course you'll need a pre, but the mic is solid.
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melissa eX · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 8:38 pm Post subject:

AKG perception 120. I've been using it as my travel mic. $99. For the price it sounds really good - and is much better than any USB mic . I like it better than the MiC - and I did a test with a couple of clients who liked it better as well.

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

The Apogee MIC has never really justified the $199 price tag, except that it's super convenient. I found it to sound no better or worse than any of the $100 USB mics I put it up against

Jason Huggins · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:17 pm Post subject:

I happen to have one for sale if you want a good deal on a mic that no one here seems to like! cool

Bill Eshelman · Joined: 04 Oct 2011 Posts: 15 Location: Central PA

I love reading about mics and have owned Studio Projects C1 and Blue Ball. I sold them for a rediculous price to get a better mic and it was a huge improvement. When you use a good mic, it really ups your game because you like what you hear more so it keeps your confidence up. I don't miss those mics at all. I would say pay a little more and get into a used radio broadcast mic SM7b or EV RE20 or a Large Diaphram Condenser AT 4047, Shure KSM 32.
You will need to know a bit about signal flow, i/o, pres and whatnot but thats the direction you are heading so dig in and enjoy the ride. Mics are a slippery slope Smile

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Bish · Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2013 11:50 pm Post subject:

In your specific price range:
Tried Blue... didn't like 'em... sounded thin.
Tried AT... didn't like 'em... popped & spluttered all over the place.
Tried Samson (USB)... Meh, OK but nothing special.
Tried MXL... best bang for the buck (IMHO). I second Graeme's comment about the 2003a (which I picked up cheap and will hang on to 'cos it's too good to sell for a few bucks) and my V88 (my travel mic) is well respected by a few people here.

MXL change their product line so often that a perfectly good mic is soon in a bargain bin as a discontinued model. The list on the V88 was over $700 (yeah right) but I got mine for a tad over $100 on some deal somewhere. Amazon is currently $188.

Now... if your budget was higher, it opens up the world a bit. I'm currently getting great feedback about my CAD e100s.
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:45 am Post subject:

My new travel mic -- an MXL V67N cost me only around $100 and doesn't sound half bad.
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

MCA SP1 or Studio Projects B1. The SP1 is super smooth in the mid-range and only costs $50!!!!! Those are the only Chinese mics I would use under $150.

Then, when you're ready to step up, don't buy a Chinese mic. Nothing against the Chinese, but there mics (at any price) don't compete with the best.

MCA SP1 - seriously!
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Lee Gordon · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 9:14 am Post subject:

Somewhat lost in this discussion is the fact that microphones are a little like shirts; one that looks good on you might not work for me and vice versa. Regardless of the cost, it's best to "try on" a mic before committing to it, to make sure it's a good fit for your voice.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 9:16 am Post subject:

It's worth pointing out that you are being advised about mics by a collection of ex-radio hacks, nerds, crap actors and corporate drop-outs/cast offs.

As the former investment director of a Swiss Merchant bank MY opinion counts for ...
....no, wait, never mind ..as you were. Embarrassed