VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Velfin

At the request of both a repeat customer and an audiobook editor, I'm adding a dynamic mic to my stable.

I'm thinking SM7B, but I've heard it needs a strong preamp. Anyone know if an Apogee Duet can handle it? That's what I'm using right now.
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Kendra Hoffman
kendrasvoice.com

Jason Huggins · Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:05 pm Post subject:

I've read that it will work, but haven't personally tried it. The Duet (original) has 60db (I believe) of gain available, while the Duet 2 has 75db. Which one ya using?

Velfin · Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 5:09 pm Post subject:

The original Duet. Bought two weeks before the announcement of the Duet 2. Embarrassed

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Kendra Hoffman
kendrasvoice.com

vkuehn

Velfin · Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 6:16 pm Post subject:

The audiobook editor said there were a few "hot" words here and there and thought the dynamic mic wouldn't have the same problem. He also likes the dynamic's lower response to off-axis sound, though he agreed that isn't actually an issue with my recordings. He recommended the RE20 or Sennheiser e935.

To be honest, since I wasn't seeing/hearing the distortion (and am careful with gain and distance from mic), have had no trouble with my other audiobook editor, and this editor primarily works with music rather than voice, I was taking the comments with a grain of salt.

But...

My other customer has me record long form at his studio and pickups at my home studio. He's having trouble matching the "thinner" sound of the RE20-recorded originals with my TLM 102-recorded pickups. That request carried more weight. He recommended against the RE20 and suggested the SM7B. From what I read in old posts here, that sounded like a better option, though of course I'll be trying before buying.

Interestingly, this customer also said that he liked dynamic mics for audiobooks because "I find for extended listening the smooth sound and extra bass of the condensers can be a little overbearing and tiring." Though he said he'd always thought that was just him. Smile

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Kendra Hoffman
kendrasvoice.com

Bish · Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 6:51 pm Post subject:

Kendra, I have the SM7b... and I have the Apogee Duet (original). I connect everything through my Mackie mixer now, but for a while I was using it directly connected for narration work and was very happy with the sound.

However, directly connecting the SM7b to the Apogee was borderline with levels... the Apogee could have done with just a a tad more gain (3dB would have done it). As I say, I liked the sound because the Apogee is pretty clean and transparent and let the mic be what it was (I agree that they are less tiring for a long narration). The combination is definitely usable as is, especially if you've got a good environment where you can afford to record a hair low and bring it up in post. I ended up getting a FET-Head (same as a Cloudlifter) to cleanly boost the output of the Shure and put my levels up a bit, but it was a "want" and not a "need".

Oh, by the way... I really want that Serenity!!!
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Velfin · Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:23 pm Post subject:

Bish · Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 7:59 pm Post subject:

Gorram! The keyrings are out of stock, I'll just have to be happy with my Jane hat for the moment... but the frugal option looks nice for when someone asks me what I want for Christmas!

... but you can't take the sky from me.
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Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

I have the Sennheiser e935 and it requires less gain than the Shure. About 5-7dB less.
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

I have the original Duet and mine has 75db of gain. Got it about 5 years ago.

For me , the pres are clean but a bit clinical. I prefer a separate pre-amp to add a little thickness. The Duets converters are excellent.

georgethetech · Posted: Tue Apr 30, 2013 6:09 pm Post subject:

From: http://www.recordingmag.com/productreviews/2008/03/20.html
"Gain: The Duet has two distinct mic/instrument gain modes, maximum and click-less operation. In maximum mode the Duet delivers from +10 to +75 dB of mic pre gain, with the consequence of an audible click during adjustment due to a relay switch used after the first 10 dB of gain. In click-less mode the gain is reduced slightly, but no relays are used and gain adjustment is silent. "
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whalewtchr · Posted: Fri May 03, 2013 9:39 pm Post subject:

Have a Shure SM7B, they are excellent for audiobooks, however they are very directional and prone to proximity, so the issue for me was getting pick-ups to match volume correctly by having the same exact distance mouth to mic-which of course is a performer issue not a mic issue. I max'd out the gain on a 528e which in my opinion was not enough for that mic...think the sweet spot might be 65 to 70dB. When I did an audiobook with it I preferred using without giant windscreen, suggest going with small if any at all. There are more and more audiobook producers suggesting dynamics. Think some of it may have to do with shaving time off of editing clicks, pops and mouth noise, interesting that it is being suggested for "hot" words. RE-20 is a good dynamic workhorse as well. All just a humble opinion of course.
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