VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Jason Huggins · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 5:47 am Post subject: Blue Reactor?

Anyone tried the Blue Reactor mic? It's $200 on SDOTD down from $500, and I wondered if it was worth a look.

Bish · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 6:16 am Post subject:

I saw that this morning... and to be honest, it just shouted to me about everything I don't like about Blue products and their market positioning. I have no idea about the technical qualities of this product, but while I usually admire interesting exercises in styling, Blue just strikes me as wanting to be the "Beats" of the microphone world... however, to me they are looking more like the "Hello Kitty".

... and I will happily admit that this is the least important quality by which to judge a microphone Wink

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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.

Jason Huggins · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 6:22 am Post subject:

I would use a Hello Kitty mic if it sounded great Smile

I'm usually the only one in my studio anyway.

heyguido · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 6:57 am Post subject:

Obligatory disclaimer: I knew Skipper when he had hair. Wink

Lots of hair.

I own a handful of his mics, and generally like them. Each has its own distinctive voice. Yeah, they're odd looking. But when used for what they were designed for, some of them are quite special.

But the Reactor, I don't know. I never took it seriously. Something about the "Swiss Army Knife" approach just doesn't sit well with me. Most multi-tools claim to be everything, but don't do anything particularly well. Multi-pattern? Possibly, but I'm guessing multi-compromise. A rolloff switch is one thing, the Reactor is completely another.

Really good microphones tend to be singular in purpose. A specific capsule, with a specific basket and acoustic design, matched with a specific circuit, designed to do one thing exceptionally well. The real trick is to find the one that sounds best on your voice, in your space.

I'd pass. Get yourself a ray gun instead.

Wink

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Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

DougVox · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 7:36 am Post subject:

A raygun?

You mean like Monk did?

(I love this!)
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Doug Turkel (tur-KELL)
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dwpthe3rd · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 8:17 am Post subject: I'll Bite

Hello esteemed voiceoverists. OK, I bit. Drank the kool-ade based on comments around the 'net and the heavily discounted price on a mic being phased out by Blue. And thanks, Jason, for the STOTD tip that added one more microphone to the plethora of mics I own. Now, if I only had the talent to go along with it...

Dave

Jason Huggins · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 8:42 am Post subject:

Doh! I think there was a reason I was gonna unsubscribe to that list....now why didn't I actually do it?

DougVox · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 8:55 am Post subject:

I like being married too much to even consider adding any more mics to my collection.

(And this isn't even half of it!) Embarrassed

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Doug Turkel (tur-KELL)
Voiceover UNnouncer®
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Frank F · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:23 am Post subject:

Doug, that is a good start to your collection. I know you have more mics to play with but don't you think a "Reactor" is the bomb? (NOT)

There is a reason Blue is phasing out the Reactor, and it is because in all modes it sounds horrible.

If you desire a multi-pattern microphone; DON'T look to Blue.

Frank F
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

dwpthe3rd · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 9:42 am Post subject:

Jason Huggins · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:38 am Post subject:

Well the good thing is, you can send it back if you don't like it and only be out $30 for shipping.

Frank F · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 11:03 am Post subject:

My sincere condolences.

Please do not get me wrong. I find the Blue Reactor to be muddy, contains over-hyped mids, and shrill highs. It offers a "unique" sound to those who are doing hipo hop or wrap (I spelled these wrong for a reason). As for the multi pattern capabilities - in Omni, it is noisy; in Figure 8 - it almost matches a figure 8 patter properly; in cardioid - well, it could be considered cardioid ... I guess -- it is noisy, noisy. noisy. The Reactor has a high db output due to it's enhanced circuit, but that creates other problems you may or may not like. This is my opinion alone. Don't judge the mic by my opinion alone.

As has been said before, listen to the mic with your voice in your studio using your equipment. Who knows, you might like the Blue Reactor.

Frank F
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Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

Bruce · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:13 pm Post subject:

Well, if you're in to Steam Punk gear this looks like a must-have. Otherwise...

B
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Jason Huggins · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 3:53 pm Post subject:

Having a pretty sibilant voice and a need to cut some around 2.5k for a lot of stuff....I don't think that sound signature would be a good fit for me Smile

dwpthe3rd · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2014 7:27 pm Post subject: I'll post a clip

Did Frank F scare everyone away from this SDOTD? Laugh

Should be typical 4-6 biz days for the free delivery and some time to get it into my vo chain. I'll then post a raw vo snipit along with one that has a bit of 'broadcast friendly' processing, welcoming and encouraging any and all good, bad and ugly comments. Smile

Dave