VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

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

Have a tiny whisper room. the 2 1./2 x 3 variety... it's treated with 2" rock wool and bass traps with make it even smaller..

the booth is more or less an auxiliary set up to the a 416, sitting at the desk..

I'm trying to find a compatible mic.. I've heard different opinions on the right mic for that small of a booth.. Shotgun? LDC? Dynamic?

So here's a sample of 4 mic's recording in the booth.. unprocessed

Shure SM7b
AKG P220 Perception (black one, newer one)
Sennheiser 416
Sennheiser 415 t

https://www.dropbox.com/s/xlruf5kw1rrsvi7/whisper%20room%20Test%20.wav?dl=0

thoughts? thanks all !
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

For overall sound I think the SM7B sounds best, but the others offer just a smidge more detail. Tough call to make, IMO.

Was the SM7 recorded with or without the foam cover?

I also liked the 415 better than the 416 in this test. The 415 sounded less boomy and rumbly in the low end.

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

Thanks Rob. The Sm7b. Naked, no foam. I thought maybe some EQ might sparkle up the Shure. 8khz and up?

I agree on the 415. Warmer, subtler
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Lee Kanne
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sdaeley17 · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 3:46 am Post subject:

I agree with Rob's findings, my preferences were:

1. SM7B
2. 415T
3. 416
4. Akg

I feel like the 416 was the most clear, but the 415T adds some pleasant low-mid action.

How close were you to the Shure? It sounds more in your face (and the wave form is more saturated) than the other reads
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"There's Magic all around us; you just have to see it. And the most wonderful Magic of all, is just bein' alive." -Uncle Montork, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

What preamp are you using?

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

Apogee Duet 2. No external pre. Shure Sm7b through a Triton Fet head

As far as distance, about 6". Away from all mics. With the Shure, 6" away from the internal capsule, not the tip of the "cage"
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Lee Kanne
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sdaeley17 · Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2016 5:50 pm Post subject:

Maybe try increasing the distance from the shure before experimenting with EQ?
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"There's Magic all around us; you just have to see it. And the most wonderful Magic of all, is just bein' alive." -Uncle Montork, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe

AlanTaylor · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 9:17 am Post subject:

Another vote here for the SM7B. It sounds good and a little less silibant for your voice, at least in my opinion. I know everyone preaches about using an LDC mic, but I do love the sound of an SM7B. Very warm and very forgiving. I've used mine for many audiobooks.

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

On the up . The Shure "sure" is warm. And plenty quiet. Tons of gain with the Fet head

On the down. Lacks "sparkle" even with the foam removed. Lack of detail. Not a great mic for warm, intimate reads.

I'm liking the 415t. A lot. Even more so than the 416
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Lee Kanne
www.leekanne.com

AlanTaylor · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2016 4:06 pm Post subject:

I agree with your analysis of the Shure. I recently got a Whisperroom and have switched to a TLM103 for most of my work. But, I still love that SM7B and I'm not sure I will ever part with it.

Jack Daniel · Cinquecento Joined: 23 Jun 2016 Posts: 585 Location: SoCal

I like the 416. 'Cause I'm a contrarian. Actually I just like its clarity relative to the others; it does make things boxy as well, but if you could overcome that with positioning or rejiggering the traps, I think you're better off with this mic.

And no it's not too cold and lonely over here, all alone.
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Narrator / Man About Town

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Fellow contrarian here Jack., but all of these posters agreeing with my opinion is not helping with my Contrarian Cred..... cool

Jack Daniel · Cinquecento Joined: 23 Jun 2016 Posts: 585 Location: SoCal

chuckweis · Contributor IV Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 136

Pretty close for me between the Shure and the 415T, but I had to choose one, it would prob be the 415.

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

Listening at high volume, the Shure was very noisy because of the gain required to drive it. But it did sound good.

I'm still impressed by the bang-for-buck factor of the AKG, even if it's my least favorite here. It's not bad at all.
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