VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

GunslingerWriting · Contributor II Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 62

A client mentioned that one of his recent/specialized corporate VO projects was done by a male using a Sphere L22 mic..and he said the results sounded better than the talent’s prior work (could be for many reasons, of course).

I didn’t know much about this product until a couple of months ago and am wondering whether folks feel it has a place in the voice-over world.

Any and all thoughts appreciated.

FinMac · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:09 pm Post subject: Older post

When the Sphere was coming out I posted something about it...but the replies were less than enthusiastic. (Not that anybody had tried it but they were suspicious).

It might be that nobody on the board has tried one yet!

Sorry, don't know how to share the link, but it you search for this you will find something.

Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2016 7:12 am Post subject: Now for something completely different...
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dwpthe3rd · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:51 pm Post subject:

Well here's a link to the manufacturer site: https://townsendlabs.com/products/sphere-l22/

And here's a retail site: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SphereL22?gclid=Cj0KCQiAwKvTBRC2ARIsAL0Dgk3pRay2om2e4DpwOuV3EJzi2W8-AvkMnYrsKRCWAf7_d2pXy3wGOfMaAo8tEALw_wcB
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GunslingerWriting · Contributor II Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 62

Thanks and, yes, I think it may not have been tried much yet.

I have done some considerable online checking and the reviews are astonishingly positive overall...just not sure how this would fit into the requrements for a one-voice type of VO use.

(And I appreciate the supplier link.)

FinMac

This mic is very interesting to me. Why ?

Well, there are a lot of great mics that I do not own. Have not tried many of the most expensive ones, because they are the most expensive ones.

One time I did have a session with a U-47. Don't know exactly which version, Telefunken, Neumann, or whatever, but I loved the sound.

IF the Sphere can produce something that sounds like a U-47 I would be thrilled. But I would also love to try a Neumann U-67, which the Sphere can also mimic (if that is the correct word).

Of course, one of the standards among top studios and talents is the Neumann U87, which the Sphere can emulate as well. The Sphere costs less than a U87, but you do need a micpre that can record 2 mics at the same time as the system records in Stereo. But if you already have an Apollo Twin, or something like it, and you do not have an 87, this might be a great option Smile

This system, IF it sounds as good as they are aiming to make it, would be one mic for all your needs.

But so far, it seems most of the members on the board are skeptical.
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www.scottsvoiceover.com - An American voice in Finland

"If you want to get to the top, you have to get off your bottom". (Unknown)

GunslingerWriting · Contributor II Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 62

I agree with the prevalent skepticism; at every stage of the last decade’s technological recording innovations, there were voices doubtful of that next stage of advancement and many adherents to the proven standards of the ages.

Sometimes, those voices were right on and sometimes they were far off. Change is a bugger and there’s a natural resistence/default ‘hope’ that what we already own is the best and we don’t have to pursue new body of knowledge and learning (yukk, right?).

This thing (the L22), from what I’ve read and the samples I’ve heard, seems as if, especially in the application you described (no U87 but with something like the Apollo Twin already owned), might be just the ticket.

Moosevoice · Posted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 8:34 am Post subject:

If anyone gets their hands on one please post some samples here.
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jim edgar · Posted: Thu Feb 01, 2018 10:36 am Post subject:

This was a good review from 2016.

https://www.pro-tools-expert.com/video-reviews/2016/7/22/review-townsend-labs-sphere-microphone-system
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GunslingerWriting · Contributor II Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 62

GunslingerWriting · Contributor II Joined: 23 Feb 2010 Posts: 62

txrpls · Contributor Joined: 20 Feb 2017 Posts: 31

I have one and I like. I don’t do anything but instructional videos and I am not in you guys league. It is pretty nifty to change microphones after Recording. I may try and do a video to post.

Here is the video of the microphone. Not meant for anything other than showing how to change the different mics. https://vimeo.com/256133436/5c4058e99c

FinMac · Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 12:00 am Post subject: Just got one

Just got the Sphere, and I am NOT disappointed Smile

Here is a link to something I did this morning with an 87ish flavor.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rih7sa9ypm8v8fw/Scott%20McDonald%20-%20Townsend%20Labs%20test%20U87-TK%20sample.wav?dl=0

Here is the same audio modeling the 414 Brass Capsule mic.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/zt4jvradcbcwl0h/Scott%20McDonald%20-%20Townsend%20Labs%20AKG%20414%20Brass%20Capsule%20sample.wav?dl=0

Here is a sample using the API Vision Channel Strip plug-in and the 87TK model.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/41kixzdmsy1p74f/API%20channel%20strip%20plug-in%20U-87TK.wav?dl=0

Interestingly, George Whittam did a review about it in January.

https://youtu.be/zMXH4sKyxF0

I am not getting anything from Townsend to post this on the BB.
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www.scottsvoiceover.com - An American voice in Finland

"If you want to get to the top, you have to get off your bottom". (Unknown)