VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

melissa eX · Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2008 11:18 pm Post subject: a couple of not too pricy mics

So I was trying out some mics today, looking for an inexpensive mic to travel with because I decided not to go for a usb mic.

mic1 is the mic I usually use in my studio but this was recorded in the place where I was checking out the mics. I didn't have the time or patience to futz with placement on any of them.

These were suggested as good pretty inexpensive mics. Waddya think?

mic2

mic3

of course I had to play with a few others - but they were NOT inexpensive at all. Smile

James Lorenz · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 3:36 am Post subject:

I thought mic 3 by far had the most even sound throughout the frequencies.
mic 1 was a bit thin and mic 2 had too much low end and also brought out too much mouth noise. Obviously without knowing placement though.

3
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

I like 3 the best.
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Ditto. When will you unveil their identities? Two was my least favorite.

Jowillie · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 8:21 am Post subject:

Does your regular mic sound different in the store?
OOoooo.....will they let you take your favorite home to test in your system?
Which is your favorite?
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Chuck Davis · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:54 am Post subject:

I'll go with 3 as well. Has nice "air" to the top end. Suits your voice well.
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melissa eX · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 9:56 am Post subject:

I'll unveil identities later tonight. I think you'll be surprised. Smile

Eddie Eagle · M&M Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 2393

Were all these flat recordings?
#2 sounds like it may be a tube mic.

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

Echoing the rest so far and saying #3.....then 1 then 2.

bobsouer · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:25 pm Post subject:

Melissa,

I think I like your main (#1) microphone best. Of the two "new" mics, #3 suits your voice better than #2.
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

Melissa - first you have a terrific voice that would probably sound good on any mic.

I'm going to go against the grain...I like #2. Listening at a normal level and on
modest monitor speakers (they way end users actually hear it), #2 has a robust sound with a strong presence. I usually produce for TV and Radio and I think #2 would "cut through" better. #3 might sound smoother for narration or
audio books.

Pick your mic(s) for how you intend to use them.
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Gp · Guest

I have to agree with Bill on this one. I like number 2 also. It is nice and robust with a better presence than 1 and 3 imho.

Yoda117 · Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2008 1:37 pm Post subject:

Hey Melissa Smile

I know we chatted about this last night, but I had one heck of a time dealing with DHCP hell.

Got to love it.

Anyway, I'll have a listen and post back later tonight or tomorrow.

(didn't want you to think I'd forgotten) Wink

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melissa eX · Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2008 12:51 pm Post subject:

Thanks everyone!

These are the mics.

mic1 is the Shure ksm27. That's what I usually use. In the audio place and the sample it sounded a bit different than in my studio. In my studio it sounds somewhat crisper.

mic 2 is the Heil PR30 - Dynamic. He wanted me to try it to see how it sounded on me. Said it was a great mic for the price (approx.$250) and didn't sound like your typical dynamic mic. I think he was right on that. Said it was a great alternative to the RE20 and SM7b. (had to smile when Bill mentioned broadcast)

mic 3 - this is the surprise. This is the one I like of the two choices (although truthfully, even though I can't really say I like mic 2 at all there's something about it that attracts me - I keep going back to it again and again to take another listen. - Could it be the gear version of 'bad boy syndrome'? Devil

)

anyway, mic 3 is the AKG Perception120. (approx - ready for this? - $99)

For me this is a no brainer. For that kind of sound at that kind of price I rather pack that and take it with me than worry about taking my main mic. But frankly I couldn't believe a $99 mic could sound that good on me and I wondered if I was nuts or if anyone else thought it sounded decent.

Of course while I was there I also tried a couple of Neumanns and the akg 414 I think (well, they were all lined up, why wouldn't I try them?) and the sm7b, which I thought sounded dull on my voice.

Thanks everyone! Nice to know I'm not crazy... well at least as far as mics go. Laugh

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

I love the Perception on female voices...can't stand it on male voices (for that I'd go with something like the MXL v67g for the $99 mic). I have the Heil Pr40 that I usually EQ to sound more like the 30 (the 40 is very bright, but not brittle). I'm not exactly 100% in love with its tone for narration...but for loud, hard sell, and some character work it's a great tool.

BTW, the Heils through a kickin' preamp = kickin' (but that's true of all the great dynamic mics).
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