VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 6:06 am Post subject: MKH50

Seriously the best mic for home based VO work but no one will buy it because ....

It's more money than a MKH416 and it doesn't look as cool as a Neumann U87.

Just thought I'd share that nibble.

Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

Hey Phillip. I've heard you say that before and I've read good things about that mic.

Why do you think it's good, say compared to the 416, which I have?
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jsgilbert · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 9:01 am Post subject:

It seems to be better suited for British voices.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 9:29 am Post subject:

I used to have a contract to be the TV Continuity announcer for a UK commercial TV network, I worked for them until early 2001. In one studio they had a Rode NT1 which sounded complete pants, tis the way of things, you need to process/compress the **** out of them. In the studio where I spent most of my time the head of sound, 30+ year veteran, installed the MKH50. I'm not sure why but it is better suited for dig in a time when all things digital are the rage, that was the intention when Sennheiser introduced it. The addition of the so called "pad" and filter switches also bring something to the party. Despite what some "great pipes" male VOs will tell you, the proximity effect is not a good thing which is why smart mic makers put a switch to combat it and smart sound guys try to put distance between Rod Butch VO and their beloved mic. The MKH50 going live through an eloborate digital TV TX system, with me working about 2ft plus from the mic had warmth, presence, clarity and a neat sparkle on top. My female counterpart also sounded great on this mic and with no changes to eq or position. She should've sounded awful because her name was Fiona and as we all know, all Fionas are bitches.

Slowly but surely all the sound people working on BBC HD, super dig programmes are replacing their single MKH416 with a pair of MKH50s and there isn't an old school BBC or ITV sound person whose judgement I do not trust.

Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

Thanks Phillip. I thought about getting one before the 416 but never heard one in use. The frequency plot looks uncolored, which is what I prefer.

I went through buying and selling mics years ago. I've become a "set it, and forget it" type now. The 416 is pretty good, but can be hard on consonants and clicky sounds.

Anybody know where there might be an audio sample of an MKH40 in action?
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Philip Banks · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 11:21 am Post subject:

In Live use ....and you'll be able to tell it's LIVE an MKH50

http://www.vo-bb.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11411&highlight=announcer

Mike Sommer · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:57 pm Post subject:

Deirdre · Posted: Thu Dec 30, 2010 10:58 pm Post subject:

SkinnyJohnny · Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 7:20 am Post subject:

Not all Fionas!
My Apple MacBook Pro is named Fiona!!
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