VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Philip Banks · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 2:09 am Post subject: Mic Reality and the VO

For the average VO room and the average working (almost working VO) the mic of choice for insitu and travel is the MKH416.

For the average VO room and the average working (almost working VO) the mic of choice for insitu and travel should be the MKH50. For a number of reasons (absolutes, not opinions) it is a better mic than the MKH416. A simple, technical analyses and a listen with either (a) an informed mk1 ear drum or an ex-radio "must be at +11 and so compressed you can hear the neighbour THINKING about using his leaf blower technicolor ear drum will reveal the majesty of this "mini stick of magic".

Ok, so why ain't nobody buying?

The MKH416 is the "LA mic".
The MKH416 looks kewl!
The MKH416 is MUCH cheaper than the MKH50

Never let it be said I ain't helpful.

Bish · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 7:00 am Post subject:

This is Philip's annual Yuletide visit to the Gear forum. He likes to remind people that he exists outside the bounds of philosophical discussion, and pops-in once a year to raise an eyebrow at the microphone shoot-outs, the pre-amp wars, and the deep discussions about which pop-filter is best.

I don't think he fully understand the support that such a forum gives to suffering (and recovering) gear-heads... where the merits of a gold-plated connector can be discussed without fear of a disapproving sideways glance.

Unfortunately, (damn him)... he nailed it and is absolutely right. I've heard about the virtues of the MKH50 from other trusted sources and every report glows like a big glowing thing (these reports also from people who now use it as their go-to mic). The only thing I disagree with is the phrase "MUCH cheaper" ... the ubiquitous 416 lists at a grand and can be had for $800... the 50 retails at $1,200... a paltry 50% more. It's not as if we're talking about the 400% difference between the TLM103 and the u87 (and we just know that lots of people have the 103 as a cheaper alternative to the u87 which was deemed too effin' expensive!)

Maybe I should collect the tattered remnants of microphones, pre-amps, and interfaces that have fallen by the wayside during my ten-year journey, flog the buggers and stump up the $1,200 (there should be some left for plenty of pies as well).

OK, I managed to include a redundant simile and a pie reference.
I'm good Wink

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melissa eX · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 10:23 am Post subject:

A couple of years ago Anthony was telling me the 416 is no longer his go to mic. He's been using a much smaller Sennheiser. I'm pretty sure it's an 8040.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2016 10:47 am Post subject:

From the look of into what, Anthony (of course I know him as Senor Melendez) speaks into it's technically an MKH50 which is a SAGAFTRA priced MKH416. Plus 40%.

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

So if I stick with my 416 does that now make me a rebel? Laugh

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

Rob, only if the fact that I now want an MKH50 makes me an Imperial Trooper.

Which I am. And which is why I now process all my voiceovers to sound like Kylo Ren.

(NB: I had to look that up. I am not very good at Star Wars.)
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

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

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

I love MKH 50s. It's what I used most of the time for on-site voice overs when filming commercials when I did field audio. I had one in my studio for a few months and I used it for my own VO and it was superb.

The mic that Anthony Mendez is using is great too. 8040 or maybe the 8060.

Also, I like the MKH 60 much more than the 416. They designed the MKH 416 as the successor to the 416.

I wonder if the MKE 600 ($329) is good for VO too? I did some VOs with the old ME 66 / K6 (same price) set up and it was decent.
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sdaeley17 · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 2:16 am Post subject:

Here's an interesting shotgun comparison. It includes the 600, Lance, although the room isn't as well treated as it could be.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Se2k3QiBXXk
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Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 5:34 am Post subject:

craigsvoicetalent · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 7:34 am Post subject:

What Philip said! Laugh

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Lee Gordon · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 9:41 am Post subject:

MBVOXX · Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2016 10:27 am Post subject:

Having used both in my room, I found the MKH 50 to be a much better sounding mic for studio recorded VO than the 416.

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