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Deirdre Czarina Emeritus
Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 13016 Location: East Jesus, Maine
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 5:52 am Post subject: The Mic Test Saga, the conclusion (for now) |
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Hey Gang—
I got ahold of a Neumann TLM-103 from Sweetwater and I ran some sound checks with it.
Guess what?
With my voice in my room it didn't sound as good as the Studio Projects C-1.
So, I'm sending it back to Sweetwater. There will be a "restocking fee" which basically means I spent $120 to run a mic test, but I'm glad to know beyond doubt it's not a piece of equipment I am "missing".
And the C-1 will continue to be my bludgeon of choice.
_________________ DBCooperVO.com |
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Tren Hester Contributor
Joined: 24 Apr 2005 Posts: 36 Location: Dublin, GA
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 10:33 am Post subject: Thanks |
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DB, thanks for comments on the 103. I know that Neumann is a sacred name in the VO field, but this is a good reminder to "test before you buy."
I intend to check out the TLM103 and a U87 when I can get access to both at the same time. |
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jrodriguez315 A Hundred Dozen
Joined: 26 Sep 2006 Posts: 1202 Location: New Jersey
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:34 pm Post subject: |
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I purchased a C-1 and now I am more confident that I made a good purchase. Even though my voice is different than yours, I am glad that the C-1 compares favorably with Neumann mics. _________________ Joe Rodriguez, Bilingual Voice Actor | The Voiceover Thespian Blog |
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billelder Guest
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:56 pm Post subject: |
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Quote: | And the C-1 will continue to be my bludgeon of choice. |
As it is with me. Deirdre, thank you for posting this. I agree with Mike, too. It is a great weapon. |
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Deirdre Czarina Emeritus
Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 13016 Location: East Jesus, Maine
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 9:56 pm Post subject: |
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And just so you know all the facts, I did the mic test via ISDN with someone who REALLY wanted me to try a TLM-103 because it matched the other mics in his studios.
HE didn't like the sound.
I already liked the C-1 the best, but would have been very happy using the TLM-103 to keep this producer happy.
Such is life. _________________ DBCooperVO.com |
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dscott Contributor IV
Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 104 Location: Russellville, KY
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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My guess is there are a few mics that will have that sweet sound with your voice or my voice.
We could probably do waveform and spectral analysis on our voices and mics and rooms 'til we're blue in the face... but in the end, the ears have it!
My own engineering experience doing sound and recording says certain mics are well suited for certain instruments/applications.
57s for guitar amps, snare and some horns, RE20 for kick, 58s for vocals, small condensers for drum overheads, and on and on....
The bottom line is start with a recognized standard, play with the micing technique, try non-standard too! Start flat, eq and effects later if possible.
I'd like to try a C1 too! Cheers!
Dave |
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billelder Guest
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Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 4:33 am Post subject: |
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That speaks volumes for the producer that didn't like the sound. The important thing is that Deirdre posted this and said it. Again, thank you. |
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Diane Maggipinto Spreading Snark Worldwide
Joined: 03 Mar 2006 Posts: 6679 Location: saul lay seetee youtee
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Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 10:46 am Post subject: |
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Quote: | I did the mic test via ISDN with someone who REALLY wanted me to try a TLM-103 because it matched the other mics in his studios.
HE didn't like the sound. |
I just have to ask: will HE throw down the buck-20 for the test/restocking fee??? _________________ sitting at #8, though not as present as I'd like to be. Hello!
www.d3voiceworks.com |
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BenWils The Thirteenth Floor
Joined: 08 May 2006 Posts: 1324 Location: In a Flyover State
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Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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Or sell it on the board. I'm sure someone would want it for the $120 discount. _________________ Ben
"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap." |
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Bill Guest
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Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 12:32 pm Post subject: |
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DB,
interested in what it was that made you not like the 103 on your voice/room as much, or did you not get that deeply into it? |
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Deirdre Czarina Emeritus
Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 13016 Location: East Jesus, Maine
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Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 1:10 pm Post subject: |
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Diane-- No one had a gun to my head to get the mic for the test! it was a professional investment in my book. C'est la vie.
Ben--I thought about it!! but I looked at Ebay and they're not going for as much as I spent, even with a new shockmount. It's on its way back already.
Bill-- it didn't have the presence of the of the C-1-- it actually sounded muddy in the bottom. The C-1 just had a brighter, more fully-rounded sound. _________________ DBCooperVO.com |
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Jowillie Lucky 700
Joined: 20 Aug 2006 Posts: 714 Location: North Carolina
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Deirdre Czarina Emeritus
Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 13016 Location: East Jesus, Maine
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Posted: Fri Dec 08, 2006 8:20 pm Post subject: |
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My preamp is a good ol' Mackie 1202.
Nothing fancy. _________________ DBCooperVO.com |
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Jeff McNeal Guest
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Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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Interesting. I've been using a TLM 103 for the past couple of years and while it was a great improvement over my old EV RE-20, I've never been particularly enamored with it. I've learned how to work it okay and its "in the zone" with my overall audio chain, but I've been ready to make a change for awhile. It's coming soon. Main contender at present is probably another model Neumann. |
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Edo Guest
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Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 4:05 pm Post subject: |
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I'll be testing a brand new TLM-49 later this week... a friend of mine bought one. OK... promise to also post another review in the learn section soon after that... |
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