VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 5:56 am Post subject:

My stunt mic, bought a couple of weeks ago (bargain) is a Sennheiser MKH416 and it works for me. I realised I was trying to "work it" and that was a waste of time whereas all I had to do was let it dangle 20 feet above my head and get on with my job.

Bruce · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:32 am Post subject:

Yep, the MKH 416 comes to you looking for your voice and reaches into your upper respiratory system to get it, instead of you having to send your voice out into the mic. A little shocking at first, but it can be a kind and supportive partner.

B
_________________
VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:55 am Post subject:

With the help of "Les the sound" we produced this test. No proximity and no WORKING the mic and no abuse of processing. Appears to work jus' fine.

ARRHARRR JIM LAD

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

So Banksey just to clarify how far from the 416 were you on that clip and how were you positioned in relation to it (above you, in front of you, etc.)

AND....

....how much gain (little, average, a lot) was going to the 416 Smile

Philip Banks · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:42 am Post subject:

See above for exact position of fatbloke in relation to thin mic. Everything at my end was set at 0 level gain, eq etc. What you are hearing is the final mix so that the mic is heard in context of a contexty thing.

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

Thank you. Quite helpful!

This inspired me to try once again NOT working the Senny up close. Here's what I got. (This is with the mic in roughly the same position as pictured by Philip, which is a LOT farther away than I normally work it....)

http://wsm.ezsitedesigner.com/share/scrapbook/43/438328/YoureReady_R_Ellis.mp3

JTVG · Backstage Pass Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 433

Not to take this too far off topic, but I'm a little confused at what would be causing what sounds like plosives in Philip's file. That mic at that angle shouldn't be a problem. I'm wearing cheaper headphones on my laptop right now so perhaps my ears are deceiving me.

In my experience, when I position the 416 that far away and above from my mouth in my 4x4 padded booth, it sounds like it's a mile away and boxy, probably indicative of the faults of my booth more than anything else. You also have to be recording in a room with a very low noise floor because you'll need to crank the gain on softer reads and any noise than becomes amplified too. Just use caution and common sense. It's not a very forgiving setup, IMO.
_________________
Joe Szymanski
http://www.joethevoiceguy.com

Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 1:49 am Post subject:

I hear something on the B in brilliantly which is when I looked up at the clock placing my mouth and lips closer and obviously at a critical angle. Someone here will know the exact angle, distance and be able to calculate the velocity of the letter B delivered with a theatrical flourish.

On the day we recorded that test I did some real gigs before swapping back to the U87, including a promo session for CNBC, all was pop, ping and poop free.

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

I know what you mean, Joe.

How close do you work it?

JTVG · Backstage Pass Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 433

Pretty much like this, with a pop filter where that line is.

_________________
Joe Szymanski
http://www.joethevoiceguy.com

Dayo · Cinquecento Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 544 Location: UK

This is going a tad off topic isn't it? Just like life!

My 416 is positioned just above head height, angled down towards the upper chest. I'm working 12 to 15 inches off it.

Here's how it sounds with no EQ or compression.

http://www.divshare.com/download/10578053-4b5

Don't know if this helps, but there ya go.