VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:32 am Post subject:

i'm replying here because there are many xy chromosomes chiming in ... and i too am interested in lady mics Wink

what of that shure sm7b, donna? you know i have, um, trouble with it but wondering what your experience was during the loaner program and if there is something similar, or way dissimilar, you might consider?
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Donna · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:44 am Post subject:

Ms D, I just couldn't get enough oomph out of the sm7b with my current preamp, even adding a booster, and I didn't want to invest in a new preamp at the time, especially since my current setup seemed to be working for me.

In a perfect world I would be able to lug a few preamp-mic combos home and try them out in my space. My world lacks such perfection, at least for the immediate present. I've heard the TLM 102 is friendly to those blessed with XX, but haven't used one. eX's negative review makes me reconsider that choice - maybe.

Doesn't Liz de Nesddsendlfa use a 103? Liz, what's the what on that fer ya?
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melissa eX · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 2:00 pm Post subject:

I don't like the 102 on me, Donna. It could be different for you.

georgethetech · Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:04 pm Post subject:

The 102 does seem a bit bottom heavy, must use it at a distance to avoid the proximity effect bump. e100s is a VERY hard mic to beat, but without understanding what you don't like about your current system, making an educated recommendation would be, well, uneducated.

Vintage AKG c414EB is very smooth, one of my lady clients found one and it really did beat out the AT4040, AT4047, SM7b, and many others she tried.
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heyguido · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 4:06 am Post subject:

+1 on the vintage AKG. Nice mic if you can find one.
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Donna · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 8:08 am Post subject:

Very few mics I do not like, and the 414 is it. Brings too much brass to my voice.

George, the current chain for audiobooks is AKG c3000b > symetrix e385(?) > maudio fasttrack pro> windows pc w/ sound forge pro.

The 3000 is not my favorite, it's just the one at hand. The 416 is too in-your-face for audiobooks, but it is my fave for commercials.

It's time to upgrade.
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Diane Maggipinto · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 9:01 am Post subject:

I <3 this thread.

Truth be told, I used to love my at 3035 but now have some sibilance, hard consonant, and tinny-like issues, operator control not withstanding. I agree with you, Donna, that getting the decent boost with the shure is a challenge (I'm using the m Hobo Tounge

currently. The dbx preamp is out of the chain. In fact there is no real chain!) I do have the luxury of visiting my pro audio d00ds for mic try-outs and feedback (the good kind, even if it's not what I want to hear. Wow double entendre!). Still, would love to know what the xy clan is using or rejects outright ...
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Deirdre · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:32 am Post subject:

I am using the Sennheiser 416 about a foot away from my face, pointed at my nose.
I'd LOVE an Avalon amp— it's got the sweetest oomph with that mic and my voice. Fritz had one that I used for a while, but it needed repair and when he died it was one of the million things I wasn't allowed to take with me.

Small irregular space is key. 416 is teh aw3s0m3. I'm using mines with a dbx 286 and it's still hella sweet.
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georgethetech · Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 1:39 pm Post subject:

I am very aware of how bad a c414 can sound, that's why I specified that particular version. It's nothing at all like the BULS or XLII's of modern design from the 80's on...

You are welcome to listen to the mic shootouts she did (amazed I still have these files!).
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8bpy6dt5z5y95eq/O5Bvl3XG9t
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Dayo · Cinquecento Joined: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 544 Location: UK

George is right; 414's vary quite a lot. If you can find one with a C12 capsule, it's probably a winner. And thanks for posting the files - I liked the AKG a lot.

My current choice for female narration is a purple badge U87, but it will not forgive a less than ideal room. And it's a lottery finding a good one.

I've got a Joly modded NT1 somewhere which I recall being quite kind to female v/o - will try and dig out some samples.
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georgethetech · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 11:59 am Post subject:

I saw this one at the NAMM show, SE's take on the classic C414EB.

In Hypercardiod it has a nice dip in the sibilance range.
http://www.seelectronics.com/se4400a-mic

And it's cheaper (and easier to find) than a vintage c414EB.
And has a very good warranty.

Self noise is 17db, so a good bit higher than the CAD e100s. Would be cool to compare those two mics in a real-world situation.
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melissa eX · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 12:24 pm Post subject:

That's interesting. Someone just recommended I try the SE electronics Z5600aII and the Mojave MA301Fet.

Now that I have a new computer I think I'm getting GAS

Frank F · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 12:31 pm Post subject:

Ladies, before rushing out and purchasing an SE 4400a I suggest you try a few more mics. Just got a chance to listen to a great female vocalist on several mics - including a trusty U87 Purple badge, Lauten Audio Atlantis, C-100, U87 AIs, Apex 460 (tube change only) and Avantone CV12 (tube changed) both which are C12 clones, MXL Genesis, and an old 414B ULS, E100, and two others.

We ended up using the Apex 460; although it was a toss-up between this microphone and the Lauten Atlantis. The Apex 460 and the Avantone CV12 came in with a close third. I listened specifically while she was talking and not singing to hear the true nature of the mics.

Mics for boys and mics for girls are two different animals. The specific tones in the wonderful feminine aura are different for each and every voice. How a woman addresses the mic, how she projects or does not, the speed and strength of the voice each make one mic and another mic poor for her voice.

For our beautiful Ladies who are contemplating a mic change/upgrade/purchase - I suggest considering a long look at the pre-amp as well as the mic. What you have may or may not sound good in a particular pairing.

And, put BOTH tools through their paces with what you - as an FVO would vocalize on a normal basis, fast and slow, soft and sultry vs. hard and striking. full voice/proximity/gentle. This is the only way you will be able to determine what a microphone and pre-amp can do for YOU.

Frank F
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Donna · Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 12:35 pm Post subject:

George, you got my attention with the hypercardioid specs - interesting. I would love to hear that one.
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

Donna - if you're using a Symetrix 528e, you should be able to dial up and customize to get the "sound" you want. That box is extremely flexible.
Parametric eq will get a decent mic to sound very good. Takes some tweaking.

For example: a wide Q dip at 6k, about -3db, seems to get rid of female talent's sibilants without muddying up the sound.

EQ people, EQ!!!
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