VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Ed Fisher · Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 4:35 pm Post subject:

The 5 microphones I used in my comparison file were....

1. Audio Technica AT875R
2. Sennheiser 416
3. Gefell M71
4. Lawson L47MP Tube
5. Sennheiser 441
_________________
"I reserve the right to be completely wrong."

georgethetech · Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 6:18 pm Post subject:

FWIW:

My faves in order (no, this isn't a joke):

1. Audio Technica AT875R (nice tonal balance, low noise)
2. Sennheiser 416 (overly bright, hyped, but that classic 416 sound)
3. Gefell M71 (sounds band-passed, and tad noisy)
4. Lawson L47MP Tube (has a bit of a "honk", a high-mid bump)
5. Sennheiser 441 (too much noise, proximity effect)

Don't sell that AT875R!
Keep the 416 for matching other 416 stuff.
Maybe keep the 441 for aggressive reads.
Surprised at the M71, I'd sell that off.
L47MP acquired taste, needs EQ bad.
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder

vkuehn · Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 7:39 pm Post subject:

Mic "shoot-outs" are always interesting and fun. But I typically walk away puzzled... and not-so-gently reminded I must have a bit of a tin ear.

I downloaded the recording, and used Adobe Audition, opened up the frequency analysis screen and ran the analysis on each mic sample, and ended up with five graphic lines across the screen.

I am amazed that from a frequency response view, how five signals so close, so much alike, end up being described as night-and-day different from one another.

And once again I am reminded I must have a really tin ear. Embarrassed

Frank F · Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 8:02 pm Post subject:

OK, I am not posting my guesses as to the specific mics here, just giving an opinion as to how the products sound with your voice and this read.

1 – Hmmm, I hate to go against the grain, but this mic is too smooth for most things VO. It offers an unfamiliar feel in the mids which make it silky yet – different. Although this is the better of the sounds offered.

2 – You asked opinions of the mics and your voice. So hear you have it… Without the driving force of an imaging spot this is not the mic for 99% of what you are capable of doing. Consider keeping this mic in the closet for "show" only.

3 – What happened here? Totally not the sound expected from this microphone. Sounds like it needs work, NOT YOU, but the mic.

4 – This mic is typical of the creators style. eBay would bring a good price if you advertise it as a “vocal” mic and not a VO mic.

5 – How close were you to the diaphragm when creating this sample? Back off and offer some power to your presentation to give this mic more clarity and cut. Consider using a preamp with some color.

Frank F
_________________
Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

Ed Fisher · Posted: Thu Nov 07, 2013 8:21 pm Post subject:

heyguido · Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 12:10 am Post subject:

I luvs me some Frank. Inoccent

_________________
Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

Frank F · Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 12:45 am Post subject:

I had written my little ditty a couple of days ago, but had forgot to post it, so now I see the microphones used (after reading the other posts before mine).

I was right on the microphones, but am still surprised as to the sound of the Gefell.

Factory servicing of the 416 is not necessary. This is an EFP or ENG mic. It is used to collect sound from a distance. Placing this mic at two to three feet away from your mouth and using a bit of projection makes this mic passable for some VO work. However, I stand by making it a prop in your studio, not as a go-to mic.

The Lawson -- sounds like a Lawson; and to quote Soundgun: "it is an acquired taste".

Choosing mics and preamps are like choosing underwear. One does not want to wear someone else's, and finding the right fit can be a huge challenge.

Remember "vocal" microphones do not always translate into to "voiceover" microphones (more often than not, in fact).

I like your sound, but choosing the right settings on the Grace can change not only the microphones texture, but it's color, cut and clarity. Which is why I have chosen to pimp out some mics for my personal sound rather than stay with the stock varieties available. I am working of a U47 clone which is really not designed for VO, but I love the texture and warmth of this mic for my personal projects.

Frank F
_________________
Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

Ed Fisher · Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 7:57 am Post subject:

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

don't know what your budget is, but you might consider getting the M71 serviced, even if you do decide to sell it. In good condition it should sell for around 1K, and it may sound so good after servicing that you may decide to keep it.

Frank F · Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 9:58 am Post subject:

Yes, you have it in a nutshell. Adjust the input level to effect texture. Overdriving a mic can be very detrimental to it's sound. This could be the problem with Gefell and the Lawson; each is not designed to be driven hard.

To keep levels similar adjust the level with your ADDA (soundcard) before recording or in the editor AFTER recording.

A microphone is NOT a complete package. A matched microphone, preamp, ADDA or soundcard, and editor are essential to complete the package. And, NO one preamp is the same as another and does not always work well with different microphones. The Grace is sterile or pristine but it's limitations lie there too.

Try a P-Solo with an C-12; then run it through an Red. Tell me the differences. Both are superb preamps but the microphones richness comes through with the Red. Not so much with the P-Solo where you will not have the "air" the microphone deserves. Power issues with some preamps are the debacle, sometimes it is electronics, sometimes it is just how it feels, it is your choice and your sound. Matching a mic to a preamp takes a bit of experimentation and ears.

Frank F
_________________
Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

chuckweis · Contributor IV Joined: 27 Feb 2008 Posts: 136

Agree with everyone else that something just doesn't sound right with the M71.

The AT, for the price, not too shabby at all.

The 416, prob would sound much nicer if you backed off a bit. Either that, or maybe you're overdriving it just a tad. Do you utilize the trim knob on the Grace or have it al the way turned down already? Can still hear the sparkle of that mic that the AT can't mimic.

The 441...count me among those you mentioned who still like the sound of it, on your voice anyway, and in your space. I like the tone of it quite a bit, although seems like it *can* maybe get a little harsh (?) Unfortunately, also the noisiest. Guess cuz you had to crank the gain to get the proper level.

captain54 · Lucky 700 Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 744 Location: chicago

Ed Fisher · Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 11:14 am Post subject:

Frank F · Posted: Fri Nov 08, 2013 12:05 pm Post subject:

Foog · Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2013 12:37 am Post subject:

Late to the party, but I figured since so much is heard on laptops and computer speakers these days, I'd add another set of ears listening to a laptop. To my wooden ear and possibly wooden speakers, mic #1 sounded best and the rest were all tied as a close second.

Then I listened with cheap headphones, because I'm on a thematic roll here. Microphone #4 sounded best in this case.