View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Laurel S
Joined: 13 Mar 2015 Posts: 6
|
Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 7:54 pm Post subject: Mic shootout for audiobook narration |
|
|
Hi all! I just got a new mic, and I'm trying to decide between it and the mic I've been using for audiobook narration. I did a quick shootout with a short piece of text. I know which one I like better, but I'd love to hear what others (with perhaps more sophisticated ears) hear.
https://soundcloud.com/laurel-schroeder-1/mic-shootout
Any input is welcome, thanks! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
richvoice Been Here Awhile
Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 217 Location: Tucson, AZ
|
Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 9:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I thought the second half was the tiniest bit clearer, but... just barely. Other than that, I didn't really hear a difference. _________________ Cheers,
Rich
http://www.richvoiceproductions.com
@RichMillerVO |
|
Back to top |
|
|
sdaeley17 Club 300
Joined: 04 Sep 2013 Posts: 338 Location: Port Orchard, WA
|
Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 9:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Hi, Laurel,
Thanks for the shootout! Some have pointed that since SoundCloud compresses uploaded files, it's not the best way to get an honest-to-goodness shootout. Dropbox or something similar might be better.
That being said, I also liked the second mic more. The first one was very forward and in your face, not unpleasant, but maybe a little too aggressive for longer listens? The second seemed more mellowed out and natural, much easier to listen to. Hopefully that was the one you liked! _________________ "There's Magic all around us; you just have to see it. And the most wonderful Magic of all, is just bein' alive." -Uncle Montork, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Laurel S
Joined: 13 Mar 2015 Posts: 6
|
Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 10:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thank you both! And thanks for the tip about Dropbox, that's good to know. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Philip Banks Je Ne Sais Quoi
Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11049 Location: Portgordon, Scotland
|
Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 11:50 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Pick the one you like as you sound just fine on both. It's about the story and the story teller not the slightly compressed 2db lift across the 7hz rolling wheat fields of the Mojave Desert.
"Momma died right there where you're standing" sighed Cleetus Farl both de-breathed and normalised to -3db.
"Don't y'all talk yo me like that!" exclaimed Marlene. "No man ups and tells me about his Momma using no $24.99 soundcard from RadioShack! And git yerself a pop shield!" |
|
Back to top |
|
|
paulstefano Backstage Pass
Joined: 22 Sep 2015 Posts: 411 Location: Baltimore, MD
|
Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 3:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
Agree with what's been said already. They are very similar, almost like it's the same mic, maybe A has a pop filter, B does not. Are you trying to trick us?
For narration, I like B better. There is something about A that is bringing out more detail, maybe even too much. You can hear every consonant hitting hard. B is softer without losing anything. _________________ http://www.paulstefano.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Harrison M&M
Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 2029 Location: Equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia, along the NJ Shore
|
Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 5:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
Excuse me for a moment as, for the benefit of others, I go slightly off-topic; in that I'm not going to opine on the differences between the two mics. But as someone who has been producing audio for several decades, I have to say with regard to...
paulstefano wrote: | There is something about A that is bringing out more detail, maybe even too much. You can hear every consonant hitting hard. |
I have heard too many demos where what Paul describes is distractingly glaring. For example, where the letters "D" and "T" (and there are others) sound like little hammers on a desktop when spoken. I think it's more a compression thing but, regardless; one thing we need to remember is that anything that distracts from the story being told (just like plosives and mouth clicks) is not a good thing. And the longer the story, the greater the chances of turning off a listener... whereas, especially with audiobooks, the whole idea is to ENGAGE the listener.
I believe the most natural-sounding speech is much more enjoyable to listen to. Don't you?
/end threadjack _________________ Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Philip Banks Je Ne Sais Quoi
Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11049 Location: Portgordon, Scotland
|
Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 5:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
I'll ask Dave. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
vkuehn DC
Joined: 24 Apr 2013 Posts: 688 Location: Vernon now calls Wisconsin home
|
Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 6:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
I will also cast a vote for the mic in the second half of the shootout audio.
And now for a philosophical thought about Soundcloud as a vehicle for such a demo, such a test. When doing auditions of say... broadcast commercials... which may be listened to by a lifelong sound-nut now reviewing audio in a studio like setting with much discrimination.... Soundcloud might make the audio sound inferior to the competition.
But audio book narration. Which probably in most cases will be consumed by people listening to earbuds or headphones of less than great quality, or on the speakers of an automobile or truck.... after the audio has gone through the hamburger grinder at ACX or some other "book mill".... Is it possible the Soundcloud delivery gives a more accurate example of what the consumer will hear when it comes to comparing Mic A to Mic B? |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Philip Banks Je Ne Sais Quoi
Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11049 Location: Portgordon, Scotland
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
DenaliDave Club 300
Joined: 09 Jan 2016 Posts: 307 Location: Anchorage, Alaska
|
Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 1:56 pm Post subject: |
|
|
You can upload FLAC or WAV uncompressed files to Soundcloud... _________________ "The wise ones fashioned speech with their thought, sifting it as grain is sifted through a sieve." - Buddha
www.alaskamic.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
MBVOXX Been Here Awhile
Joined: 03 Jun 2008 Posts: 232 Location: USA
|
Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 2:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Listening on earbuds I can't tell much difference between the two...there may be just bit more sibilance on 2. But either mic sounds fine. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
HeatherMasters Contributore Level V
Joined: 03 Sep 2015 Posts: 158 Location: Alaska
|
Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 4:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Agree with what everyone else said. I'm curious which one you liked better? It's funny how we can grow so attached to these mics. It makes me wonder, if you did love your old mic, would you be able to recognize a better sound, or do we get blinded or rather, deafened I suppose, to those things? _________________ Heather
www.heathermastersvo.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Moosevoice Club 300
Joined: 16 Nov 2012 Posts: 393 Location: Iowa
|
Posted: Sun Nov 25, 2018 12:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
call me 'Late to the Party' but has the audio file been deleted? _________________ www.moosevoice.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Philip Banks Je Ne Sais Quoi
Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11049 Location: Portgordon, Scotland
|
Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2018 12:46 am Post subject: |
|
|
No, it was compressed, limited then edited for content. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|