VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[BenWils]

Rob,

The -10db switch is called a pad. It is normally used when you are recording a loud sound source so you don't over load the mic or your pre by reducing the input by 10db. It would be used for mic a guitar cabinet or something like that.

It sounds like you may have been engaging a rolloff switch to me. That is what will make the mic thinner sounding....because it rolls off the low end. This can be used at times when you need to be really close to the mic and it sounds too boomy. Otherwise, you can just back off the mic. That is easiest.

It makes no sense that the mic sounded thin when the Pad switch was off. It should have been louder when the pad was off....unless there were some modifications done to the mic. Klaus Heyney (s does mods on U87 mics and I know he does away with the pad so he can increase the headroom and overall volume of the mic. He also does a lot more....of which I don't know the details, but the mics are supposed to sound great. I have read that he is back up with so many work orders and not taking anymore clients for a few years since he is so backlogged.

That TLM sounds way better than that vintage U87. Something seems to be wrong with that U87 if you ask me. I have never heard one that sounded that bad ever. I would stick with the TLM if I were you. It fits your voice very nicely. Just back off the mic an inch or two depending on what type of read you are doing.
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Ben


"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."

[Lance Blair]

Here's my 103 with the compander settings in AA3 that Bill suggested (thank you!) It's definitely more open and less woofy than the default setting. Yeah...there's a sinus click after "priority" and on "most": that's what I get for brushing the cat this morning.

http://www.lanceblair.net/files/103%20AA%20Compander.mp3

The mic is 6-8" away a bit to the side and at eye level (over-sling mount).
The pre is a Speck MicPre 5.0 with the HPF set to -80db and the output transformer engaged. Gain at +35db.

Peaks around -15 to -12 dbFS The AA3 Compander (a la Campbell) is the only processing.
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Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too!

[Rob Ellis]

Yeah, Ben I actually like the 103 better myself, for my voice But again, this is an old U87 that may need a tune-up.

But I'm wondering now if it would be better not to do any compression.

I tried the setting Bill suggested but not sure I did it right.

My processing didn't sound nearly as good as Lance's. Mine sounded way overcompressed. Do you Compress and Expand at the same time, or do one first and then the other???

Actually I think the 103 may have enough oomph to not need compression, which I use only for auditions anyway.

I'm a gearhead for sure but not much of a tech head!

[BenWils]

Yeah, back off the mic a bit....back off the compression some too and also make sure you are at least rolling off at 50Hz. Your voice is deep enough that you don't need to be as close to the mic as you seem to be.

Mic technique really becomes the challenge when you get in that close to a mic. Trying not to move a lot of air while you are that close to a condenser microphone diaphragm is pretty tough. A lot of the woofing is caused by the air moving as you speak.....and your booth can add the woofing too. Watch your meters on your pre when you close the door to your booth. Probably pegs somewhat, right?

So, you can see what happens to the mic's diaphragm with air movement and pressure being that close.
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Ben


"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."

[Rob Ellis]

ANNOUNCEMENT

Apparently I was recording the U 87 with -10db switch engaged and it made a HUGE difference, not in a flattering way.

I recorded another clip without the switch engaged, and it sounds much more like what you would expect from a vintage U 87.

I will post that audio this afternoon.

My apologies to U 87 owners and fans.

With that correction made, you can really hear how much better a mic the U 87 really is compared to the 103

[BenWils]

A/B the mics without processing....do the same read, same distance from the mic etc as much as possible and get the volume the same via any gain adjustments needed between the two mics. The 87 may be hotter than the 103...not sure. I know the modified U87's are set to be louder with the mods. This can make you think it sounds better...when actually it is just louder and more full because of the added volume.

Then add your processing and test that way too. That is the only way to test for real.

If you're testing a vintage U87....don't expect the U87ai to sound the same. I'm just saying. Don't even expect another vintage 87 to sound the same. Time can take a toll on the mic and if it is one that had not been kept up, it could sound somewhat different.
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Ben


"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."

[Rob Ellis]

[Lance Blair]

As I find these mics do generally, the u87 emphasizes nasal tones a touch...it's "richer" but has more honk, while the 103 can emphasize essiness with its +5db top shelf. But that U87 is sounding really good now.

Pick your poison, really. I think the 103 will be better for you for most reads and with most processing. Just a hunch. Is the 103 at, above, or below your mouth?

Maybe you'd sound good on a KSM44 or an AT4060/50? Whatcha think guys?
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Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too!

[BenWils]

I've got an AT4033 that I could sell someone. It doesn't work for my voice. But I know it works well for other voices. It is too nice a mic to see sitting around in the studio.
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Ben


"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."

[Rob Ellis]

[Rob Ellis]

[Yoda117]

Wow. Even with the pad off, this U87sounds like it needs to be serviced. I've never heard one that had that kind of noise or honkiness to it.

I've got to admit that the TLM 103 on your voice didn't do a lot for me either.

It might be the preamp, the way it's positioned, or something else, but I really liked the sound of it with Lance compared to your voice.

That's not a detraction to you, just that it's not the mic I'd want to use for you if you were recording in my place.

UM92.1S would be my first choice judging by the sound... maybe a Crowley & Tripp Vocalist Ribbon mic to bring out more of your lower midrange.

Just my $0.02 and YMMV
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Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor

Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones

[Rob Ellis]

I think getting too close may be what's causing the overmodulation, but I'm not sure.

I go back and forth on mics. For example, I'm much more enchanted with the 416 than the 103 at the moment.....but as earlier threads will show, that situation was reversed a couple of months ago....

The AKG 414 has always been a bit intriguing to me, as well as the Pearlman TM-1, Soundelux U195..what about the Gefell MT 71?

[Rob Ellis]

[BenWils]

Yeah, but the 737 has EQ and compression. Are you using them or are they bypassed? If not in bypass, you are processing (EQ and Compression).

The Gefell MT71S is a great mic for the money. Mercenary sells it for $1250. It's pick up starts at 40hz....so that may be a better fit for you since you have that deep voice and you like close micing. It has the legendary M7 capsule and it sounds just as good or probably better for some voices than the Neumann U87ai. I just got one and pitted it against a U87ai.

I am not sure what the term honking means. But you sound just fine on the TLM103 Rob. It is just mic position etc. You should try moving the mic up and down to see where the sweet spot is for you. It could be picking up too much nasal action if it is too high. Try stuff and see what works before you assume you need another mic.
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Ben


"To be really good at voiceover, you need to improve your footwork and hip snap."