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VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!
Established November 10, 2004
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Tom Test
DC
Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Posts: 629
Location: Chicago, IL
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 Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 11:01 am Post subject: |
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| Rellis wrote: | | Quote: | | it's not what I prefer that matters. |
For me, what I think/prefer does matter, because that will impact my performance (consciously or unconsciously.)
As far as what potential clients think, do you mean what they think of your sound or what they think of the brand of mic you're using?
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Hey Rob,
See my reply to Diane below about my thoughts on my preferences vs my clients'. But your 2nd point asking to clarify what I mean by "what potential clients think" is a good one. I meant what they think of my sound when they hear my audition/gig.
But... I also really DO think that the brand of mic I'm using *may* influence some potential clients. I think the Neumann brand is well-known and has a reputation among folks who don't know much about gear. Enough so that it may actually give me some added credibility.
For 6 years in the 1990's, I ran VO practice groups here in Chicago. We always started with a mock audition, where the 6-8 talents read from the same script. We then listened back to all the reads, gave feedback, and offered opinions on who would get the gig. The lesson I'll never forget from this is that RARELY was there anything approaching unanimity in the casting decision. And that's with a group of only 6-8 VOs!
Imagine if you will, a group of ad agency types listening to 50 auditions, trying to make a casting decision. This is where factors not related to the voice can make a big difference. Factors such as: have we ever HEARD this person's name before? (Recognition = credibility). What did their slate say about them? And it's also possible that if they looked at my Voices.com profile vs another talents, they see that I have a high-end Neumann and the other guy has a mic they've never heard of before - well that gives me a slight advantage.
So yes, I think that Big Name Gear with a great reputation might actually get me a little more work over time.
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Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com |
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Diane Maggipinto
Spreading Snark Worldwide
Joined: 03 Mar 2006
Posts: 6679
Location: saul lay seetee youtee
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 2:06 pm Post subject: |
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Tom--
True dat. I continue to learn ... a lot ... every day. I hope it never stops. But I've got to trust my own ears to some end, eh?
Good luck!
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sitting at #8, though not as present as I'd like to be. Hello!
www.d3voiceworks.com |
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Bill Campbell
DC
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
Posts: 621
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 3:02 pm Post subject: |
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I'd stick the the 103. You could learn how to use hardware and software to eq and compress the 103 to sound like just about anything. Your starting with a great neutral sound. Easy to make a 103 sound like a Sennheiser 416.
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Lance Blair
M&M
Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 2281
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 3:44 pm Post subject: |
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The 103 has a big shelf above 5kHz that's really easy to take out, and it sounds much different with preamps with rich tube tones or nice transformers.
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Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too! |
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Frank F
Fat, Old, and Sassy
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 4421
Location: Park City, Utah
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 3:52 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Tom writes: "I also really DO think that the brand of mic I'm using *may* influence some potential clients." |
Tom, to date I have only been asked once in my career by a client; "which microphone I use or which software I use to edit". And, to further this - I have yet to be asked which pre-amp, sound card, compressor, cables, computer, or any other part of my chain I use, by a client.
The ONLY people who ask what equipment I use are fellow VO's (and sometimes some studio engineers with whom I work). My only opportunity to suggest equipment was for a client who wanted to get some audio production toys for his son.
With the above in mind, I would think you are working too hard to please people who do not really care or to satisfy your personal gear envy. Find the equipment which meets your needs and your desires - whether it is a BIG name or a small boutique manufacturer and use it properly. The sound you produce will be your signature, YOUR brand, your moniker as perceived by those who are buying your services.
An example of the above described "gear envy" is in which pre-amp do you use and why.? Is the ART MPA Gold good for you and does it sound good with your voice? Or, do you have to have the Manley SLAM for $6,000.00 USD because it costs more? The question really should be: Does the Manley make $5,700.00 difference in your sound, and will the Manley get you more business?
Good luck in your choices.
Toodles
F2
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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 |
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Tom Test
DC
Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Posts: 629
Location: Chicago, IL
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:05 pm Post subject: Okay, here is a mini-shootout |
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Here is a link to download a 192 Kbps MP3 file with me reading 3 similar scripts (authoritative, warm and fuzzy, and hard sell) through 3 different mics. The mics are in the same A-B-C order for each of the 3 scripts. I won't yet say which is which, but the 3 mics are my old Rode NTK tube mic, the TLM-103, and the TLM49 (my potential seller was nice enough to bring it to my studio).
http://tinyurl.com/6lp2vu
A few caveats: since the TLM-103 was recorded in a different sound booth through a different preamp (a tube Aphex 240, with a little compression going in), it's not a controlled experiment. The NTK and TLM49 were recorded in my booth through my Mackie Onyx mixer. I tried normalizing and light compression on my files for these 2 mics to make the reads as simliar as possible.
Also, while I found the TLM103 easy to use with a big sweet spot, I think the TLM49 might be more finicky when it comes to mic placement. If I had more time to familiarize myself with it, I think the results would have been better.
Finally, the -103 was recorded a few weeks ago while the other 2 mics were recorded this afternoon, and I'm struggling a bit with a cold. I'll tell you what I think later.
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Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com |
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Yoda117
M&M
Joined: 20 Dec 2006
Posts: 2362
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Thu Nov 13, 2008 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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| Tom Test wrote: |
It sounds like you're saying the -49 is more limited than the -103? Versatility IS important for the fast-turnaround world of internet VO casting. If I can use one mic on a range of different reads, the time not spent changing mics out, waiting for the tube on my Rode NTK to warm up, etc, couold prove vitally important. |
The folks I know who use it regularly are using it for imaging. Doesn't mean that it's better or worse than the TLM103 since I didn't get to compare them. However, Lance made a statement that he felt that the mic was best suited for hard sells and I had some experience which supported usage in imaging (though I didn't find the mic to be fatiguing... different strokes for different folks).
Personal opinion? It's more limited in usage than the 103. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but the TLM103 can be used on a lot more stuff (mic up some drums with both and you'll understand what I mean... it's a similar story for VO). Some folks love it, but my advice is that if you're interested in it, that you should probably also check out the Telefunken AK47 and the Peluso 22 47 and go from there.
Not to be a smart-ass, but my philosophy is that if you're handing in good auditions with the 103, then keep it. Unless the engineers are choosing another mic over the 103 for your work on a consistent basis, I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you're looking to boost your mice locker. In that case, check out the 22 47, and AK-37 along with the TLM49 and go from there.
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Voiceovers by Gregory Houser
Philadelphia based Voice Actor
Blog - A man, a martini, and a lot of microphones |
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Bill Campbell
DC
Joined: 09 Mar 2007
Posts: 621
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 5:01 am Post subject: |
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A and B sound very similar. C has a warmer low end. All sound good, but
a little dull - voice-over booth causing that? Not much energy above
5K to my ears. 192 kbps in stereo is not going to be that revealing.
Again though, they all sound good. You could use any one of them.
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Rob Ellis
M&M
Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 7:29 am Post subject: |
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B to me sounded the most balanced overall, at least on the first set of reads.
A cut through better, but bordered on harsh at times.
C was warmer, but didn't seem to be quite as up front as the other two. |
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Tom Test
DC
Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Posts: 629
Location: Chicago, IL
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:22 am Post subject: |
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| Bill Campbell wrote: | 192 kbps in stereo is not going to be that revealing.
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If anyone would like to listen to the original wav file of this shootout rather than the MP3, here is the link for the 6.3 MB file:
http://tinyurl.com/58ke8s
I'll reveal the lineup later today, but I will say that I'm going to pass on the TLM49...
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Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com |
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Rob Ellis
M&M
Joined: 01 Aug 2006
Posts: 2385
Location: Detroit
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:24 am Post subject: |
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I'm guessing:
A=TLM 103
C=TLM 49 |
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ballenberg
Lucky 700
Joined: 10 Nov 2004
Posts: 793
Location: United States
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 8:37 am Post subject: |
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Yoda wrote:
| Quote: | | boost your mice locker |
Eeek! |
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Lance Blair
M&M
Joined: 03 Jun 2007
Posts: 2281
Location: Atlanta
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 11:42 am Post subject: |
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I am 100% certain of this:
Mic 1: NTK - noisy, and thinnest of the bunch.
Mic 2: TLM 49 - yup, that's a good imaging mic right there, still not sure about narration.
Mic 3: The TLM 103. I liked it overall, but yes that booth is fouling up the sound. Very boxy and boomy (that's where the extra low end is coming in)...but listening to the mids and highs, I like this as well as the 49, and way better than the NTK. I don't like booths, I prefer well treated rooms.
If I'm wrong, I will never look at another TLM49 again. But this is another test that makes me very satisfied with the strengths and weaknesses of my 103. It is what it is, and doesn't have any glaring weaknesses for the price.
Some people say the 103 is really a $300 mic. Really? I've used/and or owned the KSM27, 4040, and E300. They're all great...they are nowhere close to a TLM 103. Anyone know the $300 mic that sounds as good as a 103? With 7db self noise? Anyone?
I'm surprised that y'all can't tell that C is done in the booth with the different preamp.
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Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too! |
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Tom Test
DC
Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Posts: 629
Location: Chicago, IL
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:08 pm Post subject: Okay, here is the lineup - read 'em and weep! |
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Nobody guessed them correctly. Lance was were correct about #3 being the TLM103 recorded in a different booth through a tube amp... But got 1 and 2 switched!
Here is the actual lineup:
A) TLM49
 Rode NTK
c) TLM103
I'm amazed at how thin the -49 is. It got better when I got closer, but still... I'm curious as to how the -103 might sound in my 4x4 booth. I have a bunch of stuff (e.g., small bookshelf filled with crap) inside to help deaden things. I also just paid for an M600 mic mount. If I do buy the -103, I'll post the results of that same mic in my booth with the M600 through my Onyx to see the difference.
I've decided for sure to pass on the -49. I'll be testing a local 5 year-old TLM-103 with no shock mount for $700 this afternoon (a bit worried about the age, can spend $1-200 more for a B-stock on eBay...). Or perhaps I'll keep on with the insanity and consider a Pearlman TM-1 or Peluso 2247...
All the best,
Tom Test
_________________
Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com |
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SkinnyJohnny
Backstage Pass
Joined: 12 Aug 2007
Posts: 462
Location: Asheville, NC
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| Posted: Fri Nov 14, 2008 12:13 pm Post subject: |
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I had my 103 for 6 years and never had a problem with it. I know it's still kicking and sounding very good in it's new home at Josh Mahler's studio.
However, I did take VERY GOOD care of it for those 6 years!
From the tests, my favorite mic on all the styles was mic B, but to REALLY be able to compare, the 103 should be recorded under the exact same conditions.
Good Luck!
John
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John Weeks Voice Overs
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