VO-BB - 19 YEARS OLD!

mcm · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 12:40 pm Post subject: MCM's Mini Mic Shootout

I wonder if I could have a few volunteers - the more the better actually - to listen to the results of my little mic/preamp shootout. I've recorded a few lines with some different microphone/preamplifier combinations and would love some opinions on which combination(s) sound the best. I'm sorry that I couldn't seem to record the lines exactly the same way every time but I hope you'll get the idea.

The recordings have been cleaned up a little, but no compression or other stuff has been added either during or after recording.

To play, go to http://www.mcmvoices.com/combos.htm and spend a little time listening.

Many thanks!!

Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 12:57 pm Post subject:

a - crisp and clear with EQ to find all those clicks
b - Essy and poppy
c -The one you appear to like
d - Sounds like you, best natural option
e - Another good natural sound
f - Poppy compression
g- Phasing and clicky
h- acceptable degree of eq and processing

Jim Barton · Guest

It sounds to me like you have a problem with "S's." They have a high pitched whistle. All but two of the combinations emphasized your S problem. I agree with Phillip: combination E is the best solution for your voice, it has a natural sound, and the high end is not so pronounced.

By the way, I realize it's the best we have in this situation, but evaluating mics by listening to MP3's off the internet isn't the most efficient way to arrive at the truth.

Jim

Spacegypsy · Guest

For some of the takes your read is different, maybe because you are listening to yourself on headphones as you read? Like on C, like Banksey says, you seem to like that one best, and you read it different, as you are responding to the different sounds in your headphones. It would make the mic/preamp comparison clearer if you read them without headphones and all the same, but otherwise I've nothing to add to my esteemed board colleagues' comments.

mcm · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 3:04 pm Post subject:

I don't use headphones when I read.

I know it's a bit harder to evaluate when the reads are different, but I was hoping the sound quality would still be apparent even with different reads.

Philip Banks · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 3:33 pm Post subject:

It's another performance skill; same copy, same read 5, 6, 7 or 8 times.

Back on track now (d) ideal (e) works nicely.

Simon Fellows · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 3:55 pm Post subject:

Hi Mary,

I have to pretty much concur with all that's been said. E for me is the best for your voice - but are there a couple of processing glitches on that last sentence? Also, compared to the other reads, my guess is that there's a healthy dose of de-essing being applied to E.

For what it's worth, my version by version comments were (These were noted with a single listen through so feel free to ignore):

A. Clicky
B. Clicky and Ess-ier
C. Less Clicky but also different/better read. Still a bit Essy
D. Less Clicky but again a different read
E. Better - couple of glitches at end
F. Better but more audible processing glitches than E
G. Clicky & the Essy-est!
H. Pop, Click, Essy

Just another point, and one that's maybe worth a different thread, I always wear headphones when I'm recording - even on the few occasions in an outside studio when I'm offered the option not to. Probably just a personal thing, but I'm interested to find out what everyone else does.

Anyway, hope that's of some help.
_________________
Simon Fellows
http://www.simonfellows.com

Frank F · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 5:41 pm Post subject:

MCM,

I am in full agreement with our esteemed collegues - - with a little twist... I like "F" as it is a little "fuller" sounding... it has some inherent problems, but I like it...

I like the intimate sound of "F", the "smile" comes through well in "E", and the mic is flatter in "D".

One of the things one might consider is to work the mic FLAT - no processing. Move a bit further from the microphone - some of the samples sound a bit close-in. Then F.I.P. (Fix It in Post). Recording FLAT allows one to add processing - if necessary - now mind you - a bit of compression and limiting is not a bad thing - if your taking ONLY the "spikes" of your waveform down a touch and compression should be MINIMAL.

One can always ADD processing AFTER, but you cannot take the processing OUT of a pre-processed file.

If you work the mic six inches from your mouth - move it to 12" - and don't do any processing... see what that sounds like... it might help a bit with the clicks and the sibilance; this concept will also allow one to put a bit more gain on the mic and therefore add some headroom. There are some "air" sounds on your "ffff's" moving the mic a bit more off center - up and away from the direction of your breathing-air will help this factor some...

Frank F

mcm · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 6:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks all for your comments!

Let me reiterate that there was no processing either during or after recording other than removal of baseline noise. No compression, no EQ, no de-essing, and no gating - except that one mic has a roll-off so there are some samples that have the roll-off engaged.

Frank F · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 6:11 pm Post subject:

Ahhh, that settles it... I like D,E and F...

Frank F

kitstern · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 11:48 pm Post subject:

My favs were D & E. Not as sssssy, warm natural sound.
_________________
Enjoy life, this is not a rehearsal.

http://www.kitziestern.com/

Frank F · Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2006 11:55 pm Post subject:

Alright,

so you have added to the test... now I like "I" and "K" at 12" from the microphone...

Better sound, "I" is more YOU, less clicks, almost NO sibilance... "K" just adds a bit more bottom end... it's smooth and natural.. with the same attributes as "I".

"J" is too "bright" for my ears... and at the six inch distance - too clicky and poppy with some sibilance...

Frank F

Did I pass the test? Rolls Eyes

FF

mcm · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 7:13 am Post subject:

Frank, you always pass the test!

I agree with your opinions about the additional tests.

And I'm sending back a bunch of expensive equipment today!!

Heh.

Drew · Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2006 8:36 am Post subject:

Yup, D and E work as do I and K. As you know, Mary, the price of a component isn't always a factor in producing good audio. Wink

_________________
www.voiceoverdrew.com
Skype: andrew.hadwal1
Although I have a full head of hair, I'm quite ribald.

nick reed · Guest

Here's my 2 cents...

A,B,C = all had a stuffiness to them, I don't like any of them
D = dry & siblilant, no good
E = dry but had a richness about it, I like it
F = similar to E, dry, rich and intimate, I like it
G = had a phazey sound to it, there seems to be some electrical incompatibility with this particular combo. My least favorite.
H = similar to G but less pronounced, I don't like it
I = Fairly natural, it's ok but not great
J = Fairly natural, it's ok but not great
K = Fairly natural, it's ok but not great
L = The most natural of all, the one that I would recommend if Natural is what you want.

Bottom line: I like E & F for their richness. I think F is the more intimate sound but both are good to my ears. I would choose L for the most natural sound.

Nick