mic recommendation for voice recording.
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Posted on May 10, 2006 09:27 pm
billingsgate
Member Since: May 10, 2006
Hi, I'm new. I need help in choosing a mic.
I am an animator, not a musician. Part of my work involves producing soundtracks for short animations. I use Acid Pro and commercially-available loops for the music. Most of these projects have dialogue and voice-over narration. Now I'm asking you sound pros for a recommendation for a proper mic.
My setup is currently using an M-Audio Delta 66 card with an Omni I/O breakout box with proper XLR and TS inputs (and switchable phantom power). But I am in a small enclosed office that is absolutely not set up for soundproofing or proper acoustics. This setup cannot be changed, so I don't really want advice about the room setup. That is a project for later.
Before I installed the Delta 66 (today), I've been using a pair of Core Sound cardioid stealth mics plugged directly into my (now discarded) Soundblaster. The CS mics did a remarkable job in omitting background noise, and picking up voices with warmth and none of the tunnel effect that I used to get with cheaper mics. But now that I have a proper mixing box, it's time to upgrade the mic.
The main purpose is for voice narration and character dialogue recording, most likely directly into Acid Pro 6, and not for musical vocals. My main criteria are: 1) A warm and natural sound that is appropriate for spoken dialogue; 2) isolating the voice so as not to pick up background noise; 3) No hollow tunnel effect or echoes caused by the non-soundproofed office walls. I don't think I want something that is TOO tightly focused unidirectional, especially because it's hard to discipline kids to sit still in one exact position during recording (adults too!). So I think maybe I'm looking for a better cardioid type mic. Condenser or dynamic? I don't know the difference.
I'm looking for two recommendations: 1) Something for under US$100; or 2) Something in the $100-$200 range.
Finally, please note: I have checked all the product descriptions for mics that are listed on this website. Mostly they discuss vocals for live performance, so I can't tell from the reviews which is best for my situation, where the only other sounds competing with the voice are general computer hum and other low-level background equipment noises.
Any and all serious advice is wanted!
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pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 11, 2006 07:51 am Rode makes a broadcast mic:
www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Broadcaster/
It's write-up says high 180 degree rejection.
May be worth a look.
There's another one that sweetwater carries, they're writeup is as another broadcast mic, but in desktop fashion. I can't find it at the moment. You can call them, they're uber-helpful.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
May 11, 2006 07:54 am condensors are usually more accurate, and more sensitive, than dynamic mics.
Dynamic mics usually can be thought of as live stage mics, whereas condensor mics can be thought of as studio mics.
That's a general description, but it's not far off.
Also, condensor mics will need phantom power (usually -48vdc). This can be supplied by a mixer, a preamp, or an external power supply.
Dynamic mics don't need phantom power.
May 11, 2006 07:57 am Well, if you have trouble keeping people sitting still during recording a condensor would be best, they are more sensitive and pick up a wider range...with that, however comes some background noise at time as well, it's kind of a catch 22.
However, there are a couple options, one would be to add some sound control to the room, even as simple as a couple cubicle walls that can be moved around, or even put away while not working...the other, well, duct tape for keeping the kids in their chairs :-)
If you have an echo problem in an over-active room, some sound treatment in the room may well prove more effective than buying yet another microphone. and simple sound control need not be really expensive either.
What is your room like currently that you have these issues you need to avoid?
May 11, 2006 10:31 am Thanks for the recommendations. Gives me a lot to look at. The Behringer B-2 looks very tempting. I hope I can try one out.
The room I'm in is a modern animation environment: full of oddly-angled tables, jammed with computers and scanners and their whirring fans, concrete walls covered with pictures and notice boards. Not to mention noisy neighbors next door. Not an ideal sound booth, let's say.
That said, my Core Sound mini binaural mics get a good enough voice recording. Using a bit of noise filtering in Adobe Audition, and the sound is usually good enough (we're not doing high-end cinematic productions; if you haven't guessed yet, it's all low budget stuff). But the stealth mics are awkward to attach to the new M-Audio Delta card and Omni I/O breakout box, and even mounting them is a problem: they are currently clipped to a Gumby doll's arms as a mic stand.
Thus I'm looking to step up to some "real" mics, that are good enough in an acoustically imperfect room, to produce voiceover recordings that are flat and clean.
May 11, 2006 10:34 am Quote:
they are currently clipped to a Gumby doll\'s arms as a mic stand
Now THAT is cool
meltdown5Faze 2 StudiosMember
Since: Aug 15, 2005
May 11, 2006 04:08 pm Maybe mic that is ment for live performance applications would suit you better then studio condensor. The condensors are much more sensitive and will pick up way more backround noise then a dynamic mic will. I would recomend a Shure Beta 58 microphone. You can get them new for around $150 which is in your price range. They are very durable, so you won thave it dying on you, and its supercardiod will block out much of the unwanted sound your environment may be producing (espcially all those computers/scanners) And ontop of that, i think it sounds really great.
i definatley check it out.
or anything made by RODE, becuase RODE rocks.. heh
oh, and i dont think anyones said this yet, so welcome to HRC.
-melty
May 11, 2006 07:20 pm Wow! All this advice has been very illuminating. After looking over everything here and talking to a couple people I know, it seems that my choice will be between two mics, and I'd love to get some further opinions.
Audio Technica AT-2020 - gets consistently rave reviews as a "best buy" and for having the best sound in its price range
Behringer B1 - almost the same specs as the AT-2020, but also has bass rolloff switch and a shock mount. The shock mount is a major attraction, since my mic stands will have to be short ones on a desktop, and the desks conduct machine hum. Plus the B1 looks cooler...and you're talking to a visual artist here, not a musician, so such things do cloud my judgement.
Both sell for the same price, and seem very equivalent in specs. If anyone has experience with both, and can give me some feedback, I'd be more grateful than I already am for all the enthusiastic help I've received.
RigsbyUltra MagnusMember
Since: Nov 13, 2004
May 12, 2006 02:21 am I'd go for a dynamic and a decent pre-amp.
Or an LDC with hypercardoid setting.
Noize2uCzar of MidiAdministrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002
May 12, 2006 07:44 pm Gumby was my hero at one time, long ago.
I believe that Audio TEchnica AT-3035 is also in your price range. I bit more versatile then the 2020, and a littel better specs as well.
But the 2020 is an excelant choice as well.
