Best mic for spoken word

[StevenGurg]

I am always on a quest for THE mic/pre combination for the spoken word recordings that I create. I don't do voiceovers... just quietly spoken word. My current signal chain includes: RE20, R84DJV, NTK, Millennia STT-1, UA6176, TC Gold Channel, SafeSound P1, SPL de-esser, Apogee PSX-100SE, Lynx AES16, Dawbox custom computer, and Dynaudio BM6A monitors.
Anyone have opinions about equipment for spoken word recordings?
Thank you.
SG

[rwhitney]

I like a U87ai into a Great River MPNV (though many other preamps work well). I don't like to get the talent right up on the pop filter, but rather have them six or more inches away, generally. I'd post an example, but for some reason I'm unable to upload anything to this site.

[butterfly]

Hey Steven I do a bit of spoken word myself and use a nuemann u87ai, don't have a great preamp tla 5051 but I find the mic great for capturing mood and drama and all the subtle little vocal inflections required to bring the story to life.

[NIGHT'SCHILD]

I own a great U87 killer called the Brauner Phantom C. This mic sounds great on all vocal types.

[Brad Lunde]

Originally posted by NIGHT'SCHILD
I own a great U87 killer called the Brauner Phantom C. This mic sounds great on all vocal types.

We spent a lot of time with protos on Phantoms to get them right for Voice work. Suitable for VO, especially for detailed voice (like soft spoken word). Phantom V seems to be a good deal too, under 2K , switchable pattern, pad switch.

Brad

[warhead]

Stephen, what don't you like about the RE20 and others in your collection?

War

[Brad Lunde]

Originally posted by warhead
Stephen, what don't you like about the RE20 and others in your collection?

War

Re20's are still the most popular VO mic in the world. Sennheiser 416 (the shotgun?) is probably the next most popular. But high end condensers are coming. We have some E47's and a custom U195VO that are working as well. M267's are seen in a few of the top VO/ad shops.

Brad

[James Lehmann]

Originally posted by Brad Lunde
Re20's are still the most popular VO mic in the world. Sennheiser 416 (the shotgun?) is probably the next most popular.

Not sure about that. I visit loads of studios in Europe - if there was ever a 'norm' this side of the Pond it used to be the U87, but this is changing now as there's much more choice (and it's also debatable that the newer U87ai's sound as good as their predecessors).

My current personal favourite on my voice is the Brauner Phantom C. Totally neutral, wonderful bass response, clean highs etc - just an awesome mic on spoken word IMHO, the new standard for me. I don't own one yet but I will soon I hope!

[Brad Lunde]

Originally posted by James Lehmann
Not sure about that. I visit loads of studios in Europe - if there was ever a 'norm' this side of the Pond it used to be the U87, but this is changing now as there's much more choice (and it's also debatable that the newer U87ai's sound as good as their predecessors).

My current personal favourite on my voice is the Brauner Phantom C. Totally neutral, wonderful bass response, clean highs etc - just an awesome mic on spoken word IMHO, the new standard for me. I don't own one yet but I will soon I hope!

I perhaps should not have implied that the Re20 is "most used in the world". They sells TONS of them and this is what I meant to say, that they sell more for broadcast than anyone else worldwide (although many may be sold and used here). This "worldwide use" inference is not accurate. So thanks James for clearing that up! My post wasn't clear.

Brad