Decent voiceover mics up to $300 in a bad room

[Rob Ellis]

I'm advising a friend on their first VO mic.

Other than the AT 2020, any other suggestions for a mic up to $300 that would work in a largely untreated/minimally treated space?

I'm aware of the usual suspects like RE20 or SM7 but wondering if there are others.....

Can be either condenser or dynamic, doesn't matter.

[matt thomas]

Originally Posted by Rob Ellis

I'm advising a friend on their first VO mic.

Other than the AT 2020, any other suggestions for a mic up to $300 that would work in a largely untreated/minimally treated space?

I'm aware of the usual suspects like RE20 or SM7 but wondering if there are others.....

Can be either condenser or dynamic, doesn't matter.

someone's got to say it, but what about some room treatment?

matt

[MrCrowbar]

Check out the Rode Procaster. With the right mic technique, it's pretty awesome. Here's a sample: YouTube - RØDE Procaster and here's another: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8GBb...eature=related

[KillerV]

Heil PR30

[Phaseshifter27]

The RE-20 is probably my favorite choice. I've never used an Heil Pr-30 for voice overs but have used it for guitar, and drums and it was fantastic. In fact Its probably going to be my next mic purchase, that or the pr-40.

[kidvybes]

...KEL HM-2d is a condenser mic voiced to sound like a dynamic (think SM7)...nice "in-your-face" presence with a bit more "air" than it's dynamic cousins...priced right at $199 shipped...love this mic!

Kel Audio -- HM-2D

[GuySonic]

As an unusual/unique suggestion to consider is using a lapel mic for VO.

My company makes a 'type' of lapel mic that sounds like a very, very high quality studio vocal mic. Usually worn on collar or near position, but also, with clip removed, can be slipped onto side of eyeglasses or used with special 'behind-the-neck-streetstyle' headband accessory.


This is ONLY lapel mic that consistently records natural voice in totally uncolored manner with full 10-30,000 bandwidth smooth response.

It uses a specialized pressure-type omni so room needs be quiet or nearly so, but room sound is largely not recorded.

Also, this mic requires special powering module so figure this into budget.

See this 'Lombardo' Lapel at: DSM HRTF Headworn/Baffled Ambient Stereo Surround Sound Recording Systems & Mono Lapel Mics

[Rob Ellis]

Thanks,everybody.

I will pass along these suggestions.

Any love for the AT 4040 as a good mic for a bad room?

[Yoda117]

Originally Posted by Rob Ellis

Any love for the AT 4040 as a good mic for a bad room?

There are worst choices, but there are also better choices as well.

AT 4040 is a good mic for inexperienced talent though. It's rather forgiving IMO.

[PEImatrix]

Besides looking for a mic, also look for a cost effective solution to fix your room.

[Rob Ellis]

Yeah, I have discussed the room with him so we've done our due diligence there---whether it registers at this point is another matter....

So I think the main thing is get the most bad-room friendly mic possible that is still decent.

But he also understands (I think) that room issues may still pop up from time to time, even with the most forgiving mics.

At this point I will probably recommend an RE 20, 27 or 15.

[Mr_Mic.x]

I love the AT2020, its in my bedroom, so not treated at all. But it seems to pick up only what you want it to.

Also, its very clear, I was recording different sounds to sample for my intros, and i had the preamp tuned pretty high and it sounded great.

Vocals are a charm too, recommend it everyone looking for a great cheaper mic.

[AllAboutTone]

Re-20
c3000

[lostintime]

Originally Posted by Rob Ellis

I'm advising a friend on their first VO mic.

Other than the AT 2020, any other suggestions for a mic up to $300 that would work in a largely untreated/minimally treated space?

I'm aware of the usual suspects like RE20 or SM7 but wondering if there are others.....

Can be either condenser or dynamic, doesn't matter.

An MXL 960 large diaphragm tube condenser microphone for $199. It sounds nice on most voices and has low self-noise making it well-suited for voiceover work.
A Porta-Booth to solve your acoustic problem for $129.

[KFMG]

Try to find a AT3035. You will not be disappointed.

[tabiggs]

Don't overlook the lowly SM57. I added an aftermarket Shure windscreen and I like it even more on my voice than my AT4040. While the AT4040 works great on acoustic guitar it doesn't work on my voice, but it may work on a more "refined" voice.

.

[andersmv]

RE-20 or an SM-7. I'm surprised I have not seen anyone mention the sm7 in this thread yet, come on slutz!

[mmahan40]

sm7

just got mine today...

along with with a gap pre 73 and some dynaudio bm5a's

shit is kickass

seriously, get the sm7

[Darhgo]

even if you got a used sm7, the pre required to really make it shine will put that chain way out of his budget.

i have a rode nt1a, that i've recorded many a voiceover with when i'm away from home.

honestly, if you're good, you're going to sound good even on a just ok mic, so don't agonize over this too much.

[Fruition2k]

Find a used RE20, the phase ports help poor room design and variable D creates less proximity effect. Plus its great kick mic. Use mine all the time for voice ver work and drum duties....

[Dayo]

Don't use an LDC in an untreated room for v/o - bad mojo will result.

[Chrisc_o]

Originally Posted by andersmv

I'm surprised I have not seen anyone mention the sm7 in this thread yet, come on slutz!

Ummm, maybe because it's over budget?

There are plenty of more than adequate mics for much less than $300 (I'd use my Sp B1 mk1 or Behringer B1 in a heartbeat if I had to), so there is plenty of room in the budget for a bag of rockwool and some fabric, or some packing blankets.

Seriously, you can solve a lot of room issues with $50 and a couple of hours. Even for something that can be easily broken down if permanent installation is not possible. That leaves plenty of room in the budget for some pretty sweet mics (Kel, SP, MXL, etc.).

Once the room is taken out of the equation you can do a lot with that kind of money.

[Yoda117]

Originally Posted by Dayo

Don't use an LDC in an untreated room for v/o - bad mojo will result.

QFT. Even with one of the "portable voice booths", you're going to have issues more often than not.

If you have the $ spend it on the room first, mic second. I've gotten great VO results from sub-$100 mics in rooms that were properly treated. I've had horrible results from $3000+ mics when used in rooms that had weren't up to snuff.

[junior]

+ 1 on the EV RE series... SM7, SM58, MKH416, Beyer Soundstar MKII, M88... thumbsup

[Prestonrmail]

Sm7b fa show

[Rob Ellis]

Given the $$$ situation, he's leaning towards an SM58 and the rest of the budget for room treatment.....

[drumist69]

I've had good results with a Sennheiser MD421 in a relatively untreated room for VO.

[Yoda117]

Originally Posted by junior

+ 1 on the EV RE series...

Add another +1 as well. RE-15 or RE-27 would be my choices given the OP's situation. SM7b would also be a contender in my eyes.

While it's not a mic I usually recommend, I'd be curious to see how a R0de NTG-2 was able to perform in a less-than-stellar environment.

[danno812]

"Given the $$$ situation, he's leaning towards an SM58 and the rest of the budget for room treatment....."

I think the room treatment is a good idea.

But, if he is not a musician, a 58 will just be a waste because once the room sounds good, he'll want a better mic anyway. If he is a beginner, perhaps a USB mic of some sort for practice while spending money on the room.

For a VO talent a USB mic could always come in handy for auditions and practice. Now if he is a musician, he might as well get a 58 because there is no end to how those can be used. Also (and again if he is a musician) he could go with a 58 and a XLR - USB mic converter, best of both worlds that way.

my $.02

Dan

Voice Talent :: ProComm Studio Services - Voice overs with male & female voice talent

[Yoda117]

Originally Posted by danno812

For a VO talent a USB mic could always come in handy for auditions and practice.

They're also pretty handy when you've got to do VO on the road. I know a few of the heavy hitters in the VO world use one for their "VO2Go" kit.

I'm not a fan myself, but if they're booking spots using usb-based mics, then who am I to throw stones?