Schoeps for VO?

[cubivore]

Hi all!

I have been recording VO for animation ADR for some years now. I've had experience with Manley Refs, KSM44s, RE20s, and lately a TLM103. While I really like the sound of the LDCs (especially through a nice tube channel strip) I've been wondering about shotgun options.

My most recent project is another dub for animation, but this time using kid actors. Being so young, it's tough to get them to understand mic position and difficult to get them to stand in one place for more than 30 minutes! They always end up tilting their head down to read the script since they can't memorize the lines very well, and blocked by the music stand holding the script. The studio I am at is using a TLM103 run through the board pres on a older Yamaha O3r or something. It sounds ok for the adults, sometimes a little crunchy, but that's besides the point. I'm mainly concerned about off-axis takes with the kids. I was thinking of using something like a Schoeps CMC641 (maybe the CMIT, but I can't find much info on these for studio VO) despite shotguns having more directionality than LDCs. I figured it would be easier to position in relation to their positioning habits (pointing up from the ground or from the side to their head, rather than the traditional above the head pointing down), and would be less invasive than the larger bodied LDCs.I know people are using 416s in studios, but from what I've read I'd rather go the Schoeps route.

Since the pre selection at the studio is a bit thin, I was also wondering how the CMC641 would match with a tube channel strip or if I brought in a Lunchbox with some 512c or the like. Thanks in advance!



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mintybreeze

[philper]

Originally Posted by cubivore

Hi all!

I have been recording VO for animation ADR for some years now. I've had experience with Manley Refs, KSM44s, RE20s, and lately a TLM103. While I really like the sound of the LDCs (especially through a nice tube channel strip) I've been wondering about shotgun options.

My most recent project is another dub for animation, but this time using kid actors. Being so young, it's tough to get them to understand mic position and difficult to get them to stand in one place for more than 30 minutes! They always end up tilting their head down to read the script since they can't memorize the lines very well, and blocked by the music stand holding the script. The studio I am at is using a TLM103 run through the board pres on a older Yamaha O3r or something. It sounds ok for the adults, sometimes a little crunchy, but that's besides the point. I'm mainly concerned about off-axis takes with the kids. I was thinking of using something like a Schoeps CMC641 (maybe the CMIT, but I can't find much info on these for studio VO) despite shotguns having more directionality than LDCs. I figured it would be easier to position in relation to their positioning habits (pointing up from the ground or from the side to their head, rather than the traditional above the head pointing down), and would be less invasive than the larger bodied LDCs.I know people are using 416s in studios, but from what I've read I'd rather go the Schoeps route.

Since the pre selection at the studio is a bit thin, I was also wondering how the CMC641 would match with a tube channel strip or if I brought in a Lunchbox with some 512c or the like. Thanks in advance!



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mintybreeze

I've used MK41s and MK4s for VO for many years, and they work very well. An MK41 is more directional than the TLM 103, so you can play it a little farther away, and thus minimise some of the issues of the talent moving around, to some degree. I also use a TLM103 for VO, and found that it was a lot less "in the way" when I mounted it upside down. (Cable coming out the top.) Any pre will sound pretty good with the Schoeps--it's pretty forgiving. It is not as quiet a mic as the TLM 103, which is one of the quietest there is. The Schoeps chotgun (CMIT5) is a lovely mic but not for close mic VO. I got some tracks from a place using it close and it had some of the same "overbearing" midrange that Senn. 416 tracks have when the mic is played close.

Philip Perkins

[cubivore]

Thanks for the reply Philip!

The TLM103 was already upside down when I came in to the studio which does help optimizing the space problem. However, with that mic arrangement I end up having to place it between their head and the mic stand, which ends up with the mic getting beaten up by plosives and page turns. With the kids always readjusting themselves, it always ends up micing their forehead. I have been reminding them (nicely, of course) that we are trying to record their voice, not their mind! lol

Interesting note on the noise of the Schoeps. The room is fairly large and quiet (~20'x30', 20' high), but knowing the MK41 is nice quality and running it through a nice pre, hopefully this will be negligible.

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mintybreeze

[berniebeaudry]

Originally Posted by philper

I've used MK41s and MK4s for VO for many years, and they work very well. An MK41 is more directional than the TLM 103, so you can play it a little farther away, and thus minimise some of the issues of the talent moving around, to some degree. I also use a TLM103 for VO, and found that it was a lot less "in the way" when I mounted it upside down. (Cable coming out the top.) Any pre will sound pretty good with the Schoeps--it's pretty forgiving. It is not as quiet a mic as the TLM 103, which is one of the quietest there is. The Schoeps chotgun (CMIT5) is a lovely mic but not for close mic VO. I got some tracks from a place using it close and it had some of the same "overbearing" midrange that Senn. 416 tracks have when the mic is played close.

Philip Perkins

I have the CMIT5U and it is a great sounding shotgun. I wonder if the mixer used the roll off on the mic that is supposed to help with proximity effect. I've not tried it myself yet but that may help in this application. I've gotten the mic within 18 inches for an interview and thought the sound was very good at that distance. The tracks you refer to must have been really miced close.
I have a idea for the page turn and antsy kids problem. How about putting the script pages in soft clear plastic sleeves? Then have the kids hold them instead of having them on a music stand. You could have a small table nearby to put the copy down on (quietly). Its more work on the front end but might help with noisey page turns. Gives those small hands something to do. You could also put spike marks on the floor for the kids so they always know where they should be standing. Make a game of it, see who can do the best standing on their mark and being quiet. Good luck!
Bernie

[santacore]

I'm sure a Schoeps shotgun or a Sennheiser shotgun will work fine, I guess it depends on your budget. Both are industry standards and get used a lot.

You might want to also consider using a Lavalier. That could eliminate many of your issues with the kids. In fact I would try using both the lav. and the shotgun for one session and then later compare which one worked out best. Then let us know your results. I just recorded some anime with kid actors just last week and can sympathize with your problems.

[AustinG]

I recently had a session that required some kids to be pretty animated. The Schoeps turned out to be just the ticket. I was using it with the Portico...I find the schoeps rarely disappoints for this kind of thing.