radio voiceover setup

[doug_hti]

Hi, my neighbor/friend needs to setup a basic voiceover setup for broadcast...so it needs to be worldclass as cheap as possible....
I figured a channel strip with good pre/eq/comp and then a descent converter, maybe an mbox, or lynx, or what

What mic - akg4500 or sm7b
CS - Amek CIB?
preamp?
eq?
comp?

thanks for the ideas. It needs to be easy to setup and maintain and use.

thanks

[adamcal]

I would not spend a fortune on a radio voice over setup, I mean a lot of what you hear on radio is sent in via 128K MP3 if thats any indication of quality.

A cheaper type channel strip with mic pre, basic eq, comp and de esser with do you just fine, unless you are desperate to spend more money then look at:

(dare I say it - and so long as its just radio voiceovers)

behringer ultravoice
focusrite voice master thing (the 1ru one)
the new presonus channel thing
Rane voice strip
any of those type of things

And moving upmarket if you are a slut (big bucks, hope you got lots of work)
focusrite producer channels (430 and 220)
Pendulium quartet
Avalon 737
GML 2020
manley voxbox


But remember by the time your voice tracks are choped to within an inch of their lives, time compressed to fit in 30 seconds (cause they overwrote the script), added to some cheesy libary music, MP3'd to the station and then to add insult to injury everything on radio these days is played off hard disk (the cart walls are mostly compressed to MP2)

Its any wonder there is any audio left at all.

also remember that a lot of inhouse radio production departments (yes even the biggest stations) use the pre amps in things like yamaha O2R's and Tascam desks, and yet still manage to sound fine on the radio.

as for mics, thats a more personal choice and the usual suspects are

U87
TLM103
RE20 and 27
Shenn 416
SM7
MD421
etc

but the better chinese takeaway specials will also work for this aplication just fine.

Studio Projects
MXL
etc

A mbox would be a neat self contained hardware/software solution for a one man voice over setup and is really all you need, plus there is lots of help for pro tools available. but I would still get a channel strip to compress before recording to digital rather than pluging a mic directly in to a mbox or similar. (although I do know people who do exactly that, and they still manage to get booked week after week)

if you dont like pro tools, look at sound forge and wavelab if your on the PC, with a 2in/out sound card, like a mia by echo or audiofile by maudio.

[dr.sound]

Doug,
Adam gave you a very good list. I would just say stay away from the Berringer stuff, and the MD421 wouldn't be on my list. Any of the other mics listed on the top list would be fine for 'Radio Spots".
Good luck,

[pounce]

a soundelux u195 into a avalon 737 into the computer would be very decent kit. an mbox would suffice for getting it into the computer, but a nicer ad is always a welcome addition. the new benchmark piece (adc1) should be out soon, it's worth a look. you have a reasonable list already. i also suggest avoiding the behringer and other cheap list stuff. you'll get bored of it too quickly. an fmr RNP and a decent mic is the best cheap straightahead pre, but the avalong will get you a complete single chanelstrip and therefore be more useful. other popular radio mics were listed, and they include..

re20, u87, sm7, tlm103, and others. any of those would do, but any condenser that would allow you to exploit the proximity effect would possibly get you the results you wanted more quickly. that's why i recommend a high quality condenser like the u195.

best of luck.

[jbuntz]

If price is a concern, any of the dynamics mentioned will be fine. The RE20 and SM7 are both pretty industry standard and both can sound both beefy yet clear. I've seen 421's as well. And plus we are talking sub $400 vs. $1150 for a U195. There are channel strips made for this application but I've really only seen them in catalogs aimed at broadcasting people. An RNC works pretty well on voice as would an Aphex Expressor preferably solid state. As for standalone preamp, I'm not sure. The RNP isn't exactly rich sounding but it is clear. EQ isn't too crucial on V/O stuff so you could probably leave that out if you are on a budget. You could check out the langevin dual vocal combo although it is indeed two channel but a steal nonetheless. It has Pre, a simple EQ and compressor that works great for voice.

For AD and DA, the Lynx 22 would probably sound best for the price and doesnt give you more channels than you need.

[radiovoiceone]

A simple, good and inexpensive setup would be an RE20 or SM7 and a Symetrix 528e.
This is a pretty standard radio station setup that won't blow your budget and anyone should be able to get a decent result with this combo.

[doug_hti]

thanks for the replies, helpful to get a perspective.

more specifically, this setup is for a DJ that already has a morning show in LA at a large hip hop station. She is just going to do a syndication show (not live) and wants a basic setup in her home. So she has access to all the station engineers to clean up her problems. She is not technical, but is obviously used to speaking technicalities radio people need to have.
If she gets a Mbox, I will be able to help her troubleshoot stuff if need be as I know PT well.

So an additional question, what broadcast microphone, out of those mentioned will reject room noise the most..She can probably get by with a RE20, AKG4500, orSM7, rather than a 87 or 103??

And Adam, I agree about compressing on the way in. For the time being would a RNC or a 160A be okay for the money. I haven't heard a RNC, but have used 160As in live situations a lot. I may have her listen to some of my Channel strips (737, API7600) to show her the difference.

thanks again

[doug_hti]

Originally posted by radiovoiceone
A simple, good and inexpensive setup would be an RE20 or SM7 and a Symetrix 528e.
This is a pretty standard radio station setup that won't blow your budget and anyone should be able to get a decent result with this combo.

thanks mike, do you know of a retailer in the states that sell symetrix?

[adamcal]

the dynamics would be better for room noise, but a quilt (doona/duvet) over the head will solve that problem, if thats a bit daggy something like a chinese divider with said quilt hanging on it will work for a low cost and home friendly voice booth.

either compressor would work (I have both of those) or better find a cheap S/H Urei LA-4.

Sure the more expensive items are better, but its serious Bling Bling for the Avalonizzle and the Soundulexshizzle and most likley not worth it for her aplication a dizzle.


god I am so white!!!!

[ozraves]

a great vo mic for females is the blue baby bottle.

an inexpensive vo mic is the audio-technica atm25. the choice at mic for this app is the at4047. i like the at4040 as well.

the ev re20 is a great mic but it takes a hell of a lot of gain. i've got a $1,400 preamp in the rack that can't power one up.

i think the smartest thing to do would be to get a safe sound p1. you can buy one here: www.frontendaudio.com these rock for vo.

the shure sm57 sounds pretty darn good through a nice preamp.

[radiovoiceone]

Symetrix is handled by all the big broadcast houses, BSA and others.
You can get it direct from Symetrix but it's better to look around for the best price.
They even show up on Ebay occasionally but make sure it's the 528E.
It has everything you need, a voice channel in a box and once set up for a performer, it's hands-off.
It does have lots of gain for an RE20, which is the most commonly used broadcast mic.
It's also better than a U87 in a slightly noisy environment and you can work right on top of it with a windscreen.
Make sure you get the proper shock mount as well.
As I said, you'll find this setup in probably 75 per cent of radio stations in North America because it can work with anyone, skilled vocal talent or not.
Good luck with your search.