A good microphone for spoken word around 800$ ?

[ISedlacek]

A friend of mine asked me for an advice in this matter. Since I am really not sure (I have different types of mics), maybe you could give me an advice ? He wants mainly to record some texts and vocabulary for his language courses CDs (and it should sound nice, if possible).

Thanks ...

[Chris says:]

I assume many will suggest RE-20s, though I hear theyre pricey to get if outside the US. Those're pretty standard for broadcast and voiceover.

Best luck!

[DonPedro]

Neumann TLM103 is a favorite for me when it comes to spoken word. Ebay BIN price 750-850 bucks.

[Ben Walters]

Don't forget the SM7, it works quite well too, though he may need a better pre with that than an RE20.

[VO-Guy]

The TLM 103 is used alot for VO work, also alot of VO guys use the Rode NTK or the K2, and if you could add a little to the pot a Sennheiser MKH-416 does real nice. I got the 416 and it blew my NTK slap out of the water.

[chetatkinsdiet]

I'd imagine that an RE20 anywhere in the world is much less than his $800 budget though. That'd be my first choice unless I knew I had a nice pre for the SM7.

m

[warhead]

RE20.

War

[ozraves]

I'd suggest the AT4047. It's a tad agresssive. Does a solid job on most spoken word.

[Brad Lunde]

RE20 is a standard. Very nice off axis.
Senn 416 (shotgun) is a standard. Huge bottom due to shotgun boominess up close, plus rejects room noise well. A misapplication that works.
Heil PR30 is coming up fast, excellent articulation in a VO situation, lots of gain and rejects background noise well.
Soundelux is experimenting with U195VO's for broadcast, we have them at Clearchannel Seattle right now on key morning talent. Durable, sounds like butter on air.
I've sold some Soundelux E47's for commerical work VO for folks who want that god-like sound.
Neumann has a lot of classics out there for VO at higher level studios and private studios. M269's for example.

Point is, there about as many options for VO as there is for vocals and it all "depends on what sound you want" [where have you heard that before]. Cheap condensers don't work due to moisture problems over time (VO generates a lot of moisture due to very close working-it'll kill most condensers not set up for it). If budget is an issue, Heil PR30 new and Re20 used are near industructable and sound great.

Brad

Brad

[bing81]

If you want to get out of it a bit cheaper without sacrificing quality, ADK Hamburg (for mainly men) or Vienna (for mainly women and kids) .. or both. I use them all the time for VO, and they work very well.

[James Lehmann]

You could point your friend in the direction of the shoot-out I did recently between three excellent German LDC's for voice-over in the €650-€1000 bracket.
Neumann TLM103 vs Microtech Gefell M930 vs Brauner Phantom C

[ISedlacek]

Thanks for all your replies. In the end AT 4047 seems to be a good choice (also pricewise ...).

[stevep]

Chris says: I assume many will suggest RE-20s, though I hear theyre pricey to get if outside the US. Those're pretty standard for broadcast and voiceover.

Best luck!

PL/ RE 20.... Or Sen. 421

[Bishbashbosh]

Originally Posted by chetatkinsdiet

I'd imagine that an RE20 anywhere in the world is much less than his $800 budget though. That'd be my first choice unless I knew I had a nice pre for the SM7.

m

Ridiculous I know, but the RE-20 is £749 pretty much everywhere in the UK. That's $1320!!!

It's actually cheaper to fly to the US, and pick one up, than it is to walk the half mile down the road to my local dealership.

Never understood some of these international pricings!

[axtrak]

Hi,

i´m using my Brauner Phantom for voiceovers, it sounds great and it´s not too pricy...

Alex

[Fletcher]

Hmmmm.... nobody suggested a ribbon. Interesting. We've been working on some stuff for potential "podcasting" for the M-A site and have been using an AEA R-92 for the VO work.

We tried all kinds of stuff from Soundelux's to Royers to Horch to MT Gefell to Sennheisers and Shures and even old RCA's... but found the R-92 to be the best tool for the job.

As always... YMMV

[7rojo7]

they say it depends on the language, which mike to use? L anguages with very guttaral sounds and sharp consonance will favor a condenser for detail, with a smooth language a ribbon (Coles commentator mic or beyer M260) is fine, good midrange. An RE20, SM7 , Stedman N90 or a 441 will get you there for anything.
A 414 is good for a bass bump and a presence peak.
I have 2 VM-1s, 2 Valvets and 3 PhantomVs and I still pick a JV 74 over any of them for some things. Some times the Phantoms beat out the big boys too.