Best equipment for a beginner

Mark Williams

Hi, Mark Anthony Williams here out of Houston, TX. I looking to get started in this industry and I wanted to get suggestions as to what would be the best mic to use. I've seen some USB mics out there for computer recording (which is what I plan to do), but is it better to use one of the more traditional mics and get a preamp. I have a baritone voice if that makes a difference as to the type of mic. And of course on a budget as well. Thanks for suggestions!

Adam James · Posted: Thu Jul 12, 2007, 19:24 (GMT) Post subject:

Hello Mark,

It may be worth your while to take a look at this topic:

http://voiceoversavvy.com/ftopic1551.html

Loads of info in there about what mics other VOs are using.

Adam

Ed Gambill · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007, 01:42 (GMT) Post subject:

Mark If I was starting now these are the items I would get.

1 Shure SM 57 Mic 100.00
The element is very close to the SM7. The SM7 is a top flight VO mic but is over 300.00

1 Atlas MS10CE “Leader” 40.00
Atlas has been making stands for years and makes strong gear that last forever, avoid cheep light weight stands

1 20ft Mic cable Quad Wire 25.00
If its not quad wiring you are not getting the best cable.

1 Pop Filter nylon mess 27.00
Every one has problem with Plosives and you will too. Pop filter only remedy

1 I/O Lexicon Omega 200.00
It comes with Cuebase LE software, all the software you need to get started.

1 Manhassett music stand 30.00
Used to hold scripts. Put a towel or carpet Sq on the stand to reduce reflected sound and ringing from the stand surface

Altogether about 400. Do you have a computer now and space to record.

When you are ready you can get another mic that really suits you voice, either condenser or dynamic. The SM57 will always be there for you, done my share of commercials on a 57 when I first started.

Jon Robbins · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007, 02:25 (GMT) Post subject:

Great resource is BSW...maybe you already know of it
http://www.bswusa.com/main.asp
You can get a decent sounding Condenser Mic for 99 bucks...a Behringer B-1, I have one and it it has outstanding quality for the price...would highly suggest you run the mic (or any mic) thru a pre-amp or better yet a Symmetrix 528E Mic Processor.

Meanwhile...if I only had a Neumann, If I only had a Neumann (TLM103)....(Homer Simpson) mmmmm, Neumannnnnnnnnnnn.

By the by...anyone engaged with Source Connect yet and how do you like it compared to ISDN?

Simon Glenister · Posted: Fri Jul 13, 2007, 11:23 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi - As a professional engineer thought I'd chime in with some recommendations

My opinions may differ from others here but I'm approaching it fom an audio engineer's viewpoint

First of avoid USB mics the quality is not as good as a mid range large diaphram condencer mic

For a decent sound on a realistic budget I'd reccomend either a Rode NT1A or one of the SE mics.

More important than the mic (counter intuitivly) is the pre amp and the environmnet you record in. People always forget the room - It is so important - If your serious do some reading on accoustics, bass traps, diffusion, room taming etc

If your room sounds rubbish your recording will.

If it's a given that you have a reasonable pre amp and mic. Place them away from your computer (or other noise sources) have the mic facing into an accoustically absorbing object - extreemly good results can be achieved just using a heavy duvet draped around a corner. Check what the pattern of your mic is - does it reject sound at the back (Cardioid) or is it an Omni - records all round, many different varieties. I'd recomend cardioid.

This way you record a dry source and ambience can be added later - reverb etc if needed. It's almost impossible to remove ambiance form a track if recorded at source but easy to add.

Yes use a pop shield - Contrary to advertising spiel - a pair of tights/pantyhose stretched over a coat hanger will do a perfectly good job - pre made ones are just more convenient and look prettier.

Record to Aiff or WAV - at 44.1 khz - CD quality, you can go much higher but you won't need to for demo purposes. Convert to MP3 later - you will lose some quality at this stage - so the better the original the better your MP3 will be - get it right at source and the rest will follow.

Traditionaly recordings of voice would be compressed a they went to tape (a process whereby peaks in the recording are turned down so you don't overload the recording source - basically an automatic volume control) Radio and TV heavily compress everything they broadcast. You can these days - depending on your software add this post recording.

hope that helps someone some

Ed Gambill · Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007, 06:09 (GMT) Post subject:

Mark

Just for the record I am also an engineer, Broadcast TV, Radio, Multi Track Studio Engineer. Whether I’m a professional is a debatable issue.

Simon made some very good points. The room is the key to any real success. Bad room acoustics bad recording. And he was right about the DIY pop filter My mother worked for Hanes Brands and I am proud that to say I made my first pot filter with an embroidering hoop and a pair Hanes brand panty hose. The mounting thing is tricky

But here is what you didn’t tell us;

What size space do you have for recording? There are some important measurement that are considered when construction a dedicated audio space. The ratios for construction when observed help with getting the space tuner right. Then when you have it finished you need to decide where you want a flat monitor system or a system tuned to X-curve. X-curve is the standard for all film sound editing and mixing spaces. I’m fairly sure it the same for television post. Simon can probably do a better job than me of explaining that to you.

Now lets talk about monitors. Behringer makes some really inexpensive ones that are very nice. I’m talking about the active ones. My cousin and a friend each have the Behringer and I like them. I paid over $700 each for my Mackie. The only reason I got them is because I am working toward THX certification and the Mackie are THX certified

How quite is your computer? If its loud you may need a hush box and that is pricey. For the price of one of them you can buy a nice laptop.

Most importantly what is you budget? The cost of a Rode NT1 is more than the total package I lay out for you.

Give us that info and I and Simon can almost give you a turn key approach. If you want DIY plans for a VO Booth I can provide them but it will cost a bit.

Give me/us and I’ll/we all of us can help better

Good luck

Charles Minx · Posted: Mon Jul 16, 2007, 18:05 (GMT) Post subject:

Here's a handy resource with recorded examples with the same voice on different microphones:

http://www.coutant.org/contents.html

and a visit to

http://www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html

will give you all the information you need to turn your spare bedroom into Abbey Road (or The Record Plant).

Enjoy your VO journey!

James Beery · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007, 05:40 (GMT) Post subject: New Mic for beginner?

SOUND PROFESSIONALS - COMPUTER PODCAST RECORDING SYSTEM - MXL USB.008 USB PREMIUM MICROPHONE, CASE, FOLDING TRIPOD STAND, SHOCK MOUNT (SP-SHM-5) AND POP FILTER (SP-SPS013)
Retail: $299.00 Your Price (USD): $159.00 You Save: 46.82%
voiceover Friends, Does this sound like a good deal? I believe I'll order it tomorrow.. if no one can think of a reason not to. I'm not getting any work.. so I have to do something.. even if it means giving-up my 30 dollar Logitech mic.
I can work on my talent and get better.. But what can one do with a 30 dollar mic?
Please let me know what you think.. thanks!

Charles Minx · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007, 05:57 (GMT) Post subject:

I have no personal experience with USB mics, but from what I have heard, they are generally unsatisfactory for VO work. Perhaps someone else can chime in here with personal experience, but I would opt for a good dynamic like a Shure and a decent preamp. Check Musician's Friend for a plethora of choices that can bring you in under $300 for the whole kit.

Grant Holmes · Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2007, 19:12 (GMT) Post subject:

Once you decide on "what" to buy, I'd strongly suggest that you visit your local music store. They likely have most anything available on line (if its a decent store) and will probably be competitive on pricing.

I looked at one mic/processor combo on line and can get it locally for the same price as on line when I toss in shipping. PLUS I can run by there anytime and ask questions, etc.

======

James, I have that exact USB microphone. Go listen to my demos and see. I have a baritone voice also.

If you want to buy mine, it's all of a month or so old. Only thing I don't like is that from my radio days, I can't listen to my voice in headset while I'm recording. It seems a very good mic. I'll also PM you.

Dane Reid · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007, 01:58 (GMT) Post subject:

I had an NT1A to get started. Ugh. It was ok. Didn't get much work with it. With the same preamp, room set up and compressor and a different mic (higher quality- Neuman TLM 103), wow my sound is better. Invest in yourself. If you don't have the money, you can throw money into practice equipment or you can save to get what you need. P.S. NO NO NO to usb mics.

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007, 02:13 (GMT) Post subject:

Dane Reid · Posted: Mon Nov 12, 2007, 16:55 (GMT) Post subject: Rode NT1A

Jacob, You took that kinda personally dude. That must be your mic of choice!! lol. I didn't say that the NT1A was bad. But even fresh out the box it didn't deliver the same sound quality that the 103 does. Comparing the sound quality of my past works and now, there is a HUGE difference. Who wants to book a person with lesser sound, especially in an audition setting. Can't help it if you're skeptic. And Trust Me!!!! I have no problem getting voice work now!!!!

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007, 03:16 (GMT) Post subject:

Dane,
I didn't take it personally, and no, the NT1A isn't my mic of choice (although I do actually own a Rode mic, just not that particular one).
I just think you're missing the picture, that's all. Getting gigs (talent aside) isn't just about having an expensive microphone. It's about getting the best out of the microphone, that is best suited for your particular voice, whether it be a $1500 Neumann or a $250 Rode. Obviously, there's a difference in sound with different microphones, but the expensive one's aren't neccesarily better.

If the Rode didn't work for you, that's okay. It has worked for others. Just like cheap MXL's, ADK's, Studio Project's, Audio-Techica's, AKG's, Shure's, Heil's, EV's etc. has done.
Ever done a microphone blind-test? Try one, you might be surpriced. You might also still pick the TLM103 as your favorite, but my point is, that someone else might pick the NT1A or other less expensive mic over the Neumann. Believe me, it has happened.

All that said, I'm truly glad you feel satisfied with your TLM103, and glad you're succesful in VO.

David Oxford · Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007, 04:56 (GMT) Post subject:

I'll just chime in one thing about the whole "NT1A vs. TLM103" thing (with the broader picture being "one mic vs. another") and what I'm going to say is basically a re-quote of our friend, Mr. Ed Gambill (and others) that we respect very much for their technical professionalism and knowledge: "the best mic on the market is the one that makes YOUR voice sound best." In other words, the Rode might sound better in front of one mouth than does the 103 - and vice-versa on someone else. To make a blanket statement about one mic over another is short-sighted.

Now, don't get me wrong, Dane - I'm not slamming what you said at all. I've never worked with either of the mics you speak about - but if I had to choose one of those two, based on nothing more than just what I know or have heard about the two, I'd probably choose the 103...MAINLY because it's a Neumann and I know them to be world-class microphones. (I, too, have always been one of those that has generally subscribed to the "you get what you pay for" theory, so I'd be inclined to choose the Neumann for that reason, too.) However, if I didn't actually try out the two mics on MY voice before I forked over my hard-earned money, then I'd be doing myself a disservice...because I might actually purchase the WRONG mic for my voice. Try it before you buy it!

To underscore what my buddy, Jacob, is saying....I think we can easily get caught up in the whole "technology" thing to the point that we can forget that it's what comes out of our mouths that will ultimately get us hired or not. To put it in a nutshell: if a movie studio had the option, on their next movie trailer, of hiring ME on a $15,000 mic, running through a $20,000 tube preamp, recorded in a $100,000 facility......or hiring Don LaFontaine on a Radio Shack cassette recorder, I wouldn't bet the farm on my chances.

David