Hello! Beginning equipment question

Ben Cassell · **Voice Talent** Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 3

Hello! I'm a new voice over guy looking for some advice on my equipment.

I've been looking at a Shure Sm58 as well as an MAudio FireWire Solo. This would be for home recording as well as MP3 work that I'd audition for over the internet. Are those two products sufficient quality for that kind of work? I've found a great deal for both but have yet to speak to someone who has any experience with either of them.

If these aren't a good place to beginning, can anyone suggest another? I'd like to begin everything as soon as I can. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Ben

Jason LeBlanc · **Voice Talent** Joined: 19 Jan 2007 Posts: 18

Ben,

The Sm58 is an excellent mic for live application, however, if you plan to record I would suggest some sort of "large" condenser mic. (the "large" refers to the diaphram in the mic - 1" is best) You don't have to spend a lot on them either. You can get an MXL or several others that will do a good job for you for what you're going to pay for the 58.
Maudio has real good stuff for the money, and I'm not sure, but it should have phantom power that you'll need for most condenser mics. Most mixing boards have phantom power as well. The 58 doesn't require phantom power.

Here is a real nice web page that has a bunch of reviews, prices, suggestions, about almost any product you'll need to get started.
This page has suggestions on home studios, tips on mixing and mastering, mics, monitors, software, etc,...all on one page.

http://www.tweakheadz.com/

Good luck, and ask all the q's you need, because salesmen are just that...You don't have to spend a fortune to do what you want to do. Just a quiet room and a few hundred dollars and you're all set.

Jason
http://audioartcafe.com/

Ben Cassell · **Voice Talent** Joined: 19 Sep 2007 Posts: 3

Ahhh excellent information, thank you Jason!

By any chance did you have a model number for that condenser mic you specified? Also, pardon the ignorance here, but what did you mean by a "Live application" as to a recording one?

I really appreciate the information here. I'm just now ordering my copy of ProTools, and as soon as I get my equipment I'll get my demo going!

Ben

Jason LeBlanc · **Voice Talent** Joined: 19 Jan 2007 Posts: 18

Glad I could help.

By "live" I mean mics that are used in live performances, using PA's/sound re-enforcement. They use dynamic mics in those situations, as opposed to condenser mics that are used in recording/studios.
You can use dynamic mics to record, but they aren't used very often...maybe a Shure sm57 here and there, but mostly, some sort of condenser.
With that said, there're a billion of places for the technical stuff.

About the model - I've used the MXL V63M and I liked it. It can be purchased for around $70.00. Get a pop filter of some sort, or make one out of panty hose, but use one..they really help, and if you can get the "spider mic clips", ones that use some sort of suspension to keep the mics off the mic stand...they really keep noise out of your recordings.

I've been using Pro Tools since 1997, and glad to see you going on that direction.

Jason
http://audioartcafe.com/

Ed Gambill · **Voice Talent** Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 585

On the point of Dynamic Mic vs Condenser just a little note for the sake of clarity.

Condensers are by far the most use in recording studio, on movie sets for dialogue and vocal recording both narrative and singing.

Dynamic Microphone comes in two flavors. Dynamic means that a conductor moves in a magnetic field and cut the lines of force and make a small electrical signal. They are prone to picking up hum

The first kind of Dynamic was the Ribbon Microphone, then came the Moving Coil al la SM 57,58 and SM7(often used on drums in recording sessions as is the 57) also the RE-20 and others. The SM7 and RE-20 are still the workhorses in radio station for on air work.

The ribbon microphone is making a large come back and is very sought after in recording studios. The RCA 44 of which I’m please to own one is the original ribbon and is considered one of the best.

Now then if you have the right space the ribbon will be very sweet for vocals, with a good pre amp the 58,and 57 would be good, I’ve cut many of TV commercials with an SM57. If you have a 58 or 57 now and you are still in a stage of working on you craft I would advise against spending any money on any mic. In fact if you are PC based, send back the ProTools and get a Lexicon Omega, it come with software and it might be less expensive. Don’t believe the hype that ProTool is the only way to go. It is a good system but other exists. I own ProTools and I keep it in the box it came in. Audicity is free and will work with many digital I/O’s. Again if you own a computer, have a 58, get an I/O that is not proprietary with what it will work with. I use the Edirol UA-25, Harlan Hogan uses it or has used it as well. Down load Audicity for free, get some good ear phones (cans) and go for it.

Good Luck
.

Jason LeBlanc · **Voice Talent** Joined: 19 Jan 2007 Posts: 18

All good points Ed.
I didn't want to get too technical, he didn't seem like that was an issue.
As far as Pro Tools go, on some level I agree with you Ed. Pro Tools was first, but everyone in the world has come out with something since then, and most have done things equal to or better than Pro Tools. I use Acid, Reason, Sound Forge, Fruitly Loops, and Sonar. Have Nuendo, Audition, and Audacity on my machines along with Pro Tools. I have used all of them, and unless I'm doing strictly VO, I use some combination of all of them. They each have their own little niche. So I'm in no way saying Pro Tools is the best.
Whatever you can get, simply learn how to use it. Learn compression, eq, find a quiet place to record, and turn knobs like crazy "'till it sounds good", and they'll all do a good job.

Mixing full blown music productions is tough with just head phones, but VO only or with a pre mixed track...head phones are fine.

Jason

Ed Gambill · **Voice Talent** Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 585

Jason, just want to clarify the difference between dynamic and condenser microphones.

As a former instructor for production sound, I just can't help but want to make sure folks understand the difference in microphone types.

Regarding Pro Tool being first lets look at that also " Since 1987 Wave Frame has provided Digital Audio Workstations that have been used to edit Emmy™ and Oscar™ winning productions around the world, Pro Tool didn't come along until 1989 Called Sound Tools"
Regarding ProTool, I’m sorry it’s just over priced and not all that good any more.
Many software programs are available at a much fairer price and they are not as proprietary as PT. Ever plug-in sold for Pro Tools cost much more that VTS or Direct X just because of PT’s proprietary ways.

Regarding software the programs you see below and Pro Tool, Vegas, Acid, Sound Forge 9.0 and Melodyn which are not on this machine are the tool I use.

Jason LeBlanc · **Voice Talent** Joined: 19 Jan 2007 Posts: 18

Ed,
I appreciate you giving me the correct info...I bow, and stand corrected LOL But hey.. I was close...LOL

We use similar apps, and that's cool. I love all this digital stuff. I still have scars from the razor blade days..LOL

I wish I would have had all this when I was 15 or so. Started out on a portastudios..then teac 4 then 8 tracks...(oodles of hours in regular 48 track 2" analog studios) now digital...It's really cool.

I learn something every time I post here...cool
Jason

Ed Gambill · **Voice Talent** Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 585

Jason

All my 2" stuff was video. Darn those reel were heavy. Very Happy

And I am looking at one of my old tape splicing blocks now.

Daniel Kaisk · **Voice Talent** Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 3

Hello everyone, I am new here but not to audio production by any means...

Just wanted to comment to Ben:

Along with microphone selection, (which some of you have had excellent and indepth answers for,) I would like to bring up the subject of speakers, mixing speakers to be more specific...

I have an inexpensive pair of micro monitor's - Roland MA10-A 's that sound great, I use them for everything and have grown quite fond of them,,, I am used to the sonic characteristics that they produce, and I have compared them with other speakers and other peoples mixes and have found that the best thing to acquire is excellent ears, and at least decent speakers... lol

Some of my mixes, (at least I have been told,) rival bigger studio's production's in my area and even some of the "professional" recording that are on the radio today,,, now I am not on an ego trip here or anything, just trying to show that you don't need mega millions of dollars worth of equipment to get an excellent sound on your recordings,,, excellent ears, and decent equipment and experience go a loooong way...

Ed Gambill · **Voice Talent** Joined: 04 Jun 2007 Posts: 585

Daniel

I have to agree good listing ability coupled with a room that is tuned correctly with good monitors is the first thing any person mixing any type of audio needs.

I went to you Daniel

I have to agree good listing ability coupled with a room that is tuned correctly with good monitors is the first thing any person mixing any type of audio needs.

I went to you V123 web page and saw three demo of music. I was wondering if you will be posting any thing with spoken words like a commercial, audio book, narrative those kind of things

I started out in a studio recording and mixing music, and I’ve worked with commercial spot production. The disciples are some what different for the two just as sound mixed to picture is a bit different.

Let us know when you will have some typical voice over stuff on you V123 web page.

Remember to watch those levels in the mix suit. Long exposure can over time hurt you hearing

Daniel Kaisk · **Voice Talent** Joined: 02 Oct 2007 Posts: 3

Ed, yes I will be posting some spoken samples soon, and
I agree with you that spoken words are a little different "beast," to produce e.t.c... for sure.

And as far as the loud levels hurting my hearing, you should try standing on stage in front of a 12 piece DW drum kit with 20 cymbals crashing in your ear every night coupled with 2 Marshall 100 watt full stacks blasting right at you... lol now that's some hearing loss for ya... I'm glad that I was always smart enough to hear some sort of in ear hearing protection though... ;>)

BTW Ed: You have a great deep voice!! very nice...

Dan