I've completed a few project using my current microphone (Fifine K669 USB microphone) and I'm looking to upgrade it. In an ideal world I'd have the space to upgrade to an XLR microphone, but unfortunately as a student with limited space I would be looking to upgrade to a better quality USB microphone.
I've been looking at the Blue Yeti Professional and the Rode NT-USB microphones. I was just wondering if anyone had any insight as to which would be better for voice overs, or if there are any better USB microphones?
Hi Charlie, with more and more jobs demanding VO's have professional grade equipment and recording space at home an XLR set up is definitely the way to go, and although the yeti pro does haxlran XLR port, it's self noise over XLR is truly awful (Check out Booth Junkie's video on it on youtube) so I wouldn't suggest it. If you're adamant about going the USB route then the only ones I would personally suggest are Apogee's MIC+ or Hypemic as they really do offer broadcast quality audio and Apogee are respected as so by quite a few studios (they make the digital converters for Sennhieser's MK4 Digital, which is also a great usb mic but doesn't offer direct zero latancy monitoring like the Mic+ and Hypemic do).
But if you do choose to go the XLR route then you have a wealth of new awesome inferfaces that are only around £100, Audient's Evo4 and iD4 MK2, Zoom's new Podtrack all sound like great new options for interfaces. So even if you start with a relatively cheap but decent entry level XLR mic like the Audio Technica AT2035, Neat King Bee or Aston Element, the interface should last you many years as you upgrade you mic.
Hi Charlie
A small interface like the scarlet focus rite or the audient iD4, doesn't take up very much space at all, so I really would urge you to consider getting an xlr. I have the SE X1 myself which is a great budget mic and gives me great results, other choices are the Rodes NT1 or The Senheisser Mk4. Many suppliers do great value bundles.
Something, I am sure you know, but worth mentioning again, is that the environment you record in is one of the most important parts of your set up, and when you say you are short of space, I just wonder where you are doing your recording. Good luck.
Hi Charlie, I, too, was in a similar position to you a little while ago. I did three things, i lined my walls with acoustic foam. I then bought a mic hood, it looks like a scallop shell and sits behind your mic attached to the stand. this stops rear ambient sounds very effectively and is used by a lot of radio actors who record from home. Finally I plumped for the Rode NT USB and bought a Kimber USB cable to connect to my computer. The three were about £500 in total but I have found it well worth it and the sound quality is brilliant. Send me a message if you require contact details for any.
If you're going to stick with a USB mic then I've heard great things about the Sennheiser MK4 Digital, not to be confused with the standard MK4. It's pricey but I've heard from various sources it's the closest thing a USB mic gets to an XLR, with the convenience of being just plug in and go and easier to transport.
I just started using the AT2020Plus which is a USB microphone and get very favourable results versus more commonly known Yeti - highly recommend this and I also use it for voice-activated dictation software which speeds up the whole process of "admin stuff" - retails for around £130-£170 but seriously, worth every penny! It is also directional to the front only so any background noise doesn't get picked up.
A decent usb mic, such as the seinnheiser, will set you back more than an interface (the audient is tiny!) and an xlr mic you can upgrade down the line. Bear in mind that many casting sites, agents and production companies will want to know your setup. If you have a usb mic you're at a disadvantage from the off. Blue Yeti will generally have you immediately taken out of consideration. It's a podcast mic, not suitable for professional vo. Any sound engineer or producer would agree! So my advice is find a few inches of desk space, get an interface such as audient or scarlett 2i2, then your options are much greater for the mic.
Hi Charlie
I have to agree with Brendan. If your in an industry where your constantly competing with other VO’s and clients are asking for professional set ups, XLR is the way to go. If cost is an issue then buy a used model along with a second hand interface. Check out the booth junkie YouTube channel for recommendations.
I’ve just read your comments and thank you sally Walker Taylor for your honesty about the blue yeti microphone I just purchased !
I was lent a sennheiser 103 from a friend of a friend and have managed to get several jobs in the last few months, however friend of friend now needs microphone back so I bought a blue yeti : after much consideration, forum reading and general research. It arrived today and the sound quality is so basic and tinny and it might be small but the difference between a £150 microphone and a £1500 is very clear ... had I not been loaned such a top quality microphone to start with I don’t think I would have had the work I have ! There is a. HUGE difference in sound quality !
Oof. Yes they really aren't great :( Hopefully you can send it back? But you don't need to spend £1500 either - there's some excellent options at around the £200 mark, or even less. Rode, Aston, the Sennheiser Mk4... What suits one person's voice won't suit another. Also - always best to invest in sound treatment ahead of mic as the better the mic the less forgiving it will be if your sound treatment isn't tip top! There's lots of helpful people out there that can recommend mics and listen to your space and advise on treatment based on raw samples etc. But yes - these days people want to know what equipment you're using and, for higher end jobs, it makes a big difference.
Hi Ingrid, going of your tale, I think you'll fide the Rode NT just what you are looking for. But don't forget, your software can help too. See if you can use the filters on it, I do, and it helps heaps.
I'm also a recording musician and have tons of mics but I build valve electronics and attend electronics jumble sales where I picked up a mic for £5!
Its actually pretty decent, have a look on eBay for 'Condenser Mic BM800', they are horrendously cheap, about £15 for a kit including everything. They only have a small capsule, around 13mm diameter, so not a lot of bass but if you are a younger person that won't matter as much as for us oldies. My 20-something lodger used it for pod casts and the results with his Scarlett 2i2 where easily to a professional level witha fresh upbeat sound.
Sometimes you find cheap gear just does the job wonderfully!
A lot depends on the type of voice you have...and of course your budget.
If you do have some serious money to spend, lots of folks will say get the TLM103 however it is known to be harsh on bright and sibilant voices (I had one and returned it as it was very brittle sounding) however the TLM 102 was cheaper and better for my voice.
That said, even a great mic will sound cheap in a poorly treated room. If you are taking voiceover seriously, invest a bit extra and you'll be grateful later down the line.
Paul is totally right, it's all about what best suits your voice and your space as well as your budget. I had similar harshness issues with the Sennhieser MKH 416 (another pro VO microphone classic) on the sibilance in my voice, so traded it in for the Rode NTG5 which other than being more forgiving of the sibilance in my voice is almost indistinguishable in sound the the 416, and it costs half as much if not less than the MKH 416.
2 years ago
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