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What is the best Microphone to Use?

I am wanting to do some voice over with final cut express. Which kind of microphone would be best to use with my macbook pro and that would produce good quality in the voice over?

Thanks!

Macbook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Jan 28, 2010 10:34 PM

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14 replies

Jan 29, 2010 12:05 AM in response to QDigital

best


There are a lot of answers to this question,
hugely dependent on how much you can spend,
but here are a few guiding principles:

A condenser mic usually sounds much more precise than a dynamic,
although there are classic voiceover mics that are dynamic.

+Large diaphragm cardioid+ mics have a rich low end.

You'll need a +mic preamp+ and a +digital interface+.
That could be one unit.

The preamp needs +phantom power+ if your mic is a condenser.

So how much money can spend on this?

Do want to just spend $100 and have everything you need to do it right?
Then check out the Audio-Technica AT2020USB. It meets all the above
requirements and has a built-in mic pre and digital interface.
(At some point you'll want to make a windscreen.)

Jan 29, 2010 6:24 AM in response to QDigital

I bought a used (Ebay) Zoom H2 for $105, and found it perfect for voiceovers. A USB mike that also can be used disconnected from a computer, and the files dragged to the program, it is very versatile.
I suspect the Audio-Technica AT2020USB is every bit as good. The good news is that there are a lot of possibilities out there. I suggest going to ( http://www.samsontech.com/products/productpage.cfm?prodid=1916) and checking out the videos.
Hugh

Jan 29, 2010 7:04 AM in response to QDigital

The BlueMic Snowball has a very good reputation if you want a USB-based mic.

But you can also use any good dynamic mic ... even the classic Sure SM58. With an XLR-to-1/8" stereo adapter plug you could plug it right into the audio-in port on your Mac. Or you could use a mic preamp if you prefer. (Condenser mics will require phantom power, usually supplied by a preamp or a battery inside the mic. Dynamic mics don't use phantom power but you can still use them with a preamp.)

Jan 29, 2010 4:27 PM in response to QDigital

A good suggestion.

I just finished a movie and used the Mac internal mic for a my wife's voice over; the voice quality was excellent but had there was a decided echo.

I felt that the problem might be my 12 ft square office, So I made up an impromptu megaphone, fastening it with Scotch tape, and had her speak through that directly at the computer. To my surprise it worked just great. Minimal echo.

Holding the megaphone is a bit dorky, so I am thinking of making up a couple of felt covered panels - a la the reflectors used to throw light on a photographed subject - and standing those - forming a triangle with the Mac - either side of a the person doing the voice over.

Maybe a sound expert out there could add a thought to this...

Feb 10, 2010 12:48 PM in response to bnn

Hey there. I'm writing from Munich Germany and I have an H2 Handy Recorder Microphone that is driving me crazy. I can sometimes lay a track in Garage Band for awhile and then everything in the recording turns to fuz. I talked to an Apple tech and he said an external USB port with its own power cord had helped some people who experienced the problem. Well I bought one and still the fuz comes when I record. If you had success with your H2 please contact me (The Zoom Corp have been useless).
Thanks a bunch

What is the best Microphone to Use?

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