Best Microphone for Voice Overs?

Question

Level 1

5 points

Best Microphone for Voice Overs?

Hi All,

I'm looking for a microphone to record high quality voice overs for a video. What kind of mic would y'all suggest?

In my reading, i gather that a USB mic won't cut it. When using one of these higher quality microphones, how do you record with it to your computer? Is there a tutorial for me to look at?

Thanks!

Lynn

Posted on Dec 5, 2005 4:49 PM

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Answer 1

Kurt Weber

Level 6

13,969 points

Dec 5, 2005 5:16 PM in response to Lynn Currie1

GarageBand 2.0 Getting Started User's Guide (Manual)

Open Garageband and look at the 'help' menu. All sorts of stuff in there.

Interesting stuff here:
Shure Notes™ : Mic Characteristics

Setups vary with each person. I am very happy with my set up. I get very quiet input and excellent gain control:

Behringer unpowered mixer (cost me about $69.00)
iMic - Griffin Technology (appr.$35.00)
(very basic interface to plug the mixer into the computer via usb.)
Shure and Rhodes mikes. ($200-300.00)

SM57, 58's are a good standard all-around mike.

Kurt

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Answer 2

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Dec 5, 2005 5:07 PM in response to Lynn Currie1

When using one of these higher quality microphones,
how do you record with it to your computer?

Something ot get you started:

http://www.thehangtime.com/gb/gbfaq2.html#micline

--HanghTime [Will Compute for Food] B-|>

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Answer 3

Dec 5, 2005 5:29 PM in response to Lynn Currie1

The classic industry-standard for radio broadcast and recording voice-overs is the Electro-Voice RE.

They cost around US$400.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/g=home/search/detail/base_pid/270009/

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Answer 4

Dec 5, 2005 6:19 PM in response to Lynn Currie1

Also, what is your price range?? That can tell a lot. If you are willing to spend a bit of money, the best way to get a great vocal sound is to get a small preamp made for home use (presonus makes great stuff) and a solid studio mic. The Shure SM57 is a solid all around mic. The AT4050 by Audio Technica is also excellent. It may be a bit pricey though.

I've actually gotten excellent sound using a fairly low quality computer mic (this is the ultra low budget way to do it, be warned!) and for a pop filter (a necessary item, or else your P's and S's and such hard consonants will sound quite harsh) I held a kleenex style tissue in front of the mic tightly w/ both hands, and did the vocals.

Then to get good sound out of your recorded vocals, compression is the key. Use GB's slider compressor, and HangTime's FAQ has an excellent 3rd party freeware compressor with presets. All you have to do is go through the named presets until you find a vocal sound you like. You'd be surprised at the quality of vocals you can get using these relatively. . . inexpensive methods!

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Answer 5

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Dec 5, 2005 6:22 PM in response to LogicalAnalysis

HangTime's FAQ has an excellent 3rd party
freeware compressor with presets.

Actually I don't think that compressor is mentioned in the FAQ, Probably another thing I should add. I think a web search for c3 compressor would probably turn it up if someone doesn't pop around to post a URL.

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Answer 6

HangTime

Level 9

53,853 points

Dec 5, 2005 6:25 PM in response to HangTime

I did find a bookmark,though it is definitely not mentioned in the FAQ. I'm adding it to my "FAQ-To-Do" list. You can find the C3 Compressor if you scroll down a bit:

http://www.apulsoft.ch/freeports/index.php

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Answer 7

Lynn Currie1 Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 6, 2005 8:07 AM in response to Curnsie

Hi All,

Wow! What a response! Let me go through and answer some questions that are coming up:

Are you recording for a home video. or a broadcast video?

Neither. 🙂 I'm recording for presentations. I guess that would lean me more towards broadcast than home. I think sound quality is important and it needs to sound good and clean - not like it was done in a living room.

Also, what is your price range??

Tough question. I'm not sure. We're going to invest enough to get a good mic but i don't think we need the 'top of the line.' It won't be used frequently and will not ever be used to record music, etc. That's one of the reasons i asked the question here. I'm thinking that the really high end mics are good for music where there bigger ranges of sound that need to be captured so maybe there is a mid-range mic that is perfect for us.

Once i know exactly what i'm looking for, i'm also going to check in town to see if i can rent the equiment. With all the recording musicians in Austin, i think my chances are good. That said, budget is no limit, my friends! 😉

If i do have to buy instead of rent, i'm going to take a compilation of these suggestions and go from there.

Thanks,

Lynn

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Answer 8

WarriorAnt

Level 4

2,752 points

Dec 6, 2005 2:32 PM in response to Lynn Currie1

I think sound quality is important and it needs to
sound good and clean - not like it was done in a
living room.

Be careful now. Its possible to take the best mic there is and if you do not use it correctly your recordings can end up sounding like they were made in a living room. Conversely, it is also possible to take an inexpensive mic and if you set it up with care, speak on axis, and isolate it from noise and reflection, walk away with a high quality recording.

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Answer 9

Dec 6, 2005 3:21 PM in response to WarriorAnt

Couldn't have said it better WarriorAnt. He speaks the truth - like I said before, I was able to acheive a very full range sound using a computer mic, a tissue, and a freeware compressor (for those of us just joining our program, the tissue was used as a pop filter). Depending on the mic you get, if you move slightly to the left, right, up or down while recording, your voice will begin to sound different. There are many things that factor into a good recording.

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Answer 10

Lynn Currie1 Author

Level 1

5 points

Dec 6, 2005 3:34 PM in response to LogicalAnalysis

I hear ya.

That said, how about changing the focus of this thread to 'helpful recording hints'? I'll be reading all the FAQs listed above before starting so the details that would be listed there, need not be included here.

Thanks again! You guys rock!

Lynn

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Answer 11

WarriorAnt

Level 4

2,752 points

Dec 5, 2005 5:37 PM in response to Lynn Currie1

Are you recording for a home video. or a broadcast video?

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Answer 12

Dec 5, 2005 6:40 PM in response to HangTime

Hmm, its been a while since I've found that compressor, I just remember finding it in a roundabout way from your FAQ. It is a solid compressor. A definite "must add" for the FAQ.

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Answer 13

Curnsie

Level 3

745 points

Dec 6, 2005 6:06 AM in response to Lynn Currie1

Lynn

I use the M-Audio Fast track and a Sennheiser E815S-X Microphone and get great vocals thru GB2.

Andrew

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