Microphone Selection

[Kevin Mccarthy]

The Re-20 is a very smooth mic but the Heil PR40 will fit in the same schock mount and the sound will blow it away….at about half the price.
By the way, Bob Heil is the man who perfected the “talk box” talking guitar for Peter Frampton, Joe Walsh, Etc. He also designed the “quad” PA system for the who to do their Quadraphinia tour. He also has a permanent display of his contibutions to the field of audio in the R & R Hall of Fame.
He know what he is doing and his series of microphones are superb, especially for the price. They simply blow away those well known names!!

[Frenchie29]

I like the RE-20 because it’s a radio broadcast and V.O standard and I am so use to it and always find ways to EQ it the way you want it to sound, and it’s an extremely versatile mic from V.O to kick drum miking. I don’t know much about the PR40 heard of it but never heard it. The best thing to do is to go to a music store and try a few.
You might want to check some ribbon mics, they are more affordable now then a few decades ago.

[Ralph Hajik]

WOW!
Thanks for all your advice and now it’s time to do a little research.

See you all in the pasture sometime.
Mooooooooooooooo!

Ralph

[James Williams]

I’ve been using a USB mic for VO. I know, I know it’s pitiful. I will purchase one of these mics mentioned. Do they just plug in thru mic or do they need an interface device. I tried my camera shotgun mic (Rode) on my laptop but did not get any sound at all. I need to improved my audio so any instruction would be very helpful. By the way i have a soundblaster external soundcard, would that work with these mics.
J. Williams

[Frenchie29]

Yes but your card has to have phantom power (most do now) but I’m pretty sure your Rode can get power from a AA battery .
If you do alot of V.O it’s worth to buy a little mixing board like the Behringer 802 at least you can have full control of your audio signal and the masters out can be send trough USB to any audio or video programs for direct recordings.

But I wouldn’t use a shotgun for VO you need a large diaphragm mic.

[Douglas Spotted eagle]

But I wouldn’t use a shotgun for VO you need a large diaphragm mic.
No, you do not need a large diaphragm mic.
In fact, I’d venture to say that for “average” uses, the shotgun mic is more used for V/O than large diaphragms.
Harlan Hogan, one of the most successful V/O artists in the world, regularly uses a shotgun both in his Whisper room and in portable rigs. He carries his own.

Large diaphragms have their place, but many think that because large diaphragms are used in radio, they must also be used for V/O. This simply isn’t so.

Douglas Spotted Eagle
VASST

Certified Sony Vegas Trainer
Aerial Camera/Instructor

[Rick Mac]

Spot,

Any idea which shotgun he prefers?
My experience has been that cheap shots sound
pretty cheap. I would think that for the money
spent on a cheap shot you buy a pretty darn good dynamic.

Regards, Rick.

Rick Mac
Director of Audio Production
TCT Network – Directv 377

[Randall Raymond]

My VO guy uses RE20, Studio Projects C-1 and the RCA 77 – he sounds perfect. I’ve never heard of anyone using a shotgun for VO – that type of mic is really not designed for that type of work.

[Kevin Mccarthy]

Shotguns will work in a pinch and/or if you know what you are doing. Otherwise you will find yourself “off mike” a lot more than you like. The reason radio stations, and studios, use the RE-20 and the MD-421 is that they are very good quality and very forgiving as to microphone technic while still giving you rejection of unwanted room sound. Especially the MD-421. I say again, look at the Heil PR-40. It fits in an RE-20 shock mount sounds better and is half the price. It is a dynamic mic, so it does not need phantom power. This comes from a guy who has built audio systems for the Gratefull Dead. Designed and built the “quad” system for the Who’s “Quadraphinia” tour and is currently working with “Tool” on their on-the-road sound. He has a permanent display of his audio equipement in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and more. Check out his line of mics and save yourself some money over the name brands, without sacrificing quality!

[Rick Wise]

Guys, If Spot says he uses a shotgun for VO, you can be sure he knows what he’s talking about. If you don’t know who he is, it’s time to find out…. You may have good reasons to prefer a different mic, because no one size fits all. Just don’t diss the info.

Just a suggestion….

Rick

Rick Wise
director of photography
Oakland, CA
http://www.RickWiseDP.com
email: Rick@RickWiseDP.com