High noise, low signal on NTG4+ - would a mixer help?

[Kwackman]

He could try a close-up hypercardioid,

I'm going to get a new mic anyway - and I'd imagine it will be dynamic (I've just had some good news so I can spend a little bit more than I thought on it...)

I'm sure you don't want more decision making problems, but a Beyer M201 might be worth considering. Hopefully other people with more experience will chip in...

[johnr10]

Thanks, I'll take a look. Not one I've looked at.

Basically, my budget is now about £1000 for a new mic and mixer (and cables and possibly a cloudlifter or similar, if I decided to go for the 'must' have to be 'seen' SM7B and I need extra gain). Previously my budget was about £300. So it's totally widened the options.

[Sam Spoons]

Sorry, the mixer I'm talking about is the ZEDi-10 not the ZED-10. That is 4x4, the ZED-10 is only stereo (and the smaller channel options in the ZEDi range, such as the ZEDi-8 are also only stereo).

Apologies, I did not read you post carefully enough

SM7B and cloud lifter sounds with the Zed10i seems like a proposition now you have the budget as that will get over the lack of sensitivity issue any dynamic mic will have for your usage.

Anything you can do to reduce background noise (computer, traffic noise, wife and kids, but good luck with that last one ) will be worthwhile but bear in mind 'soundproofing' is difficult and expensive so you just have to do the best you can.

Study the polar patterns and get the computer in the mics null, work close (you may need a pop shield) and get plenty of acoustic treatment, I believe radio studios are usually pretty dry acoustics and much quieter than it is possible to get in a domestic environment.

HTH

[johnr10]

Sorry, the mixer I'm talking about is the ZEDi-10 not the ZED-10. That is 4x4, the ZED-10 is only stereo (and the smaller channel options in the ZEDi range, such as the ZEDi-8 are also only stereo).

Apologies, I did not read you post carefully enough

SM7B and cloud lifter sounds with the Zed10i seems like a proposition now you have the budget as that will get over the lack of sensitivity issue any dynamic mic will have for your usage.

Anything you can do to reduce background noise (computer, traffic noise, wife and kids, but good luck with that last one ) will be worthwhile but bear in mind 'soundproofing' is difficult and expensive so you just have to do the best you can.

Study the polar patterns and get the computer in the mics null, work close (you may need a pop shield) and get plenty of acoustic treatment, I believe radio studios are usually pretty dry acoustics and much quieter than it is possible to get in a domestic environment.

HTH

No worries You did make me double check even though I've read more about it than any other desk in the last week or two (based on price/availability - other options now include the Zoom L12, Soundcraft MTK 12, Presonus Studiolive AR16 etc etc - maybe - maybe - if I can stretch the budget a bit more, I could go for something like an X32... mmm motorised faders... yes, very much getting into 'want' and 'toy' territory now!)

We're looking to move house (been visiting potential houses all week and more tonight and tomorrow) so certainly not going to do anything more in this room that I can't take with me. The room is already treated (to my own amateur diy standards of course - you're right, can only do the best I can within means etc), but not sound-proofed. Part of the criteria for the new house is a floor - and probably basement - to myself that I can let rip on and also isolate the computers from the recording area (video and audio).

[Sam Spoons]

DIY acoustic treatment can be done to a very high standard and the only limiting factor is the size of the room itself. For speech that is not usually a problem as you can HPF a voice to remove most of no all low frequency room issues, not so good for music but a very usable room can be achieved (and it gives much bigger improvements than any amount of GAS so is well worth the effort)*. Soundproofing OTOH is much more difficult to achieve.

* https://www.soundonsound.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=72131#p688297

[johnr10]

Just a follow on to this thread.

New mic, new desk (X32 Compact). Happy camper.

Here's a couple of test files. Both have compression and EQ on (needs work ) and one has a gate and one doesn't.

Here's a test with a gate on - https://workdrive.zohopublic.eu/file/4h ... ef5de939da

And here's the same file without a gate -
https://workdrive.zohopublic.eu/file/4h ... e01a637f75

Obviously still need to get used to it, but the difference between this and the NTG4+ for this particular use is amazing.

To save you going back one page... Here's the links to the original files I uploaded.

https://workdrive.zohopublic.eu/externa ... F4l-lU5Xxz and https://workdrive.zohopublic.eu/externa ... F4k-lU5Xxz

And no, I didn't NEED the desk just for the sound of the new mic (although the preamps are much better than my Rubix 24), but it's flipping amazing!

Thanks again for all your input
John

[Tim Gillett]

Again I think the bottom line is background noise is reduced when you get closer to the mic - any mic.

[The Elf]

An 'aside' comment

I saw the Beyer M201 mentioned. Be aware that the M201 is very gain-thirsty. Not a huge problem, but best to be informed.

[johnr10]

An 'aside' comment

I saw the Beyer M201 mentioned. Be aware that the M201 is very gain-thirsty. Not a huge problem, but best to be informed.

It's an sm7b - so same problem, but I'm using a fethead which makes a huge difference.