Upgrading my VO Setup

[skyace888]

Yeah those were just the two high-end mics that had available to rent from their used inventory. They are asking $1,900 for the Manley. They said they previously had a used U87 and that would have been nice to test with the others. The search continues...

[Tomás Mulcahy]

No winter? I envy you Agree with James about the U87. It really is the standard.

An awful lot of stuff is done incorrectly in audio for picture and VO, because we see pics of it being done without being aware of the reasons or the science involved. Case(s) in point (a) overuse of shotgun mics (b) booths.

too bad the MKH416 isn't available

Not really a microphone for VO, I’ve only read of its use in a well treated ADR studio to match location dialogue at a typical boom to actor distance, not close up.

Agreed. Shotgun mics don't function well indoors without extremely careful setup as you describe. They're only ever used in ADR to make it easier to match the sound of the mic used on location. Even this practice I would question, personally. YMMV.

And I echo blindrew's point above about closets. A treated room is much much better.

[skyace888]

Thanks all.

So I've done some testing with the TLM103 and Manley Reference Cardioid in my closet recently. Feedback welcomed. They are both great mics! I do worry about the transformer setup and the tubes with the Manley though and what's involved maintenance-wise. These were recorded in my closet.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BJfKFu ... sp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RRNwUf ... sp=sharing

I know I need a better treated room for recordings but I'm not sure what's practical or possible where I currently live. Would love to get some thoughts on mobile solutions like the IsoVox (plus their IsoMic), Glide Gear Portable Isolation Sound Booth, Snap Studio Ultimate Vocal Booth, or even something like the Aston Halo in a reasonable space. Has anyone used these?

Edited to fix links - JP

[ef37a]

I can't help you with this exotic microphoni Sky but can perhaps allay your fears about valve reliability and replacement longevity?

Double triode valves are very long lived, decades for old Mullards in radios and audio kit. The 12AT7 used in the Manley Reference is the third most common valve of the 'big three'. The 12AX7, 12AU7 and 12AT7* in order of usage.
Another valuable property of valves is that they do not degrade, buy a couple of decent samples (they are ALL going to get vastly more expensive in a decade or two!) and put them somewhere safe and they will still be bang on original spec 20 years later.

Transformers are, if anything even more long lived. I stripped out a 1950 radio a year ago and the power transformer was still in perfect working order (OK, the output traff was shot but that was a regular fault back in the day anyway, valves used to bugger them)

*I have never understood why the 12AT7/ECC81 came to be used in audio gear? It was a television/oscilloscope bottle! But then, what do I know?

Dave.

[Tomás Mulcahy]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BJf...ew?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RRN...ew?usp=sharing

Not working:
"Sorry, the file you have requested does not exist.

Make sure that you have the correct URL and that the file exists."

[skyace888]

Weird. Anyways I reshared them from Google Drive.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RRNwUf ... sp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BJfKFu ... sp=sharing

[Ariosto]

I thought both these recordings to be good and found no problem with them. The Manley recording was a little more "in your face" but not exceptionally so. Maybe it had a bit more bass timbre, or you were closer to the mic. I certainly found both recordings to be of a professional quality and a hell of a lot better than some of the examples one can hear on radio and TV (In the UK that is ...).

[skyace888]

Thanks Ariosto for your feedback! Hope to test a few more microphones and then make a decision shortly.

[Tomás Mulcahy]

Agree with Ariosto. Both are fine recordings fit for production. There is a slight "hardness" that sounds to me like it's caused by a resonance in the mic stand or maybe a local reflection, such as from that corner.

[James Perrett]

Both sounded good but the Manley had (to my ears) a slightly exaggerated top end that initially sounds impressive but can be more wearing over time as it is can be down to a capsule resonance rather than a characteristic of the mic electronics.

Out of those two I'd save your money and go with the Neumann.

One other thing I noticed was the occasional popping 'P'. The best way to overcome this is to position the mic to one side or above your mouth so that your breath isn't going straight towards the mic.

[skyace888]

Thanks guys. Yes I'll need to work more with the positioning of the mic. I was using a small, unstable mic stand for these tests.

[Ariosto]

Agree with Ariosto. Both are fine recordings fit for production. There is a slight "hardness" that sounds to me like it's caused by a resonance in the mic stand or maybe a local reflection, such as from that corner.

Yes, I agree totally. Also I think I would go with Jame's suggestion that the Neumann mic is fine and that the Manley could be a bit tiring over time, and of course it would be cheaper, always a good thing.

P S On listening again I actually prefer the Neumann mic as I think there is a slight edginess with the Manley. The Neumann seems smoother to my ear.