No problems popping, just wondering if a voice mic will be better than a shotgun for recording Narrations.

A lot of people use shotgun mikes to get a "deeper voice."

I found it definitely is not a good choice for everybody.

If you have "breathing problems" with your mike, it could possibly be a matter of technique also. I trust you've tried different mike positions, if so consider one of the inexpensive classical mics like Shure SM57, SM58, etc.

There was a good long thread on this here a few months ago, search for "voice over".

Hi Dave.

Actually, "Shotgun" microphones have become very popular for voiceover recording in the last few years. Although I think I sound best on "Big Diaphragm" expensive Neumann microphones, some producers and engineers prefer to set up a Sennheiser or AT shotgun for me- depending on the project and the particular "sound" required.

Actually shotguns are usually LESS susceptible to breathing and popping effects, because you need to work further away from the mic. If you're working to close too the mic, it may be that you're doing that to cut down on the "liveness" of the room you're woking in. The solution then, is to find ways to deaden the room.

If you're working close to the mic in order to increase the bass response, then you might want to consider some of the large diaphragm microphones - there are some pretty good ones out there for very little from places like Guitar Center.

Another thing to consider is the material you're recording. Are you cutting commercials that need a sound that cuts through a small TV or car speaker, or are you doing IMAX documentaries with a full "Rich" sound?

Also, there are techniques that talent learn to which can reduce extraneous noises, like breathing. (My favorite "technique" for that is to ask the engineer to cut out extra breaths.)

Of course, every microphone has a different sound, and you will probably need to find a way to test each one with your particular voice and acoustic environment before you make your final decision.

-Travis
www.announcing.biz

I’m not sure you’re going to find any $100 mic that sounds as good as a $300 mic but you could try the Audio-Technica AT2020 ($99). I have one and it sounds surprisingly good for the price for VO.

~jr

I'll second the 2020. It's amazingly good.

In addition to the excellent suggestions already given, and if you aren’t in a recording studio, you might be able to improve the sound quality by using a voice-over box. I’ve had great success using a simple homemade box similar to the one in Spot’s tutorial. (At least I think it was Spot’s tutorial if I remember correctly; apologies if I am wrong. I can’t seem to find a reference or link.)

JL

Be sure to view Spot's extremely entertaining video, linked to on the page.

-Travis

I've heard a LOT about this box - but never found any link to it, or what book it's in.

Any help would be appreciated.

Dave

Travis:

More than likely I was using it too close - however I lack the discerning knowledge that you (and many others here) do for VO work. I've been told that I have a decent voice for it, and if it's early enough in the morning I have a nice low (semi grough) voice that's pretty clear and good, but as the chords warm up - I start to lose my "best voice" (IMO) and go to my normal voice. I've used the Male Voiceover FX chain in US2 and it's wonderfull - if I were more discerning I might work my own FX - but I know very little, mostly corporate style video/commercial works.

Thank you very much for your help everyone

I made Spot's box. The Guitar Center that seems to be everywhere these days has all the foam components. If you don't have a studio it's a must.

You never said what sound card you are using if recording to a computer? Or are you recording into a camera? I got my biggest improvement when I bought a good sound card (M-Audio Firewire410).

Michael

["I've been told that I have a decent voice for it..."]

I've been told I have a great face for VO....anyway.....

Mics are one of those topics that bring out MANY opinions. One person sounds great on mic "XX" while another person sounds like crap on the same mic and vice versa. I have a Rode condenser I use at home and it has a good sound but is a bit thin compared to a mic I use at a particular radio station I do some work for. I prefer the mic at the studio for most things as it has a richer quality but I can use the Rode for delivery as well if needed.

Would be great if you could find a studio with several mics in their closet. You could play around with a few and find what type fits your voice.

KB

Let's not forget Dave wanted a "cheap" mic - you don't test run these in a pro studio! Dave, stick with the AT shotgun or get one of the Berringer "copy" large diaphragm mics.

My own choice of economical but quality large diaphragm VO mic is the AT3035.

Michael

You may want to check this out:

MXL 909

The MXL 909 is another copy large diaphragn mic. Nothing wrong with this if you want to be in this price range. The Guitar Center had these on sale packaged with a shotgun for $99 not so long ago.

OK, call me old fashioned (it wouldn't be the first time) but I would opt for the warmth and depth of a ribbon mic for voiceovers. They have a completely different sound than a large diapragm condenser. I understand Nady has a model that's pretty good.

If you have a decent shotgun, you're starting in the right place. Not many other types of mics are as forgiving on room acoustics.

Also consider where you're aiming the shotgun. I've used a Sennheiser mkh 416 for years and am very comfortable with it. I echo Travis that large diaphragms can sound great.

Another talent used my booth a few weeks ago and was getting a certain nasality that we didn't like. By positioning the talent and the mic just a bit differently, the sound changed and we were pleased...no dials or settings changed.

Are you following the mic with any eq or compression? Maybe doing it all inside the box? You can get excellent results by learning how to properly use the two. When I'm on the road, I often record into my laptop with nothing else by the mic and a high quality sound card, then do enough to it inside vegas that it sounds like the well equipped regular studio.

Has anyone ever tried the rode videomic for narration? Outside of having to adapter up from a mini plug to xlr or 1/4" I wonder how it would sound. The thing is amazing for $100 when I put it on my camcorder.

Sean
------------------------------
broadcast voiceovers

In my opinion, cheap shotguns are the least forgiving of room acoustics. When you use shotguns indoors, they all have that weird sound from the echo/reverb.

The 416 is in an entirely different league than cheap shotguns though. Indoors it sounds much better than cheap shotguns, and exhibits the effect less.

2- Spot has a good video on building the mini-VO booth, which is a small booth you put around the mic. It dramatically improves the sound quality for the shotgun he was using (??AT897??).