OT: I want to sound like David Attenborough

NickHope wrote on 11/18/2004, 12:09 AM
Can anyone recommend a good microphone for voiceovers? I've been getting by so far with a Fostex M521 moving coil mic plugged into my Terratec DMX 6Fire souncard (no XLR or phantom power). I also have a Sony VX2000. I have an Audio Technica ATR55 zoom mic too but I preferred the results so far with the Fostex for voiceover.

I want to buy something that I can use straight away but will still be useful if I upgrade to a PD170 and a better audio interface for my PC. The Shure SM58A and Sennheiser MD421 have come up in my research so far.

I also want to get general purpose mic / wireless lavaliers / better zoom mic etc at some point too. Should I be looking at a kit of some sort???

Comments

Rednroll wrote on 11/18/2004, 6:54 AM
I don't know what David Attenborough sounds like. so if you could post a link to some audio with his voice I might be able to help you out a little more.

See my response from this thread:
http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?ForumID=4&MessageID=324271

Summary is that for voice over a high quality, large diaphram, condenser mic with a bass roll-off switch and cardiod pick-up pattern is used for the majority of voice over recordings. The Shure sm58a and Sennheiser MD421 are not voice over mics. They are both dynamic mics. They can be considered for voice over use, but are really used by people who consider budget a more important factor in their purchase rather than quality because large diaphram condenser mics can be a bit pricey..

That being said, there are some good uses for voice over work and using a dynamic mic. If you're trying to give the voice over a heavier more bass in their voice type of effect, then a dynamic mic is a good choice over a condenser. That's because dynamic mics in general have good bass response sometimes emphasized by the proximity effect when the person is extremely close to the mic, and poor high frequency response An Electra Voice RE-20 is a good choice for this, followed by the MD421.
TorS wrote on 11/18/2004, 7:22 AM
You'd need to develop a slight cold to get that nasal effect. Also, it would help if you were able to be very exited about every tiniest piece of natural fact, thus making it seem really interesting. Finally: whisper much, nature's listening.
Oh the mic? Any decent mic will do. Just you stay close to it and use a lot of compression.
Tor
Spot|DSE wrote on 11/18/2004, 7:35 AM
On the DVInfo.net forum, there is an entire community dedicated to mostly just this. Real examples in the form of streaming files, roughly a dozen mics in various price ranges from nothing to pure gold in cost...
Personally, I like the 3060 from AT, but the 4050 is great, the Oktava 1 is getting lots of great talkup, the AT 897 is commonly used, RE20 is waning in popularity as newer mics come around, you might look for its budget counterpart, the PL20.
Don't forget you'll need a good mic preamp as well.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 11/18/2004, 8:54 AM
For the past year or so we've been using the Oktava MKL-2500. It's provided very nice sound--warm and natural.

Jay