CAN YOU HELP ME WITH A MIC TEST?

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Permalink Reply by TJ Jones on August 19, 2008 at 2:26pm

Hey, Joe. (Where you going with that mic in your hand?) Sorry, couldn't resist!

A little boomy on the second, but to my ears, in the ballpark. You have to remember, though, everyone is going to perceive it differently, and everyone has there own likes and dislikes.

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Permalink Reply by Matthew Hobley on July 20, 2008 at 4:19pm

Here's my 2 cents.. the TLM 103 sounds a bit more warm and full. it is definately the better of the 2. The Shure is not bad. It sounds slightly thinner. I have the KSM 32 the AT4040 and the Neumann TLM 103 and I too have had the virtual late night pacing going on in my brain. So I can identify. Before buyers remorse sets in know that now you have 2 great mics and before you had one. So if one craps out you are covered.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Schoen on July 20, 2008 at 4:34pm

Late to the game to reply to this..
I listened with Fostex near field monitors -- likely the way producers will when they listen to auditions.
I found the Neuman a bit more full and warm sounding, but the two mics were both warm and nice through the Focusrite.
If I had to pick, I would pick the TLM 103 -- but as has been said, the two mics are both very good -- with the most important input coming through your lips.

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Permalink Reply by Joe Geoffrey on July 20, 2008 at 4:41pm

Hi Terry... I realized after my post "went live" the comments I had made regarding your mic test didn't make it: Regarding your test, I like the TLM but, like most of the comments - there's only a "skosh difference". I've not worked with the Shure however with the TLM, for me, it's good accross the board. I can "heat it up" or back way off and it seems to always deliver a great response. I was especially pleased when I ran it through the dbx. What do you mean by "heavy"... compression? LF?

By the way, what sold you on the Trakmaster?

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Permalink Reply by Terry Daniel on July 20, 2008 at 4:47pm

Hey Joe! Yeah, I think I am much closer to finding the right settings for the TLM 103.

It was between the DBX and Traxmaster and I thought the "Trakmaster" had just a little more thump to it. :)

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Permalink Reply by Bobbin Beam on July 20, 2008 at 5:01pm

Yea,
my first thought was, no compession would make for a better comparative analysis. Overall to the naked ear, and no headphones...they both sound fine and remarkably similar, and ever so slightly different. I'd say try the test again with no compression if you must. We could be splitting hairs here, but what do I know...I'm no audio engineer. Cheers!

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Permalink Reply by Joe Geoffrey on July 20, 2008 at 6:38pm

A sincere THANK YOU, Joe! Yes, the SECOND take is the DBX "dialed-in" with your settings. I had shelved the DBX until I came across your post in reply to Terry's pre-amp quest. It's given me the confidence that I'm now submitting auditions "on equal footing".

While I agree with Don's comments, "try and make your recordings as clean and uncompressed as possible", I think the auditors tend to make their selections based on "what they are accustomed to hearing" in terms of a final mix. Then, if you are fortunate enough to get the job, they'll express their preferences to "clean" or processed.

Thanks again for the settings, Joe. And, thanks to Terry for starting the conversation(s).

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Permalink Reply by Terry Daniel on July 20, 2008 at 7:04pm

I agree on the auditions, Joe! Also, most of the time I am the engineer so I needed to come up with a little heavier sound or at least have the option. Don is dead on right about the mics though. It should never be a price issue. :)

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Permalink Reply by Philip Banks on July 20, 2008 at 5:21pm

This is a bit like the 1962 tube mic through the Wowzer ($3000) preamp test, by submitting audio for analysis or comment as an mp3 with light compression you're asking people to colour grade a film using a black and white monitor. At the moment the subtleties you have are so subtle that by the time your voice is fully produced they'll get buried.

Hope that helps.

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Permalink Reply by Irene M. Burnett on July 20, 2008 at 5:31pm

Hi Terry!
I finally got on the site and was able to listen.
I thought the first one sounded better - buy only slightly.
The second one had more "ssshhhh" (is that a word?)at the end of some words - if that makes any sense!
Hope this is helpful!

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Permalink Reply by Don LaFontaine on July 20, 2008 at 6:03pm

They sound pretty much the same to me. Go with the mike with which you are most comfortable. Don't let the cost make the decision for you. I would also suggest that, unless requested, try and make your recordings as clean and uncompressed as possible. Let the engineer on the other end have the option.

Don LaFontaine

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Permalink Reply by Cirina Catania on July 20, 2008 at 7:10pm

Hi Terry,
The only way to really test the mics is to record both at the same time with no effects, compression, etc. at all...just clean and simultaneous - You might also want to try different types of "voices" and deliveries - also check them out in different situations (with and without ambient sound for example) - If I had to vote on the short test with light compression, the Neumann would be my personal choice as it felt richer - could hear more of the overtones and a slightly wider range without as much potential for distortion (but then, all subjective). Mics, like music, however are very personal and there is no one who can really tell you what YOU like :0) - so if there is really not that much difference to you after you have run a clean test I say, check your budget - if you need the $800 to spend on something else do it. If you can afford to have the one you like better and it costs $800 - go for it! You have a great voice and I wish you all the best success. Thanks for asking for our opinion - I learned something as well! Isn't Voice Over Universe a great place to be?

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