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Post by plautus on Dec 26, 2016 11:59:30 GMT -8
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Post by Rebekah Amber Clark on Dec 26, 2016 14:02:52 GMT -8
Hi, Plautus! Welcome. Here are some things that would help us answer your question: 1. What budget/price range are you looking at spending on a microphone right now? 2. How much experience do you have with hearing your own recorded voice? (and what mics, if any, have you liked in the past and why?) Is this a first-time thing for you? If so, there's science behind thinking your recorded voice sounds weird *regardless* of the microphone. 3. What will you be using the microphone for? Singing? Voice acting (characters)? Radio/podcast? Will you want to record any instruments *other* than your own voice, such as other voices, flute, guitar? 4. Can you give us a sound sample of your voice as recorded on this microphone? I'm sure there's other things that could be helpful to know, but those might be a good starting point.
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Post by plautus on Dec 27, 2016 8:15:16 GMT -8
hi, thanks for replying. 1.-300$ 2. I used a logitech webcam a lot and later an Samson Go USB mic. I can recognize my own voice pretty well, since I listen to my own recordings a lot. I've used a Rode Nt1 mic for a month, and didn't like it (sounds thin and nasal) I have a MXL990, it arrived a week ago, I first liked it, but then realized I can't recognize my own voice in my recordings anymore. The mic adds too much bass, while my actual voice is more in the background. 3. I want to make youtube videos. But not like a podcaster. I want my voice to sound nice, I my videos are more in a narrative form. And I am interested in voice acting. I like "Death Note voice actors" I hate the bassy sounding podcasts. That's not what I want. I want my voice to sound like in anime. I only record my voice. 4. Voice samples you'll find here: www.youtube.com/channel/UCHJnAsYb3QVtV4xs7KRDXpg/videosAll the last 4 videos are done with the MXL990, wich for my taste sounds too bassy. People consider it as a muddy microphone. I just don't like the sound of this mic, it sounds unnatural. The videos before that are all done with the Samson USB mic, which sounds more natural to me. Thanks for helping me.
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Brian Corbin
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I Am A(n): Aspiring Voice Actor, Semi-Professional Voice Actor
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Post by Brian Corbin on Dec 27, 2016 10:04:30 GMT -8
Are you judging your voice by whether or not it sounds like you think you sound in your head? If so, that's troublesome. Your head reverberates like a guitar body, altering the way your voice sounds to you as you're speaking. It's better to ask someone else if the recording sounds true to your natural voice.
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duffyweber
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Post by duffyweber on Dec 27, 2016 12:07:43 GMT -8
Interestingly enough, the MXL990 has a pretty flat response pattern, with only a teeny tiny little bit of top-end punch. (not that it CAN'T have the problem you're describing. In fact, it might be a little too warm and fuzzy sounding.) However! The USB mics you're describing are going to be, compared to studio mics, very thin and won't have much bass to speak of. However, if you're used to the nice, crisp sounds they make, it's odd getting used to that deep, fuzzy bass you'll get from a nicer mic. I feel like you've been working with desktop/gaming mics long enough that a mic that picks up the full range of your voice may be throwing you for a loop. Try an experiment: Use your equalization filter on one of your recordings from your MXL 990, and apply something that looks like this (you don't need to be exact - this just happens to be one that I was tweaking for something else that fits the bill here:) 24.172.138.130/winnet-bin/eqtest.pngIf it sounds "good" to you, then chances are, you just need to get used to the sound of mics that are picking up your entire vocal range. That said, if you're still not convinced that anything but a new mic will help, a Shure PG42 or SM27 will have a bight brighter top-end than the one you've got, and are available in music stores everywhere, and the 42 has a bass-cut switch though - and I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH - would NOT recommend using that switch for regular VA recording. Only for specialized apps. I'd also HIGHLY recommend trying a few mics before you buy one. I feel if you're using USB and gaming mics to judge a studio mic, your main problem may simply be that you aren't used to the latter, and the full range of your voice they pick up. EDIT: P.S. What sort of interface are you using with this? If it's got EQ controls, you may have the bass cranked up a bit high. P.P.S. Since you're producing your own stuff, and are worried about this for that purpose, you CAN fiddle with your own EQ. Try a much less aggressive version of the pattern I sent you and it might temper that bass a bit for your vids.
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Post by plautus on Dec 27, 2016 12:21:09 GMT -8
I did the test. And it felt more like my real voice althouhg a bit thin and harsh and pitch lifted. I think the mic I have is overly bassy, that's the problem
I use a focusrite solo 2nd gen
I want a mic that doesn't need EQ.
The Rode NT1 I used sounded harsh and thin but more like my real voice
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duffyweber
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Post by duffyweber on Dec 27, 2016 12:34:52 GMT -8
I did the test. And it felt more like my real voice althouhg a bit thin and harsh and pitch lifted. I think the mic I have is overly bassy, that's the problem I use a focusrite solo 2nd gen I want a mic that doesn't need EQ. The Rode NT1 I used sounded harsh and thin but more like my real voice You could very well have an overly bassy mic. And the EQ I gave you is going to be a bit extreme. Try softening it down a bit, and playing with it more and see if it helps. At your price point you might wanna try an AKG C 214, or, since you've had good luck with Samson, a Samson CL7 or CL8. The Shure mics I recommended earlier also happen to be ones I've used and that I trust. The PG27 XLR is also one of my favorites, but it has a higher noise-floor than the others, so you have to pay closer attention to cleaning it. Again, I would HIGHLY recommend trying before you buy. Drag your Scarlett and your laptop into the music store (call ahead - let them know you're interested in buying, but would like to try first. Many places don't have a problem with that as long as A) you're serious about buying and B) don't have a HUGE list of ones you want to try. Try to limit it to two, three at most.)
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Post by plautus on Dec 27, 2016 12:52:22 GMT -8
the MXL990 doesnt has a loud noise floor in my opinion, at least in my recordings u won't haer background noise.
I dont want to use EQ, it always messes up everything and makes my sound clipping, too mcuh fuss
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duffyweber
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Post by duffyweber on Dec 27, 2016 13:03:32 GMT -8
If that's the case you'll DEFINITELY want to try a few before buying, if it's possible. I do get it: I'm really fussy about my mics (though I LOVE playing around to see what I can get out of ANY mic! heheh.)
If you're looking for one that sounds just-so with minimal intervention, I'd suggest checking out recordinghacks.com and their mic database.
You can see details, MSRP, articles, observations from reviewers, and polar/response pattern charts for all sorts of mics, and it'll give you an idea of the sort of mics you may want to try. If you find one you like, there's tons of people who've probably done a sampler recording with it on YouTube.
Hope this helps! ^_^
If you find your perfect mic, be sure to post a sample recording of it!
EDIT: OH! It just occurred to me. A (rather subjective) keyword that might help you find a mic to your liking is "cool." (As opposed to "warm") You'll want to be careful though, as too much of that can give you that nasal quality you don't like.
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Brian Corbin
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Post by Brian Corbin on Dec 27, 2016 16:05:12 GMT -8
I did the test. And it felt more like my real voice althouhg a bit thin and harsh and pitch lifted. I think the mic I have is overly bassy, that's the problem You could try recording at various distances. How close are you to the mic when you usually record? The closer you are, the more low end you're going to get. Play around with it and see what comes out best.
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Post by plautus on Dec 27, 2016 16:25:14 GMT -8
Sorry it was my mistake. The MXL990 doesn't suffer from having too much bass. I just did a comparison with the Neumann tml 102 which I as well have here at home and I realized that the MXL lacks of probably the lower mids and also some of the depths while the top end seems overly bright. That's why it gives me the feeling my voice isn't fully there. The Neumann on the other hand seems much more like my real voice. That was probably the best mic I have ever used. But it's too much money for me. I just ordered it to get an understanding of what my ideal mic would sound like. First minute is the NEUMANN www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTd078qKP14
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Post by Rebekah Amber Clark on Dec 27, 2016 17:34:38 GMT -8
Sorry it was my mistake. The MXL990 doesn't suffer from having too much bass. I just did a comparison with the Neumann tml 102 which I as well have here at home and I realized that the MXL lacks of probably the lower mids and also some of the depths while the top end seems overly bright. That's why it gives me the feeling my voice isn't fully there. The Neumann on the other hand seems much more like my real voice. That was probably the best mic I have ever used. But it's too much money for me. I just ordered it to get an understanding of what my ideal mic would sound like. First minute is the NEUMANN www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTd078qKP14
I'm sorry, did you just say you ordered a microphone knowing full well you were intending to return it BEFORE you made the purchase? Or did I misunderstand this?
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Post by plautus on Dec 27, 2016 18:48:52 GMT -8
I'm sorry, did you just say you ordered a microphone knowing full well you were intending to return it BEFORE you made the purchase? Or did I misunderstand this?
Yes I did
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duffyweber
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Post by duffyweber on Dec 28, 2016 11:40:55 GMT -8
A) A quick, mild scolding: That's not exactly fair play, ordering the TLM. I know the company technically doesn't lose anything, money-wise, but you're still costing them the time and effort it takes to send and restock. It'd be better if you'd chosen a mic that you'd have kept if you liked it. (Although I know a few companies that are willing to do this, and if that's the case, I apologize.)
B) That said, it may be an effect of compression from where you've uploaded it, but I don't hear much of a difference between them in this particular upload at all. What I DO hear is an odd warping around the edges of the words near the beginning and end. It's hard to judge them apart in this instance, and they pretty much sound identical from most all standard-quality speakers, and all but good sets of headphones.
My thoughts are this: If you're unhappy with your mic, I'd try one that's a little more upscale, but not super-expensive. The 990 is an entry-level mic, and you could easily upgrade to one that's a little more robust, and most of your issues (perceived or technical) will go away.
Also, I'd really look at how you're saving/encoding the audio. The 990 sounds really REALLY great for a $50-$100 mic, even in this sample, but the 102 is NOT sounding like a $600 mic here.
I think, also, that maybe you're a little too close to the mic (and you also aren't using a pop filter, which is fine for your test here, but I'd recommend it for future mic use.) Try getting at least 6 to 10 inches away. I usually work my mic from 1 to 1½ feet for normal speaking, and about 6 to 10 inches MINIMUM for really deep, bass, whispery bits. (I might get in closer for effect, SFX, or animal sounds, or if I'm REALLY stretching down to basso profundo, but it's NOT standard practice to be ANY closer than 6-8 inches minimum from your mic.)
If I'm wrong and you are using a pop filter, then you (and it) are way too close to the mic.
All that aside: I really DO like your voice! Very much! It's very nice, has a pleasant quality, and it sounds somewhat akin to a young Peter Lorre. I can see where you wouldn't want your mic to produce a nasal sound, because it can come across as harsh, and mar the effect. Selecting the right mic WILL definitely aid you in this. The tradeoff is that you get that bass sound. You might look for a mic that has some punch in the midrange, and a flat low and high. And again, back away from your mic, and adjust your gain. You'll pick up more noise floor, and that's okay. You want to balance minimal noise floor with being able to stand a sufficient distance from the mic.
Good luck! ^_^
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Post by plautus on Dec 28, 2016 19:07:57 GMT -8
ok which one shall I try? I want a natural sounding mic that sounds full as well, unlike the AT2020 which sounds natural but thin like an old radio.
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