Neumann TLM103 vs. AKG 414 for VO

[Droog]

Hey everybody!

So I just got the work from my boss that we need to get a good VO mic. We have begun doing our narration recording in house and want to stop renting mics.

I am a big fan of the 414, but the TLM103's are supposed to be a nice mic, but I have no experiance from them. The 414 has multiple patterns and the 103 is cardiod only so that is the big disadvantage that I can see.

What do you think? Open to other suggestions. One thought was an SM7 but I think I want a condensor.

Thanks!

Phil Gerke

 

[tigeba]

The 103 is a solid mic. I believe it would be quite a bit cheaper than a 414. The 103 compliments dark voices well, as it is a little bright. I don't have a lot of experience with the 414, other than knowing that it is a solid, classic mic. I'm not sure if the multi-pattern is all that useful in a VO situation, but options are always nice.

The SM7 is a totally different sound than the 103, and I would guess the 414. I have only used one a couple times, but I would call it bright and focused. Maybe not all that nice sounding, but really cuts. I would tend to think that this is more something that you would use for a 30 second spot VO than lets say a feature-film narration.

I think you should rent a 103 and a 414 and try them on a variety of folks then buy one. You probably can't really go wrong with either.

 

[Droog]

The 103 is a solid mic. I believe it would be quite a bit cheaper than a 414. The 103 compliments dark voices well, as it is a little bright. I don't have a lot of experience with the 414, other than knowing that it is a solid, classic mic. I'm not sure if the multi-pattern is all that useful in a VO situation, but options are always nice.

The SM7 is a totally different sound than the 103, and I would guess the 414. I have only used one a couple times, but I would call it bright and focused. Maybe not all that nice sounding, but really cuts. I would tend to think that this is more something that you would use for a 30 second spot VO than lets say a feature-film narration.

I think you should rent a 103 and a 414 and try them on a variety of folks then buy one. You probably can't really go wrong with either.

Right, the multiple patterns of the 414 are not all that helpful for VO, but they are when I borrow the mic for musical apps:grin:

I'd love to able to A/B but I don't think I will be able to.

I think you totally right about the SM7, definatley a broadcast mic, not a narrators choice.

Thanks for the feedback.