Simple V.O. mic???

[Young Gun]

To add V.O. to a Documentary...is there any "consumer mic" at Best Buy or Circuit City that you can buy to do a "decent" job....OR

...do we need to have a "professional mic"?

I remember one filmmaker telling me they did V.O. at their house as long as everything was isolated from ambient sounds.

Another person told me he did his V.O. in his closet.

Does anyone know IF THIS IS POSSIBLE? To buy a "consumer mic" and do V.O. at home?

If so, can you give "examples of what mics you used"?

Thanks,

 

[Steve House]

Anything is possible and it depends on what you mean by "consumer level mic" and what your tastes and standards define as acceptable quality. If by "consumer level" you mean one of the $20 "computer" mics from your local big-box store then your standards are going to be pretty low to consider the results to be acceptable. You're certainly not going to get VO sounding like what you hear when PBS broadcasts "The following program was made possible by contributions from viewers like you" in their show openings. But if by "consumer" you mean something like the Rode Videomic, which also would be considered consumer gear instead of pro, you can get reasonably good results if you're careful.

Your question actually has two parts and kind of implies that you believe you can't use professional level equipment in a home recording situation. You can and it's neither difficult nor outrageously expensive to assemble a small recording setup that's capable of fully professional results. In fact, a substantial part of the VO that you hear in network broadcast television and commercials has been recorded in home studios operated by the VO talent. It's not unheard of even to setup a makeshift studio in a hotel room while on the go. A laptop computer with a decent audio interface and recording software such as Soundforge, Audition, or Audacity, perhaps a small mixer, a good quality mic, and some tricks like a foam-lined desktop soundbox and you'll be in business for not much more money than the price of dinner and a movie for 2 these days. (Well a little more than that but still affordable unless you're really in the budget basement.)

First step is to define your needs and how good it has to be for your intended release venue. A clip on YouTube diesn't need anywhere near the level of quality that a doco intended for theatrical viewing will require.

So what is your budget and other requirements?

 

[Doc Bernard]

So what is your budget and other requirements?

Right on the money. This where you have to start. Keep in mind what mic you are getting whether or not it needs phantom power.

You are doing a documentary, so I am assuming you are wanting clear, rich sound from the VO.

Start looking at Large Diaphragm Condenser (LDC) mics. You could spend anywhere from $59 to $8,000 on one.

Best Buy and Circuit City just aren't going to have what you really need. Try Sam Ash or Guitar Center, or any larger musical instrument store. You can get good deals online as well.

And yes you can do really nice VO in a closet. I will help you with that as well. Check your PM's

 

[Huy Vu]

And of course, the talent matters as well. Really needs someone with that booming VO voice.

 

[bmowell]

The Heil PR40 is an excellent VO mic. I love mine.

 

[SMuir]

Good advice, all around.

I would add that although its possible to convert a closet into an imporvised VO booth, it may not be the best option available. If the room is already sufficiently quiet, hanging quilts and blankets can break up most of the reflections. Keeping a bit of space around the mic will help avoid the "boxy" feeling of closet VO.

Circuit City and Bestbuy are unlikely to have anything (including cables) that will suit your purpose. Their products are geared towards karaoke and voice-chat, rather than recording. The "basement recording studio" market has exploded over the past few years, and you need only drop by the local music/guitar shop to take full advantage of it. Better still, there are a number of excellent books on the market that deal with home studio design. Even legendary voiceover actor Don Lafontaine now records from the comfort of his home studio.