VO for instructional vid

G

ggrantly

Veteran
Hello Listers,

I am beginning to edit my first real corporate video; a quasi instructional infomercial on small farm machinery. I had a company guy do the intro and demo the machinery for the cam. I intend to insert VO while he is demonstrating the equipment. I'll turn down the level of the machinery (diesel engines) to background noise and then add the narration. This is intended to be a folksy sort of show anyway.

The company guy voice work was dual shot outside with a AT897 and the dreaded ME-2 G100 with a fair amount of background noise, so I'm not to concerned about a matchup. Amazing that audio sounds pretty good considering. I used a K-Tek Zep on the AT-897 and covered the ME-2 with a wool glove finger (Thanks Jay Rose)

Now the question: I have a small bag of mics for the VO recording. This will be done in my house (unplugged refer), so no sound booth or anything exotic. Another option would be in my car. My saving grace will be the background noise of running machinery. What mic would you choose...no laughing
Octava omni or hyper
SM-58
Shure SM10A
Zoom H4 onboard
AT897 w/ KTek Zep

I would also consider the purchase of another not to expensive alternative < $300
though I am trying to save for a 4073 and better lavs for the Senn Evolutions. For example, would a Countyman B3 or B6 be better than any of the above?

Thanks in advance to the awesome audio braintrust
 
I would also be interested in an interview type mic. Something like a RE-50, or would the SM-58 serve the same purpose?
 
Of the above I would use the SM58. It's dynamic and will pick up less "room" it's also a more forgiving mic for talent that isn't all that experienced. It also is pretty flattering to most voices. You will have to record CLOSE, this mic is designed to be eaten. But that will also give you a nice proximity effect.
If you were going to buy a mic for VO I would look at the Heil PR40. Street price is under $300 and it has an almost condenser hot out put but it's still a dynamic. It works really well on VO and ADR jobs. Pretty much anything you would use a RE-20 on but at 1/2 the price and a bit cleaner sound.
http://www.heilsound.com/pro/products/pr40/index.htm
 
I've had favourable experiences using car interiors as mobile sound booths. Just watch out for the windshields; record too close to the window and your VO will start to sound phasey. Consider covering the closest windows with blankets.

I'm with Noiz2 as far as mic selection goes. The SM-58 won't sound as detailed and bright as a condensor would, but its a good choice for that situation.

It wouldn't be my first choice for ENG interviews, though. Visually, its far more intrusive than the RE-50, and its pretty easy to wander off axis with a cardioid interview mic. I like using an Electrovoice 635 for B-roll interviews or situations where the cameraperson is obliged to go off on their own. Its smaller than the RE-50, priced lower, and is unwholesomely durable. The RE-50 does sound better to my ears, however.

I'm a bit biased, though, because the 635 is my favourite "stunt" mic. Tuesday afternoon, I used two of them to record the motor of a lift-bridge from half a foot away. That thing was loud.
 
Thanks for the input. I have heard the RE50 is very rugged, low handling noise, fair sound and pretty good for stinky weather as I live in rain country.

As long as I have your attention, another question: Is there a favorite amongst the EMW, B3 and B6? I don't really care about concealment at all. I was a little confused looking at the specs...regarding phantom power. Do these mics need it, and if so, will one of those in line battery power packs work OK? I would be thinking about lashing this up to a Senn G2.

Best Regards
 
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