voice over with shure sm7b or okatava mk012 hyper
- Thread starter deleuze3
- Start date
David W. Jones
Veteran
If I had access to both microphones with the recording chain as you do, I would test both mics and pick the mic which I felt handled the job at hand best.
Rick R
Veteran
Typically... large diaphragm mics are the go-to mics for VO/narration. OTOH, the 012 would sound ok, and be more versatile for other applications. The 012 would also need a significant pop filter and shock mount, while the SM7 could be used as is.
A large diaphragm capsule for the 012 may be an option as well.
A large diaphragm capsule for the 012 may be an option as well.
yes, this different voices needs different mics to sound good. One good reason to use the Sm7b over the Octavia is better noise rejection, if you are trying to record voice overs in your downtown apartment, the Sm7B will be better in that environment, it is also a dynamic mic so it doesn't require phatom power if that is a concern. It does need a powerful Pre like a CloudLifter, or you can get into over cranking your mixer pre, increasing your noise floor.
Greg Smith
Veteran
From years of working in radio studios, I'm biased toward large-diaphragm dynamic microphones like the Shure SM7B, Electro-Voice RE20, Heil PR40 and the like for voiceover recording. But which one I'd choose for a specific job depends entirely on the individual voice and the acoustics of the studio I'm recording in. Only testing with the actual performer, script and location can really demonstrate which combination of voice, room and mic works best. A small-diaphragm condenser wouldn't be among my first few choices, but I'd certainly try one out if the other options didn't give me the sound I wanted.
If my choice were between the Shure and the Oktava, I'd definitely try the SM7B first, if your preamp has enough clean gain to handle it without too much noise.
- Greg
If my choice were between the Shure and the Oktava, I'd definitely try the SM7B first, if your preamp has enough clean gain to handle it without too much noise.
- Greg
paulears
Veteran
Oddly, in England, the BBC local radio stations and Radio 4 rather like table stand mounted hyper cardioids (Beyer M201's in particular) for interviewees, and don't generally use the popular US ones like the Shures and EVs SM7s and RE20/320. I 100% concur with the advice try them on the particular voices.
^Truth.
I had searched for a good voice mic for myself and tried many different ones, both SCC like the 012 and others, and then some dynamics like the PR40. In the end, I have settled on large condensers types, but you need a quiet location to make that work. In the end, you just have to try a few out and match them to the project, voice, and location.
For sure, if done well, either a 012 or a good dynamic will work without any embarrassment.
Grant
The 012 reinforces the bass and definitely has a warm coloration. This may amplify the George Clooney in any performer, however that may not be what you are looking for.
The Shure is probably better adapted to your needs, but you will definitely need the Cloudlifter mentioned before.
By the way a Fethead Phantom (VERY clean +20db) helps the 012 quite a lot and keeps you from having to crank it's gain up as much with another device more prone to raising the noise floor.
(It typically needs much more than other condenser microphones).
The Shure is probably better adapted to your needs, but you will definitely need the Cloudlifter mentioned before.
By the way a Fethead Phantom (VERY clean +20db) helps the 012 quite a lot and keeps you from having to crank it's gain up as much with another device more prone to raising the noise floor.
(It typically needs much more than other condenser microphones).
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