OT: Best microphone for home studio?

ken c wrote on 4/9/2006, 7:15 AM
Hi - any suggestions for a high-quality headset or lapel mic for high-quality professional audio recording?

budget to about $300 or so..

I currently am using a plantronics SP 500 headset, which is superb, much better than the desktop mics I'd been using... but I get pops, and it's hard to use a pop filter w/headset mic :p

any suggestions? I want to record some professional-quality CDs, voice only, like Anthony Robbins, Brian Tracy etc, the ones you see on audio books ...

I'm thinking that, because I'm animated and move my head around, a stationary mic isn't the way to go, as I'd like to turn while I talk etc..

any suggestions on a solid mic you've used in a home/studio recording/singing environment?

thanks!

ken

Comments

randy-stewart wrote on 4/9/2006, 7:24 AM
Ken,
Audio Technica has some great stuff. Here's a link: http://www.ggvideo.com/at_mic.htm. I have their U100 wireless system. Link is here: http://www.ggvideo.com/at_wless.htm. Really happy with it. Might be a little more than you want to go. Lots of options with Audio Technica within your price range.
Randy
P.S. Did you get my disk?
craftech wrote on 4/9/2006, 7:31 AM
Have you tried other windscreens?

I also agree about the entire Audio Technica line, but you will need phantom power for most of them. MT830, AT831, etc

John
JohnnyRoy wrote on 4/9/2006, 7:50 AM
Ditto on the Audio-Technica advice. I do all of my VASST DVD Training recording with at Audio-Technica AT899 lavalier/lapel mic (MSRP $299). It is omnidirectional and has an internal battery so phantom power is not a problem. I plug it directly into the XLR inputs on my M-Audio Firewire 410 and record at the computer while capturing into Camtasia for tutorial work.

At one time I did use an AT4033 (awesome sound) but as you pointed out, having a stationary mic was a pain when you want to move your head to look at something. The AT899 is the same mic I use when I’m on-camera so the sound is pretty much consistent throughout the tutorial.

If you want to hear it, I’m using it on the VASST Vegas 6 FASST training DVD. If you get the Now Hear This training DVD, Spot lets you hear a whole selection of microphones first hand including the AT899 which he uses throughout most of the DVD as his main mic. I don’t mean to sound like a commercial, but if you want to get up to speed on sound for video quickly, get Now Hear This.

~jr
randy-stewart wrote on 4/9/2006, 8:05 AM
JohnnyRoy,
Thanks for that link to the now hear this DVD. Preview 3 on that link is great, especially the fast motion sound box build to flight of the bumble-bee complete with sound effects...got a good laugh out of that while leaning how to do it.
Randy
craftech wrote on 4/9/2006, 8:06 AM
Audio-Technica AT899 lavalier/lapel mic (MSRP $299). It is omnidirectional and has an internal battery so phantom power is not a problem. I plug it directly into the XLR inputs
==========
John,
Doesn't that mic still need the AT8537 power module for battery operation?
John
Also, I still think he is better off trying out different windscreens first if he is generally happy with the headset he has. A headset is a lot more practical for what he is doing.
Spot|DSE wrote on 4/9/2006, 5:44 PM
The AT 892 might be really good for you, Ken. It's hair-thin fine, and can be mounted in your hair. It's just a tad larger than the head of a pin, and is available in theatre flesh tone.
JohnnyRoy wrote on 4/9/2006, 8:47 PM
> Doesn't that mic still need the AT8537 power module for battery operation?

Yes but at that price the power module comes with it. B&H has them for $199.

~jr
ken c wrote on 4/10/2006, 4:34 AM
Hey thanks - those are some terrific options, I'll check out the audio technica and other ones... good to know it re Spot's tests on the NHT dvd .. it was on my list of ones to get ... there's a lot I've learned from him re vegas, I'm sure the audio will be useful too ... I'll take a look at all the others too, much appreciated ... (Randy, haven't been to the po box yet, but am going today, thx much for sending the video)..

Spot - hey I just watched that v/o box video preview clip (keystone...), brilliant! I really like that you showed the difference before/after, for
what it did for the sound... I never even heard of a v/o box before, but that looks like it could be perfect for what I'm doing here.. thanks!

I just ordered that DVD from you this am .. looking forward to it.

Looks like the AT 899 is a winner... I need a lav mic .. and BH has those in stock .. (looks like the 892's not in)..

Question: anyone know where I could get an adaptor for its TA3F output pin, to a standard 1/8" type pin so I could plug it into my camcorder for doing video takes? (or what do most of you do, re how to take the TA3F 3-socket output, what type of amp/recorder do you use, to record? usually I just plug a lapel mic into the camcorder...) sorry for the newbie questions ...

so much to learn... thanks for sharing, everyone!

ken
SonicClang wrote on 4/10/2006, 6:51 AM
Why does it have to be a head set mic? Do you have a way to supply phantom power? If so, check out the MXL 2003. It's a large diaphram condenser microhpone that works amazing for voice-over work. Get a stand mounted windscreen for it because moisture is bad.

It's a great mic and it fits well within your budget, going for only $150 now that there are newer models out there. When it was new it went for about $399.
Tinle wrote on 4/10/2006, 7:12 AM

To take the mic output into the mini-plug inputs found on many camcorders - when using battery power with the AT899, you may wish to look at the Shure A96F. It does not connect directly to the mic itself - it connects to the output end of the battery unit, and then to the camera's miniplug.

Lots of information at Shure's website. Available at B&H and many others. About $36 or so


Here is what Shure says:

"The A96F transformer connects microphones with an XLR-type connector to the 3.5 mm (9/64 inch) inputs found on camcorders and other recording devices. It increases the signal level from the microphone, provides a balanced input, and prevents distortion due to the d.c. bias typically found in camcorder microphone inputs."

seanfl wrote on 4/10/2006, 8:02 AM
I've found the countryman to be superior for capturing speaking than a lapel mic. The benefit being that you always sound like you're on mic, and you can move your head or body and sound the same...and no shirt noise.

It's an excellent mic, goes over the year, and is what gets used on broadway, in major concerts, by tons of public speakers, and even in cutting edge churches. One warning, you don't want it to touch your mouth/lips area...you start to hear too much 'mouth noise.' Audio Technica or some others have come out with their version of it within the past year.

I've found it to sound excellent for presentations and performances and is just over your budget (I've found it in the mid $300's)

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