Even if someone already knows these topics, it's very easy to share this with people that ask specific questions about said topics. Keep it up, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the PGOA vids!
I def recommend this vid for those getting into recording. When I was a kid first getting into tracking - This vid would have been so helpful. Great asset build for looking at the basics of frequency properties. Great Job.
Thank you podcastage for the presentation and explanation 👍! Help- and useful input for anyone searching in more info and interesting aspects concerning the area of audio and recording ,broadcasting. Maybe this is just the start of further "tutorial style videos" ? !
I have an alto type voice, and I'm also a little nasally. The lewitt 440 pure was a good fit for me. I also really like the sound of it whenever I hear other people using it, male or female. But it does pick up mouth noises and everything else. Something like the at2020 was bad for me because it overemphasized the nasally part of my voice and seemed to cut out the lower tones. Microphones are something you have to play around with to figure out what's good for you personally.
Guitar Center or similar music stores have places to test out mics too (depending on if they are working or not) so you can make sure you make a good purchase.
Loved this vid, Bandrew. When I was new to audio, so totally wish a vid like this was available - nicely done. Great choice of mics to demo your point! Totally unrelated question... what bar code system do you use? Our nonprofit needs to move toward a barcoding solution.
I stopped using the barcodes becuase I never referenced them. I cataloged stuff. And then once it was cataloged I never referenced it again so it was a waste of time and money. I just bought barcodes and input the info in excel.
@@Podcastage Got it, thanks. We run several projects per year and it would be helpful for us to scan what gear is going out, what project they are used on, and what gear is coming in for tracking purposes. Plus it would helpful for running an annual inventory. Thanks for your thoughts.
Something else to consider when shopping is that I generally find it easier to remove unwanted frequencies than to add in missing ones. For example, I can get the SM7B and the LCT 440 to sound nearly identical, but to do that, I have to boost high frequencies on the SM7B quite a bit and it still doesn't quite sound as detailed, but I can just lightly roll off the high frequencies on the LCT 440 if I think it sounds too harsh. So I would say that first, find a mic that will get you as close as possible to your desired end result, but then if you can't find one that's exactly perfect in your budget, err on the side of one that's a bit boosted as that's easier to fix (IMO).
I have the exact opposite experience. I find it easier to add something than to remove. Better to find a very neutral sounding mic. That way you don't have to remove anything but you can always add something if you feel like it.
I suppose it depends on what you are trying to add or remove. If it's just raw frequency content (like too dark, for example), there's only so much EQ can do about frequencies that are just not there. Like trying to make a ribbon mic bright is a losing battle. But if it's a BAD sounding frequency, then yes, that will be very hard to get rid of. But I agree, neutral is the best starting point, I just prefer the LCT 440's bright neutral as opposed to the SM7B's dark neutral. Both are generally pretty close to neutral until the high end, I just think it's easier to darken the 440 than brighten the 7B.
At 3:33 (and I have seen it elsewhere) you have these barcode sticker which I assume you use to keep track of all the equipment. May I ask how you print these and what barcode system you are using. Would be nice to use for keeping track of fixed assets in a ledger. Thanks.
This helped me FINALLY understand the frequency response chart! Thank you! Side question. Are frequency response charts useful for attempting to make an EQ for your voice, if you only have one or two mics to chose from?
Wow! I’m so glad that the video helped understand the response chart. I’m not sure I understand the question? Are you asking if you can just look at a mics frequency response graph and try to mimic that on your mic to get the same sound? The answer there would be “No”, unless you have a microphone that is perfectly neutral and flat. Otherwise you would need to reverse your original mics frequency response to be neutral and then you could mimic another mics response curve, but it would still be inaccurate because most graphs have smoothing on them so they don’t show you exactly what it looks like. To do it properly you’d need to have both mics and be able to run a sin sweep in front of both of them. Then you could get a somewhat decent match, but the mic will still exhibit all its original qualities.
@Podcastage Essentially, I was wondering if you have one mic, and through EQ, balance out the parts that might be too much. Say, like the top end was too harsh. Reading the chart could help you know where you could EQ to make it sound a bit better.
Is there a way to measure proximity effect? If I record with the same microphone closer and less close, can I measure how much that changed the voice? The question is important to me and I will gladly take link to more in-depth literature or just the name of an algorithm. ❤
Question what mic would u recommend for darker and deeper voices that are in the neutral or brighter category of mics im currently using a sm57 which is doing superb but i mainly got it for my guitar.
Rode NT1 is popular for slightly more neutral and less trebly. Lewitt LCT440 is a nice option. A great reference point for this would be Mike Delgaudio (BOOTH JUNKIE). He has a lot of great mic comparisons and demos and he has a darker deeper voice and he'll give you a great understanding of the sound.
@@fredoverflow I would argue yet it does matter. As long as you don’t prefer something that is actually painful to listen to or something that introduces problems like being too muddy or too bight for your voice, I think it’s important for you to like how you sound. If you like how you sound on a mic you’re going to be a bit more confident and enjoy using it. If you hate how you sound on a mic chances are you would be less confident and enjoy using it less becuase you think you sound like crap. So I think it’s important for the person on mic to enjoy how they sound through it. Again…this assumes the person performing doesn’t prefer a mic that is actually painful to listen to.
Well, if you're the one editing it, you'll be listening to yourself over and over and over for hours, so if you don't like how you sound, you're not going to like editing, either.
The microphone I want to buy is either shotgun or electro voice re520 I think one of them would be great for my voice. I don't know how to classify it but let's say the bass is 1 to 5. 5 Super deeb bassy sound 1 Not bassy my voice is 3.5
I have a baritone voice with sibilant issues in my voice . I can’t find a mic that is good for me :((((. It needs to be dampen the siblings but be still not muddy :(
I'd say it's easier to fight muddiness than fight sibilances, so buy a smooth sounding mic with no sibilance issues and then if it's muddy play around with EQ (high pass and cut around 400-500hz)
Sheesh, Bandrew...shouldn't you be talking about relevant things and not microphones or this hobby stuff... 😉 /sarcasm (based off the "all-time favorite message in the latest podcast). Thanks for another great review/sound examples -- and a badass defense of hobbyists with day jobs the other day!
Imagine if microphones DIDN'T mess with the input and allowed you to control it using software. If it's possible to deep fake someone, then it should be possible for a microphone to not modify the input at all.
I think it would be surprisingly hard to give a good formal definition of what "not mess with it" exactly means. In the context of this video it might mean flat frequency response and sure enough, you can buy that. Up to the point of so called measuring microphones. Behringer has a really cheap one with a very even frequency response.
Even if someone already knows these topics, it's very easy to share this with people that ask specific questions about said topics. Keep it up, and I'm looking forward to the rest of the PGOA vids!
I def recommend this vid for those getting into recording. When I was a kid first getting into tracking - This vid would have been so helpful. Great asset build for looking at the basics of frequency properties. Great Job.
Best explanation out there for anyone new to audio production. Great series 👍
The nose honk sound is fabulous.
The inclusion of that is some of my finest work, I am glad that it's getting the recognition it deserves. Ha! Thank you for checking it out.
I've been watching your videos for years, and I really like this direction.
I finally understand what those graphics mean! Thanks brother!
😁
My favourite mics for your voice were the SE Electronics and the nice ribbon mic. Great work as always, thank you, Bandrew!
Thank you very much. The sE sounds great, especially for the price, and then the Ribbon is just a classic sound.
This video honestly puts this complex scientific process in straightforward simple explanation. Thank you!
Wow that really means a ton. Thank you so much.
As someone who owns the Lewitt 440 and has quite a lot of sibilance in my voice, this is the video I needed to watch
Superb explanations. Really well done.
Thank you Lars, that really means a lot.
I came to watch my first video which was a microphone review. But I subscribed for such knowledge you share. Thanks man
This was a very helpful video. I never thought of it this way, but the examples were clear and easy to follow.
Danke!
Thank you so much Rainer!
LMAO @ 2:16
Thank you podcastage for the presentation and explanation 👍! Help- and useful input for anyone searching in more info and interesting aspects concerning the area of audio and recording ,broadcasting.
Maybe this is just the start of further "tutorial style videos" ? !
Excellent Excellent Excellent!
Top drawer explanation!
Always trust in Bandrew, the best microphone reviewer,
Period!👍
Grazie.
Thank you so much Maria, this really mean s a lot! Hope you have a great day.
I have an alto type voice, and I'm also a little nasally. The lewitt 440 pure was a good fit for me. I also really like the sound of it whenever I hear other people using it, male or female. But it does pick up mouth noises and everything else.
Something like the at2020 was bad for me because it overemphasized the nasally part of my voice and seemed to cut out the lower tones.
Microphones are something you have to play around with to figure out what's good for you personally.
Balanced microphones are fit for almost every person.
Barely forget to switch language, writing comment😅.
Very clear explaining of sound. 😊👍
Good wishes for you, as always.
Great explanation, great and veriy important.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 Compliments from Italy 👍👍👍
Awesome video as always!
I love this series.
Guitar Center or similar music stores have places to test out mics too (depending on if they are working or not) so you can make sure you make a good purchase.
Great explanation and demonstration.
Have you been workibg out man? You look great!!!
Stellar evergreen stuff... I see a series here :)
I really appreciate that kind sir. Thank you.
Loved this vid, Bandrew. When I was new to audio, so totally wish a vid like this was available - nicely done. Great choice of mics to demo your point!
Totally unrelated question... what bar code system do you use? Our nonprofit needs to move toward a barcoding solution.
I stopped using the barcodes becuase I never referenced them. I cataloged stuff. And then once it was cataloged I never referenced it again so it was a waste of time and money. I just bought barcodes and input the info in excel.
@@Podcastage Got it, thanks. We run several projects per year and it would be helpful for us to scan what gear is going out, what project they are used on, and what gear is coming in for tracking purposes. Plus it would helpful for running an annual inventory. Thanks for your thoughts.
Something else to consider when shopping is that I generally find it easier to remove unwanted frequencies than to add in missing ones. For example, I can get the SM7B and the LCT 440 to sound nearly identical, but to do that, I have to boost high frequencies on the SM7B quite a bit and it still doesn't quite sound as detailed, but I can just lightly roll off the high frequencies on the LCT 440 if I think it sounds too harsh. So I would say that first, find a mic that will get you as close as possible to your desired end result, but then if you can't find one that's exactly perfect in your budget, err on the side of one that's a bit boosted as that's easier to fix (IMO).
I have the exact opposite experience. I find it easier to add something than to remove. Better to find a very neutral sounding mic. That way you don't have to remove anything but you can always add something if you feel like it.
I suppose it depends on what you are trying to add or remove. If it's just raw frequency content (like too dark, for example), there's only so much EQ can do about frequencies that are just not there. Like trying to make a ribbon mic bright is a losing battle. But if it's a BAD sounding frequency, then yes, that will be very hard to get rid of. But I agree, neutral is the best starting point, I just prefer the LCT 440's bright neutral as opposed to the SM7B's dark neutral. Both are generally pretty close to neutral until the high end, I just think it's easier to darken the 440 than brighten the 7B.
@@nickgloverI agree. The clarity is hard or impossible to get if it isn't there. High end harshness can also be quite problematic to remove.
Keeping an eye on this channel for the Shure MV6 review... !!
At 3:33 (and I have seen it elsewhere) you have these barcode sticker which I assume you use to keep track of all the equipment. May I ask how you print these and what barcode system you are using. Would be nice to use for keeping track of fixed assets in a ledger. Thanks.
A little out of context question, but will you ever do a Golden Age Premier GA-8000 mic review? Really want to hear it from you!
Bandrew, The Acoustic Rabbit Hole is nominating you to host the next Grammy Awards!
Collect all the tones.
This is the real way.
This helped me FINALLY understand the frequency response chart! Thank you!
Side question. Are frequency response charts useful for attempting to make an EQ for your voice, if you only have one or two mics to chose from?
Wow! I’m so glad that the video helped understand the response chart. I’m not sure I understand the question?
Are you asking if you can just look at a mics frequency response graph and try to mimic that on your mic to get the same sound? The answer there would be “No”, unless you have a microphone that is perfectly neutral and flat. Otherwise you would need to reverse your original mics frequency response to be neutral and then you could mimic another mics response curve, but it would still be inaccurate because most graphs have smoothing on them so they don’t show you exactly what it looks like. To do it properly you’d need to have both mics and be able to run a sin sweep in front of both of them. Then you could get a somewhat decent match, but the mic will still exhibit all its original qualities.
@Podcastage Essentially, I was wondering if you have one mic, and through EQ, balance out the parts that might be too much. Say, like the top end was too harsh. Reading the chart could help you know where you could EQ to make it sound a bit better.
@@bingobango5377 You could do that, but I think just experimenting with the EQ and trying to find the sound you want to adjust is the better course.
@Podcastage Thanks, Bandrew!
for male voiceover my favorite microphones are the rode nt1, the earthworks ethos and the electro voice re20.
Is there a way to measure proximity effect? If I record with the same microphone closer and less close, can I measure how much that changed the voice? The question is important to me and I will gladly take link to more in-depth literature or just the name of an algorithm. ❤
If you haven't yet. Could you review the BEACN USB Mic?
Question what mic would u recommend for darker and deeper voices that are in the neutral or brighter category of mics im currently using a sm57 which is doing superb but i mainly got it for my guitar.
Rode NT1 is popular for slightly more neutral and less trebly. Lewitt LCT440 is a nice option. A great reference point for this would be Mike Delgaudio (BOOTH JUNKIE). He has a lot of great mic comparisons and demos and he has a darker deeper voice and he'll give you a great understanding of the sound.
The majority of people listening to my recordings aren't me (hopefully).
So does it really matter which microphone *my* ears prefer? ...
@@fredoverflow I would argue yet it does matter. As long as you don’t prefer something that is actually painful to listen to or something that introduces problems like being too muddy or too bight for your voice, I think it’s important for you to like how you sound. If you like how you sound on a mic you’re going to be a bit more confident and enjoy using it. If you hate how you sound on a mic chances are you would be less confident and enjoy using it less becuase you think you sound like crap. So I think it’s important for the person on mic to enjoy how they sound through it.
Again…this assumes the person performing doesn’t prefer a mic that is actually painful to listen to.
Well, if you're the one editing it, you'll be listening to yourself over and over and over for hours, so if you don't like how you sound, you're not going to like editing, either.
What mic were you using in this video?
The only microphone envy I ever feel is for the Beyer M160.
Considering all the good EQ plugs, why would anyone buy a mic based on it's frequency curve?
That Neumann you are using sounds really good. What is it ?
I was using the TLM49.
The microphone I want to buy is either shotgun or electro voice re520 I think one of them would be great for my voice.
I don't know how to classify it but let's say the bass is 1 to 5.
5 Super deeb bassy sound
1 Not bassy
my voice is 3.5
I have a baritone voice with sibilant issues in my voice . I can’t find a mic that is good for me :((((. It needs to be dampen the siblings but be still not muddy :(
A darker mic with a high pass filter may be the ticket.
I'd say it's easier to fight muddiness than fight sibilances, so buy a smooth sounding mic with no sibilance issues and then if it's muddy play around with EQ (high pass and cut around 400-500hz)
@@oskarwroniewicz Oh thank you! Makes sense!!
RE20. Considered neutral?
For a dynamic it is definitely on the more neutral side of things. It doesn’t exhibit that common presence boost that so many dynamics have.
2:15 😂
Sheesh, Bandrew...shouldn't you be talking about relevant things and not microphones or this hobby stuff... 😉
/sarcasm (based off the "all-time favorite message in the latest podcast).
Thanks for another great review/sound examples -- and a badass defense of hobbyists with day jobs the other day!
Imagine if microphones DIDN'T mess with the input and allowed you to control it using software. If it's possible to deep fake someone, then it should be possible for a microphone to not modify the input at all.
I think it would be surprisingly hard to give a good formal definition of what "not mess with it" exactly means. In the context of this video it might mean flat frequency response and sure enough, you can buy that. Up to the point of so called measuring microphones. Behringer has a really cheap one with a very even frequency response.
👍🌟👍
The interface affects the mic just as much. Do a same mic different interface .
modern audio interfaces usually have very neutral inputs over the entire frequency and gain range.
I see on youtube that people tend to like bright mics in comparisons. But I can't agree with them.
I replayed 2:10 way too many times
Impressed by that vocal range, I know. Ha.
Paying so much for what is essentially a different EQ preset is beyond me. 😃
Podcastage, This is great! Let's be friends and have fun together!