My favorite voice over and podcast microphone - JZ Microphones V11 review
Вставка
- Опубліковано 11 лип 2024
- In this week’s episode, we have a look at and a listen to the JZ Mics Vintage 11 microphone. This large diaphragm condenser microphone is warm-toned mic that performs just as well at dialogue recording as it does vocals and instruments. In this video we listen to some V11 sound samples, compare the sound to other common condenser microphones, and walk through the V11’s feature set to help you decide if you want to give this mic a try. Let’s take a closer look!
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX. school.learnlightandsound.com
Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com ko-fi.com/curtisjudd
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, Perfect Circuit, Trew Audio or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- JZ Microphones Vintage 11 Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone - usashop.jzmic.com/collections... (not an affiliate link)
- Sound Devices MixPre audio recorder - B&H, Trew Audio, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon geni.us/O8e0
- Rycote PCS Microphone Quick-Release System - B&H geni.us/1WBdkmX
- Aputure LS 300X used for background light - Aputure, B&H, Amazon geni.us/LBXWV
- Aputure Spotlight Mount - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store. Amazon geni.us/kfAj
- Aputure amaran Pixel Tube Lights - Aputure, B&H, Amazon geni.us/9AJV7dq
- Rosco Prismatic Glass Gobo in Cool Lavender - B&H geni.us/GWKt
- Canon C70 cinema camera - B&H geni.us/ABYB
- Canon RF 24-70 f/2.8L lens - B&H, Amazon geni.us/qwsEs
- Schneider Radiant Soft 1 diffusion filter - B&H geni.us/VFScD
- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Amazon geni.us/InspOl
- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 II lens - B&H, Amazon geni.us/gr47
The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: geni.us/G7by
Copyright 2023, Curtis Judd
#JZ #JZMicrophones #V11 #condenser
Index
00:00 Summary
00:10 Intro and signal chain
00:39 Sound sample comparison
01:57 My sound preference
02:41 Sibilance, plosives, proximity effect, etc
05:42 Pros
08:26 Pricing (great sales!)
08:38 Cons and things to note
09:23 What makes this mic special?
11:28 Detailed specs
11:49 Recap and my take
14:15 Please buy my courses
Agree with you.... V11 on your voice is just gorgeous. Dang that thing is visually magnificent too. Great video.
Thanks and thanks for coming by!
Holy cow! I love the way this sounds on your voice! I do think that on your wife, the NT1 sounds better for her voice. The JZ sounds a bit wooly on her voice. But on your voice, man, you sound great on it. Actually on second listen you sound good on the 5th gen NT1 as well. Just goes to show how every mic sounds good on different people.
👍 I use the NT1 every day for my zoom meetings. But if I record something special, the V11 is a nice fit.
@@curtisjudd Yeah the NT1 is a solid microphone. Whenever I don't know what to recommend to a particular voiceactor, I just opt for the NT1 and it almost always works :P
Curtis, I suspect that many here would appreciate a review of the Austrian Audio OC16. I believe it's a hidden gem that this community would benefit from.
I would like to do that.
Another great video!! good to know different mic!!
👍
I have this mic since 4 years, it's really amazing on voices, and I was impressed by the super low noise compared to my U87 AI.
It is nice...I think my favorite large diaphragm condenser at the moment.
It sounds amazing. Thank you for sharing!
👍
I bought the V11 some days ago and I can totally agree to your findings.
🎙️👍
@@curtisjudd I guess you would love the V67 as well ;)
@@frubo_ssg Possibly the V47 as well. 🎙
@@curtisjudd Agree - I own 4 JZ microphones and I know why :)
Never heard of this microphone, sounds great.
👍
Really interesting comparison. TO my ears.... the Neumann was the brightest of the 4, followed by the NT1. However.. THEY ALL sounded sublime.... I have a really deep voice so I feel I sound really muddy on a naturally warm mic, but I do enjoy the mellow tones... and you guys sounded great on all 4. Looking at teh other comments... interesting how we all tend to hear the subtle differences differently! Love your work!
Thanks so much for your impressions! 🙏
Thank you for review!
👍
The V11 is so smooth, for your voice better than u87 of course. For Voiceactor a good choice.
👍
I think we need a test for singing and musical instruments. Can't wait to hear how do you sign))))
That would be neat.
I went back to this video, per your current comments on its relative lack of video popularity. Interesting mic, but I was surprised at its expense, $899 today, unless I missed something. I’ve been shopping for a non-sibilant mic, and considering earthworks ethos for its smooth sound and low power requirements. $899 steps way up that price scale. But thanks for reviewing it. Good to have options.
It goes on sale periodically so keep an eye out for that. But the ETHOS is very good as well. Not quite as warm, but good.
I tried the v11 and 67 back in 2010. I've never heard anyone else mention them. I brought these up today in a convo and poof your video shows up. Haha
👍
Thanks Curtis for your, usual, high quality review. I do online corporate training and my clients listen to me on cheap laptops, desktop speakers and iPhones. So, I always listen to mic reviews on similar equipment with my eyes closed. I then watch the video a second time to see the name of each mic. To be honest, I did not discern a huge difference. All mics sound pretty good, but not one made me open my eyes and go, "What is that!?!". Absolutely no reflection on the quality of your work, though. Many thanks.
Yes, on speakers like that, all of these mics will sound similar. The difference is really seen when at least part of the audience will listen on higher quality speakers or headphones.
@@curtisjudd Thank you. I use a Sennheiser MK4 and I bought mine for about $USD180. It is really well made and is and it is a good value for my target "audience". I livestream via Zoom and, even though Zoom does some horrible things to audio, the recordings sound reasonable. Thanks always for your sessions, I love the quality of your material.
This mic sounds buttery smooth! I would love to see this mic compared to the Austrian Audio OC18!
Me too!
The JZ sounded well rounded with lots of presence without being overbearing.
I agree. 🎙👍
@@curtisjudd the Rode though…such a bargain. The JZ does sound slightly better, but not $500’s of better. Have you ever done a video on the EV RE20?
@@StarWarsJay Just $100 above the NT1 in price (in Europe), there's also the Austrian Audio OC16. The Rode is great mic, Especially in terms of build quality and self noise for the price. But it's slightly bright depending on what application you need an LDC mic for. The JZ V11 and OC16 are both more rounded sounding. But the OC16 is similar to the their OC18, just with some minor compromises like lower sensitivity.
@@compucorder64 thanks mate. I have a very sibilant voice and slightly nasal. I need a mic for video voiceovers. I’m a make by the way. Right now I have a Rode Podmic. It’s time to upgrade. I hear the Shure SM7b could be good.
@@StarWarsJay If you want to add chesty body, and smooth out sibilance. An SM7B could definitely be a good option. But, check out the SM57 too, at nearly 1/3 the cost. Julian Krause has a good video on how it's possible to use EQ and foam/pop shield to get very close to an SM7B's sound. Works for me. You'll need decent mic preamps for those dynamic mics though. But, they do reject a lot of noise in the room. And they work well with not ideal acoustics, if you are recording in a much less than perfectly isolated / treated environment. Another reason I like these dynamic mics.
Hi Curtis! Great video. The JZ does sound really rich. The NT1 is a bit harsher in its mid range. Now the U87 is a funny thing to comment on. That mic picks up everything with such sensitivity that it really comes down to how finely tuned is your "instrument"? (voice). For most people with a less trained instrument, it is no surprise the JZ is going to smooth out the road with less post processing needed, and can often sound better. Hope all is well!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the review Curtis. However one thing to consider: This Mic looks beautiful. Just compare it to the other mics. I think the design point of view should also be considered and I love the vintage look of it.
Me, too. Though my wife refers to it as, “The deodorant stick mic.” LOL
@@curtisjudd lol yeah it looks like a deo 😂
Hi, been following your channel
for several years so Thank you kindly for all the info. May I ask which near field monitors are you using or would you recommend for a filmmaker editing a lot of dialog, music and fx. I’d also be interested to know which computer/monitor interface you’re using to drive your monitors. Thank you in advance.
I use Focal Solo 2Be monitors with the old matching sub (I believe they discontinued and make a newer model now). My audio interface is a Universal Audio Apollo x6. Of course acoustic treatment in the room is a BIG factor. And Sonarworks SoundID Reference tuning.
If working on a tighter budget, I’m also happy with the JBL Professional monitors 308p mkII which I use at work.
@@curtisjudd Many thanks.
Thanks Curtis, which headphones are those you're using btw?
Thanks, Jimmy. Those are the Beyerdynamic DT700 PRO X: ua-cam.com/video/L6qbQAjx7t0/v-deo.html
Bought this one in 2013. Price was 389€! 😂
It’s an amazing microphone. Would I pay the actual price? Maybe not.
I would rather go for an Amethyst (at 50% of the price each year during the JZ sales period). It’s a wonderful mike if you want immediate gratification. But if you master your EQ skills, you have more flexibility with an Amethyst.
👍
Love your content!
Recently I have been searching for a microphone (shotgun mic style) that will replace my Rode NT USB. I want to get rid of my Rode because it it basically always in the way and I am looking for a cheap (should be less than 150EUR) option that I can connect to my PC using USB or the 3.5mm mic jack. My room is ~20m² and has echo similar to a normal bedroom/livingroom.
Can you recommend me some microphones? (I have my eyes on the Deity D4, do you think this one fits my needs?)
Note: I am not looking for a mic that sounds better than the rode, I want a (shotgun)mic that sounds decent/good even when I place it ~1-1.5m away from my mouth.
Yes, I'd look at the DEITY D4. 1.5 meters is a long way - any way you can get it closer, it will sound better and pick up less room noise. Here's my review of it: ua-cam.com/video/FPw77qwIgGc/v-deo.html
@@curtisjudd just bought a rode lavalier ii, but for some reason its super quiet when I use it on my PC. I thought you could easily rock it on mobile devices and PCs without an amp. Do you know what the reason for this could be?
@@vaf3614 I assume you're connected to the PC via USB? Also, I assume there's a way to adjust the level in your OS/control panel. I don't have a Windows computer here to test so you may want to contact RODE support for the details. Best wishes!
I like this style of of warmer more rounded mics with male voice. Another one to add to the audition list, along with the Austrian Audio OC16. In your samples, I preferred the AKG C414 XLS on the female voice, quite a lot. On the male voice, I appreciated both the Neumann and AKG styles almost equally. So, I choose the AKG as more of an all rounder. (With singing I prefer the Neumann). I liked the JZ on male voice; not female. And NT-1 was decent on male voice, with slight sibilance. But I found it too bright and sibilant on female voice. For female singing, I liked Line Audio's CM3 for affordable mics. They're now replaced by the CM4. And they're super portable and tough, not much bigger than an XLR jack. I wonder if they work equally well for spoken word.
Thanks for the insights, Desmond 👍
What mic JZ or otherwise do you suggest for deeper (bass/baritone) voices?
RODE NT1? Rent or borrow and try different mics if you can.
Really great review.
I also agree with you that for your voice it is the best but i think also for the girl's voice.
Please when you test for off-axis coloration test also at 30 and 60 degrees.
I'm sure this is a true capacitor and not an electret capsule.
I have found that the best way to monitor for voice only and to test different mics like in here is by using the Auratone 5C Super Sound Cube Classic.
Its single driver and limited bandwidth is ideal to monitor the human voice with great accuracy since it does not have a crossover and a tweeter.
What I did not like about the microphone is the shock mount that does not look adequate , but the biggest problem is the shape of the microphone that does not allow you to use a good quality shock mount by Rycote.
Thanks, Peter.
Thank you. My 5 year old daughter is taking singing lessons and we are thinking of getting a microphone to record her practice. Would this microphone work good or do you have another recommendation?
It is my favorite vocal microphone. That’s subjective, of course, but I really like the sound of this mic.
Gosh I want to try that mic with my deeper, husky, feminine voice. I have such a heavy sibilance to me and am stuck using shotgun mics that make it worse because of my lack of sound proofing. My acoustic treatment's good, it's just that i lack the ability to create a sound proof situation.
Tricky in noisy places.
Bump! :)
👍
I've always been a fan of flatter/warmer mics. This does sound nice on your voice.
I strongly second the notion of waiting for a sale because once a year JZ offers STEEP discounts on their mics. So steep you have to wonder about pricing during the rest of the year...
It is one of my favorites so far and yes, keep an eye out for those sales. 👍
what is the cost of the JZ V11 Mr Judd
$899 USD (listed in the summary at the start and covered closer to the end.)
I this case I personall would prefere a Gefell. Ok it’s not much known in USA. Special not their vintage ones that I allmost would prefer.
I'd like to try one.
Microtech Gefells are on an other league, both sound and price-wise. For sure among the very best.
@@curtisjudd company is very friendly. See I come from classic music and sounddesign. My husband more from Jazz. When we did start our plans to do the European Rivers documentation in 2015 I did early move from Adobe to Davinci Resolve. Main Problem Davinci Resolve have a audiosystem that is far beyond other systems. I did start arround 2 years ago with audio at the last little key for our production. But when I see that a lots of Audio based tutorials and the influencers produce such a poor quality… the target most is to sell just cheap china crap… you can make Sounds and music direct in DaVinci Resolve. Just using a cheap tool. Meanwhile I did kick my paid iZotope RX advanced. It’s deinstalled. Cubase 12 or Nuendo is much more useful than RX advanced. For drums I use Logic and Fieldrecordings and foleys most time Reaper. In fact there is a big trend in taste to go back to warm analog sound of the 70ties. And this microphone for shure have its place. Somehow my wish is in this channel when it comes to compare that @Curtis Judd compare old vs new allmost every time. Most it’s possible. By the way… Condenser microphones on a boat means allmost water… here I see a major advantage with Gefell, that their condensers are better waterprotected and have not this distortion you get in outside recordings. Condensed water is the death of any microphone phantom powered. Just follow simple physics and learn intensive the resources of Sengpiel. Very easy… to follow here is much more than to spend 500 $ more for a microphone. This starts with cheap Timecode units where you can’t calibrate them and after 2 years they are trash. In such cases it’s better to solder yours own. DIY means not the price is less. It means to have something that fit yours specific needs better.
@@curtisjudd by the way buy in a shop local and never online. Allmost Thomann have shops in USA. And musicians know this. They book a journey just to go shopping direct with Thomann in Germany. What they get is exclusive VIP service to make the right decisions. I think it’s a bit crazy to buy microphone online.
'Plosvies'?? :)
LOL. I couldn’t hear for a while after the plosive sample.
Hii would you please try this, please
Lauten Audio Black Series LA-120 V2 Small-Diaphragm FET Condenser Microphone
Hi, I don't currently have access to that mic, but if I can borrow one, I'd certainly consider making a review video.
pleas do vido bout micofone
Will do!
$700 ? 😫
No, normally $899 USD.