Microphone review thread

[luvmeeh_007]

I'm sorry if this is innappropiate for this thread:

OKay I have a question, as I might....don't know but will....represent the VERY poor people....if there are any....

I am the poorest of the poorest. I have barely ten bucks to fill gas every two weeks...maybe that's because I drive family friends kids....enough of that. As I said, "I'M STINKIN' POOR HERE!!"

I really want to do VA but I don't have the money to spend on such luxury. I try using my computer mic....laptop....but when I play it, it collects all the little particles...like the clicking of the key boards...very loud....and even though I'm speaking as clearly as I can (working on making my voice clear) I really don't think this is working out.

I know I can buy mics that are okay for a few days than go BOING! But I really want a quality mic but with the affordity of like pennies....... ......

SO I know this is mean and unjust, but.....PLEASE! If anyone has a old mic they don't want or are wanting to get a new one and putting aside the old, please donate it to me! I really want to VA but I really don't have money, balancing gas and school books are hard. Especially since my parents pay for school, and I care for my three siblings.

I mean okay....$60 and $70 dollars....(what I recieved twice for my pay every two weeks...crappy...barely paid for gas) is alot of money but I mean come on! I really want to!!!! But I can't afford one regardless of price. I'm saving right now to buy the necessary programs and equipments but that might take till next year. (I put in at least $2 every two weeks. Gas people....)

So not to be beggy but yes, if you would like to donate a working mic that you "DO NOT" want, I say that because I do not want to oppose people who might not want to do it and feel wierd. So for those who are either getting new ones or have old ones that are willing to send there oldies please email me:
luvmeeh_007@yahoo.com

And put in as the subject:
"mic donation"

THank You

[rob]

Samson C03 (Condenser)

I've long been a fan of Samson's microphones -- and I'm happy to say that the Samson C03 (which I just purchased) is another great investment.

It's quite responsive, and produces a well-balanced sound. The built-in 10dB pad and high-pass filter are welcome additions, and are quite useful in preventing the common "overly sharp" sound that many lower-end condenser mics produce.

If anything, it tends to be on the soft side -- a great choice for vocals (it's excellent for both voice actors and singers). That's not to say that it doesn't capture the highs well -- it does a phenomenal job with that too -- it just doesn't emphasize them the same way that some other mics do.

It has three pickup patterns, SuperCardiod, omnidirectional, and figure-8. Of those, I'd say that it does best with SuperCardiod and omni -- but all three produced good results.

Even with the pad and high-pass engaged, it did a great job at catching low vocals, something that my previous mid-range mics have not.

Overall, I'm very impressed with the Samson C03 -- in my opinion, it was money well spent.

-Rob

P.S. One more thing to note -- don't expect this mic to produce good sound without a pop filter. It's incredibly sensitive, and tops out very easily on the harder sounds. A spider mount might also be a good investment, although I've had good results with and without one.

[L. Mikia]

I switch around a lot. I don't have any moolah to spend on equipment so I've switched at least 3 times this year. I can't remember the first mic's make and model but I have used a Plantronics headset and now I use a Labtec standing PC microphone, I also use a SkullCandy Ti headset so that what I listen to isn't picked up by the mic.

The Labtec mic works pretty well for what it is.

[SakuraLee]

I switch around a lot. I don't have any moolah to spend on equipment so I've switched at least 3 times this year. I can't remember the first mic's make and model but I have used a Plantronics headset and now I use a Labtec standing PC microphone, I also use a SkullCandy Ti headset so that what I listen to isn't picked up by the mic.

The Labtec mic works pretty well for what it is.

I also have a plantronics headset cost about $50 (£25 anyway) but the actual headphones themselves dead on me and the sound quality is horrific, as I assume the wiring inside must have broken/become damaged, and I've only had them about two weeks... maybe that was just me? :S
The microphone though is okay quality of recording, but picks up quite a bit of background noise and the recordings don't withstand the 'noise removal' process in audacity too well either.

And I love that SkullCandy Ti Headset <3

NEXT DAY EDIT: Purchased the SkullCandy Ti Headset XD
Not just because it looks uber uber uber cool <3, but from its specifications it looks pretty decent too, while most mics and headphones I've looked at generally go from 50hz-18000 khz the skull candy one goes from 18 Hz - 22000 kHz.

[Okami-Kun]

Thought I'd post a review of the new set up I am using:

MXL USB .006: $130

On Stage Mic Stand w/ Boom: $20

Nady Metal Pop Filter (gold): $20

Adobe Audition 2.0: $Crapload (but I got it for free)

The MXL USB .006 mic is perfect for the voice actor working at home. It's got a built in pre-amp with switch for three separate pads (Regular, -5db Pad, and -10db pad...seeing as I was raised in theater and project alot, the lowest pad is what I use). It really pics up the tones well, and even adds a little something to your voice. I picked it up on reccomendation from my friend, who uses a 2001 model MXL mic with a USB preamp. The only negative I have about the mic I use is just that. It doesn't have a physical source to change the volume with, and as it stands, I haven't figured out how to tweak it yet through my control panel (whcih only associates the mic with the line in input on the back of the sound card). The mic stand and pop filter are top notch for the budgeted voice actor. The mic stand does what it needs to, so it shouldn't matter that there are $70 ones out there. It's a mic stand...you don't need it for anything special. It just has to work. The pop filter is interesting. It has eliminated my plosives and it doesn't colorize my voice as some nylon ones tend to do. It was only $20, but it works great. My only quirck with it is that it is soley the filter without a rim around it, so you are liable to bend it easily (but as long as you take care of it, it works fine).

Adobe Audition, well no need to review THAT.

The only thing I am missing in my setup is a decent pair of studio monitor headphones. After looking at reviews and pricing, I've decided to go with the BehringerHPS3000 Headphones (once I get the money).

[Kaeri]

Would anyone be able either a good mic/headset combo for use on a Macbook or a quality microphone (just the mic, I can use my Plantronics headset for playback) for around/under $100?

My (above) Plantronics headset's microphone no longer works for me, and I'd like to get something that I could use on either Mac/Windows (if need be).

Anyways, just let me know what you all can suggest, and thanks in advance for your help!

~Kaeri~

[Jo'ogn]

Would those who have USB condenser microphones be so kind and sending me some recordings to give an impression of the quality of those microphones.

That would be helpful. A few lines speaking with s, k, b and p sounds. A hand clap, a finger snip. A hiss to simulate white noise and paper crumpling or a hit against a glass.

TIA

[Rogue Angel]

I just got a Snowball Mic and I just want to support BlueDragon's review ^^. It's great mic at a good price. Whilst the price may seam steep at first the quality you get is great!

However, sometimes it can be a little too sensitive and picks up the tiniest noises, clothes rustling, wind blowing, car alarm going off down the street, etc.

I hadn't picked up any background noise (and I have two (noisey!) scratching gerbils near me too, but behind the mic). However it does pick up echoes a lot. So I shall have to look into the acoustics of my room.

Apart from that everything BlueDragon said was spot on, awesome mic -_^.

[KIWI]

I just got a Snowball Mic and I just want to support BlueDragon's review ^^. It's great mic at a good price. Whilst the price may seam steep at first the quality you get is great!

I hadn't picked up any background noise (and I have two (noisey!) scratching gerbils near me too, but behind the mic). However it does pick up echoes a lot. So I shall have to look into the acoustics of my room.

Apart from that everything BlueDragon said was spot on, awesome mic -_^.

Agreed! But mine picks up a lot of noise o.O.

Yay for Snowball! Go buy it people XDD.

[Rogue Angel]

I've had a request to post an example of the snowball quality, so here's something I whipped up a few moments ago.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImGMIyTyEnc

Like the description says ignore the crummy acting, its a test lol ~^^~.