Need to Really Quiet a Room?

Do you have really noisy neighbors? Your air-conditioner is louder than you? Just can't get your room to "sound right?"

You may need MUTE MIC.

It Blow'd Up!!

I feel so stupid. My heart is broken. I am lost. let me share what happened.
I was in the old sound booth recording a movie trailer like spot for local radio and TV. I broke out the Sennheiser MKH-416 and WOW--it felt like the good old days. I was cooking. It really sounded good.
Then disaster struck. As I turned to make an adjustment on levels, I pulled a cord and WHAM-- I pulled my favorite testing preamp off the shelf.
Boom! Loud pop and lots of flash and sparks. My heavy duty surge protector not only shut everything down, the circuit breaker clicked off.

Shock and dismay. I felt like part of my soul had been ripped out. I really liked that little preamp. I had planned to write a detailed description and review of the Rane MS-1b preamp and why we used that particular unit.

Many of you have been asking lately about what preamp we used on most of our tests and why. I did not think it would be fair to test our wide variety and diversity of microphones on something like a John Hardy M1 (unless I actually had one) and after much consultation with many experts and technicians, we decided the little plain Rane would be the most appropriate for unbiased testing on a "lowest common denominator" basis.

Still, my feelings are hurt. Should I try to send the unit back to Rane for repairs? Just buy another? Or do you suggest another brand replacement to better serve our purpose.

Console me. Let me hear what you think. I am still too much in shock, literally, to make a sane decision.

Thanks
Fumbles

New Mic Tech..Is it coming?

Microphone diaphram moved by light bounced off sound waves!!

Is it time for new technology to get the most from the golden tones? This new Sennheiser mic is NOT going to make anyone sound like the ultimate voice.
But, isn't the idea interesting.

Is Apple Distorting the Term "VoiceOver?"

Ah! We showed you the Apple "how to record voiceover" with Joe Cipriano. (or was that Microsoft?) Anyway... Apple has adopted the term for a device that pronounces the name of the song and artist as you listen on your iPod. And it seems they intentionally used a very robotic voice to convey the information. Will that be a future trend we will need to emulate?
Check it out HERE.

What MXL do You Want to Hear?

Remember the most recognizable opening line to one of the most requested Rock'n Roll songs of all time? "What song is it you want to hear...?"

Well, Roy Harper of Marshall Electronics' and MXL has thrown out the question, "What mic is it you want to hear?"

You wouldn't believe the number of questions we get about the various MXL mics, particularly the ones on the Mic Test Page. We tell them about our experience with those mics or refer them to someone we know is using a model they are asking about or relay their impressions.

To summerize most answers--A lot of Mic for the Money.

Now MXL has kicked the bar up several notches and the questions are coming in.
"Which new MXL is best for voiceover?"


For review look back at George Whittam's talk with Roy at NAMM. Or his on-site tests of a few of those mics.

Most of you have asked about the new "flagship" Genesis tube. Duh! Yeah, I would think it would sound great for voiceover, but like you, I would like to hear it for myself.

To be more specific to our goals of finding the right mic for voiceover, I believe we need to hear the new V87 and the V89 to compare to the fabulous V88 we already tested.
I would be crazy not to suggest the New Gold 35 as a deal maker. I am a firm believer that if you look good while talking--you will sound good.

All of the above mics except the V89 have the "broadcast use" icon that usually means great for the spoken word.

There's more. Many of you have asked for a while about the new MXL shotgun mics. Yes, I have selfish reasons to wonder about the high end shotgun but let's concentrate on the most likely highest and best use mics for now.
Also, many questions about the MXL Mic Mate Pro. I am a big believer in this type of product and I think we will see more of this type of interface used.

Now it's up to you. Tell Roy what you would like to hear tested and compared. Make your requests and maybe give us a reason for asking about a particular MXL mic. What have you heard. What do you want to hear?
Email or use our comment section below.

Remember, I may be an old CHEAP Turkey.... But I am not a FREEBIRD!

"Won't you fly high...Oh Freebird." Lynyrd Skynyrd

Let Me Hear From You NOW.

Want to Build Some Headphones?

So how hard can it be to put headphones together?

Sennheiser Headphone Assembly

We're Back. Thanks for your calls.

Isn't that just like it? You go out of town; get a little flu bug; and all heck breaks loose. An account conflict knocked the VO Mic Tests page off Dotster for a while. It's back!
Thanks to everyone that called and left messages and emailed me.

To update...(and not to make excuses 'cause there are none) My partners and I have taken over the Cable Leased-Access Channels we were working with and are getting lots of inquiries to expand to other markets. Be on the look-out for cheap and cheezy local-access programming coming to a small town near you.
Plus, my audio production services are back in demand (I must be too cheap) and we have contracts to produce radio ads for several new clients.

Enough about me! Let talk about what's really important--THE MICS!
No matter how busy we get, there will be time to update news and information about finding the right sound or the right deal on the right sound.

What's Coming:

I got a letter from Bob Heil of Heilsound Microphones yesterday. Look for info on Heil Service and some news on possible new discoveries and products that may blow some minds.

Micheal Joly of Oktavamod is spilling his brains about how to improve very obtainable mics to super-studio quality (remember my killer SP-1). He is even giving out FREE tips on how to do it yourself.

Our buddy Roy at MXL has gone crazy with new product. I mean MXL is SERIOUS. I think they now have too many choices. About the time we narrow in on a particular group that sounds great for voiceover, they come out with another group that specs out even better. MXL has up'ped the boogie factor in quality control.

And that promised letter from KEL mics about breakthrough new mics.

Plus, your letters, comments and tests. You guys are the real cutting edge on finding true quality at the best deals. KEEP SENDING IT...WE'RE LISTENING.

Now....Get your butt back to work!