Mics | Dave Courvoisier's Blog

They Beat Me To It!

March 22, 2013 By CourVO Leave a Comment

mehmet Mehmet Onur has often come to the States for VO conferences. He’s a prolific Turkish voice actor, TV Producer, and all-around talent. My pathway to Mehmet is Andy Boyns, a British Voice Talent who lives and works in Istanbul (known to many of you). He’s also an associate of Michael Minetree.

Mehmet recently posted a sound-comparison of the new Tascam iM2X…. the newest version of the Tascam iM2 that I reviewed last year (one of my most popular blogs evar).

Here is the link for Mehmet’s AudioBoo audio comparison of the Tascam iM2x vs. the native iPhone 5 mic: http://audioboo.fm/boos/1279412-tascam-im2x-vs-iphone5

rode IXY_02_1024x1024 What I REALLY want to see is a comparison with the Tascam iM2x and the RØDE iXY, that I mentioned in a blog last week. both have the unique X/Y mic configuration, and both fit onto the iPhone 5. Interestingly, the TascamiM2x and RØDE iXY shown here have the 30-pin connector standard on all iPhones EXCEPT the iPhone 5. Do the two new mics have the iPhone5 “Lightning” connector version too? The RØDE iXY touts the fact that it works with the iPhone5, so do they have converter plugs, or native Lightning models??? Curios nerds wanna know!

At any rate, I don’t plan to rush out and buy both of them just for the evaluation (I know, I know…unlike me), but I’ll bet someone will…and when they do…I’ll post it here.

keep

One quick “gimme” here (unrelated), Google now is out with a new app called “KEEP”. It’s being reviewed as a possible alternative to Evernote (or Catch, or SpringPad). It’s available on the Google play store for all Android devices. Side note: naysayers are now bad-mouthing ANY new program Google comes up with after the tech-giant announced it’s withdrawing support for Google Reader. Their logic: why take KEEP under consideration if Google is just going to continue to banish established products that don’t fit their new “cool factor” criteria?

Have a great weekend!

CourVO

Filed Under: Mics, Web/Tech Tagged With: Google, Rode, rodeixy, Tascam, Tascam iM2, tascam im2x, VO, voice, voice acting, voice actor, voice actors, voice artist, voice artists, voice over, voice overs, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover talent, Voiceovers, voices

Record On Your Android Device

March 17, 2013 By CourVO Leave a Comment

irigpre Now that Android OS phones are dominating the smartphone market, and Android OS tablets are becoming a regular fixture, it only follows that voice actors will be hoping to find ways to do a decent recording on those devices (the endless search for the perfect portable recording setup!).

A number of voice actors have told me they have successfully installed and recorded using the USB Audio Recorder Pro availabe in the Google Play store. My good friend, and ace audio engineer Cliff Zellman sweetened the pot when he mentioned that Audio Evolution is the perfect sound editing compliment to USB Audio Recorder Pro (also works in Windows).

Sadly, this geeky blogger has not been able to get the USB Audio Recorder Pro software to work on my Motorola XOOM tablet, nor my Google Nexus 7 tablet, despite the fact that both devices are listed as compatible with the app (and believe me, I’ve TRIED with just about every configuration I could come up with). I would encourage to you to try it though, as the app is reasonably priced, and is said to be reliable. Maybe you’ll have better luck. I continue to try to get this Android solution to work, and have a customer support ticket in with the folks at USB Audio Recorder Pro.

In the meantime, though, fellow Vegas Voicer Dennis Allen pointed me to the latest offerings from IK Multimedia…makers of the iRigMic for iOS that I’ve blogged about in months past.

Now, the folks at IK Multimedia have re-designed their iRig Recorder to work with Android too.

More than that, IK Multimedia also is out with their iRig Pre XLR Mic interface for iPhone, iPad, and Android. This device not only works across device formats, but also allows you to use any standard XLR mic input to record on your tablet or smartphone. A smart move!

I have not had a chance to evaluate the new iRig offerings, but you know I will. My iRig Pre XLR is already on order, and when I get it in, I’ll give a whirl in a comparison sound recording.

Have a great Monday!

CourVO

Filed Under: Mics, Technology Tagged With: android, Android OS, Audio Evolution, Audio Evolution app, Google Nexus 7, iOS, iPad, iPhone, iRig Pre XLR Mic, iRig Redorder, Motorola XOOM, smartphones, USB Audio Recorder Pro, VO, voice, voice acting, voice actor, voice actors, voice artist, voice artists, voice over, voice overs, voice oves, voice talent, voiceover, Voiceovers, voices

Rode’s New iXY Mic for iOS

March 10, 2013 By CourVO 2 Comments

Let’s just put this out there first: No mobile mic-with-tablet-and-app configuration will match the fidelity of your home studio. Those are the paraphrased words of top VO talent Beau Weaver, who is even more of a bloodhound on the trail of the perfect mobile solution than I am…and I’ve written extensively on it. iODock, iRigMic, Tascam iM2 and iZX…the list goes on…and Apple keeps redesigning audio configurations with each iteration of it’s devices, so there will be more gizmos in the future.

HAVING SAID THAT: Your audio – no matter where you cut it, and no matter what devices you use – is only as good as the ears of the person hearing it, and many will tell you they can’t tell the difference between such mobile devices, and the average home studio audio product.

People are cutting/sending auditions, and even doing paid voice recordings inside cars and hotel rooms with the latest clever portable recording devices available on the market.

The one that caught my attention just the other day is the RØDE iXY…so designated because of the opposing X/Y configuration of the dual mics. rode ixy-shopify_grande

Of course, RØDE is no slacker among microphone manufacturers. The New South Wales, Australia-based company has been producing quality professional mics since 1967… many of which are workhorses in plenty of studios around the world. The iXY is a bit of a departure for them, though…but a solid effort to be sure.

From their website: “The RØDE iXY is the ultimate recording microphone for iPhone®, iPad® or iPod® touch. With up to 24-bit/96k* recording and on-board high-fidelity A/D conversion, your iXY recordings are rich, smooth and accurate. At the heart of the iXY is a matched pair of ½” cardioid condenser capsules, fixed in a perfect 90 degree ‘near-coincident’ alignment. This results in immersive and true-to-life stereo recordings, captured in incredibly high detail. The iXY is supplied with a foam windshield for outdoor recording as well as a reinforced protective zip case to ensure your iXY is available whenever you need it.”

As I alluded to above, Apple has already begun designing-away compatibility, as the iXY is built to fit the 19-pin connector on all iOS devices except the newest iPads.

The unit comes with it’s own wind sock and carrying case…and is listed for $199 in the RØDE online store, which currently states it’s sold out; and suppliers like B&H, whose site says it’s on pre-order.

You can, however, acquire the attendant RØDE Rec app for iOS at $5.99. The app is pretty advanced and feature-rich, allowing different recording file formats, and standard DAW editing within the interface, as well as choices for upload. You don’t have to have the RØDE iXY to use the app.

Anybody out there got one of these yet? If so, what’s it like?

CourVO

Filed Under: iPad, iPhone, Mics Tagged With: iXY mic, mobile recording, portable recording, Rode, Rode iXY, Rode iXY microphone, Rode Microphones, Rode mics, VO, voice, voice acting, voice actor, voice actors, voice artist, voice artists, voice over, voice overs, voice talent, voiceover, Voiceovers, voices

Blue Spark Digital Review

January 24, 2013 By CourVO 6 Comments

spark1 Blue Microphone innovates…a lot. Lately, they’ve been producing a new model every few months. They’ve chose a great niche…mostly USB mics, although that’s not all they do.

At CES 2012, I visited their booth, and drooled over the Blue Spark Digital. The mic promised to record right from iOS devices, and from any USB port…no extra power source needed. At first, they promised delivery in “the Spring”. But Spring grew into Summer, and into Fall, and still no release.

Finally just prior to the Christmas season, I started seeing mention of it, and saw the listings in online equipment vendors. I had the discretionary funds to get one ($200), so I ordered from the neighborhood Guitar Center store, and in a couple of days had it in my hands. The craftsmanship on the product is excellent. It feels solid…heavy.

I was excited to break it out of the box and plug in the 30-pin connector to my 3rd-gen iPad. The manual that comes with the device says: “…Plug in your Spark Digital Microphone using the provided y-cable with the 30-pin connector. Within a few seconds, the microphone will be recognized by the iPad or iPhone and be powered up…”

sparkk4 That means the string of blue lights on the body of the mic would light up.

I waited.

Nothing.

I tried various things…but no go. Luckily I know the product spokesperson for Blue, and she was most accommodating in sending a replacement model. When it arrived, that one acted similarly until she told me in an email that I had to be in a recording app…and hit “record” to actuate the mic. It makes sense…and saves on battery…and yes, that did work. Now it lights up every time I just plug it in. I’m almost sure I tried that with the first one I got from Guitar Center…but I could be wrong. I wish it was stated in the directions that you need to open up an app and initiate a recording to get the mic to actuate.

I explain all that to say Blue has worked hard to make sure this mic WORKS. They delayed release for that very reason, and I give them high marks for delivering a device lives up to the promise. Never mind my possible human error…and the missing verbiage in the manual… this thing is cool!

spark5 So now I have a Blue Spark Digital that works great. It’s a handsome package…coming with it’s own shock-mount stand, and both sets of Y-connectors. One for USB (with headphone jack), the other with 30-pin connector (and headphone jack). It’s solid, and reliable. spark2

The only receptacle on the bottom of the mic is a mini-USB port.The box also includes a thick and luxuriously padded drawstring bag with compartments for the mic, stand, and cords. It’s handy.

I simultaneously recorded a few lines using the Spark and my TLM103. George Whittam would probably say this is not the most scientific way to do an equal evaluation, but it’s a fairly good comparative representation, I think.

spark3 I plugged the Spark into my 3rd-gen iPad, and recorded on Twisted Wave. My TLM103 was run through my Steinberg CI2 USB interface and into my Adobe Audition 6.0 DAW. The CI2 has a modest pre-amp. No other processing or effects were used. Picture 57a

I did amplify the signal on the Twisted Wave recording a little to match it to the AA6.0 recording, but otherwise there is no tampering with these .wav files.

The Blue Spark Digital may be the best mobile solution for recording away from your studio, given that you have an iOS device with a 30-pin connector. ‘Works with the iPhone too.

Maybe comparing to the TLM is not fair…but it is brutally honest. I think the Spark holds up well, actually. Let me know what you think.

First the Blue Digital Spark recording:

Now, the TLM103 recording.

CourVO

Filed Under: Mics Tagged With: Blue Microphones, blue mics, Blue Spark Digital, Neumann, Neumann TLM103, VO, voice, voice acting, voice actor, voice actors, voice artist, voice artists, voice over, voice overs, voice talent, voiceover, Voiceovers, voices

Diminishing Returns

August 8, 2012 By CourVO 1 Comment

When the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was in Las Vegas in January, I made a B-Line for the Blue Microphones booth so I could drool.

I wrote about that visit in this January blog: CES for VO’s…then again in March: CourVO on Blue Blog. I also met with the Blue mic reps at their VOICE2012 booth.

During all that time, it became clear to me the Blue Spark Digital was at the top of a new line of mics and technology of which Blue was pretty proud. At CES, Blue seemed confident that the Blue Spark Digital would be released “sometime in the Spring”.

Ahem…it’s August, and so far, among the three new mics I saw previewed at CES, only the Blue TIKI USB mic has been released.

I’m sure it’s extremely frustrating for the marketing department of a company like Blue to find the fine line between offering advance notice of a hot new product, without over-promising the release.

I think we’d all agree, though, that it’s probably better for device manufacturers to “get it right” before putting something out for distribution. Good for them, and the consumer.

However, all of this points up a basic rule of thumb worth remembering:

As voice-actors we can’t pin our hopes of improving OUR voice product, on such advances in technology. It all falls under the rule of diminishing returns.

As an example, a beginning voice-actor, using a USB stick mic plugged directly into a laptop might see a 70-80% improvement in the quality of their recording with a $500 outlay for a decent XLR mic and a basic audio interface with pre-amp. Beyond that, you reach a point of diminishing returns. Sure you could go out and buy a Neumann U-87 or TLM103 with an Avalon pre-amp…but the thousands you’d spend would only bring you a 10-15% rise in quality (ballpark).

We all (especially geek guy voice actors) are guilty of believing technology along will boost us into voice over success.

So in celebration of the law of diminishing returns, I ask you:

Would you rather keep buying more mics, or spend that money on coaching?
Will a new computer help your sound, or would a visit to FaffCon do more?
Should you spend a ton on a new demo, or get those improv classes? (tough one)
Do you really need a new mobile setup, or would the money be better spent on CRM software?
Could you skip a DAW upgrade — wait for the next version, and do some phone sessions with a valued consultant?

…just some examples of approaches that might bring a better chance of improvement in your voice product than to continue to buy newer and better equipment (uh, voice of experience, here!)

CourVO

Filed Under: Advice, Mics, Technology Tagged With: Blue Microphones, blue mics, Blue Spark Digital, VO, voice, voice acting, voice actor, voice artist, voice over, voice talent, voiceover, Voiceovers, voices

Next Gen MicPortPro?

July 19, 2012 By CourVO Leave a Comment

JK Audio makes this little gem. Appropriately, it’s called the BlueDriver in reference to it’s built-in BlueTooth wireless connection.

JK has a fine reputation for all sorts of audio interfaces, things like phone patch devices, wireless headsets, and products for intergrating broadcast, film, and telephone communications.

The BlueDriver comes in a female or male XLR configuration.

The female version fits onto a microphone for sending and pairing with a sound card, phone, headset or really anything equipped with a BlueTooth receiver. The website states: “…the 3.5 mm stereo jack contains a mic level output suitable for recording, with the clean mic signal on the left channel and the Bluetooth return on the right…” (comes in 3 or 5-pin model)

The male version would plug into the mic input of a mixer or receiving and pairing with microphone, BT-equipped phone or other device. The JK Audio site says: “…the 3.5 mm stereo jack contains a mic level output suitable for recording, with the clean mic signal on the left channel and the Bluetooth return on the right…” (also comes in 3 or 5-pin model).

Ostensibly, you could buy both, and have the ultimate BlueTooth connection, but that’d be pricey…as JK Audio has it listed at $249 each, but you can pick it up on BSW and other sites (B&H, Full Compass, etc) for around $236.

By comparison, the Centrance MicPortPro sells for ~$150 and is not wireless, but converts any XLR mic output to a USB connection. So these are two different animals save the fact that they have the same form factor, and they serve to translate a standard mic signal to another output.

Have you tried the BlueDriver? I have not, but would love to know how good the signal quality is.

My thanks to voice actor David Sigmon for the tip that led to this blog article.

Below is a quick product demonstration by a BSW rep.

CourVO

Filed Under: Mics, Technical, Technology Tagged With: Blue Driver, BlueDriver, BSW, Centrance, Centrance MicPortPro, FullCompass.com, JK Audio, MicPortPro, VO, voice, voice acting, voice actor, voice artist, voice over, voice talent, voiceover, Voiceovers, voices

CourVO on Blue Blog

March 28, 2012 By CourVO Leave a Comment

At the most recent CES confab in Vegas, I ran into one of my all-time favorite many-times-over-entrepreneur, John Pozadzides (his friends call him John-P).

We crashed into each other at the Blue Microphone exhibit, cause, well…let’s face it… they have the coolest stuff! Also, John is the creative force behind Geek Beat TV, and was conducting an interview with Blue’s Hillary Money. I blogged about the experience: “3 New Blues at CES”, where you can watch John’s video interview of the encounter.

My contact with Hillary, though, resulted in her inviting me to be interviewed for Blue’s Blog. Her questions mostly revolved around the voice-acting business, my experiences as a voice over artist, and the use of mics in my job.

The blog is now published, and it’s a quick read: Blue Notes.

Very soon, Blue is going to release it’s newest gem: The Blue Spark Digital for use with iOS devices and USB connectors. Hillalry has promised an evaluation model for a review on this blog. So watch for it.

Let me know what you think of the interview.

CourVO

Filed Under: Interview, Mics Tagged With: Blue, Blue Microhpones, CES, John Pozadzides, One Man's Blog, VO, voice, voice artist, voice over, voice talent, voiceover, voices

7 Reasons Your Mic is Good Enough

March 12, 2012 By CourVO 2 Comments

Guys…I’m talkin’ mostly to you. Some of us (ahem) tend to be geek/tech heads about voice acting (you know who you are!). We can easily make the mistake of believing that a better mic/preamp/DAW/mic cable/mixer/shockmount/USB interface/yada/yada/yada will make us sound better.

That’s true up to a point of diminishing returns, usually reached quickly.

Comparing your AKG mic to so ‘n’ so’s Sennheiser, or her Rode NT-1 to his Neumann is chasing the wind. What works best for your voice, your studio, your audio chain, your DAW???

In that spirit, I’d like to humbly submit my 7 reasons why your present mic is good enough:

Most mics will last a looooong time if you keep them fairly clean and dry. That means covering it when it’s not in use.
Only about 1/10th of 1% of anyone listening to your auditions is going to be able to tell the brand of the mic you’re using or how much it cost. They’re just gonna want to know that your sound is clean, has a low noise-floor, and you can get that same sound consistently.
You haven’t tried re-arranging your studio environment to better take advantage of your mic’s unique characteristics since you bought it. Right?
Get feedback on ways to improve your mic technique from someone like Dan Lenard , Dave DeAndrea, or Dan Friedman. Send them a couple of auditions you did recently, and ask them purty-please to give you some feedback.
How are you addressing the mic? Meaning: how are you positioning the mic in relation (distance, angle) TO your mouth?
Read up on how your audio interface/preamp/DAW is set to work with mics in general and your mic specifically. Talk to someone else who has your mic…experiment with new ways to tweak the settings. You might be surprised at the results.
Is your mic hanging down, or sitting up? Change it around, and see what happens. Adjust your pop filter’s distance from the mic.

….and the honorable mention reason why your present mic is good enough: “Oh, so you have a few extra hundred dollars lying around to buy a new one?”

CourVO

Filed Under: Mics Tagged With: microphone, microphones, Mics, miv, VO, voice, voice acting, voice actor, voice artist, voice over, voice talent, voiceover, voices

Gee! The New Apogee MiC

February 2, 2012 By CourVO Leave a Comment

My thanks to VO Pro Joe Cipriano for posting on my Voice-Over Friends FaceBook group about the new Apogee MiC.

At CES, we saw a trio of new USB and iOS-compatible mics. Then, just a couple of days ago, I ran down a few of the new mic offerings that were exhibited at NAMM.

Now Apogee steps forward with the MiC, that is due for distribution this month.

Apogee has an excellent record for producing peripherals that specifically work well with Apple devices.

Cipriano shows a comparison using his Sennheiser MKH416 and an Avalon pre-amp vs. the Apogee and an iPad. Follow the links below in the conversation thread, and listen for yourself…pretty amazing!

CourVO

Filed Under: iPad, Mics Tagged With: Apogee Mic, Joe Cipriano, mic comparison, VO, voice, voice acting, voice actor, voice arttist, voice over, voice talent, voiceover, voices

Mics From NAMM

February 1, 2012 By CourVO Leave a Comment

Voice Acting is apparently not big enough to prompt equipment makers to hold their own convention just for us (YET)…but NAMM comes close.

NAMM originally stood for North American Music Merchants, but now it’s an international show for manufacturers, affiliates, resellers, and other vendors in the world of audio.

On the heels of CES in Las Vegas, NAMM was held this year in Anaheim, CA, and broke previous records for attendance.

If you saw my quick review of the new Blue Microphones at CES, well, NAMM is that…on steroids… times ten.

Apparently USB mics continue to be the darling of any recording set — vocals, voice-overs, or musical instruments. Most audio engineers agree it’s not possible to get the same high quality fidelity from a USB microphone as you can with a XLR input, but that isn’t keeping manufacturers from trying. That’s mostly driven by the insane pace of iPhone and iPad sales, and the realization that these devices can actually serve as excellent portable/mobile recorders.

At CES and NAMM, many of the name mic vendors bring their prototypes to show off, and then make vague promises that they’ll be on shelves “mid spring”, or “sometime in March or April”, or “just before Summer”…as was the case with the 3 new “Blue” mics I reviewed.

The mic pictured above, though — the MXL Tempo — is available now. You can even get it in red and black, and it’s being priced all over the place at $59. MXL also touts it’s iPad-compatible TRIO USB mic.