Have we found THE Voiceover Mic????

[@seijban6186]

Thanks a lot for featuring my mic, Mike! My partner ran up and shoved this video in my face the moment you posted it. Now I can boast to my friends that my mic has been inside Booth Junkie's booth and had you speak in it. And it was a shootout video too! I love these. This really made my day!

[@radiozelaza]

next stage is to be inside Booth Junkie's booth's junkie!

[@TheOstorlab]

Thank you for lending Mike this mic. I always wanted to hear a good review of it.

[@alexrosales8212]

@@radiozelaza Well if you did that you know what would happen right!!! Immediately and without a doubt he would have you record something!

[@TheOstorlab]

@_kf_ tr_a Thank you for thanking me for thanking Seij.

[@mmike855]

@_kf_ tr_a Hahahah

[@enriquekahn9405]

The real takeaway from this video is that Mike sounds amazing on any mic.

[@LiamFlaunch]

That's why his name is so similar to mic

[@samtripleseven]

@@LiamFlaunch exactly

[@tw364]

@@samtripleseven He's actually a puker. Sounds like an 80's smooth jazz jock.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks for providing these samples right next to each other Mike, super helpful!

[@Podcastage]

Haha. Damn you! I just bought this mic a week ago! You best me to it.

[@TheInvasionShow]

I still wanna hear the keyboard clicks lol

[@DieFallRPG]

I still need the box throw to feel satisfied :)

[@loose_tooth]

No worries, I still need to know how it sounds four feet away from the microphone!

[@ShawnMilo]

You have all the same mics, right? Except the U87, I'm guessing. You could replicate the video with a different voice. It would be really valuable.

[@davidw7348]

I'll be honest, when I wanna dive into the world of VO and beef up my game and get inspired I throw on some BoothJunkie, but when I wanna actually make my mic purchase and be entertained simultaneously I always cross reference Podcastage. Mic review consistency is what ALL other mic reviewers don't do. THANK YOU! I will definitely be waiting for the Podcastage review too. I love you guys.

[@ytb917]

his voice sounds great on everything, because he has a magic voice. he could use a 1970s burger king drive thru mic and still sound good. i think with a bunch of random clients, the u87ai would have the highest chances of sounding good.

[@ToddDolce]

Hey,..I use a 1971 Burger King Drive thru mic for all of my podcasts and professional voice work. It rocks!

[@BoothJunkie]

Yeah, the VO-1a has a bass rumble. Its present through the whole video when that mic is active. Also, I did reduce volume on many plosives throughout the video -- to save your ears and your subs. I'd love to hear your thoughts on THE voiceover mic. As if there could only be one ;-)

[@mjrinfl]

Agreed about the base rumble! I dont think its THE mic. But I think it's a pretty good mic for its price point. I'm not super crazy about the pattern

[@sbrown6434]

Mike, bought a mic via affiliate link. I’ve got a bunch of these but wanted to lend some support. I’ve got a question about mic preamps into A to D converter to usb. Is there a video about the equipment chain from mic to computer? I want to be sure I have it set up properly. Thanks sir!

[@smoogles.5534]

Just curious what do you attach your MKH416 too like is it behinger? kinda curious what it's connected to when you do your voice overs

[@zezesilver]

how is this comment older than the video???

[@BoothJunkie]

@@smoogles.5534 I connect to an Audient ID22 interface. (I also have a view analog preamps, but they are totally optional and not at all necessary)

[@loose_tooth]

You know, my life is crappy right now... The joy I feel when I see a Booth Junkie video! Hope you will be posting a lot more frequently. I love the booth with a selection of microphones in the background.

[@kyleethekelt]

Thank you for this extremely helpful video. As a blind viewer it's imperative for me to have each mic verbally identified, and that is what you did. I rather think I liked the Cad M179, surprisingly, and I wonder what difference female voices would make to a shootout like this.

[@itsasmy]

Omg his voice! Makes me wanna buy this mic but I'm sad it wouldn't come with this voice! 😓

[@LongBeachRunner]

I love these kinds of videos. I'm not a voice actor, nor do I use a microphone, but its interesting to learn something from your videos as a headphone enthusiast. :)

[@thewarroom1203]

We've been saying MXL is really great quality for the dollar since 2011 we've used BCD-1's in our broadcast studio for 8 years and still we're not let down. They just work and sound good! This is a great mic Mike, and excellent video as always. Thank you so much! Gotta add, I think the Lewitt is the closest match to the VO's sound, followed closely by the MKE-416. Not bad for the price point!

[@xHadesStamps]

The polar pattern of the VO1-A is called "subcardioid." It's the opposite of "supercardioid." 2 omni + 1 figure 8 (super is 2 figure 8 and 1 omni)

[@sarfios]

I'm just sitting here... thinking. How spoiled are we to have this kind of concentrated experience, knowledge, equipment and effort represented in a specific topic in just 20 minutes... give that man a like please...

[@CookieArt-h6s]

Omg. Your voice makes me feel so warm. I love it. The mics you use really does make a difference!!!

[@GodlogicProject]

The U87 is AMAZING... but the VO 1-A really holds its own! I have and love the Deity S mic 2.... but Im becoming more and more sold on the 440 PURE. Good work Mike!

[@dylanj8676]

I'd recommend spending the extra $100 bucks on the LCT 441 FLEX. It's a super useful mic.

[@ScottJamesLIve]

@@dylanj8676 I have had the 440 Pure for a couple of years and it performs quite well. And I agree that moving up to the LCT441 Flex is probably a worthwhile step up.

[@markrouse3722]

Love how us shift mic. to mic. all in a row. Best microphone shoot put ever I have seen. I have seen a lot.

[@andregautron2821]

Have to say the Vo 1-A is a smooth transparent mic. Proximity is a major selling point for me and is something I will consider down the road for a more controlled environment. Currently I use an Sm7B with fet head for low budget onsite recording as I get stuck often in places that is not forgiving when it comes to environments (room reflections) with my condensers (NT1A and or 4033). The greatest down fall of course with a dynamic the issue is with proximity. The E100s looks as though could be an alternative, would you have another recommendation ?

[@TVperson1]

The rode NT1 sounds really good. It captures the deepness in your voice.

[@dangavsterGAMES]

I've been using the Neumann TLM 102 for almost 5 years now, and I'd say its a great choice if your budget isnt quite enough for the 103. It has a nice flat frequency response too, which is great for tweaking with your preamp/mixer.

[@JollyLegend]

Hey Dan, love your NG videos and your audio sounds amazing, any tips?

[@dangavsterGAMES]

@@JollyLegend I think you're on the right track with your new mic purchase. That RE20 you bought has a much richer more bodied sound than the NT1-A and less noise too. I think as long as your space is treated enough to minimize reflections, and you are positioning yourself so you're comfortable in front of your mic you'll get a good sound. I think the only other tip I could offer is: Take advantage of VST plugins for enhancing your sound to your liking. I have a dbx 286s to enhance my sound in realtime, but before that I used a program called VST Host to run my voice through VST effects like Compression, EQ, noise gate etc to get that radio sound. And since there are so many free VST effects out there that do a phenomenal job, you can get a great processed radio like sound for no extra cost. Since VST host is an old and free program. Free plugins like LoudMax (compression/limiter) and Free Gate are widely available and Virtual Audio cable (www.vb-audio.com/Cable/) is a completely free way to output the processed effects into a device that can be used for recording. You can get a great sound for nothing with minimal effort. Heck, I used VST Host and LoudMax for many years to get a real-time processed sound before I upgraded to the dbx 286s for convenience. I'd say the mic you have now sounds great, and you're already on the right track, keep doing what your doing and I think you'll get the results you want!

[@Johnthefearless]

Have the 102 with audient id14 pretty happy with it my self

[@YannisPapadopoulos]

At least in my sound system, I'm truly impressed with the VO 1-A! Literally every other microphone sounded a bit irritating in the mid area (somewhere around 1khz-2khz) . Maybe only the sennheiser had that mid cut, but it turned out a bit too V-ish in comparison with the rest. However, somehow the VO 1-A was the most pleasing on your voice! I truly liked it. Definitely a great voice-over choice if you ask me 👍

[@2nazgul]

Rode NT1 is really cool for its price. Especially for those who don't like presence boost.

[@Tacospaceman]

Holy shit. It’s so good. That’s so unbearably close to THE voice over microphone. 10/10

[@JonnyBravo0311]

Mike, the audio and video went completely out of sync right when you started the segment on the TLM103 and continued through the MKH416. Once you got to the U87, things were synced up again. As far as audio... the VO-1 certainly sounded nice for the price. Now, to be fair, I'm not listening on expensive studio monitors or cans... I'm listening through a pair of Klipsch x6i reference buds, so I'm very likely missing a ton of the nuances that might be present. Having written that caveat, the differences I picked up were very subtle and wouldn't in any way justify the cost of the Neumanns, regardless of how the build quality compares. Sure, they sounded nice, but 10-times-as-expensive nice? No. Anyway, who am I kidding? Pretty much ANY mic would be better than the inline one on those Klipsch buds I mentioned earlier :). I keep waffling on setups... dynamic or condenser... audio interface or mixer... do I get a channel strip like the 286s or a mic activator like the dynamite (assuming a dynamic mic choice)... am I going to record into my Mac directly or do I want to pick up a Zoom... Yes, I'm starting from scratch. I thought I might give VO a try, or maybe startup a podcast or stream more or make more KZbin videos. Why, you ask? Well... honestly, it's because I have been a guest on a few podcasts and I constantly give presentations for work and have consistently heard, "you've got a great voice, have you considered doing any professional work?" Whatever it is, it will certainly be a part-time gig... unless of course someone is so blown away by my voice that I land a multi-million dollar deal :D

[@Daniel_Batal]

Sync was fine for me. Most likely a KZbin playback issue on your end.

[@danmagoo]

@@Daniel_Batal The sych issue happens for me too, starting around 12:41 . Still, a great video.

[@JonnyBravo0311]

@@Daniel_Batal It happened on two different laptops (MacBook Pro and IBM ThinkPad) using Chrome, IE, Edge and Safari, my iPhone and my iPad. I tested it multiple times before I commented, and just tested it again from a completely different location and same result. As soon as Mike snaps his fingers and does the mic check on the TLM103, audio and video go out of sync. Is it possible that every single one of these suffered the same playback issue on my end? I suppose... but it's pretty unlikely.

[@AHDudeGuy]

No, You're correct. It was out of sync for those portions.

[@robburgess4556]

The audio being out of sync with the video at 12:40 is driving my OCD to new limits 🤣 Whew, back in sync at 16:05 🤓

[@charl-johnduplessis9034]

I feel you

[@Tacospaceman]

I thought it was just me for a sec

[@williamfernandez5170]

I had to really raise my volume in order to hear what you were saying

[@stevekrumlauf8178]

Mike, at the recommendation of my sales engineer at Sweetwater, I recently upgraded my main booth microphone from a discontinued AKG to the Warm Audio WA-87. I'm told it's a nearly spot-on clone of the original Neumann U-87. Not ever having used a Neumann of any kind, I couldn't swear to that in court, but, at about $2,600 less than the U-87Ai, it fits much better into my budget and it sounds fantastic!

[@erichanderson1491]

The VO-1a sounds fantastic on your voice. Almost indistinguishable from the E100 and U87. Thanks for the great videos Mike, they're informative and entertaining.

[@ricknash3055]

The comparisons are a lot of fun to listen to on my S9 phone. Not sure the U87 was setup the same as it seemed significantly 'louder" and fuller with the preamp and compressor/limiter likely reacting a bit different. What does the complete audio chain consist of?

[@tpthai2]

SM7-B with a Cloudlifter which allows 48V Phantom Power to be applied to the SM7-B. I have a TLM 103 and other mics. Best to consider your room tone and treatment when purchasing a mic. A TLM 103 will not serve you well when used in anything but a very well treated room or space. The best thing about the TLM 103 is it picks up every nuance....the worst thing is... it picks up every nuance.

[@ClearAdventure]

I also wish he had used the SM7-B. I still believe that will be my main volcal mic for both VO, and singing. 🤘

[@1972hermanoben]

Clear Adventure, see if you can get to test the Sontronics Solo, a UK-designed-and-manufactured dynamic mic. I have the SM7b, which I love, and bought as an upgrade for my SM58 beta for singing, in my home studio as well as for gigs; the SM7b stays at home now, in the studio; the Solo is my go-to mic for gigs - in terms of presence and detail, and off-axis rejection, as well as the fact that it can be held in the palm of your hand as well as sitting in a mic clip on a stand - well, it blows both Shures out of the water. You can buy three of them for the price of one SM7b, they’ve got a lifetime guarantee and they're built like bricks. Don’t take my word for it though - if you can, try one for yourself.

[@ClearAdventure]

@@1972hermanoben Thanks, brother! I will look into them! 😁

[@TeiwazTV]

The mic sounds really good, though the volume of the video as a whole seemed a bit low. I had to crank my speakers up as high as they go in order to properly hear the VO 1-A. Honestly, I really did prefer the sound of the VO 1-A to the Neuman U87Ai and all the other mics for that matter... I just picked up an MXL 990 after seeing your review of it and BOOM it changed my world. There's still something not QUITE right with my sound, I just ordered 100 sound proof foam pads and a new sound card, I'm thinking there might be an echo that's really throwing a wrench in my recordings lol if the pads don't help I might have to upgrade to a higher tier mic and the VO 1-A sounds great! :p

[@honestlygio7830]

I'm glad that the vid shows the names of the mics and pauses long enough for me to gasp which is which.

[@totallyfrozen]

I think the Harlan Hogan runs close to the U-87 (at least in this demo) and it made the Lewitt sound thinner. The HH certainly had more beef than the Lewitt. I think it compared well against the TL-103, the Sennheiser, and the CAD. For what it’s worth, I’m listening to this over Bluetooth earbuds so I’m certain I’m missing some subtle nuances. In any case, for the price, I think it’s definitely a professional mic. I didn’t hear a reason to step up to the $1,000 TL-103 or the $3,000 U-87. This demo is just more proof that you can get a very great sounding professional mic in the $300 range.

[@honestlygio7830]

Thx for explaining and showing the image of the polar pattern because I have never heard of that.

[@goodme001]

That MXL VO 1-A does sound pretty good for the cost. It wouldn't do too good for me because I use the mic out of frame (studio not a booth), so I use a pencil condenser mic or a shot gun. I think the VO 1-A would pick up too much room noise because of the wide cardioid pattern. It does sound very good though. Thanks for the great video and information. That was a lot of mic comparisons, awesome. For me the CAD e100s...

[@PETECAROLAN]

Mike across the range you achieve a very nice sound. I.M.O. The signal processing helps define the sound of all mics. Its not just the mic you are hearing but the signal modification as well and this wasnt mentioned. In my voiceover studio I use a TLM103 into UA preamp LA 610 MZK II into UAD 2 Apollo and Cubase running waves and ua plug ins. The room has foam padding.

[@JackFright]

Mike, just wanted to say thanks. Appreciate this channel. It's been helpful while I have been putting together a basic setup for the office. I liked the E100S so much for the office that I bought one for myself as well. I do feel like I sound muddy, though. I am not certain if that is just me hearing the recording of myself and not liking it or if there is something I can do. Would you mind pointing me at any material that might help me on KZbin or elsewhere to diagnose and fix that? If you end up using that for a video topic, that would be great as well. Thanks!

[@zaidyusoff126]

This is. gold standard, great talent in front of superb microphone selections. Well done Mike!

[@billjordan5507]

Enjoy your videos. I chose the 416 because my space is far from perfect, and its super-cardioid pattern is most forgiving when a dump truck rolls down my street. Agencies/production hiouses for whom I've done stuff have been pleased with the sound. I waited for BSW to have a sale on it...Got it for $800, if I recall correctly.

[@brendanbarnes2145]

$800.Wow!

[@billjordan5507]

@@brendanbarnes2145 Keep your eyes open at BSW and Sweetwater. Deals DO happen.

[@gsuttonvo]

Hey, it's my mic! I own the VO:1a and I've gotten hundreds of jobs over the years with it. I'm adding a 416 soon, but honestly, I think there will always be a place for the VO:1a in my arsenal. I can't tell you how many compliments I've received from top industry pros over the years regarding the sound. If it ain't broke... Granted... space, editing, etc all factor into that as well. If you have a deeper-ish voice, the VO:1a may be a good choice for you. It punches above it's weight. Certainly not THE mic, but yeah.

[@IsomPhilips]

Probably an unpopular opinion but I had the TLM-103 at one time and wound up selling it because I think the Rode NT1A sounded better with my voice

[@AnthonyMartinsRock]

The best mic I the world is the one that makes YOUR voice sound awesome and ready to deliver without having to rely on the computer to fix anything.

[@luisamedina1]

What mic would you buy if you've had around $250? AT 4040, AKG 214, CAD E100S, Rode NT1, or ??? Thanks a lot in advance for your info & cool videos, man!!!!

[@paulmatulavich7321]

I just retired from a job where I was responsible for creating all of the multimedia content for the Summit County Sheriff's Office. Now I want to create a home audio booth. This video on microphones was very helpful. Is there one where you show how you created the booth in the background? I presume it has sound deadening walls or panels? Thank you Mike!

[@stevelevin2834]

Thank you for doing this! I have a Harlan Hogan VO1A and I've been very happy with it in my studio. I'm really considering adding the Sennheiser to my collection as I've heard nothing but great things from other professional voiceover talents about it. My takeaway from your video is that for the time being I'll being doing fine with what I have until I can take the plunge on the Sennheiser. Love your videos, again thank you for the comparisons.

[@crgray]

4 years ago, I sold my VO 1-A to get the CAD e100s. The MXL was good, the CAD is great.

[@alex_montoya]

I like the CAD e100s a lot!

[@smorisch]

Wish I saw this video a year ago. I'm learning tons from you. Thank you. I'm a beginner at this right now. Excited for the future :)

[@muldersfile4504]

Really digging how smooth and warm the VO is...and it surprises me that its sound pleases me more than the U87 in that regard...might need to get it.

[@SkillCult]

No way, at least 4 of those bested it for fidelity or resolution handily. Would love to see this same type comparison with the tech zone X2. Cool video. Thanks.

[@benabel886]

hey booth junkie can you answer this comment please : ) im trying to decide on wich mic i need to choose the VO 1 a or the shure sm27 for gaming commentary i have a blue snow ball ice but im trying to mess with eq and it sounds weird cuase its not the best so i whant to get a life time mic that i wont need to upgrade EVER so the sm27 or the vo 1 for voice over / gaming commentary or maybie the sm7b that might be a good one but its $100 more then these . imo the vo 1 sounds smoother then the sm27 but the sm27 has somthing else that i like but can help me i hope i m not bothering you on this THANKS!!!!!!

[@austynbilyeu2336]

Mike! Id still love to see some videos on the voiceover business side. How much do you charge for your work? How much do you process auditons? Etc. Ive found other resources but am always interested in your take :)

[@funnyvoices465]

Maybe it's my weird ears, but the proximity effect was really present to me. I'm listening in a studio with monitor speaker and your voice displayed quite a bit of added bass in addition to volume. Of course there were others that displayed more, but IMO there's quite a bit on the MXL.

[@crooker2]

I got to MEET Harland Hogan in 2004 at a Dan O'Day creative conference in LA. So many years ago... what a classic guy! "When you care enough... to send the very best." :)

[@peshno13]

THE effects on this video were spot on, lol. Love the vid Mike.

[@nil2k]

The moment you started talking into the 416, my brain said "that's the booth junkie sound I'm used to..." and yet when you switched to the other mic, there wasn't any obvious difference until your voice got into a certain range that made it a little more obvious... it's interesting how little it takes to make a difference... and surprisingly the u87 didn't even measure up in my head (but maybe it's what I'm "used" to hearing that matters here?) so maybe just for me, your 416 is THE voiceover mic.

[@aussernllc]

I've watched this video several times. Finally pulled the trigger and bought the VO microphone ($400). The microphone i tried, for years, to make sound good is the BM-8000 ($40).

[@edwardbrown1540]

Oh how I wish I could own a Neumann U87. I did however get on the waiting list and purchased the TechZone Stellar X2 that you compared a while back -- which is being delivered tomorrow; but man, that U87 is THE VOICEOVER MIC!

[@JunJP02]

The Lewitt LCT 440 Pure sold me.

[@wheelhousewatch]

Hi Mike. I know you said you were trying out new headphones. I just keep noticing that the new ones really seem to set well. Do you have the name? Thanks again.

[@MehtheLlama]

Ok I know I’m late but I want to give my opinion that is probably similar to others. Anyways, first we start with the frequency response chart. Now from 75KHZ to 1KHZ is the chest region for warmth (75KHZ is the where the human voice ends btw). So from there, a mic boosted a little bit over there gives a lot of bass, kinda like a ribbon microphone. From 1-2KHZ is kinda below the throat region is. Now 3-7KHZ is the vocal region. A boost from 3-4KHZ would make it a singing mic because it’s still in the throat region and you use your throat to make that singing tone. A boost at 5-7KHZ is the speech region for talking and/or rap (And 7KHZ is where the human voice ends again btw). Everything after that is the treble/breath of your vocals. A singing mic would have it flat up to about 2KHZ where it’ll rise till it hits 3-4KHZ where it’ll be flat from there. After that it will cut out the speech from 5-7KHZ. Then it will boost up a bit for the treble to give more breath in the vocals. For speech/rap the chart should be flat up to about 4-4.5KHZ where it slowly rises up to 5-7KHZ where it’ll be flat until it gets into the treble and kinda rolls it off a bit so the mic isn’t so breathy. Also you don’t want a mic that boosts more than 5DBS and doesn’t go below the 0db line. Now that we got that out of the way, let’s take a look at some of the mics you looked at. First is the MXL VO 1-A. As you can see, it goes below the 0db line and is all chewed up so it gives it a harsh tone in the chest. At 1khz it starts to rise all the way to 9KHZ and in the middle of that it’s all chewed up and nasty AND it goes above the 5db line. And if this was really a voice over mic it would be all flat up to about 4.5KHZ and then slowly rise a little below the 5db line and then roll of the treble a little bit after 7KHZ. Not a good mic AT ALL given your paying about $200-$300 for it. Now the CAD m179. It’s pretty flat up to about 2KHZ. Then it boosts a little bit as you can see. This gives it a little bit of throat bleed which is bad for “VO”. Then it has a round boost at 4KHZ then it drops at 5KHZ(which is where the speech starts) and then it boosts back up again at 6-7KHZ and then drops down and boosts the treble. All these wavy lines makes the coloration sound weird.This is not good if you would consider this for gamers(which are technically talking/doing speech) like you said in your review of this mic. Has an alright price tag. Next is the Lewitt LCT 440 Pure. It’s pretty flat up to about about 1.5KHZ where it lets in some throat bleed. And then at 3KHZ it kinda abruptly boosts the singing vocals when it hits 4KHZ. Then it drops a little and the speech becomes flat from 5-7KHZ. And then it boosts the treble from 8-10KHZ and then abruptly boosts it again after that and then rolls it off. All those lumps give it this weird coloration if I’m being honest. It does have an alright price tag though. And finally the CAD E100s. Your favorite. Now it has a lot of good things going for it. It’s INSANELY QUIET which is good, doesn’t boost over 5DBS, boosts in the right way for voice over and kinda rolls of the treble a bit so it doesn’t sound so breathy. But one thing to keep in mind is when the boost starts. It starts at about 4KHZ but is too abrupt, giving it a little tiny bit of a harsh tone, but it does make up for it with that nice boost. Another thing though is price because it seems like a $300 or maybe even $200 mic at the lowest. But it’s $400-$500 which can be out of people’s price range, which leads us too what I would recommend from your list. The only things I would recommend from the list is the Neumann u87 AI, Neumann tlm103, sennheiser mkh416 and rode nt1. They all pretty much have the same frequency response but have different specs AND price points. Speaking of the price points, the only one that is not so expensive is the rode nt1, but if you still can’t afford that, get the old discontinued akg perception 100/200 mic. The frequency response is pretty much the same at the u87 AI’s but like WAY MORE CHEAPER on eBay or any other site that delivers old used products. The only thing is that the self noise is kinda high but not overly high but you can fix that in software. So those are my thoughts, sorry if they where like a whole essay long lol. What do y’all think?

[@wwklnd]

I've been using a Thomann t.bone SC400 for about 8 years, and I have to say it's served me extremely well for costing 49€ (after I switched out the extremely bad preamp and audio interface I was using for a decent mixer). Solid build quality and extremely low self noise! Just the other day I though I would check out if someone had done any youtube reviews of it, and I saw that a channel called Sound Speeds did a comparison of it and the Audio Technica AT3035 and Rode NT-1. The cheap t.bone performed shockingly well. I'm not sure if they're available in the US though. :)

[@roypatterson7866]

Have you tested the PD-70 dynamic broadcasting microphone?????

[@ramspencer5492]

It's a nice mic for it's price...... Not hitting way, way above is price point or anything, but definitely worthy of consideration. It doesn't sound too colored and it's smooth enough. I'd definitely be adding some EQ with it though definitely not as rich as the higher end mics and that transformer in the u87 sure ads some beautiful harmonics.

[@samuelmcgovern]

For artists with a very limited home setup (potential surrounding echo or noise), would you recommend any over the rest? Budget < $500

[@cmdrmeldoc59]

For the price point, yes, it’s really good. If I had the money, I would go for the U87. It’s just better than the rest, but that would be expected from the price point. For someone on more of a budget that want a very good-sounding mic, the VO 1-A is plenty!

[@derkhedemann5606]

A microphone for voiceovers is very diverse and personal, because every voice is different. That's why it's so hard to find the perfect microphone for voiceovers. my tip is just try out some microphones and see which one has the best results with your voice. but this video from Booth Junkie is very educational for anyone who wants to start with voiceovers

[@drjohngoodman]

I adore my TLM-103. I'd never want to go without it.

[@RodrigoVazquez91]

That VO 1-A is almost identical to the MXL 2008

[@patbollin]

I definitely don’t have a trained ear, but I could only detect a slight difference between the 1-A and the U87.

[@walterwilliams1323]

Great mic shoot out Mike. Surprisingly the VO 1-A held it's ground pretty well amongst some stiff competition, but it's def not THE Voiceover Mic. Try my Neumann TLM 49 in "Booth Junkie" one day and you'll be impressed.

[@-whiskey-4134]

I love MXL microphones. My go to is my 770. It’s not expensive by any means, but there’s something about it that I love.

[@radzhkapoor3742]

Every mic is great. Until the Neumann apears.

[@WarrenWatsonActor]

Have you tried the Sennheiser MKH60 for comparison? I'm curious what you think of that one.

[@Sabre912]

would you recommend the VO 1-a for a beginner or would you recommend another microphone?

[@stevefreegard6406]

If you're looking for a great pair of headphones, make sure you try the Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro 80 Ohms. I've tried a lot of different headphones for studio use and these are by far my favourite.

[@audiofreakspl]

3rd vote of confidence for the BD DT770 Pro80s!!

[@DropkickNation]

Stereotypical pic. Do more research.

[@audiofreakspl]

@@DropkickNation awesome, constructive comment in which you really contribute to the conversation.

[@DropkickNation]

@@audiofreakspl Says the guy that blindly supported a statement that had no factual information to begin with.

[@audiofreakspl]

@@DropkickNation not blind, I do own those headphones, but sure, you win at the Internet. Hurrah for you.

[@misterdrummings]

I think the VO:1-A Harlan Hogan Signature Series mic is a solid one and fits nicely within the group of other mics tested within its price range. (I would have liked to be have seen the Rode NT1-A added to the mix.) I would say in regard to cost versus the higher priced mics as evidenced by the comparisons, the law of diminishing returns applies. To my ears the Neumann U87ai did not sound $2700 dollars better by any means. Durability remains to be seen, but this VO:1-A seems to be a good quality mic and a good choice for voice over and probably one you can use and make money with for a long time. To me, "THE" VO mic is more of a marketing ploy than anything but the mic stood well amongst those tested here.

[@ObscureMics]

This is one of your best videos IMO.....loved you showing the m179 proximity effect as you adjusted. I like the vo-1A!

[@danielrains2055]

I dont think u were switching between the U87 n the VO 1-A. Sounded identical.

[@danielrains2055]

@Ariel Falk u seem to know ur nice n the mxl 2006 is one I've looked into n liked. So wat do u think of the wa87? $600

[@Paul_Todkill]

Not sure if it's how you had it EQ'd but.. I actually found the 1-A to have a slightly clearer high end than the u87. Comparable low end and mids. Considering one is 10x the price, the 1-A really did hold its own. Definitely something I may consider as a dedicated VO mic. Great comparison!

[@TechButler]

To me, the U87 and the E100S sound the best.

[@powerforward1955]

Mike, great to see you doing a video...many of us miss hearing the maestro of voiceover (smile). Business: IMHO, the VO 1-A runs a good race; my preference is the TLM103, Lewitt 440 then the VO 1-A. ...wonder how the 1-A would sound with a U-87 capsule. Lastly, the smoothness and resonance of your voice is coveted by many; your training and experience has served you well. Be well...peace.

[@stepparentingmadeeasy]

Past the 1 grand mark the comparison is ruthless. There’s a world of difference. And to a trained ear…there is even more difference. But if you cannot tell the difference do not spend that money

[@mettajennifer]

I'd really like to see mic comparisons with a female voice. And the difference in "bass" between them. Maybe I'll make those vids! :)

[@EstherRappaport]

I know this comment is a year old, but yes you should! I would love to see some reviews with female voices.

[@PeteSchmidt]

Hey Mike, Have you ever messed around with the Townsend Lab Sphere L22. Would love to hear your opinion on it. I love mine!

[@pbasswil]

Yep, that Harlan Hogan VO1A sounds darn good - at least on your excellent voice. There wasn't another mic in the comparison that I thought was _better_ than it, just a few more expensive ones that also sounded very good.

[@kba95630]

Isn't the $300 VO-1a the very same mic as the $90 MXL 2006? I mean, apart from having someone's signature painted onto it? The specs look identical, including polar pattern and frequency response graph. I'm thinking if I was going to spend that much on an MXL mic, I might consider the $200 V87 instead, since it has half the self-noise (8.5 dB) and a flatter curve.

[@silverlake973]

My Rode NT1 broker after it's 2nd use!! Terrible. Made my go for the the VO 1-A since i wanted that to begin with anyway

[@oliviervuille519]

Very interesting. THE voice over microphone? Maybe you should test the Sanken CU-41. I’ve been using it every day for 25 years and never found any mic sounding as good.

[@fionastocker3582]

Excellent video - informative, entertaining - and a smooth yet robust voice to listen to. :) Thank you.

[@j.k.7242]

Hey Mike! LOVE your page and have learned so much about our craft (and gotten my setup better structured) from it. Reaper alone has been a game changer. Thank you for sharing. Was wondering if you have any experience or thoughts on the discontinued mic, M-Audio Sputnik? Came across one at an LA studio willing to let it go.

[@j.k.7242]

@Sam Yaza Thanks Sam! I went ahead and bought it, along w/ a Sennheiser MKH416 for differing voiceover work. Agents love the sound of both but really like the gravel the Sputnik captures vs the cleaner 416.

[@guitarbare]

I’m an vocalist / guitarist and I do voice over as well. I feel and again this is my take. The TLM 103 is the finest microphone I’ve found for both singing and voice over. To get a better mic I once borrowed a $10,000 original U-47 tube and yes it sounded incredible. I however did not purchase it. Why? First you had turn it on and wait 30 mins for the tube in it to stabilize. Second was it $9,,000 better? Well if your the Beatles perhaps. ( This one came out of their Abby Road Studio. 3rd my wife threatened to leave me if I bought it. I also have a few other go to Mics. AKG 414, Blue Kiwi, EV RE20 and Sennheiser. I sold my U87 I found it wax a lot of money tied up for a mic that didn’t give me any additional benefits over the TLM 103. I’m curious if any of the voice over mics you demonstrated including the MXT Hogan and the Tech one would sound for vocals singing wise in my studio. I enjoy your videos immensely. I’ve done several videos for Ketron demonstrating the SD90 a musical back up machine. I’d like to hear what you think would also be a great choice to add to my locker. Thanks for your efforts

[@carolpearl4802]

Great video, super entertaining... would have liked to see a comparison of the same voice in a DAW with a couple of samples...

[@BrantCasteel]

The U87 seems to have a much more dynamic range. Top end sounds better - not "bright" but clearer. It sounds more like I'm actually in the room with you rather than listening via a mic. The HH sounds more centered in the lower range.

[@richardhall8347]

LOVE your videos bro... I recently bought the VO-1 and LOVE it too... Amazing mic for the money. Great video. Thanks for making these vids (and this one specifically)!

[@xaosnox]

The Harlan Hogan is okay for the price, but the pickup pattern is a problem and even the RØDE NT1 beats it in sound quality and value. THE mic, not just for VO, but for almost everything, is the Townsend Labs Sphere L22. It is hands down THE best microphone in production on the planet at any price. Have you ever tried it? It''s an great mic on it's own, but what makes it AMAZING is that it's designed to emulate all of the classic mics. That's a bold claim, but, unlike other emulation mics like the Slate Digital VMS (which is a joke), they really achieved it by working closely with Universal Audio, Ocean Way Studios and top audio professionals around the world. It has two diaphragms so that it can emulate all of the pickup patterns of 30 of the most legendary mics of all time, but, more importantly, it captures the richness, warmth, depth, and sheen of the originals remarkably by using a special cable with dual XLR outs that records the front and back diaphragms separately into two channels so it can match the pickup and frequency response patterns exactly after you record. You can adjust the axis angle and proximity effect from the plugin after you record, so you can get the proximity effect of the mic without the popping and sibilance problems that occur when you're right on the mic. You can also combine different qualities of two mics-even in post. The build quality is world-class, and their focus on the quality from start to finish is astounding. If you have an Apollo, there is a UAD plugin that lets you track with it using their Unison technology that matches the impedance as well. It's truly remarkable. They also modeled the Ocean Way Studios legendary collection and Bill Putnam's collection. It's $1,499, but it would cost at least 20 times that to have all those mics in your locker-if you could find them-and you'd be spending at least a couple grand a year in upkeep on those. You can find just the right mic for each voice, and, even without any emulation, it sounds extraordinary. I've worked with it a few times recording music and VO, and it sounded more like a Neumann U47 and U87 than the particular Neumanns that were in that studio because they needed some maintenance. The producer was blown away and said, "That's what my Neumanns used to sound like!" I found this great comparison where it not only pounds the Slate VMS, it sounds better than the Telefunken 251 it's emulating. kzbin.info/www/bejne/baqwp52cftx-m7c I'd love to hear what you think of it if any of your listeners have one. The best sound for VO was achieved by using the Neve 1073 or UA 610 B channel strips in the Unison slot on the UAD Apollo, then testing different emulations in the plugin in post. Two voice actors sounded great through the Neumann/Telefunken U47 emulation, and another artist's voice just jumped out with the AKG C12 emulation. It will be my next mic purchase. And the next. And the next. Oh, and the U87 Ai is a terribly made mic that is a very pale copy of the vintage version, which is what you see in studios all over the world. The two should not be confused. The TLM 107 is the best Neumann in production currently, but there are quite a few mics, especially the Sphere L22, that smack the pants off of all of the Neumanns.

[@tomjohnson6675]

Until I get to the point that I can afford and house a TLM 103, I will keep my NT1 and be happy.

[@VoxFelis]

Neumann TLM03 $1,085 Erm...not sure I can get that juuuuust yet haha

[@RetroFan2.0]

Depends where you look I got mine for 700$

[@johndugaw8087]

Still happy with my Rhode NT-1A but then I think I heard a few there that make me kind of "needy." ;-) thanks again for an absolutely brilliant covering of the topic at hand.

[@isettech]

Sounds like voiceover technology has come of the computer age. Precision manufacturing and CAD design and modeling, they are pretty indistinguishable except the sensitivity to plosives on the one. Excellent demo, thanks. Just for comparison, the addition of a typical vocal mic, the SM51 would have been fun to add to the mix. I know, not a voiceover mic. This would be to show the difference between Vocal mics in general and voiceover mics.

[@itscrewston6684]

This channel is amazing

[@LemonLimeSqueeze]

The MKH416 and TLM103 sound way better than the U87 imo, if anything those two are "THE" voiceover mics.