My friend and mentor Philip Banks has posted the first of what promised to be an on-going series of instructional videos from the “Number One Voice Overism coach in Portgordon.”
Philip has a unique sense of humour (I’m using the UK spelling intentionally here as Philip is a citizen of the UK) and certainly isn’t everyone’s cup of tea.
great video, thanks!
Love the video, but I don’t understand why he doesn’t SOUND far away. I don’t use the same mic as him, but if I place mine the 6-8 inches away that he has it and then up the gain to get the same levels, I sound like I’m in a box.
Lovely! Thanks so much for sharing Bob. I’ve just tweeted this via FB. 🙂
Jeffrey,
The difference isn’t the microphone, it’s the room in which it sits. Philip’s “wee huttie” is as acoustically perfect as a space that size can be. If your booth sounds like a box when you move your microphone away and raise the gain, it needs some further treatment get to that same, nearly perfect, place.
Now, I’ve heard your booth and it sounds fine because you have things adjusted so they work for you.
Don’t fall into the trap (here Jeff I’m speaking to everyone reading and not specifically you) of comparing yourself to others. Find the sweet spot that works for you, continue to experiment to see if there’s something even better; but go with what works.
Be well,
Bob
Stefania,
Thank you!
Be well,
Bob
Bob,
Thanks for this post. I’ve also been wondering how Philip’s mic could be placed where it is. I was wondering if his deep voice made the difference.
I look forward to his next video. I enjoy his sense of humour as well as listening to his lovely accent.
Chris
Thanks for the insight, Bob. My comparison to the lovely and talented Mr Banks had a reason: Even with a pop screen I’m still getting plosives because my mic is so close. But moving it away, I get the aformentioned box sound.
So, thank you, you’ve answered my question. Not the answer I was hoping for, but truthful nonetheless.
Bob,
Your response to Jeffrey is right on. Most rooms have “dodgy” acoustics, as Mr. Banks might say. A pre-fab booth may make the mic environment quieter, but bring the reflecting frequencies higher in the audible spectrum, making them more noticeable.
My (U87) mic position is a little lower than Phillip’s and a little more to the right. In any case it can be out of the line of sight as long as it’s pointed at one’s mouth. You do have to learn some “technique” and hit a consistent spot relative to the mic. You don’t want to weave around and even lean in “behind” the mic, as I’ve seen some voiceoverists do.
Most people like the “larger than life” sound of working a large-diaphragm mic “close.” But then pops become an issue and the high end will start to smear, which makes your voice sound dull and unfocused. So the optimal distance is generally in the 6-8″ range, if your acoustical environment will permit. Those mics were designed (way back before my time, even) to be used at about arm’s length in front of an orchestra.
By the way, this video demonstrates that the U87 is not a noisy mic, as someone previously alleged. Pulling the mic farther back means more preamp gain to get the same output level, and Phil’s mic is plenty quiet.
Dan,
Thanks for the excellent and insightful comments. By the way, I spent the weekend in Kansas City and had dinner last night with Don Miller and his wife. They say “hi.”
Be well,
Bob
Nice post Bob – I’ve worked with Phillip on numerous occasions. I knew he had a great voice… didn’t realize he was such a comedian:)
Chris,
Philip is a very funny man.
Be well,
Bob