I just scored a very good gig, the kind of thing that pays for my mortgage for a few months, and I really want to reward myself with some piece of new gear.

I’m a female voice actor with a voice that’s been described as breathy and silvery. I currently have a fair closetful of mics (Mojave 301, MKH416, MD421, a few Advanced Audios, a GAP ribbon, an Aston Spirit, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some) that I’m currently running through a Scarlett 2i2 and a Focusrite ISA One.

Currently, I’m looking at purchasing one (or two) of the following:

- New pre (Grace m101)
- New interface (Audient id14 or SSL2+)
- New mic

The mics I’ve been considering are a Blue Blueberry (while I can still find them cheap), something from BeesNeez (because I really want to hear the k47), or an Oktava (219/220/319). I’m also considering an SM7B, mostly because I’ve heard it does really nice things to ‘quiet’ voices,

I’ve wanted the Grace m101 for a while now, but the ISA One is a workhorse, and I know it very well, which makes me hesitant to trade it out.

The Scarlett, I’m not a huge fan of, but again… it still works fine, and I don’t feel like it would be a notable difference.

And the mics are just for fun. I’m not expecting to stop using my 416 for commercial work, or my Mojave for character stuff. But new sounds are always nice to have.

(In other words, I’m dangerously close to talking myself out of spending money, and I don’t want to do that. It’s been forever since I’ve bought something new for my studio that wasn’t a computer or a spendy plug-in.)

So…. Advice?

Nice post! Welcome to Gearspace. Hopefully no one runs you off with short, sarcastic, presumptuous 'advice'.

I'd keep the ISA One. They're smooth and big sounding as it is. A new mic sounds like a good idea. I've been really liking the sound of the Chandler EMI mic's. Both the Type L and the Redd. They just sound great imo. Great to check out.

Upgrading your interface may be interesting, but hard to say what kind of gains you'll get from that. Usually converter differences are very slight.

I'd get a LA2A or clone of one. I run a Sound Skulptor LA502, love it. Here's a good thread LA-2A Clones - which one to get?

I have a blueberry. It is ok. My view it sounds like a condenser version of a SM57- same frequency response to my ear. I also have an Oktava 319. I had it modified with new electronics, which isn't expensive and it sounds less harsh and sibilant. I still use it sometimes for guitar. A friend has a BeesNees, and he really likes it and it sounds good to my ear also. If you have the money, a U67 is a great tube mic, that lets you eq for your voice without changing the overall sound. I have a quiet voice and when I boost it a little between 8-10K it really adds more presence. That is what I use most now.

By your own admission, it sounds like you don't really 'need' to spend any money on your set up. But hey, we're all kinda here for the gear!

With your ISA One you have a very decent pre with a headphone amp you can place and control on the desk in front of you (actually pretty useful if you're recording your own V/O), and while the preamps in the Scarletts are average low-gain interface fare, if you're operating it at line-level it's probably not damaging your sound per se.

So if you're minded to splash out... mics it probably is then.

I don't know the Mojave M310 at all – U87-like the blurb says? – but maybe another high quality LDC might be useful?

Having tried all the Blue mics (at least the early ones) I'd skip those; the only one I dug was the Kiwi but I don't think that's a good fit for a voice like yours. I'd skip buying an SM7B too - no need to go there.

In my opinion, no professional voice-over artist working in a properly treated space, male or female, can go wrong with a Neumann TLM193. A reassuringly neutral mic of pure quality that will never let you down and will always ensure you sound like 'you'. I think if a given voice needs help from a specifically flattering (either boosting or masking) mic tone then you are probably in the wrong business and/or simply not trained or experienced enough to consistently provide a workable delivery in a professional context with a truly neutral mic like the 193.

Curve ball: have you tried an RE-20 on your voice? It turns me instantly into a radio announcer, but sometimes that's just the ticket for the job, e.g. commercials etc. I prefer it to a 416 most of the time. However, for narrations, audio books etc I'd always choose my Neumann TLM170 or Gefell M930.

That said for all the talk of sinking all your budget (what is this by the way?) into one really good mic, like you I am very curious to hear the Roswell Minis and see how they do on Voice Over - at the price they are I'd be tempted to order both a K47 and a K67 and experiment to see if/whether I like either and which one might be useful to have in the locker. The only problem with this being that usually I end up keeping both, in time-honoured Gearspace tradition!

IMHO you could…
Upgrade to the Audient or SSL Interface.

Personally I’d skip the Grace, since you have the ISA One. *

Put the rest towards a mic alternative from your Mojave.
(Got VO clip examples for more specific mic advice?)

Sounds like you’re around $600 or less on the Condenser.

*Been lovin’ my $300 Useful Arts Hornet.
Competes with $1K Pre’s.

Has a cool tone coloration option on me.
Check the Hornet out!

I have a “flukey good” Oktava 319 (and a “nice” 219). But… My Beesneez Elly Studio sounds even better than the 319 for general Vocal use. Ben makes top notch capsules.
Lovely Transformer in it too.

I might be able to post a new “Elly” vocal tomorrow.
Am taking it out for a spin again.
(Pretty forgiving on Pre’s BTW )
Smooooth.
Chris

You seem very excited about the Grace Design m101 preamp, so I'll start with one piece of firm advice: Buy a Grace m103 channel strip instead. It combines the same preamp with a full-featured EQ section and a very transparent optical compressor. It's everything you need in a voice-over chain and it will reveal what you and your microphones sound like at their best. I own two of these units and I have literally never encountered a vocalist that I couldn't handle using this 1U Swiss Army Knife. Get your sound up front and you'll spend a lot less time fussing around with plug ins.

If you've got a first-generation Scarlett, you might be due for an upgrade because the A/D conversion got better after that. Preamps didn't improve until 3rd generation, but you're using an external preamp, so it doesn't matter. The main reasons to change would be to get improved DAC quality and dedicated line inputs. With that in mind, I wouldn't recommend either of the units you're considering. For little or no extra money, you could buy a MOTU M2 or M4, both of which have good level metering and use a really excellent-sounding Sabre DAC. The M4 adds two extra fixed-gain line inputs and a dedicated hardware monitoring knob, but the front TRS inputs on the M2 are also fixed-gain. This, in combination with the stepped controls on the Grace m103 and ISA One preamps, gives you total repeatability of your preamp gains, which is a big deal when a project involves multiple tracking sessions.

I found your existing mic locker a bit quirky, but that's par for the course here in Low End Theory. If you're wanting to up your game, pay close attention to the advice @ James Lehmann gave above. I own pairs of both Neumann microphones he mentioned. The TLM 193 is known and respected in the voice-over world for its natural, un-hyped sound. The TLM 107 has a much more modern top end, and you might appreciate the adjustable patterns if you routinely record using super-cardioid mics. The '107 pairs really well with a Grace m103 channel strip, BTW. That was my go-to combination for a weekly songwriter showcase I used to co-host because I never knew what kind of voices I'd be faced with, but I could always get something useable.

David L. Rick

The Roswell K67 capsule would sound excellent on a female voice. I have built and used the kit version of the K67x. It has a strong proximity effect which was a bit too much for my own bass/baritone voice. The midrange is lovely! I sold it to a friend and now I daydream about building another of their microphones. Based on my experience with its sister company's microphone I'll bet the Roswell would kill many more expensive microphones for recording a female voice!

Gee NOW I feel compelled to sing in Male Soprano today. LOL!

Chris

For voice acting, I kinda' like the Audio Technica 4047. For whatever that might be worth.

Beesneez 67 is a fine quality alternative.
Check out the big Thread.
Paul G has about every iconic mic, under the Sun. And we’re glad he started the Thread.

Not to mention he sold/Produced the millions of records from his hit Band.

FWIW I was a big fan of the BZ sound…
Prior to becoming friends with them.
All started with the “dead on” Vintage 87 tonal recreation.

And later on got “effectively” Endorsed!
(Long story short)
They MUST be hard of hearing.

Hit ya with a PM if anyone wants “more deets”
Chris

Blueberry was designed to be 251-ish.
And for close up.

My 319 is so nice stock, I’m “afraid” to screw around with it. Got lucky. 219/319’s vary a lot.

Now and then was tempted to send the 219 off to Sitler.
But “as is” it’s like a built in De-Esser is already in it.

Handy for scripts/songs with tons of “S’s” in them.
Chris

Sitler did my 319. He was good to deal with and the results are excellent. But if you'r 219 is like a de-esser, I wouldn't mess with it either.

Well let's try lyric Baritone first. ...

Just took the RAW "one take" and only added...
Free MJUCjr./free Voxvengo Reverb (Old Skool preset).

Oddly enough Bill Miller(!) "happened" to stop by the Cafe.
Frank may have too.

So you might just hear them in the background.

Deliberately a “Speaky” vocal.
Not intended as “Showcase” piece.
Got other stuff for that!
Chris
Elly into Mackie Onyx Pre.

Experimenting with "breathiness" on this Male Soprano register "one take"!
Chris

Congrats on the gig! My suggestion would be to go for a mic like the Chandler REDD (or even the Type L as suggested previously). The built-in pre on the REDD is terrific.

Interface wise, the Apollos are good if you want to enter into or already are in the UAD ecosystem with unison plugins and such, but if you aren't then I'd suggest looking into Apogee interfaces, as their conversion is superior by all accounts.

I have been a VO artist for the last 45 years. After performing over 100,000 voice overs using just about every mic/preamp combo imaginable, Here is my suggestion... Rather than rewarding yourself with a piece of gear you don't really need, set up a retirement account / trust. You can thank me when you meet with your financial advisors years from now and they tell you how long your $6.8 million will last.

Best!

Dave

Hey we’re NOT “RetirementSpace!

But a lot of us are retired!

True.
And…

I’d rather be over the hill.
Then under it!

Live and have fun!
Chris

Touché, A dude over at retirementspace asked how he should invest, and I told him to get that Arp 2600 and gold plated U67 he always wanted, and he said "this ain't gearspace".

Guess I'm a little bassakward.

So…
What Advanced Audio mics do you already have?
They’re pretty nice sounding

If/when you upgrade to something like an Audient or SSL Interface…

The 2 in 2 might just be a back up.
(Or a nice gift to someone you know)
I’m pretty much done with selling stuff, with John Q. Public

Personally, I do like the ISA One and would probably keep it.
Chris