News
Microphone "Shoot Out" with Singer/Songwriter Luisa Bertolatti
1st June 2009
Talented Anglo-Italian singer songwriter, Luisa Bertolatti visited Studio 1 at SAE Oxford so that she could test various vocal microphones. The purpose of this Microphone 'Shoot Out' was that Luisa was looking to for a microphone that best suited her voice, SAE students took up the challenge!
The nine chosen 'Shoot Out' microphones were:
- sE Gemini
- sE 4400
- sE 2200
- Sennheiser MD421
- AKG C414
- Microtech Geffell MT71
- Shure SM58
- CAD VX2 (Valve)
- Neumann U87
Students began by positioning three clusters of three microphones, taking care to keep the diaphragms as close as possible so the comparisons could be fairly evaluated. They then recorded Luisa singing an accapella verse and chorus from the song 'Hallelujah' into each of the three microphone clusters and then listened to each of the microphones, analyzing the characteristics of each, using the Neve Genesys to match levels and flick quickly between each compared microphones.
One of the biggest surprises was the character of the dynamic microphones, notably the Sennheiser MD421, which sounded incredibly strong in the middle range frequency, especially during the more
dynamic (loud) sections.
After a discussion students voted on each of the microphones, they then set up two semi-final microphone clusters that included our top four microphones (sE Gemini vs. CAD VX2 and AKG C414 vs. Microtech Geffell MT71), these two groups were essentially divided into valve and non-valve
Following Luisa singing into the new cluster set ups they again
evaluated the results.
The final top two choices were the sE Gemini vs AKG C414, both exhibited very different characteristics and the opinion in the control room was divided. Bringing into factors such as suitability to Luisa's voice and future flexibility (variable polar pattern) the final winner was that the AKG C414 which highlights why it is still a popular choice for female vocals.
As an interesting footnote to the listening tests, a final question was asked to the group of students (including Luisa): Which microphone would you personally purchase? .. Almost everyone (including Luisa) chose the sE Gemini because of the flattering character of the microphone.
This was a very interesting and educational workshop for all of the students because it highlighted how different each microphone is sonically and it also clearly emphasized that the 'best' microphone
varies on the singer's style and voice.
