We put the Audio-Technica AT2020 microphone up against the Blue Snowball Ice to hear the difference on both male and female voice-over. The Snowball is a lower cost microphone and is widely used as a gaming microphone, as well as by those just starting out in audio, video production, and voice-over. The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone that retails at the low price of around $100. It is not a USB microphone as the Snowball is, which is an advantage or disadvantage depending on how you look at it. The AT2020 (much like the AKG220) has a pretty decent fanbase due to it's low cost (and presumably, it's sound) and many see it as a great starter microphone for voiceover, but how does it compare to a widely used entry-level USB microphone like the Snowball?
The waters are muddied even more when considering that the Audio Technica AT2020 is also made as a USB mic with a price of $150. Keep in mind, the AT2020 in this comparison is the normal XLR microphone, running through our D.A.V. electronics Broadhurst Gardens No. 1 Mic Amp and then into our Avid Omni interface. We have not had a chance to test the USB version of this microphone.
As far as the Snowball Ice is concerned, USB microphones in general are definitely convenient microphones in that everything you need is in one unit - the pre-amp, the USB interface, and the microphone itself. However, one thing to keep in mind if you are planning on using a Blue Snowball for voice over, or really any USB mic for voice-over, is that this all-in-one quality can also hinder your upgrade path along your voiceover journey. Once you're ready to upgrade your microphone to a higher quality and more professional and balanced sounding microphone, you'll find yourself back to square one without any interface or microphone pre-amp. For this reason, it's advisable that USB mics are used secondarily for travel auditions, as a gaming USB microphone, or in other secondary usb mic uses. On top of that, the price you're paying for the all-in-one quality also cheapens the overall components of the microphone itself, creating problems with quality as compared to a standard XLR microphone, not to mention that tonality is impacted by your choice or outboard gear, including your pre-amp and your converter. Nonetheless, the Blue Snowball for voiceover can be great as backup or secondary microphone - or if you're just dipping your toe into the world of VO and aren't quite sure if you want to take the leap entirely.
The Audio-Technica AT2020 retails at around $100 for the XLR edition, and the Snowball Ice retails at around $50.
Female Talent: Laura Young
Male Talent: Greg Johnson
Keep in mind that these voiceover microphone comparisons are best when listened to in a quality set of headphones or studio monitors. It can be hard to hear the difference when listening on a laptop or phone.
Also, remember that every microphone will sound different on your voice and in your recording environment. The room where we record these comparison videos has been professionally built and acoustically treated, so these mics are likely to sound different in a different space. Always remember that investing in proper acoustic treatment can make a not-so-good mic sound substantially better, so factoring acoustic treatment into the cost of your build is highly recommended.
For more voiceover goodies, head over to www.voiceover-workshop.com
16 сен 2024
