[Hidden-tech] best equipment for home voiceover studio

[Michael Billingsley]

I second Matt's and Rikk's suggestion about the Icicle (or similar  
products) which can be obtained from Musician's Friend, as well,  
which has a stock of related products to assist you with production  
like stands, booms, soundfoam, etc.  You can also try - for an even  
better and more specialised, well-priced set of pro gear and related  
products - the folks at BSW (Broadcast Supply Warehouse) who are  
superb and have excellent follow-up.

The two things that will condition your "sound" (besides your voice  
formants and your technique, of course) and hence the success of your  
output, entirely, are your choice of microphone, and your recording  
space.

Some folks working at home find it easiest to take a closet, strip it  
of contents, and line it with sound-absorbent foam (which is not just  
any foam) so it is as "dead" as possible.   Once you position a work  
easel in it, add a work light and a comfortable chair facing in...  
plus a mic boom, you're all set.

The computer and its possible noisy fans (and bulk) can be outside  
the room and off toward whatever is your dominant typing hand, for  
mousing, etc.

The mic is a different proposition.  Your voice can sound overly  
strident, flat, whiney, boom-y, hollow, edgy, pushy, silky, over- 
mellow or "just right" depending upon which microphone you choose.   
Ideally you should not have to touch your EQ controls to sound right.

My suggestion is that you go to a dealer with a good selection of  
voice mics (Parsons Pro Audio in Wellesley is who first comes to  
mind).    At Parsons - http://www.paudio.com/Pages/home.html - Marc  
Parsons has an excellent and well-trained staff, and has an excellent  
training component as well.   Tell them that you're looking for a  
good voiceover mic in the $400-1000 range (or whatever your range  
is), and that you'd like to do some A/B/C comparisons... and make an  
appointment.

Another possible option and close by is Klondike Sound in  
Greenfield.  Because they have a diverse rental locker, you can "rent  
to try" and play with their range, and then order from amongst the  
brands they represent - http://Klondikesound.com/

Michael Cerulli Billingsley
Straight Arrow Recordings, Brattleboro
Location Recording - CD Mastering - Audio Solutions/FX


On  20 Jul 09, at 12:37 PM, Matt Lampiasi wrote:

>    ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the  
> member's area.
>    ** If you did, we all thank you.
>
>
>
> Betty
> This is a pretty neat new thing that may appeal if you don't have a  
> preamp/DI or other way to get a high quality input into the computer:
> http://www.guitarcenter.com/Blue-Icicle-XLR-to-USB-Mic-Converter- 
> Mic-Preamp-105315832-i1427196.gc
> this company makes very nice mics.
>
> I like the presonus products, they have nice little di boxes with  
> nice preamps for a xlr type mic that Rick mentions.
> http://www.guitarcenter.com/PreSonus-Audiobox-USB-Recording- 
> Package-243008-i1394696.gc
>
> (but i'd go with one of their firewire ports if your computer has  
> firewire)
>
> http://www.guitarcenter.com/PreSonus-FireBox-24-bit-96kHz-FireWire- 
> Recording-System-103023966-i1125347.gc
> or the kit:
> http://www.guitarcenter.com/PreSonus-FireBox-Studio-Package-247106- 
> i1126300.gc
> (but you might do better getting a better microphone than what  
> comes in those packages,  and get microphone advise from someone  
> like Rick , this is just hobby stuff to me)
>
> dont forget ;)  you can get all this stuff locally at downtown  
> sounds or similar. they can answer these type questions too. ask  
> for jim. but get other opinions too theres endless ways and options.
>
> also with a local store you can try out various mics , record them,  
> see what sounds good for your partricular voice a Rick said, ive  
> done this with downtown sounds with various mics.
>
>
> Rikk Desgres wrote:
>>
>>
>> Betty,
>>
>> The first thing you will need is a good microphone. Which is the  
>> best? Well there is no one best, it all depends on your voice.  
>> Good mics can run you a few hundred to a thousands of bucks. Audio  
>> Technica makes some entry level VO mics. Sony also makes a low  
>> priced broadcast mic. You may not need a Neumann right now.
>>
>> Second you are going to need a pre-amp or io box with a pre-amp.  
>> Just plugging in a mic to your computer will not get you hi  
>> fidelity sound. The pre-amp in your computer costs $0.10 and  
>> sounds like it. I’d look at the Digidesign M box or equivalent.
>>
>> Lastly you will need software that you can record and edit. While  
>> Audacity is not a bad piece of software, you might be something  
>> with your io box. The aforementioned M Box will come with Pro  
>> Tools for instance.
>>
>> I did not mention WHERE to record your VO. You’ll need someplace  
>> quiet and with little reflections. If you record VO in your  
>> bathroom you’ll get reflections (reverb) and it won’t sound very  
>> nice. You can get small VO booths where you stick your head around  
>> some foam and it will cut room reflections.
>>
>>
>> If you want to talk about it feel free to give me a call.
>>
>> Rikk
>>
>>
>>
>> On 7/20/09 8:50 AM, "Betty Schwartz" <betty.schwartz2 at verizon.net>  
>> wrote:
>>
>>   ** Be sure to fill out the survey/skills inventory in the  
>> member's area.
>>    ** If you did, we all thank you.
>>
>>
>> I am launching a voiceover business and would like recommendations  
>> for equipping a home recording studio.  My immediate need is for a  
>> good microphone and anything else I need for quality auditions as  
>> I am being asked to audition from home.  I have the Audacity  
>> software program I am now learning to use.  I am currently using  
>> the studio of my voice coach to record jobs. I would like to get  
>> more established before I set up my own studio but that may be  
>> just around the corner so I'd like to start learning about the  
>> equipment now.  If anyone hires voice talent and needs a warm,  
>> authoritative yet friendly, professional, persuasive voice, I'm  
>> your woman!  Please contact me for my demo reels.  For a sample,  
>> go to Amy Zuckerman's web site for her book 2030: A Day in the  
>> Life of Tomorrow's Kids and go to "Click here to hear about  
>> 2030."  Thanks!
>> Betty Lewis Schwartz
>> blewisvoice at gmail.com
>>
>>
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>> -- 
>> Rikk Desgres
>> Pinehurst Pictures & Sound
>> http://www.pinehurstpictures.com
>> (413) 584-6200
>>
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> -- 
> Thank you,
> Matt Lampiasi
> Florence I.T. - A Community IT shop.
> 413-303-9167 or @ florenceit.net
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