VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

vkuehn · Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 10:14 pm Post subject:

There are two issues here... two topics.

Yes, SHE has a voice that will work well.

But where/how will she record this voice for the long haul. Were the recordings we listened to intended to be an example of the studio and technical technique that she will try and use going forward, or was this a "test phase" so she would know whether to begin making arrangements (and spending some money?) to locate or establish a future recording location? Does she live in a place where the only choice is to establish your own home studio? Does she live in a place where all talent is expected to come to the professional studio to perform?

LEAO16 · Joined: 02 Aug 2013 Posts: 4

Thanks for your kind words regarding Clara's V/O potential.

I padded a small room with mattresses and duvets and I recorded Clara's brother reading some Blake. You can listen to it unedited here. I used the Blue Snowball USB mic.

I hope you'll agree that it is much better than my previous attempt but there is still a lot of background noise, resembling at times a computer processing information.

My concern with buying better equipment is:
a) How can I know that my investment will definitely lead to a cleaner sound?
b) We tend to travel all the time and it would be great if we could buy some kit that we could take around with us. We are graphic designers, so have been able to earn a living taking our laptops around Europe for quite some time. Are there any reputable mobile V/O kits available online?

Thanks again for all your help,

Ed

vkuehn · Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 9:08 am Post subject:

Keep trying!

Yesterday someone loaned me a mic to try. For prejudice hard to explain, I suspect I would never, never, NEVER have ordered.... or gone to a showroom or begged my vendor to send me for trial.

It took my noise level down between 7 and 8 dB lower than my current mic.

With a very minor EQ tweak, it sounds just like MY mic. Now I have to decide.... with or without tweak?

I probably need someone else to help me. I don't trust MY ears completely when it is MY voice.

Jason Huggins · Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 9:23 am Post subject:

The only way you can really KNOW you will get cleaner sound is to invest in equipment that others use, and know get's clean sound. If you bought a solid professional mic, and a solid professional interface (and got decent quality cables) you would have a clean signal chain (you could get a Rode NT1a or AT2035 or a CAD E100s (used), and a MicPort Pro and have "clean" sound) HOWEVER......

Your environment plays a MASSIVE role in the "cleanliness" of your sound. I've heard it said that 80% of your sound is your environment, and the rest is your instrument (voice), equipment, and technique.

You will never have clean sound without cleaning up the environment. Mattresses and blankets can deaden the echo (though not very effectively), but they do NOTHING to block sound from coming into a room, and they do nothing to stop your mic from picking up your computer fan (or other noises that originate within the room).

HEAR THIS PLEASE: You can spend a MILLION DOLLARS on equipment and still have TERRIBLE sound if you don't treat the environment first.

Next steps:

1. Listen, isolate and eliminate all noise you can find in your recordings
2. Deaden the room you are recording in with Recycled Denim Insulation (found at Lowes or Menards for about $50 a bundle. I've treated a room temporarily with a single bundle)
3. Purchase a good entry-level professional microphone and USB interface (you're probably looking at $200-$400)
4. Practice, Listen, Practice, Listen, Listen, Get Coaching, Listen, Practice, Practice, Listen, Listen, Listen
5. Tweak all of the above once you know what you're listening for, then get back to number 4.

Ed Fisher · Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 7:17 pm Post subject:

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Lee Gordon · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 8:35 am Post subject:

To take Rob's point one step further, if you plan to do the bulk of your recording while staying in hotels, you may need to opt for upgraded rental cars. Sometimes the best method of getting away from elevators, ice machines, landscaping equipment, etc. is to abandon the hotel room and record in the car. In that case, you're better of with a higher-end vehicle than the bottom-of-the-chart sub-compact.

All of this discussion, however, comes with a caveat: even with talent, training, a good demo, and a proper recording environment and equipment, there is no assurance of getting work and making money, especially in the beginning. VO is a highly competitive field that requires both talent and luck to go along with the time and effort required to market oneself. And all the people who have been doing it for a while have a head start. I am not saying this to discourage you, but only in the hope that you keep your expectations realistic.
_________________
Lee Gordon, O.A.V.
Voice President of the United States
www.leegordonproductions.com
Twitter: @LeeGordonVoice

LEAO16 · Joined: 02 Aug 2013 Posts: 4

We live in England for 6 months and then Spain for the other 6 months each year, so we would need to buy recording equipment that could be relocated from one to another fairly easily. What kit would you recommend for this kind of scenario?

Many thanks for all your responses,

Ed

Bruce · Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 8:54 am Post subject:

heyguido · Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2013 9:20 am Post subject:

Here's a link to a copy of a presentation I gave at FaffCamp last spring....

https://docs.google.com/document/d/11C8TdVkyPKKErXvACLII-qFh57n3YC8zNR-elK6oY2g/edit?usp=docslist_api

It was designed for the travelling VO, and offers some helpful tips and tricks for recording on the road. It also includes some suggestions for assembling a portable recording rig. You might find it helpful.

If you have questions about specifics in the presentation, feel free to PM me. Inoccent

_________________
Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"