What kind of equipment do I need to set up a basic recording studio to do professional quality voice overs?
recording studio equipment March 12th, 2010I would like to get into doing voice overs at some point professionally. Can anyone provide insight on what kind of inexpensive equipment I need to make voice overs from home to practice and develop?
It sounds like you are looking for a low-cost option to get your feet wet. If that is the case then I would recommend a USB condenser mic such as this:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/AudioTechnica-AT2020USB-USB-Condenser-Microphone?sku=272999&CJAID=10381297&CJPID=3838583
This connects to your computer via USB and provides the mic preamps, phantom power, and analog to digital conversion that you would usually need an Audio Interface for.
If you then decide this is something that you want to pursue, then you should make the investment in an Audio Interface. This one from PreSonus has a nice set of features for the price:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/PreSonus-AudioBox-USB?sku=243007&CJAID=10381297&CJPID=3838583
Once you have an Audio Interface your microphone selection goes through the roof. Instead of being limited to the USB mics you can choose from any one of hundreds of dynamic or condenser mics (though for voice-work I’d still recommend a condenser).
Good luck!
March 13th, 2010 at 4:56 am
Whatever you get, you’ll want to spend most of your money on a decent microphone. That’s the most important thing, obviously, unfortunately it won’t be inexpensive.
Second most important thing is a decent sound card to capture good clean audio from the microphone. Again, probably not going to be cheap.
References :
March 13th, 2010 at 5:45 am
Yes, I do voiceovers.
What he said is true. Your biggest costs are going to be mics. And not just one condenser mic. You need a library, even when starting out. Get at least one $300 to $500 dollar mic. I went with the KSM27, Bluebird and GrooveTube. My favorite is the Bluebird, but I use the others for different businesses and effects. Most studios have a SM58. This is a low price, general purpose mic. Good for voices spoken and singing (yelling). If you can get some middle-of-the-road Sennheiser mics, that would add to it very well.
Make sure your cables are in top condition and always coil and lay down after use. Do not hang. I use a file cabinet.
I interface to my computer through a Presonus Firepod, firewire connection. All eight ports supply power for mics. My computer has firewire with (love or hate it) Adobe Audition. I’m an old Syntrillium "Cool Edit Pro" user that saw CEP purchased by Adobe and renamed Audition. Most studios are using ProTools or Cubase or something else. For voiceovers, Audition does it for me. It now has mastering ability.
Walls of the studio are lined with carpeting. Egg cartons are slowly being replaced by Aurolex in strategic places in my basement, at $30 a sheet.
Finally, the last thing I will share with you….
There are six people in the world that are making any kind of living salary from voiceovers. Sadly, one of them, Don Lafontain, passed away. Now, there are five.
Check out the links
Go get ‘em
References :
Bluebird:
http://eshop.macsales.com/images/Items/BLMBLUEBIRD/Bluebird_PopShock.jpg
KSM27:
http://www.beringmusic.com/store/images/Shure%20KSM27-MED.jpg
Groove Tube:
http://www.microphonereviews.com/images/content/product/groove-tubes-gt50/large/GT55.jpg
SM58:
http://www.gadgets-reviews.com/uimg_new/sm58-1228244611.jpg
Firepod:
http://nitetymesounds.com/louonline/jslmusic/images/presonus_firepod_fp10.jpg
Auralex:
http://www.proaudiosuperstore.com/media/auralex-dst_5cr.jpg
egg cartons:
http://www.eggcartons.com/
Voiceover Experts Tutorials
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=21A5B09F20338ED8
Hal Douglas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVDzuT0fXro
Don LaFontaine: The Voice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QPMvj_xejg&feature=related
March 13th, 2010 at 6:31 am
It sounds like you are looking for a low-cost option to get your feet wet. If that is the case then I would recommend a USB condenser mic such as this:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/AudioTechnica-AT2020USB-USB-Condenser-Microphone?sku=272999&CJAID=10381297&CJPID=3838583
This connects to your computer via USB and provides the mic preamps, phantom power, and analog to digital conversion that you would usually need an Audio Interface for.
If you then decide this is something that you want to pursue, then you should make the investment in an Audio Interface. This one from PreSonus has a nice set of features for the price:
http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/PreSonus-AudioBox-USB?sku=243007&CJAID=10381297&CJPID=3838583
Once you have an Audio Interface your microphone selection goes through the roof. Instead of being limited to the USB mics you can choose from any one of hundreds of dynamic or condenser mics (though for voice-work I’d still recommend a condenser).
Good luck!
References :
http://www.basic-home-recording-studio.com/audio-interfaces.html