Whats the best Equipment For Voice Over?
Part 1
By Dan Lenard. “The Home Studio Master”
If you’re starting out in voice over, or voice acting, or are experienced but only worked in other people’s studios, here’s a reality check. Today, in order to compete in this rapidly growing, freelance field, you’re are going to need to create a home or “personal” voice over recording space. Notice I say “space” and not a “studio” per-say. Yes, it is a studio so to speak, but like just like if you are a visual artist or a photographer, the space you set up is a personal one that works in the confines of your home. When people think of a recording studio, the image of big windows to a booth, a big mixing board, a couch. and usually guitars hanging on a wall comes to mind. Such is not the case for your “personal” recording space. Every house is different. Every voice is different. There is no single solution to your needs. However there are some rules to consider.
In 12 years as a professional home studio consultant, I’ve helped 100’s of voice actors create their home voice over studios. My philosophy is “keep it simple.” There is a great deal of mythology out there as to what equipment you need and how to actually use it. Many websites that sell equipment want you to buy the most, and most expensive of their stock. Much of that is based on the mythology we find everywhere on the internet. Things like “Tube” enhanced pre-amps, or processing “channel strips” that are not really designed for recording voice over. Yet we see them proliferated in the marketplace and touted by many to really enhance your voice. Only problem is, those seeking talent don’t care and actually do not want you over processing your audio.
I know it may seem overwhelming. However, my advice is to not over-think this process. Finding the right equipment for doing voiceover, at home, is like deciding what mints to buy in the checkout line a the supermarket.
So, lets simplify things:
Here are 7 things to consider as you build your “personal” home voiceover studio.
- 90-95% of the quality of your voice over audio is dependent on the acoustical nature of the room you record in and how you use your microphone.
- You need to find or create a space that is quiet from outside noise and will not reflect your voice back to your mic. You could spend thousands of dollars on a professional “booth” to control those factors, or you could find a closet that can be used effectively.
- “Its not the mic,” “its not the equipment” as long as you don’t buy “cheap” equipment. Many “experts” say “they” sound great on this or that mic or this or that processor. You aren’t them, and you aren’t in their studio. We’ll discuss what type of mic you need and how to limit your choices to save you money and not sound unprofessional. However, consider this: The idea of a home voice over studio is not to make you sound great. Its to make you sound like YOU. YOU as you exist in the environment you record yourself in. Despite what gear heads will boast about in online forums, no enhancement is necessary if you set up your space properly in the first place. And, all of the engineers I talk to don’t want you messing with it!
- Software should make things easier and have a good workflow for creating single track, mono recordings. Knowing how to use that software is far more important. You don’t need bells and whistles. You need a way to simply record your voice.
- Digital interfaces. 1’s and zeros are one’s and zero’s. The job of your interface is to take the analog signal your microphone produces and convert it to the 1’s and zero’s your computer can understand and process in the software. Economy interfaces under $100 need to be avoided. However, just above that price point are some marvelous choices that will serve you well.
- If you own PC, I understand your loyalty. You can effectively use a PC system to record. Still, for professional quality audio, Apple computers are far superior for a number of reasons.
- Know what its supposed to sound like. Have an expert listen
SO, What equipment do I need to record voice-overs?
The essential components of a voice-over studio are:
Acoustic Treatment:
Auralex Foam is the industry standard for sound diffusion in a home studio. It comes in a variety of styles and colors and functionalities, like Bass traps to eliminate that “sounding like you are in a tube” sound.
ATS panels
Vocal Booth2go – Producers choice blankets.
Harbor Freight Moving Blankets 80” X 72”. Less than 8 dollars each. Or good moving blankets from some place that sells non-felt- cotton or fiberfill, “quilted” moving blankets
Sound Proofing:
Soundproofing is an exact science that requires one thing. Mass. Heavy walls. Very difficult to do on your own. Use an interior closet, Kits or Vocalbooth .com or whisperroom.com.
Microphone:
Three types:
- Dynamic mic: not ideal for voice over. avoid if you can.
- Large Diaphragm Condenser mic- What you should use. Anything between $200 and $500 will do the job.: Audio Technica 2035, 4040, CAD E100s, AKG Perception series 220-240, Harlan Hogan VO-1A.
- USB Mics. Not generally recommended due to poor digital conversion in many models. They make things easy to set-up, but that simplicity will cost you in sound quality.
4. Headphones. You need a pair of Flat response, studio headphones. The Direct
Sound EX 29’s or the Harlan Hogan Signature series Headphones.
5. Microphone Stand: a “Boom” Microphone stand. Preferably one with a round metal
base. A tripod is ok if you have room in your booth to keep the legs out of the way.
6. Shock Mount: Usually your mic will come with one.
7. Pop filters?: Not really necessary if you address the mic properly, using proper mic technique.
Audio Interface:
Some times called a DAC, An ATD and a few other names.
Keep it simple here. There are many great products out there that will do the job for you.
FocusRite Scarett 2i2 or Solo.
Steinberg UR 12
Yamaha AG03 or 06
There are lots of choices. These units are reliable and sound the same as some very expensive models that really don’t offer you anything as far as usable features for VO are concerned.
Stay tuned for Part II!
For more information and help on setting up a home voice over studio, contact Dan Lenard at http://homevoiceoverstudio.com