The voice bone is connected to the microphone-bone,
The microphone-bone is connected to the mixer-bone,
The mixer-bone is connected to the audio interface-bone,
And that’s how your paid for your voice.
The audio interface-bone is connected to the computer-bone,
The computer-bone is loaded with the editing software-bone,
The editing software-bone is connected to the mp3 encoder-bone,
And that’s how your paid for your voice.
The mp3 encoder-bone is connected to the e-mail-bone,
The email bone is connected to the your client-bone,
The your client-bone is connected to your wallet-bone,
And that’s how you get paid for your voice.
(I’m sure this little song will haunt me for the rest of my life.)
If you are getting into voice over and want to start taking lessons over the internet or performing and recording voice over at home. These are the things you need to do it, and the things you need to consider along the way.
In order to participate in online coaching, Internet voice over databases or to be able to record your voice on your computer you will need these items:
A modern computer.
A PC running windows XP – Software is no longer being written for Windows 98 applications. If you are looking into buying a new computer for audio or video editing consider giving Mac a look.
A microphone.
This is an area that requires some research. For studio grade microphones begin you search at Guitar Center:
Any and all products regarding audio recording for voice over can be found at Guitar Center. They always have some sort of sale going on. Your best type is microphone is going to be a condenser microphone. Begin you search here:
Some of our recommended models for the beginner are:
AKG Perception 200 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
AKG C 2000 B/H100 Microphone with Shockmount
AKG Perception 100 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Audio-Technica AT3035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Audio-Technica AT2020 Large Diaphragm Cardioid Condenser
Audio-Technica AT4040 Large-Diaphragm Studio Condenser Mic
MXL 990s Condenser Microphone
MXL MXLV63M Condenser Studio Microphone with Shockmount
MXL MXL 990/MXL 991 Recording Microphone Package
R0DE NT1-A Anniversary Model Microphone
Shure KSM27 Studio Microphone
The microphones listed above were selected because of their price and known popularity among other young talent. They are on the lower end of overall sound quality when compared to microphones 10 times their price, but will far surpass any kind of dynamic, high impedance, or computer microphone on the market. However with these microphones comes the need for cables and other specialized equipment; see below.
A means of getting the microphone signal into the computer.
None of the microphones above will plug right into your computer. Many of them require phantom power (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantom_power ) which is supplied quite conveniently by many of the Digital Audio Interfaces and simple Analog Mixers on the market today. Once again, Guitar Center is your one stop shop for all of these items:
Digidesign Mbox 2 Factory Bundle
Digidesign Mbox 2 USB Audio Interface
M-Audio FireWire 410 Computer Recording Interface
M-Audio FireWire 1814 Computer Recording Interface
M-Audio FireWire Solo Mobile Audio Interface
M-Audio MobilePre USB Portable Audio Interface
Echo Layla3G PCI Audio Interface
Many of the above solutions accept a direct microphone input, eliminating the need for a mixer. A mixer however has its advantages and can be a less expensive solution. One note: a mixer will not replace some of the items above. Often times a mixer will need to be combined with one of the above solutions in order to function and get quality sound.
Some of the mixers we recommend for the beginner are:
Mackie Onyx 4080 Premium 40-Channel Analog Live Sound Console -(just kidding)
Seriously now:
Mackie 1202-VLZ PRO Micro Mixer
Mackie DFX6 6x2 Mixer with EFX
Mackie 1402-VLZ PRO Compact Mixer
Behringer Eurorack UB1202 Mixer
Behringer Eurorack UB1002FX 4-Channel Mixer
Behringer Eurorack UBB1002 10-Input Mixer
Alesis MultiMix 8USB Mixer with USB and DSP
I have said it before and I will say it again. When buying audio equipment for voice over or any other sound application, if you buy junk, you will get junk, and if you do excel in the world of voice over you will have to buy it all over again. It is a natural tendency to want to upgrade your equipment as you move along in the business and get more professional. In fact it is to be expected.
Just remember - it is very seldom that one piece of equipment will be independent of another. Quality equipment walks hand-in-hand and many times upgrading one piece of gear will require that you upgrade others. Buy wisely and plan out your system and how it is going to function together. Do not buy more than you need and be cautious of the out of control salesperson that wants to give you more than you need.
The guys and girls at Guitar Center do not have a reputation of being pushy, but they are commissioned sales people and that can lead to issues anywhere on earth. I have always found many of them to be extremely pleasant to deal with, but here locally there is at least one that is willing to sell you crap stuff just to make a sale, rather than guide you to - and walk you through different items and explain the advantages and disadvantages of both.
There is also the risk of running into someone who knows a great deal about audio and tends to be a little snooty once they realize you don’t. Just do your homework before you walk into the store, stick to your guns but be open to suggestions. Just ask them to explain their suggestions if they are willing to offer them.
Remember to map out all of the appropriate cables and adapters you will need for your own specific system design. Often times you can over buy these items and end up spending a lot of money you didn’t have to. Be very specific about getting the audio into the computer with your sales person. Many times the Digital Audio Interface will require a certain cable or adapter to properly interface with your system.
To get the best advice when you walk into the store, ask for a “Pro Audio Specialist” and they should be able to guide you through your purchase. I have no affiliation with Guitar Center. I just happen to feel that for this business they are exquisitely stocked and prepared.
Some sort of software that allows you to record and edit the microphone signal.
Adobe Audition
Adobe Audition is our recommended software and is what we use at the studio. It is more powerful than most people will ever need, but isn’t so advanced that the layman wont be able to figure it out. It is the best, but also costs money. Below are some free and less expensive solutions that may or may not suit your needs.
Audacity
Audacity is free, open source software for recording and editing sounds. It is available for Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems
Goldwave
GoldWave is a top rated, professional digital audio editor. It contains so many great features, you will be amazed by all the things it can do:
List of Various Editors
This link lists several editors – I cannot vouch for their downloads though. Always download cautiously and when it doubt, try to find the product you want at http://www.download.com which to date has been a valuable resource for me.
Some sort of software that allows you to convert the audio file you create into an mp3.
MP3 conversion is built into Adobe Audition and several other software suites. Most people already have some means of doing this, but if you need to branch out to a 3rd party solution be gin you search here:
Encoder Options
or here:
More Options
With the proper combinations of any of the above, you will have all of the appropriate equipment necessary to function in this business as a beginner. Before you can participate in online coaching, voice over databases or the business itself, anything less than the items listed above will be insufficient. If you find that you are not willing to at least invest in the above-mentioned items to get started, then you may want to truly examine your desire to be in the business in the first place.
Voice over and learning voice over need not be outlandishly expensive, but the pursuit of voice over comes at a price. You will need to combine the cost of the above considerations with the cost of voice over coaching. Buying all of the above equipment and setting it up successfully will not make you a voice over artist.
Making the above purchases and attempting to move forward in the industry with no intention of taking any kind of voice over lessons is much akin to jumping from a plane without first learning how to properly inspect and secure your parachute.
Buy cautious, buy smart, be wise in you endeavors and as always, if you have any questions – just ask..
Thanks,
MM