VoiceOver Basics: LESSON 7 - TOOLS... (PRT 2)

"I use an ALL-IN-ONE package I purchased from behringer, known as a podcaststudio. There are also other types such as the m-Audio Podcast factory. These packages usually come with a microphone, mixer/audio interface, headphone and audio editing software. I created a mic stand from an old fan base and bought a pop filter separately."

 - Tony Doe

transcript:

THE High-Speed Internet

This may sound obvious to many, and not to others. It is important to remember that many who never worked online are slowly trying it out

High-Speed Internet is a necessity these days. As a voice talent online, you will be going through thousands of web pages a year. Using faster Internet access will save you more than enough time to justify the cost.

POINTS TO CONSIDER…

What is your download/upload speed? Lower download/upload speeds will translate into slower web performance, which may affect your ability to communicate online.

However, Sites like Dropbox for file sharing has increased heavily in recent times. Having the ability to simply move files to a folder, and share a link later, is just fast and easy for you and your client. It is hard to gauge individually how “speed of delivery” factors into getting work, but “time” is “money”. Saving people time will make them think to pay you more.

Microphones

Finding the right microphone for the online voice talent can be a labor of love, and one should be diligent about finding one that provides the best audio quality, and fits your voice.

Types include…

Dynamic mics; much tougher mics like Shure, usually associated with on-stage performing. They can take a rockstar’s punishment for years! Hopefully, your home studio will not become a rockstar’s hotel visit.

·         Condenser mic, which is seemingly most common for voice artists, and generally more expensive than dynamic microphones. They are used in studios/home studios because of their sensitivity to loud noises.

Equipment

There are sound equipment packages available with professional equipment including:

·         Pre-amp

·         Mic

·         Editing software

·         Headset

·         Mic Stand

·         Windscreen/pop filter

·         Mixing board

I use an ALL-IN-ONE package I purchased from behringer, known as a podcaststudio. There are also other types such as the m-Audio Podcast factory. These packages usually come with a microphone, mixer/audio interface, headphone and audio editing software. I created a mic stand from an old fan base and bought a pop filter separately.

I also edit my works with the highly reliable Adobe Audition 3.0 and occasionally CC 6, which I purchased separately as well.

Sound booths come in many shapes and sizes; from full production house to a Porta-Booth to literally…hanging materials in a closet (and asking the neighbors to be quiet while you record ).

A sound booth, however you want yours to look must isolate you from outside noise and help your recording be nothing more than a pure, clean sound. If the sound being produced from your mouth begins to bounce off of anything, you will hear it in your recording in the form of echoes, distortion, computer fans, paper movement and so on. You may have to do many test recordings before you feel confident the recording is only ‘your voice’, and nothing else.

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