Voice Over Beginner needs advice

[Ilkka Aaltonen]

Peter,

Yes, you are correct and I agree with you.
However, as I said before, I am taking this as a serious hobby more than a try to get through as a professional voice over artist.

In other words, doing it for my own enjoyment, but if there’s something that comes out of it then it’s always bonus.

However, all that I currently am planning to get is preamp and/or audio interface but I don’t know which is more needed. I presume that the audio interface, since so far, I believe you can do the voice editing with PC/Mac OR with the preamp.

[Ty Ford]

Likka,

Some of my VO students use this and it sounds OK.

https://tyfordaudiovideo.blogspot.com/2012/12/centrance-micport-pro-2496-audio-on.html

Regards,

Ty Ford

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Ilkka Aaltonen]

Ty,

Thank you for the suggestion!
Could please tell me, that is there a huge difference between XLR cables? Because I have this obsessional thought about analog cables/signal that the more high quality the cable is, the better the outcome will be.

[Ty Ford]

Likka,

The differences can be subtle. I like Gotham GAC-3 or Starquad.

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Bill Davis]

My advice as always is that the equipment matters much, MUCH less than the ability and talent you develop.

I’ve been doing professional VO work for 30 years.

So I did a modest little test for you to help you understand this…

5380_voexample.mp3.zip

One read is from spots that I delivered two days ago for a radio campaign. I did it in my studio using a very expensive professional large diaphragm condenser mic worth $1000 plus. The other I just did using the same script and the same modest audio chain – but using an old SM-57 I had laying around that has a street value of less than $100.

If you listen REALLY closely, you can tell the difference. (well, maybe. but I’m NOT telling you which is which!)

The point is how much more would you pay for one “take” over the other? Is one worth comparatively more or less? Would the client be happier with one over the other?

My contention is that what my clients pay for is my talent and my experience and my voice and my interpretive skills. NOT my equipment. The equipment is nearly totally incidental. Equipment won’t make a poor announcer better.

So stop worrying about equipment. Practice. Relentlessly. Then practice more. Record and listen back over and over and over and work to get better. \Do that for a few years and perhaps your voice and your experience may start to mature into making you a safe bet to do VO work when somebody elses’ money is being risked.

But sorry, “success in VO” is something that buying any particular brand of equipment will simply NEVER provide, IMO.

My 2 cents.

Know someone who teaches video editing in elementary school, high school or college? Tell them to check out http://www.StartEditingNow.com – video editing curriculum complete with licensed practice content.

[Ilkka Aaltonen]

Bill,

Thank you for the example.
Indeed, not that much of of a difference. Personally I enjoyed the first sample more. Seemed to be a little more deeper. I have no idea which might have been the more expensive microphone…

I guess I’ll just get myself somewhat decent epquipment to start with and then later, if needed, upgrade to better.

Thank you all for the help!

[Shady Manaa]

Greetings Everyone,

I happened to come across this forum as I was searching about the exact same topic that our friend here was asking about, after reading through the whole thread I still would like someone to clarify something to me if you don’t mind.
I really hope I’m not bothering or annoying anyone with my questions though..

Here the whole story: –
I’ve always been into presenting ever since I was a university student, I’ve graduated in 2013 from the faculty of Informatics and Computer sciences, so in the context of pursuing my dream of becoming a Voice Over Talent/Radio Presenter, I started building a mini home-studio that is not yet done..

I’ve bought a blue yeti pro USB/XLR condenser microphone that goes by the quality of 24 bit/192Khz (Studio Quality), I’ve self-studied the DAW I’m going to be using for my recordings (Adobe Audition Cs6) from Lynda.com.
I’ve also bought a Blue Radius II shock-mount and a microphone stand, in addition to a pop filter and a foam microphone head-cover, I’ve not yet built a vocal booth, but I’m about to contact a carpenter to make me a wooden vocal booth of about 2 x 2.5 Meters that will be treated with acoustic foam from the inside all the way, and I’ll use a thick carpet on the floor under the stand. Moreover I’ve bought Audio Technica’s M50X Headset for studio quality monitoring.

However, I’m still confused about the quality of my productions, I’ve heard from so many sources on the internet that USB microphones are not of the quality that professional studios expect, so I’ve decided to use the XLR side of the Blue Yeti Pro, However I really have no idea which USB pre-amp should I be using for the utmost quality, I’m looking for a 24 bit/192Khz USB preamp that would take my voice overs from just “fine” to “excellent” in terms of quality.

I’d be greatly thankful if you could point me to what I should do to bring the best quality out of my set-up.
Should I use the Microphone in USB?
Should I use it in XLR? What Preamp should I get for utmost quality (of course on a budget)?
Is there any item of advice that you’d give me for the Vocal booth I’m going to build?
What settings should I be applying on my DAW and Windows’ Microphone Settings?
Please also provide me with any tips and tricks that you guys have discovered from your long experience that I could apply to have the best quality recordings in my Mini home studio..

If any of you would be able to help me via Skype I’m available at: –
Valiantshady (display name: Shady Manaa)

Thanks a lot!
Awaiting your response.

[Brian Reynolds]

Why are you wanting to use 24 bit 192Khz?
This will only cause problems in post production with conversion rates.
What will your end product end up on this will determine the settings that you should choose?

[Shady Manaa]

Hey Brian,

Well, I thought that the higher the quality the better the recording should sound, isn’t that right?
I’ve been comparing a sample of my recording to some Demos that I’ve found on the internet, and there is a huge major quality difference, I thought it’s because of my recording quality..

I’m pretty much confused, I have the blue yeti pro USB/XLR condenser microphone, currently using it in USB, and I wanna maximise the quality produced by it..

What do you suggest?

[Brian Reynolds]

Cd’s and broadcasting TV / Radio mostly is 16bit 44.1Khz ,Mastering and production normally occurs at 24bit 48Khz.

The human voice range is actually quite small, you don’t need high sampling rates. An approx guide is half the digital sampling rate is the maximum audio frequency that can be recorded. i.e. 32Khz digital = 16Kz (audio), 44.1 Khz digital = 22khz (audio), 48Khz digital = 24Khz (audio).

Its often best to stay at the one level of sampling for any production rather than up and down converting, so if you are using a reasonable amount of CD then let that dictate the sample rate of 44.1Khz.
If you are going into high sample rate FX recording for feature films then go to 48Khz.
If you are producing material for internet consumption 32Khz will be more than enough.

Up and down conversions take up data space, time and processor power, why do it if you don’t need to do it.

Here is a chart to give you some indication…. Male / Female voice are the top 2 graphs.
https://ssivegas.com/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/freq-chart.jpg