Creating a Voice Over Home Recording Studio 


To make this as painless (and inexpensive) as possible, I've come up with a variety of possible recording equipment suggestions that will get you up and running with a minimum of hassle. I'll describe three levels of gear that will work. I suggest several different products as examples Use this information as a starting point to do your own research and ask around to determine the best way set up your own system.

So we'll start by assuming you have a computer-- desktop or laptop, Once you have the computer you'll need variations of the following:

 recording software a microphone a mic stand  a pop filter

 an interface which digitizes the mic signal and sends it to the computer either speakers or headphones (or both) to listen to the audio  you can also add a mic preamp, compressor, a phone patch or an ISDN interface

if you want to get fancy

RECORDING SOFTWARE

If you have a PC (or a MAC including Intel Macs or Linux) you can download and install recording software called Audacity 


 Audacity is a open source program that’s a FREE download that will let you record, playback and export your recordings as well. It has some peculiarities but it produces broadcast quality audio and allows for very easy editing to clean up your auditions or do final production for a client.

 The download is here: copy the links then paste them up in your browser.  http://audacity.sourceforge.net/download/  You also need to download the LAME library to create mp3 files. Start on this

web page:

 http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/faq?s=install&item=lame-mp3  And here's some good documentation to explain how to use Audacity. There's the Audacity User's Manual and the Quick Reference Guide:

 http://audacity.sourceforge.net/help/documentation  If you have a recent MAC you’re in luck. Newer Macs come with the Garage

Band  application installed. Garage Band is recording software for the Mac that allows you to record, play back and export you recordings in all the popular file formats.

Both of Audacity and Garage Band produce broadcast quality audio so with either one your good to go.

USB MICROPHONE

Next you need a quality microphone. If you're trying to keep the cost down the most most convenient mics are USB Microphones. These mics don't require any type of interface box--they simply plug directly in to your computer's USB port. The mic takes your sound and then digitizes it right in the mic and sends it over a USB cable to your computer to be recorded. You can get a good quality USB mic for $100-$300. I prefer a better condenser mic because they have a wider frequency range and are less noisy than dynamic mics.

The upside of USB mics is that you don't need additional hardware so with your laptop and mic you're up and running.

The downside is that there can be a slight delay in the signal (called latency by us audio freaks) so if you want to listen to yourself with headphones as you record you get a slight "Elvis in the stairwell" delay. This is more pronounced with software monitoring as opposed to hardware monitoring.

A MIC STAND

You'll also need a microphone desk stand or regular mic stand. If you like to stand up for performances use a boom stand but for long sessions or practicing then use a desk stand

 

The mic goes on the mic stand (duh) The pop filter clips to the stand and is placed between your mouth and the mic The USB cable goes from the mic to the computer USB port

A POP FILTER

And a pop filter to tame those nasty "P" and "B" sounds You might also want to get headphones to listen to your playback. Headphones let

you hear every detail, noise, room echo, etc.

So where do you get this stuff? Well, not at Best Buy or Circuit City. These types of products are available at most big music stores such as Guitar Center and Sam Ash and the like.

You can also shop online at Musicians Friend, Sam Ash, Sweetwater, and other online stores.

So there you have it. The bare bones you need to produce broadcast quality audio and perform voice-overs from home. Here is the basic scheme:

 The headphones go into the computers audio out jack TWO HINTS FOR RECORDING

 The LEVEL OF THE USB MICROPHONE is adjusted in the computer: CONTROL PANEL >> SOUND (PCs) or SYSTEM PREFERENCES >>SOUND >> INPUT (MACs). Adjusting the level is like Goldilocks and the three bears: Not too hot, not too cool. 
 
 Always record your voice to a MONO TRACK (NOT STEREO)!! You've only got one mouth (I hope!) and one mic so you only need ONE Track. A stereo track wastes hard disc space and can have weird audio problems (phase shifting, artifacts, echoes) when mixed to mono.

FINALLY..

 The only way to learn to record is to do it. You can read a book about how to use a hammer but sooner or later you've got to go out and pound some nails. So set it up, test it out, debug it and have at it. There's an entire world of happy ears out there waiting to hear your golden Tones!