Much of what we experience in the home voiceover studio can knock us off course. Technical issues and unforeseen challenges often conspire to send us off in unexpected directions. Having a solid foundation and workflow can help stay the course.
"Simple" is not the same as simplistic. In our home voiceover studios, we have to balance technical and creative tasks. Simple is strong. It gives us the foundation needed for our tasks.
Where do certain voiceover "Truths" originate? Some may be highly recycled. A salient idea shared in an interview by a knowledgeable VO director or voice actor could get repeated enough until it becomes gospel. And it may continue to be valid. The best coaching advice I received still resonates regularly in my work. It's important to acknowledge teachings that continue to hold truth.
Why do we need any of those extra takes? Is there another assumption which might be undercutting our success? What if we limited ourselves to just one take?
Deleting an audition take is a courageous act. It requires a significant amount of gumption to highlight one of our efforts behind the mic and tap that
Thinking a bit about how we can spiral during auditions. The need for "perfection" can cause endless takes. Does that help us?
With a number of audio interfaces, there's a tendency to simplify the control panel. While this gives a very clean look to the device, it means that what a given knob or button controls changes depending upon what mode you are in. Well designed separate controls show exact settings and allow immediate adjustments. Analog interfaces can aid creativity in the vo studio.
While maintaining that operational simplicity, the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Generation 4 then solved two major issues impacting many voice actors and podcasters: reliably setting input levels with Auto-Gain, and dealing with sudden changes in performance volume through the "SAFE" mode.
Once you decide to hit the road with your voiceover recording gear, how do you bring along "everything you need, but nothing you don't"? Here's what I've found works well...
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