What are your VO studio needs and goals?
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Everyone’s VO home recording setup is unique. There’s rarely a true “one size fits all” solution. Working together, we’ll fine tune your process and create an efficient workflow which makes you sound great.
Whether you need some minor fixes in your input setup, room or mic position or want to build up your dream studio from scratch, I’ll help you to evaluate create a recording environment which serves your needs. Once that is in place, finding efficiency in your studio is key. We can refine a workflow that gives you time back
Most importantly – our process will still make sense to you after our session together is over.
Here’s my approach:
If it doesn’t work for you, then I have not done my job.
“One Size Fits All” really doesn’t work under the real-world pressure of getting auditions and work out the door. My focus is to develop a workflow that serves your specific needs. When you understand your setup, it’s easy to focus on being brilliant behind the mic. And that’s really the amazingly fun part about this business, after all!
But I also appreciate that not everyone wants to work deeply under the hood. Many of my clients could care less about the tiny, nerdy details. They just want their auditions and projects to sound amazing. We can work either way. Let’s set up an understandable system which works reliably for you.
I’ve taught hundreds of students through VO recording classes and direct consulting sessions. Working with an amazing array of voice actors and narrators, I’ve seen what works and what doesn’t. I’m enough of a gear/tech geek to enjoy a dive deep for complex solutions when they are needed. But I’m always trying to provide the simplest and most reliable setup for your home studio or on-the-go setup.
As a working voice actor, I know that you need your studio to be up and running every day. I’m happy to help you get the right gear so you can make things sound better. Whether you’ve never plugged a microphone into your computer, can’t seem to get a competitive sound for auditions, or wish to set up automated tools for more advanced production audio, I help you along the path.
Areas of Focus – Your VO Studio Needs
These are the areas where I’ve been able to help voice actors.
- What Gear Should You Buy: We live in a time of riches for high quality gear at affordable prices. If you are new to VO, it’s easy to get mislead by salespeople or well-meaning friends.
- Optimizing Your Audio: Getting the best sound possible from your recording space. Identifying which audio gear matters.
- Demystifying Recording Software: Understanding the basics of recording and making your DAW work for you. Twisted Wave, Adobe Audition, Studio One, Audacity and more.
- Editing Workflow: Most voice actors edit audio with no plan. Depending upon the type of work you do – VO auditions, long-form eLearning, audiobook narration or something else – we’ll develop an efficient way to wrangle your brilliant takes into a finished project for your client.
- Automating Your Workflow: Stacks, Presets, Batch Processing or other Effects Macros take your audio recording from raw to finished with a single button.
- Using Advanced Tools Effectively: Setting up a workflow to maximize your efficiency and regain your time. Understanding key elements of recording software important to a voice actor.
- Connecting Remotely With Your Clients: We may not have to go down to our agents to audition any longer, but connecting seamlessly with coaches, directors, clients and other studios is a “must-have” service.
- Fixing Weird Things: tracking down odd noises, weird behaviors and things which aren’t working right.
What VO Gear Should You Buy?
While there are good and knowledgeable folks out there, most retail salespeople do not know what you need for VO. After working with hundreds of voice actors, I’ve seen what works, what breaks, what you can get away with and what you need to be competitive.
If you have no idea what you need to start recording voiceover, this article will cover those basics. For a few specific “problem-solvers” equipment choices, check out my Gear page. This podcast episode is another favorite resource – no equipment recommendations, but those things you need to consider first.
VO Equipment Resource: Recommended Microphones for Voiceover includes microphone basics, recommended VO mics, and more.
VO Equipment Resource: Audio Interfaces for the VO Studio covers what an interface does, why you might need one, and recommended models to optimize your voiceover recording workflow.
Optimizing Your Audio
This generally includes a remote review of your audio sample, followed by a 1 on 1 session to dial things in to make things sound great. I’ll evaluate your space and setup, as well as provide a detailed analysis of the audio you are currently producing. I’ll suggest immediate fixes as well as longer-term options given the confines of your space and budget.
Demystifying Recording Software
Too often, voice actors don’t really know why they are using a certain effect or recording setting. Used improperly, it makes things sound worse. Generally, no one will take the time to let you know that you have bad audio – you just won’t book work.
I work with you so you’ll understand the important tools at hand, always from the perspective of a working voice actor under real deadline pressure. Whether you need reliable core skills or specific tricks in the production process, I’ll help you gain tremendous efficiency through a better understanding of your recording software.
We can connect for a one or two hour session, during which I’ll work directly on your computer and set things up with you. You’ll receive a recording of our session for your reference.
(Because I get asked this a lot: I’m kind of DAW-agnostic. We can work in any familiar environment as we get started, or I’m happy to recommend a specific recording software based on your needs. For most voice actors, that’s Twisted Wave, Adobe Audition, Studio One, OcenAudio, or Audacity. If yours isn’t on that list, feel free to ask.)
Editing Workflow for your VO Project
Most voice actors edit audio with no plan. Depending upon the type of work you do – VO auditions, long-form eLearning, audiobook narration or something else – we’ll develop an efficient way to wrangle your brilliant takes into a finished project for your client.
Almost every major recording software supports Punch-In or Punch and Roll (P&R) workflow. This allows you to hear the existing recording up until the point you begin speaking. Done correctly, this automated procedure can be a huge time saver for audiobook narration projects.
Other types of projects may have simpler approaches, but all of them provide a structure for your editing tasks, which means you’ll spend less time fixing mistakes and more time behind the microphone.
If you are already familiar with your recording software, we can usually cover the basics in a one hour session. A few times a year, I also offer a group workshop focused on editing hacks and specific tools through Voice One. You can register for that here.
Automating Your Workflow
Using Macros, Effects, Presets, Batch Processors or other “one-button” tools, I can set up and install the process you need to take your raw VO recording to finished and great sounding delivered audio with a minimum of steps. Time is the one thing we can never get back, and this lets you get auditions and work out the door quickly and efficiently.
Using Advanced Tools Effectively
The requirements for an audiobook project are different than eLearning. Audio production has a different set of challenges than daily auditioning. I’ll work with you to identify key choices which will result in more efficient workflow for the spectrum of tasks facing us in voiceover. Together we’ll create a solid foundation for recording your brilliant performances.
Connecting Remotely With Your Clients
Wondering about Source-Connect? Heard about ipDTL? Did some grizzled veteran tell you that you had to get ISDN? Or do you just need to get some direction over Skype, Zoom, BodalgoCall or Source-Connect Now? These days, your voiceover studio needs to connect with outside directors, studios and coaches. More auditions and jobs specify that voice actors must be able to link their microphone during a session. I’ll help you understand the options and set up a dependable connection with the most appropriate tool. And if that last paragraph made absolutely no sense to you, take a moment to read my article on Studio Connection Basics.
Getting Source-Connect installed and operational usually takes one hour – you can reserve a time through my calendar. If you aren’t under an immediate time crunch, I offer a group workshop a few times a year through Voice One. You can register for that here.
Let’s Connect!
Audio Review: The simplest way to start is by sending me some audio. I’m happy to evaluate your current recording quality and offer some immediate suggestions. Simply upload your audio here for a free evaluation.
Introduce Yourself: If you aren’t sure where to start, or have a specific question, please take a moment to fill out the form below so we can begin your journey.
Schedule a Session: You can check my current availability and schedule a session here, or if you’d like to connect with a free 15 minute session, that’s an easy way to get started!
Group Learning Options: If you are looking for a more structured, classroom learning environment for VO recording techniques, I offer online classes through Voice One and Berkeley Rep School of Theatre located in the San Francisco Bay Area, as well as small group workshops that dive deeply into using Twisted Wave for voiceover auditions and production.
New to VO? Have no idea where to start or what equipment you need to record?
Take a moment to read my “Booth Basics: What Gear Should I Get?” article. Or if you have some questions about voiceover recording in your home studio, I may have covered a few of them in my Voiceover Answerbase.
