Transferable Skills in the Voiceover Studio – Tuesday Tech Tip

As voiceover creatures of habit, we tend to use what we have been using, preferring to stick to “known knowns” rather than fiddling about with something new that might not work in our studios. Certainly, if projects are on a deadline, it’s best to use what we know will work, even if it might not be the most efficient solution.

However, it helps to push our boundaries from time to time. That might mean spending an hour to see if there might be a better way to work, even if the answer turns out to be our original method was fine. Most software will let you use a demo version for a limited period of time – it’s worth trying these to explore what else is out there. As you evaluate the new working environment, try to focus on what is “different” and what might be “better”.

Anything different will initially seem at least slightly confusing. Avoiding that discomfort causes most voice actors to stick with what they know, rather than having to learn a new program. That approach keeps people committed to using workflows and software which feel comfortable, but are not necessarily efficient.

Time invested using any recording setup is never lost. Underlying skills transfer just fine.

In your VO studio, you’ll still have the microphone which is hooked up through an interface attached to your computer. You still listen back through your headphones the same way. You’ll set things to get a proper input level and capture a brilliant performance.

Remember back when you first learned to record? None of those steps were second nature. Each component had to be learned. Those steps won’t change. Shifting to a different recording application just becomes a matter of asking “How do I do this task?” in a few specific areas.

Key Points in Any Recording Software

When you start to play around with different recording software, there will likely be a few things to work through. But each DAW or recording software –

How audio gets saved

Some software auto-saves everything. Some software asks that you manage that.

How to get rid of the cruft

We generally don’t provide a full, raw audio file for auditions or clients. Simple things like cutting out the coughs and hiccups.

How to adjust the recording volume

Since “Ampify” is something we adjust in almost every recording, this is a key tool and different software applications approach this differently.

How the Effects work

Some software applies effects directly to the audio, while other software plays the original audio “through” the effects. These are referred to as “destructive” and “nondestructive” – and there are benefits and drawbacks to each.

How you end up with a final audio file

Might be as simple as a “Save As…” or “Export…” menu choice. Or it could be that you have to render a file out from your system.

Making the Switch to New Software: The Hassle Of Muscle Memory

The switch to a new recording environment will seldom be trouble-free. I would expect at least one completely klutzy week where you use the wrong keystrokes, fumble to find the correct menu item, and absolutely forget what the new application calls that thing you used all the time in the old software.

There will be some specifics to figure out – somewhere in the settings, you’ll have to make sure that your audio interface talks with the software. Those helpful Copy, Cut and Paste tools likely work in a way you expect, though you may have to figure out how to select a specific chunk of audio. Your very best friend “UNDO” will be there, of course, so you should be able to back up if you make a mistake.

Stay Patient – Keep Playing

Hang in there. You are retraining your muscle memory. It will take a little time. You will be slower at first. That’s OK. Once you get those changes under your fingers, the improvements will come. Your understanding of those concepts will transfer to the new software. It’s just mechanics. For example “Save As…” in Twisted Wave gets you to the same options as “Export” does in Audacity.

The signposts may be different, but the landscape should be recognizable. That lets you focus on other features and think about what might work better for you. Taking some time to see how different software works may expose you to tools and workflows which will make your life easier, give you time back, and let you devote focus to other areas of your VO journey.

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