Getting Started in VO, Part 2: What Do You Need INSIDE the Booth?
Let’s look at a list of what equipment you will need, at a minimum:
A microphone. There are various kinds to choose from. You can get a condenser mic or a dynamic mic.* You can also choose between a USB mic and an XLR mic. The USB mic has the advantage of connecting directly to your computer, but a lot of folks think it’s inferior to an XLR mic. The XLR mic, however, requires an audio interface to connect your mic to your computer.
A microphone stand. If you are sitting at a desk, you can get a table top stand**. But if you accidentally thump your desk the mic may pick up the noise. You can get an adjustable boom arm mic stand***which attaches to a desk and allows you to place the mic precisely where you want it to be in relation to your mouth. Or you can use a boom arm floor mic stand****.
A computer. Whatever you have will probably work just fine. Older models may have fan noise that may interrupt a session if they turn on while you’re recording. A computer with Solid State Drive (SSD) is noiseless and most of the newest computers are likely to have it.
An audio interface. If you’ve chosen to get a USB mic, you won’t need to worry about this. But if you got an XLR mic, you’ll connect your mic to the audio interface and then connect the interface to your computer.
Headphones. Some folks prefer not to wear them while recording but others (like me) want to hear how we sound while we’re recording. Make sure you get a pair that don’t filter out noise. Just because you can’t hear it in your earphones won’t mean it wasn’t picked up on your recording.
Speakers. Probably the best way to listen to yourself when you play back a recording and very useful when editing. But I think they take up unnecessary room and haven’t found them to be absolutely necessary.
A music stand. You’ll need something to hold the copy you’ll be reading from and if you decide you want to stand this is probably what you would use.
A desk. However, if you are doing a long form recording, like an audiobook, you’re not going to want to stand for hours at a time. Nor are you going to want to edit your recording while standing. And a desk also has the advantage of being able to hold all the equipment you are using so that things are easy to reach. If you opt for a desk then you will certainly need:
A chair. But not any chair! You want one that will be comfortable and will support you. And one that will not squeak when you move around!
And, finally, you will need recording software. You’ll see this called a DAW, or Digital Audio Workstation. If you have a Mac, you already have one, Garageband. But there are many to choose from. Some are free but others require you to pay to use them. We’ll talk about some of the more popular ones in another Blog entry.
On the Blog page, there is a picture of my setup. This is what I record with and I’m happy with my equipment and how it’s arranged. But you should realize that this is just what I’ve decided works for me. You might completely different choices.
Which brings me to a point I will return to again and again in these Blogs:
The best equipment and setup are the ones that work best FOR YOU!
Every voice actor is different and each one of us will have a way we like to work and equipment we like to work with. Just because I use a certain kind of mic doesn’t mean it’s the “right” one to use. Just because I prefer to sit when I record doesn’t mean you have to! It’ll be up to you to make those decisions for yourself.
I also want to emphasize that this does NOT need to cost an arm and a leg. You’ve probably got a computer that will do the job, at least while you’re starting out. Can’t afford a fancy desk? A TV try will do just fine. Don’t want to pay for your DAW? Audacity is free and easy to learn (it’s what I use). Don’t want to spend $200 for an audio interface? Start with a USB mic, which will be cheaper than an XLR. Look on Ebay for microphones that are on sale, or see what Amazon offers in a refurbished mic. Save your money while you are starting out. There will be plenty of time down the road to upgrade.
In the next Blog, we’ll look even closer at some of the choices in recording equipment and software that are available to you.
*For a really good explanation of the difference between a USB and XLR microphone, check out this article from Audio-Technica:
**To see a Table top Mic Stand, use this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97BkucYnfm8
***To see an Adustable Microphone Boom Arm, use this link: https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/PSA1Plus--rode-psa1-desk-mounted-broadcast-microphone-boom-arm