Voiceover Research




Voiceover Research



1. Mattress Covers. Egg crate mattress covers are an economical way to obtain soundproofing and work similarly to acoustic foam. They can be found at many discount supply stores and often in thrift stores. They can easily be installed by gluing or stapling them to your walls.

2. Carpeting. The thicker the better! It’s not just for flooring either. You can attach carpet to your walls or cut strips of carpeting and attach them to the seams around windows and doors to dampen the noise coming in from outside. Go to your local flooring company and ask about purchasing their miscuts.

3. Sound Baffles. These are barriers that stop the reverberation in a room. Attach sheets or pieces of foam at various points across your ceiling to reduce airborne sound. They don’t need to touch the floor to make significant impact and are extra items you likely have around your home.


  • Have an empty track ready to go with preset plugins already set up
  • Presets may include some light EQ to bring out the best qualities in your voice
  • Light compression to ensure your voice isn’t varying too much in volume
  • Perhaps even a little de-ess if the sibilance in your voice comes off a little intense after some light compression



There is no shortage of second-hand equipment looking for a good home. Cut down some of your costs by purchasing gently used recording studio equipment.
Here’s a few ways you can tell if the equipment is worth the asking price and will happily meet your needs:
  • Check physical condition in the ad: Always assess the physical condition in the ad or ask the seller to describe the condition.
  • Ensure the item is as described: Check for scratches, dents, loose items, and quality.
  • Pay attention to brand name: It’s worthwhile to note that brand names the likes of Shure, Neumann, and Digi002 are high-end, and may command a higher price.
  • Get an idea of how the equipment has been used: Ask where the item was purchased, how much it was purchased for, and when it was purchased.
Knowing these variables will give you the leverage you need to decide whether the the equipment is priced fairly. You can also request a copy of the original receipt. Ask for original boxes, warranties, and user guides.


Bill DeWees

  • Foam Mattress Toppers
  • Moving Blankets
  • Microphone
    • Large Diaphragm Studio Mic / USB Mics work for Auditions but not final product.
      • Marshall MXL 2001 $60.00
  • Small Mixer with PreAmp
  • Digital Audio Interface (DAI)
    • Lexicon Alpha
  • Computer Fan Noise can interfere, remove from recording space.
  • Audacity (Free)
  • Headphones (cheap is fine, don’t worry about it).
  • Record Audio Books, it’s the fastest way to get going.

  • It’s WORK, not just play.

Notes: 30:31

Tech
  • Bad Audio kills business. Expensive Microphone does not equal great audio.
  • A great space creates great audio. Treat your Audio Space.
    • Sound Proofing (Outside Noise/Laundry Machine/Traffic/Kids Playing, noise from outside of the room).
    • Sound Treatment (Room Noise/Echo)
  • Microphone:
    • Fifine K670
  • Aliso Creek Voice Over Classes: USB Microphones for Voice Over Recording
    • All Sound is Analog.
    • All Audio is Digital.
    • Interface Converts Analog to Digital and Back.
    • USB Mics in the old days didn’t record well. New ones are sufficient for most recording.
    • Large Diaphragm
    • 20Hz-20Khz
    • Gain Control
    • Zero Latency Monitoring (Headphone Jack on Mic)
    • 24 Bit Mic Chipset
    • Aliso Creek Voice Over Classes: FREE ebook: Your Voice Over GPS: http://alisocreek.net/voiceover.html Should you use a USB mic for voice over recording? With the latest in technology available, the answer may surprise. you!
  • BLUE Yeti USB Specs

  • Ns1 Plugin by Waves.com
  • NS1 Noise Suppressor
  • Reg. $149 66% OFF On Sale $49.99
  • The most intuitive professional noise suppression plugin ever created, Waves NS1 Noise Suppressor intelligently differentiates between dialog and unwanted noise. Perfect for post production, audio forensics and musical applications alike, NS1 instantly analyzes and adapts to your signal in real-time, bringing the foreground into focus as it eliminates unnecessary background noise. Controlled by a simple single fader, NS1 also features an attenuation meter which shows you just how much overall energy is being removed from your input signal. With NS1, noise suppression is as easy as fading away.




Performance

  • Real People, Guy/Girl Next Door. Natural Voice. No Announcers. Upbeat. Not Sales. Genuine. Authentic.


Business (Marketing)

  • You are responsible for Marketing yourself. Don’t rely on an agent or agency. Market yourself. Create your own brand. Build a website, get a Demo Reel, etc.





1. Get to Know Your Voice Through Voice Acting Practice

2. Learn and Try the 5 Basic Types of Characters in Voice Acting Roles

3. Regularly Get Voice Acting Practice with Sample Scripts

Let's explore the roles in detail.
  1. The Instructor
When teaching someone, for example, in a corporate training video or children's game, the voice over best suited for this kind of project is a straightforward, educated, and instructional voice. The role of this particular voice talent is to teach or provide information to fulfill a specific goal or purpose. Anyone who has had the opportunity to run a class, guide presentations, or has managed a team will likely find this role comfortable.
  1. The Real Person
Projects requiring a more casual approach often benefit from relatable, genuine voice overs. These are referred to as ‘real person’ voice overs, commonly known as the ‘regular guy’ or the ‘girl next door.’ This character is homegrown, sensible, and friendly, with a touch of familiarity, providing a more intimate interpretation of the script that instills trust.
While this role may seem like it should suit everyone, it is harder than one might think to read a script and still sound like you're having a regular conversation with a friend or loved one.
Former radio personalities tend to need help in this area because they've worked for so long in an industry that’s challenged them to change the timbre of their voices to sound like an announcer (see more about the announcer below).
  1. The Spokesperson
A spokesperson can be on-camera or off-camera, depending on the medium you are using. The role of a spokesperson is generally played by a confident, charismatic person able to promote a cause, product, or service with ease and authority.
A voice over of this nature needs to be driven, optimistic and assured. If you've ever been in sales, these traits probably sound familiar. Many people who gravitate to voice overs from sales positions tend to feel right at home in this role.
  1. The Narrator
Storytelling is where the Narrator is most at home. Omniscient, unbiased, courteous and honest, a narrator's job is to provide an audio landscape for a listener, briefing them on background information, posing questions, and providing solutions as they guide their audience through a program or documentary. Narrators can be male or female, and the most important factors are that they can communicate clearly and engagingly. If people hang on your every word while listening to you tell a story then this is likely your comfort zone.
  1. The Announcer
The announcer, often heard live at events, on commercials, promos or introducing segments for radio or podcasts, is a product of the broadcast age, most celebrated at its height in the Golden Age of Radio and early television broadcasts. Announcers can introduce an idea and assertively make a call for action at the conclusion of a commercial advertisement or short video.
If you were in radio broadcasting and you're now pursuing a career in voice over, then you may find this voice over character fits you like a glove.

  • Character information:
Who is the character? What’s the character’s age, background and history?
  • Plot information:
What happened or will happen to the character? Who else is with them in the scene? Where is the action taking place?
  • Voice over style and tone:
How should the character’s voice sound? Is the voice over role for a child or adult? What are the character’s emotions?
  • Artistic directions:
Look for artistic directions that let you know more about the setting, your character’s position, etc. Are certain words meant to be emphasized? You must carefully read the lines to look for italicized or bold words and understand what they mean.


The Top 3 Tips for Reading a Voice Acting Script
  1. Stay relaxed:
It is crucial to stay relaxed while reading and performing with a script. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should read more slowly, but rather with a calm and focused mind. This will help you reduce loud breathing sounds and silly mistakes.
  1. Read the script first:
Needless to say, if you get the script before hand, you should always go through it a few times before the recording session. This way, you’ll be familiar with the lines and not miss important stylistic notes and pauses.
  1. Move freely:
If your recording space allows you to stand and move around in the booth, that’s excellent. Standing helps you breathe more clearly. It also helps you get into character and make natural movements while voice acting.

........ TBC

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