September 19, 2011
Spanish Voice Talent Reviews Three Broadcast Quality Microphones
Are you looking for some broadcast quality microphones?
Voice over talent Juan Carlos Hernández shares reviews of three products he has used to record his voice.
Read reviews of the Samson CO3U USB Multi-Pattern Studio Condenser Microphone, Studio Projects C3 and the Microtech Gefell M930 in today's Audio Daily.
MicPort Pro To The Rescue!
I had a problem. Recording all over the world (well, the Canary Islands and the UK mostly - but hey is sounds global) meant that I had to take a portable set-up with me where ever I went.
Using a condenser mic that requires 48v phantom power (AKG Perception), was a problem. It meant that my hand luggage was always way too heavy when flying for a start. I took the minimum of mic and laptop in my hand baggage.
Find out what happened next...
At Home with the Samson Go Mic
The Samson Go Mic is billed as an "everywhere mic" for either podcasting or music. A beginner voice artist may indeed want to use it everywhere - including her own home.
I like the tones the Go Mic captures, and I'm grateful for the ones it leaves out. Eliminating noise has been my biggest recording challenge. I can't read poker-faced - not if I want to use my full vocal range. My voice has a rounder quality when I read with mouth held in a broad posture; facial expressions, too, contribute to an effective narrative read.
Unfortunately, this means that a headset will move back and forth against my jaw - and the sound may well be recorded. My former Logitech 350 headset made small clop-clop sounds, giving whatever I recorded an amateur quality. No such problem with the Go Mic!
Hear more in my review of this product now.
Zoom H4 Product Review
I use the Zoom H4 digital recorder to record my voice.
The greatest feature of this took is that it accepts XLR inputs and allows my +48V condenser microphone to be directly connected.
No need of having pre-amp and no noise due to less cable and less connection!
This is the best and most ecologically friendly way I have found to save electricity which is the nationwide effort in Japan right now.
Plantronics Audio 400 DSP foldable stereo headset review
How can so many easy to use and professional features be included in a headset/microphone and still fold up into the size of a paperback book?
Plantronics has done it all and done it right with the 400 DSP USB foldable stereo headset.
I am not a professional, but I want my recordings to sound like they are and also be able to easily put away the headset when I am not using it.
Hear more about this product in my review on Audio Daily.
Voiceover Focused Review of the Neumann TLM 103 Condenser Microphone
Since I've been working as a voiceover actor, I keep finding myself looking for new gear all the time. New microphones, interfaces, preamplifiers, mostly for a simple reason: trying to sound "better."
I try to maintain a quality, which sounds good for me, and also for the client. I believe maintaining a durable, strong reputation always has to do something with your studio background (including your gear of course).
Meeting all the requirements and also working with a smile on the face in a session is always challenging.
Hear more about how I do this in my review of the Neumann TLM 103.
Tascam 2488 Neo Review
If you are a voice-over artist who desires to cut through the morass of audio equipment with astronomical learning curves, then I am highly recommending the Tascam 2488 Neo. This box is a 24-track 24 bit digital recorder and is Tascam's flagship digital portastudio.
It is more than you will ever need.
Tascam (Formally Teac) started the portastudio revolution and they just continue to produce great gear. Learn more about this product in my review in today's Audio Daily.
Adobe Audition Review
In my opinion, Adobe Audition is the standard in recording software.
Not only is it loaded with seemingly endless tools to help create a finished product that sounds amazing, but it is very user-friendly.
I'm not a software guru by any stretch of the imagination, but Adobe Audition makes my production sound as if I were a studio master.
September 13, 2011
Electro-Voice Blue Cardinal Microphone Review
The first exciting step in becoming a voice over artist is buying your studio microphone. But don't get caught up in the moment and buy just any old mic, you need to complete your due-diligence.
There are thousands of different microphones from several reputable companies, but where do you start?
Well let's review the process I went through.
Bose Headset Review
Do you wear a headset when you record?
How about one made by Bose?
Bose headsets deliver high quality audio performance and a comfortable fit in a variety of designs.
Sit back as Elaine Wilkes treats us to a brief review of her experience using her Bose headset and how the product made an impact on her ability to record and edit in today's edition of Audio Daily.
Review of the AKG 3000B Microphone
Have you ever heard of the AKG 3000B microphone?
Designed to produce a warm and 'clean' sound this large diaphragm, condenser mic (requiring phantom power) truly shines in the studio but performs impressively on stage as well!
Hear more about why Iove my AKG 3000B in this edition of the Audio Daily blog.
ShuttleXpress Adds Professional Editing, Enhances Your Workflow
ShuttleXpress by Contour Design is a great tool which adds professional-style editing to one's workstation. Available in black or silver, it can be used with a variety of applications.
Like the Contour ShuttlePro, the ShuttleXpress is a product which enhances one's workflow by streamlining sleek design with ease-of-use.
Find out more in my review of this product in today's Audio Daily.
Review of the "Yeti Pro" from Blue Microphones
One again studio technology takes a giant (Yeti) step forward in shrinking the size of your personal studio while upping quality and ease-of-use.
I've been at voice-over for several years and always keep my eyes and ears open for any new technology that either improves the sound quality of my recordings or simplifies the entire operation.
The Yeti Pro accomplishes both of these.
Find out more in my review of this mic on Audio Daily.
GoldWave Audio Editing Software Review
When I think about the process of moving words from my mouth to including them in an audio file, or the process of taking an existing audio file and just fixing it, I realize the value of GoldWave, my software editing tool.
In this sometimes "lonely" world of audio editing, GoldWave has been my never-failing companion.
Read on to learn what this gem of a tool has meant to me personally.
September 12, 2011
Marshall MXL USB 009 Microphone Review
Purchasing a microphone these days is about as complicated as trying to find the right person to be with.
Okay, so maybe that's a bit of a stretch but it's pretty difficult nonetheless.
I think I may have tried about 20 different mics before finding the right one for me, the MXL USB 009 Mic by Marshall.
Hear more about how this microphone won me over by reading my review.
Discussing Compressors, Distressers and De-Essers
Compressor, obsessor, Distresser, de-esser. Thank you, Professor.
Well you need to be one to hack the technology of volume compression.
But I know what I like. The loud and soft of it is that audio dynamics is more art than science.
The ears have it.
Sennheiser MKH 416 Review
German microphone maker Sennheiser is renowned for their dynamic and shotgun microphones.
The MD 421, MD 441, and especially the MKH 416 have been standards in vocal and voice over recordings for years.
Until now, they have never made a large diaphragm condenser microphone, leaving that segment of the German microphone market to Neumann (conveniently, Sennheiser now owns Neumann).
The new Sennheiser MK 4 is their first LCD microphone. It's surprisingly good, and surprisingly inexpensive. Hear more about it in this edition of Audio Daily.
Harlan Hogan's Porta Booth Pro
Once upon a time, in the olden days, I packed a microphone in a bag with my computer and Mbox when I traveled.
There were trips to Chicago to visit my family; there was a trip to Miami to visit a university while on a college hunt; there was the trip to Atlanta to accompany my husband at a Health Insights Conference, and many other stops dotting the country over the years.
Now I travel slightly differently with my gear. Hear more about my thoughts and experiences with Harlan Hogan's Porta Booth Pro now.
CEntrance MicPort Pro Review
In recent years, my career as a voiceover actor, coach, and singer has required me to work in less-than-ideal conditions. Namely, on the road.
Surprisingly, the most difficult aspect has not been constructing pillow forts as ad hoc sound booths or even getting over the heebie-jeebies of recording beneath hotel bedspreads (have you ever seen them carted off to be laundered?).
What was my biggest challenge? Find out in this edition of Audio Daily.
AT 4050 Microphone Review
Steve knew that he wanted a large diaphragm condenser microphone.
Having been a television audio engineer for many years, he was quite familiar with the different kinds of microphones to choose from.
Something else he knew was that he didn't want to spent $1000 either for a first time studio.
What worked for him?
Find out in today's Audio Daily.
September 9, 2011
Audacity - Ode For a Neophyte
Do you use Audacity?
Many people use Audacity because it is easy to use and is also...free!
Bill Stewart has penned an ode to the software he has come to rely upon and shared his poetic verse with us.
Read "Audacity: Ode For a Neophyte" in today's Audio Daily.
Focusrite ISA 430MKII Channel Strip is the Nucleus of My Studio
I don't pen many reviews, but when called upon to discuss all things audio, it's a passionate topic that I'll never shy from. One company that still lives up to their long celebrated pedigree is Focusrite.
The Focusrite ISA 430MKII Channel Strip is the nucleus in my studio. Everything is connected to it.
Hear more in my review on Audio Daily.
I Love My ADK A6
I love my ADK A6. When they had their set up at the VOICE 2008 conference, I tested each mic set up at their booth. I had been in the market for a while testing and not really satisfied with the others I tested.
When I tried the A6 I was floored by how it responded to my voice, which tends to be thin, and high. It was love at first hear. After testing each mic, I then asked the price. I was floored! I not only found it to be in my price range but it fared better with my voice than the other mics in the same set up going for much more.
Learn more about the ADK A6 in my review on Audio Daily.
Sony Sound Forge Audio Studio 10 an Inexpensive Option
Sony's Sound Forge Audio Studio 10 has been the primary recording and digital editing software I use to capture and edit my performances into the microphone.
As someone who is starting out in the voice-over business, without the means to buy the professional software, Sound Forge Audio Studio is an inexpensive option to digitally edit, master, and encode my work into numerous formats and specifications.
Hear about the pros and cons of this software package in my review on Audio Daily.
September 4, 2011
Life as an Audio Engineer
Audio engineering is a very exciting as well as challenging line of work. But not everyone knows what an audio engineer does. Everyday can be different as an audio engineer. On an average day you will find yourself working with several talented people all with strong ties to the music world. You will have the chance to work side by side with vocal artists, movie producers and maybe even video game artists.
As an audio engineer, the possibilities are endless. But the most rewarding part of this line of work, is being able to listen to your work as you use your ipod or watch a movie. Imagine the satisfaction in telling all of your friends that you helped in the making of that brand new song!
September 3, 2011
How To Choose an Audio Production School
If you are interested in shaping a successful career with the music industry, you might be overwhelmed with countless number of choices. With lots of career opportunities in music and audio production, many training schools have emerged lately. Like any other career training school, the audio production training also has regular classes and online training programs.
