Logic Studio Review
Logic Studio is awesome, so awesome they could have named it Woweee!
With templates for recording different genres of music, you have instruments preset and optimized to sound exactly as you'd want them to.
Of course you can tweak these settings or configure the instruments differently, but why would you?
The RE27 Microphone - 1 Million Broadcasters Can't Be Wrong.
Okay, a million broadcasters might be stretching it, but the Electro-Voice RE20 / 27 microphones are used by radio station and broadcast facilities worldwide.
Why?
Because they truly are universal.
When it comes to selecting a microphone most voiceover talent are told to extensively test many mics. The RE line is the only exception to this rule.
The H2 Zoom, Or My Podcasting Lifeline
I've been pod-casting now for about three years, and for the better part of that time the Handy Recorder H2 Zoom has been my lifeline to the audio-sphere.
It is a digital voice recorder that doubles as a USB microphone for those "I don't have time to run to the closet to record" days.
Hear more in my review on Audio Daily.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
How To Fix Blue Snowball Not Working with Audacity
I have Audacity and just got the Snowball mic problems. Do you know how to make these two see eye to eye? It records great but after a period of time to record again, I have to unplug the mic and replug it in and Audacity is fine with no error messages for a while.
Very frustrating... all I want to do is record seamlessly and I'm having a hard time with it.
Any help?
Fixing Low Recording Levels with the Presonus Firebox
So I don't have the foggiest clue what the heck I'm doing in front of a computer. Well at least in front of a computer with an audio interface plugged into it. I built a complete studio with a semi soundproof sound room and all the equipment about 16 months ago.
I use a PC with Adobe Audition and a digital audio interface called a Presonus Firebox. My mic is an AKG perception 200. At one point everything worked well as I have hosted VO courses at my home (Venue only not instructor).
Since then somehow my recording levels have been very low. About the -20 point on average. I have even tried bringing in an intern sound engineer to rectify the problem and even he could not find the source. He figures it might be my mic but not too sure and I haven't heard from him since. (Today I am trying a new mic)
I know I have to play with it myself to learn, and I haven't, mostly because I don't have the confidence of even the basics. I found it frustrating that the software and hardware come together fine but there wasn't any kind of tutorial on the basic recording steps. So I'm stuck and I hate to have work come my way and not have a way of recording it at home. So what's your prognosis, doctor?
Home Recording Studio 101
Are you recording on a Mac using Garageband?
You might be wondering if you need a pre-amp and interface as well. What about external speakers versus built-in speakers?
Find out in today's Audio Daily!
USB Mixers
As a new member of the Voices.com community, I spent an hour or so this evening drifting through various blog pages until I came upon your contributions. Are you an old radio-head? I haven't heard anyone mention OPTIMOD in years, and frankly, I almost quit my radio career when I began seeing computers creeping into the various studios.
However, that was then, this is now...after 34 years on the air and six more years trying to squeeze out some extra income doing voiceovers out of my home studio, I think I've created a modest but well-balanced home studio. I have a custom-configured computer with an Athelon dual-core processor, an M-Audio Delta Series DI, a Shure SM-7 studio mike running through a Mackie Micro Series mixer and recording into Adobe Audition. Everything seems to work just fine, but I do have one question...because the Mackie mixer is a few years old and was previously used by me on many a remote broadcast, I'm thinking of replacing it before it up and croaks on me suddenly. What would you recommend?
Is there a decent, reliable mixer for not too much money that connects via USB, or should I pick up another Mackie? The reason I use an analog unit in the first place is that I have several other sources feeding into the computer which have no way to be fed otherwise (turntable, VHS tape player, audio cassette player...you get the picture). Remember...for me, verstility and cost are two biggies. Thanks for your input...and I've really enjoyed reading your comments to other questions!
A Trouble Shooting Exchange
I'm constantly astounded with the e-mails I get from home studio consultation clients. Most are pretty simple and involve a misplaced mouse click in a preference menu. "My mic won't work," "My levels are too low," "Why does my sound, sound distorted?"
I learned the art of troubleshooting from my, yes, 9th grade Power Mechanics teacher, Mr. Sohmann. A classic, brush cut and bow tie kind of a guy who was a true "teacher" in every sense of the word. He must have caught my 15 year old self's usually lacking attention. Those lessons learned in process checklists on how a lawn mower works and can malfunction apply across several technical disciplines. I see his face every time I'm faced with a troubleshooting question.
