User talk:VODirect

Voice Acting, Home Studio

Even before the COVID pandemic, voice work was moving to the Internet. But voice actors cannot play online, unless they have a home studio. While this has been a natural evolution, many have ignored the opportunity, a place to work and self-produce in an environment much the same as you'd find in a pro sound studio.

Basically, there are five consideration to making a workable home studio. The Studio itself, the equipment necessary, the skills required to successfully perform, business contacts, MP3 demo,

The Studio

The first and most critical element is a quiet comfortable space in which to work. Depending on the space you have and your budget, you could choose a contractor who specializes in installing a voice booth or have a spare room converted for the studio. Very few can afford this.

For most of us, converting a closet or a space in a basement or other already available area is the next best choice. Comfort is essential. When you have a job that involves hours, if it's too hot or too cramped, your performance diminishes. A comfy (not too comfy) chair, a table for equipment, a place to put copy, are all important to affording an easier go.

Bring in electric power, an internet connection, and a cell or land line phone to support your work. The table should provide enough space for all your hardware (computer, Mic, Mic preamp, phone, and whatever else you need) based on the work you book. Adequate lighting and ventilation are important too.

Once you have the space set up, you'll bring in the equipment you've selected and set it up.

The Equipment

The equipment you choose grounds the quality of your work. Many people rush to set up a studio, get a computer, learn the rudiments of Garage Band, buy an inexpensive microphone and introduce themselves to the world as a voice artist. It's the quickest way to count yourself out from the get go. Many people lack audio recording skill and end a possible career before it stars.

Learning how to run the hardware and software is a must before your debut.

The following are my choices, they are not the only choices. A MAC with AVID ProTools, Source Connect, a high quality condenser Mic (others mics if your budget allows), a Universal Audio, Apollo Twin interface, high quality headphones, excellent monitor speakers, and a telephone patch box, not so much used today, but good for some jobs.

Before you're ready for prime time, you're going to have to become an audio engineering ace to keep pace. It pays to get set up and learn the skills form a pro. if you're working with agents and you screw up a session, it can end the relationship. Agents make money from clients' work, if a voice person lies about their experience or can't efficiently run a recording session the agent looks bad.

The Skills

With the Internet today, everybody can see nearly everything about your career. To make sure you have one, the first step is to learn how to operate with skill and precision. Recording, editing, processing, and sending audio files is not easy at first. It wasn't for me.

Being unsure about your operational self infuses into the kind of read you do, if you're unsure, it will corrupt the read. There are some casting directors who can hear, in a few words, if you're the real thing or still learning. Today, when you present, you have to be up to speed.

In my work, I'm often asked to re-voice a video. The client will send an MP4, that's a basic video that I can load into ProTools that puts both the picture and sound on the ProTools desk top. I can see the existing voice track on the screen. I create the new track for the read just below the old track and match the placement of the new audio track elements with the recorded elements above. The new exactly track matches the old.

When I send the new track, all the client does is drop it into place. the timing is perfect. At this point, most of my clients know what I do and just let me record and send.

For some jobs, the creative team wants to listen and direct the read. Here's where engineering skills come in. And don't neglect the soft skills. politeness, professionalism, taking direction well. I've been in sessions where another VO person who can't get off a line read the client dislikes. Be sure you can listen and shift the read.

So, what are the skills you need: technical flawlessness, vocal acuity, pro demeanor, positive attitude. I've also been in situations where the copy was bad. The client would say I wasn't reading it right. What they were hearing was bad copy. So, in the most polite voice, I ask the critic to read it the way they'd like me to read it.

Surprise, surprise, most of the time there is a rewrite. You'll find that some clients are easier than others. Every year I drop the worst client for that year, whether it's waiting 60 or more days to get paid or an abusive attitude, don't enable it. Resentment over compensation or being uncomfortable with a jerk who is incompetent can bleed into the read.

Some clients overdo asking you to mimic their reads. This soon falls apart. The copy renders the read. These are clients I only work for once. Thankfully, they are few and far between.

In the old days in advertising, the directors had ten years in, the writers sometimes more. Today, agencies hire smart people but offer little training. Be patient. Imagine being put in a job with little support. This is a people skill, be helpful, be supportive. This is where calm countenance will count the most. Be the solution.

Business Contacts

As you progress keep meticulous records of everything. I've been in the Biz 47 years. Though there are only a few long time clients left, it's still great. And the new ones, like anywhere else there are the great and the good, and the bad and the ugly.

Keep in touch, if a long time client asks for a favor, consider it. Over time, let people know what you've done. Be the person who is easy to work with, who can lighten up, or get serious, who can do everything they say they can. Be the Voice Person you'd want to work with.

Every time you do a job, ask for an audio copy for you MP3 demo. It's your audio trophy room.

MP3 Demo

For the pros, making a demo is a snap, just use clips from what you've done. You've got the studio, the editing skill, just say yes to the homemade studio demo.

if you're just starting out, find a reliable voice demo maker. There are a lot of crooks in the Biz. They make cookie cutter demos and push you to sounding better than your experience actually is. Agents and casting people, even corporate AV departments can spot these jokes for what they are. Don't lie about credits.

Before you pay someone to help you with make a first time MP3 demo, find out who they are and listen to their work.

After COVID, there's going to be a lot more demand for home studio VO. Before you go on line, take the time to be excellent, it will serve you well.

Rodger Parsons, May 24, 2020VODirect (talk) 16:01, 24 May 2020 (UTC)