VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[Jujube]

Hello! This is my first post!

I recently recorded my VO demo and am now trying to set up my home studio. Would y'all recommend the AT3035 for my voice? (I can get one for about $80). I read a few reviews that said it was grainy.

Here's a link to my demo:

http://www.4shared.com/audio/6vVZLGge/VO_Demo.html

All recs for mics under $300 and preamps are welcome. (For preamps, I'm currently looking at the CEntrance MicPort Pro). I'm looking to upgrade from my Samson C01U. Thanks!

[Rob Ellis]

Nice demo!

Most Audio Technica mics are good quality. You could go higher than the 3035---like up to a 4040 (secondhand on ebay) and keep it under $300.

[georgethetech]

Start cheap, work your way up.
Until you understand the limitations of an $80 mic (if you find any) you won't understand why you bought a $300 mic, or a $3000 mic.
Learn mic placement and technique, proper levels, and how to make your recording space sound good.
Send me a clip when you get it working.

Best of luck...
_________________
If it sounds good, it is good.
George Whittam
GeorgeThe.Tech
424-226-8528
VOBS.TV Co-host
TheProAudioSuite.com Co-host
TriBooth.com Co-founder

[Jujube]

Thank you both! I ended up getting the AT3035, new, for about $80 on Craigslist (along with a pop filter). At the very least, I figure I can learn on it and see what I want and don't want out of a more expensive mic.

[Jujube]

Ok, I've been trying to figure out what else I need and scouring the Gear forum, but I have to admit I'm totally confused.

So far, I have the following:
- laptop (Lenovo)
- condenser mic (AT3035)
- pop filter
- recording/editing program (Audacity)

I know I also need to get a mic stand.

But...how should I connect my mic to the laptop? I'm confused by all the preamp/mixer discussions, and I have no idea what I'm doing here. What other gear do I need in order to get started?

- preamp (CEntrance MicPort Pro, or another preamp or mixer?) (I'm completely confounded by all the discussion of solid state preamps, tube preamps, etc. etc. etc.)

- special cables...???

I would really appreciate any guidance as to what I need to get up and running besides my laptop, mic, and pop filter! Thank you.

[bobsouer]

Hi Jujube,

You do need an audio interface (the thing you're currently calling a pre-amp) to connect your microphone to your computer. You can use the cEntrance MicPort Pro, which is nice and small and very high quality. The only other thing you might need is a microphone cable to connect the microphone to the MicPort Pro, if you don't have one all ready.

Other audio interfaces you could get might be from a company like M-Audio, for example the Fast Track Pro or the USB MobilePre. Those are slightly larger boxes than the MicPort Pro. Lots of other companies make similar units.

In the Gear discussions about Pre-amps, they're talking about a separate piece of gear that would go between the microphone and the audio interface, but for just starting out you don't need one.
_________________
Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[Lance Blair]

An audio interface will be something that takes the analogue electric signal of your microphone and then convert it to digital ones and zeros so your computer and its Audacity or other recording program can capture it.

A preamp is a device that takes the sound from the microphone and preamplifies it (makes it all nice sounding and audible) before shooting it out to a recording device - whether it's a digital audio interface as describe above, or heaven forbid, a tape based device (what are those things called, again?).

Audio interfaces can have preamps built into the product for ease of use. As Bob said, such a device is all you need to start out, and many have good preamps built in. To get a really nice sound down the road once you know what you're doing with your studio an independent preamp is the way to go...or you could buy a nice expensive audio interface with great preamps built in like the Metric Halo - once your business can justify it.

Personally, I wish I had just bought a Metric Halo and a TLM 193 a couple of years ago and just have been done with it. But messing about with all kinds of gear was more fun.
_________________
Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too!

[Jujube]

Thank you so much for the comprehensive explanations, Bob and Lance! This newbie really appreciates it.