VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Bob T · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 1:31 pm Post subject: Software

Maybe this should have gone to the gear forum, but I was selfishly thinking that we have more chatters here than gearheads and that more readers would generate more responses. Forgive me if intrude.

What is the most v/o friendly recording software that isn’t PT?
For me, V/O friendly means:
Cross platform capability (Works with Multiple USB DAI’s)
Fast intuitive un-doable punch in / punch out
Easy undo record
Lots of keyboard shortcuts.
Crossfade capable
Built-in mp3 export
Normalize capability
Compression would be nice but not a deal breaker
Heals itself after delete (Like PT Shuffle mode)
Customizable – you can leave out the drum loops, flanges, instrument emulators etc so it loads fast and doesn’t crash.
Usable tech support.
Reasonable price

Does it even exist?

I can’t wait to find out.

Your thoughtful honest answers are very important.

This is not idle musing.

Thanks in advance.

Frank F · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 2:40 pm Post subject:

Bob,

You are asking for several different pieces of software in actuality.

VO software is just that... designed for VO and nothing else.

Cross platform capability can mean different things to different folks.

Fast intuitive un-doable punch in / punch out, Easy undo record, Lots of keyboard shortcuts, Built-in mp3 export, Normalize capability, - Available in most good Editors.

Crossfade capable -- Means multi-track editor.

Compression would be nice but not a deal breaker --- Ugggh, keep your VO clean without processing!

Heals itself after delete (Like PT Shuffle mode) - Bandaid in Adobe Audition..

Customizable – you can leave out the drum loops, flanges, instrument emulators etc so it loads fast and doesn’t crash.
Usable tech support.
Reasonable price - Now you have the toughest to find problem isolated.

The real question is: Do you want it: Cheap, Fast, or Good? Choose Two.

Frank F
_________________
Be thankful for the bad things in life. They opened your eyes to the good things you weren't paying attention to before. email: thevoice@usa.com

markt · Been Here Awhile Joined: 14 Aug 2009 Posts: 217

Hey Bob,

If you have a Mac, download the trial version of TwistedWave and take it for a spin. I really like it a lot, and so do a lot of other VO people.
It's fast, easy and has everything you need to get the job done beautifully.
Good luck!

Mark
_________________
"Dammit Jim, I'm a voice actor, not an audio engineer!"
Leonard McCoy

ricevoice · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 6:05 pm Post subject:

Jason Huggins · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 8:43 pm Post subject:

Honestly, it ends up being what works best for you. Lots of people love lots of different software. The interface and "aesthetics," for lack of a better term, are all that really matters in VO (how your space/software/desk/environment/everything looks will really affect your working performance). You can use Audacity professionally...if it works for you.

I use Adobe Audition, because I can record really fast, edit really fast, and get really clean audio really fast. I do, however, now use Reaper for audiobook recording only...because AA doesn't have a pre-roll punch option, and I am not buying PT just for that feature.

What I have found is, you don't ever really need multitrack and crossfade, unless you're doing full production (which is a totally different set of skills and software needs than voice talent recording).

I almost never use multitrack, and I never use crossfades. AA heals the audio when you punch, so you can get it real natural without needing to mess with fades.

Just depends on your needs and what you need it for.

My opinion...I have tried PT, Logic Pro, Twisted Wave, Audacity, Reaper, Sound Forge, Mackie Traktion, Sonar, Cubase...and every time I try something new, I love Adobe Audition all the more. It can do everything you are asking for (including a pretty decent set of stock plugins...as far as stock plugins go), and is very stable. The autoheal feature is incredible for removing pops and clicks, even mid-word, and editing is really streamlined.

Find something with the features that are most important to you (which will change after you start using it a lot) and learn it. If you need something else, get it when you need it.

rmclamb · Joined: 10 Aug 2012 Posts: 9 Location: Canton, NC

I've been giving Presonus Studio One 2 a spin. They have a free version.

http://studioone.presonus.com/shop/

But one draw back, the free version doesn't handle MP3's so you'll have to convert your files after recording. Gotta buy the Producer version for that but it's still cheaper than the lastest version of AA. Just thought I'd toss that out there.

Jason Huggins · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2012 6:52 am Post subject:

If that handles audio the way you prefer, and has all the features you need, I'd say it's a winner. One thing I love about AA, is the waveform record and edit mode. I can't stand working in a multitrack environment when I am only recording and editing a single mono track. That's just my preference though Smile

Bob T · Posted: Sat Aug 25, 2012 5:32 pm Post subject:

Thanks to all who read my post, and replied with your helpful hints and knowledge. As a PC user, I am slightly disappointed that I can’t enjoy the benefits of Twisted Wave. But as a PT LE 8 addict, I am glad I can keep my software and run it with an MBox Generation 3. Note to lurkers who might be contemplating a similar solution: Don’t do nothin’ until you install the drivers and then download the latest ones.

Happy Trails….

Brian G · Joined: 18 Apr 2011 Posts: 1

Hey everybody! I'm SO glad I saw this thread!!
Gasp

I'm a total newbie to this site and I'm ... [gulps] "an Aspiring" [read: UNKNOWN AMATEUR] voice-actor and voice-over artist [ and.. a *lapsed invitee to this site, who has been given a gracious reprive... Thank you, Board Czar Deirdre!!! ^_^ ]

Seeing THIS particular thread on sound-editing software so readily available (among other insanely COOL titles/topics) really heartens me!

Currently I'm assigned with a DOD organization that porvides quality content for primarliy military audiences and their families as well as the general public. We produce a variety of product inlcuding radio-news packages.

We use "latest and greatest" in both hard and software.
From this, I've become acquainted with Adobe Audition, which I simply love even though I KNOW I only know only 1/10th of its capabilities, IF that!

My questions are these:
> Has any worked with Soundbooth?
> Can anyone offer some input on it?
> Does any one have a preference on one vs the other?

At home I DON'T have 'Audition; I have Soundbooth [part of my CS5 "Master Collection" bundle].
Eventaully I'll not be with/at my current assignment (that's what happens to active duty military, once we get "settled in" it's time to pack up and head out to a new assignment) so I want to start familiarizing myself with Soundbooth and "learn to love it" since it's all I've got to work with at home [ ... Until otherwise ]

agettig · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 2:50 pm Post subject:

Bob T. - I'm thinking Adobe Audition might fit the bill for you. Download an eval and give it a whirl. Also, I have heard that Sony is working on a Mac version of Sound Forge.

Bob T · Posted: Tue Aug 28, 2012 8:54 pm Post subject:

Agettig – AA seems to have everything I need except preroll punch. (That’s right they don’t have pre roll punch at AA) For one who has gravitated to long form narration and audiobook, that’s a deal breaker. I really wanted to move away from PT because of my perceived issues with their perceived need to tell me what hardware to use with their software. Also they seem a bit pricey for my taste even to the point of charging for customer service. But in the end, after input and advice from some awesome VO-BB denizens, some trial and error and a modicum of Googling on my own, it is clear that PT has more answers for my particular usability questions than others I have found so far. I guess when you know you’re good you can afford to be arrogant. As for Soundforge, I looked at it and decided for the money I might as well stay with what I know.

Brian G – Soundbooth is an Adobe product that was discontinued last year. You should be an ideal candidate for Audition. Possibly you could acquire it as an upgrade.

BTW thanks for your service! You’re one of the good guys.