VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Sean211 · Joined: 23 May 2014 Posts: 10

Aren't you guys lucky!

So...after several years in radio (1985 onward), I'm finally building my home "studio." No matter what gear I choose, I already know I need to treat the room. So that's high on the agenda list...possibly even the top slot.

Gearwise here's what I'm using:

Mac Mini (top of the line, maxed ram to 16gig)
MBox 3
Pro Tools 10/11
Blue Spark mic
MAudio BX5 monitors

A few questions:

Should I use a external processor, such as the Aphex Project Channel, or just go straight into the MBox mic pre and use a plug-in chain inside Pro Tools?

I've also thought about using either the Universal Audio Satellite or Apollo Twin as a front end to Pro Tools, but I'm not sure.

I'm guessing I don't need an external mixer.

I've worked in nice studios during my career and this is the first time I've tried to build something at home. Any thoughts or direction would be appreciated.

...and thank you!

Jason Huggins · Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 3:46 pm Post subject:

Welcome good man!

As you probably know, your room and your skills will have a far greater effect on your sound than adding a channel strip or sweet interface. You can use the gear you have and make a living in VO...providing you have a good sounding room and the skills (both marketing and acting).

I'd say, if yer gonna spend money, do it one making your room sound good and getting your acting chops up to a competitive level. Once those things are solid, then (as Mr. Bergen would say) get a brilliant demo and start hitting the streets with it.

Poop scooper is down the hall in the mud room. Place dark chocolate on the counter across from the fireplace. Llamas are out back.

Sean211 · Joined: 23 May 2014 Posts: 10

Much appreciated!

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

Welcome Sean.

Were you by chance on the air in the Central Ky area in the 80s?

I know a Sean in radio who started in the biz around that time.

Basically you can either go with a processor or channel strip that gives you things like a compressor, EQ, noise gate, high pass filter, etc. or just go with a
preamp and either do no processing (or do your processing via software).

But as Jason said, room acoustics and isolation and having a marketable demo(s)
is also right up there in importance.

Also, what is your budget range for any additional gear or room treatment that you may need?

ShaneGraham057 · Contributor Joined: 01 May 2014 Posts: 49 Location: VA

Welcome from a fellow noob and radio transplant. Laugh

+1 to all of the advice being given here. It also sounds like you have done (a little) research on what direction you need to be heading in (so thats a plus)

Coaching and getting a solid demo is job #1. (IMO) This line of voice work is quite different than we were accustomed to in radio. (But you will learn this too) Laugh

You sound like you are off to a halfway decent start - I wish you much enlightenment, success, and satisfaction from this passion we all share.

georgethetech · Posted: Fri May 23, 2014 9:35 pm Post subject:

I've become a huge fan of the All-in-one Apollo Twin solution for a personal VO studio. No extra hardware needed, no channel strips, its all done "inside the box". However, if you are using PT, then the rig you already have is just fine, as long as the latency doesn't bother you (or you just don't bother monitoring the PT track output during tracking).
Tune the room and all will be right with the world! The rest just falls into place after that. As for the making money part, that's for another discussion to take place elsewhere.
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Sean211 · Joined: 23 May 2014 Posts: 10

Thanks for all the input here.

Rob...never worked in Kentucky -- just Indiana and Ohio.

I've cut a demo based on my work at the station:

VO Demo

Fran McClellan · Posted: Sat May 24, 2014 8:46 am Post subject:

Hi Sean,

I don't have much more to add to the advice already given...just wanted to say welcome to the VO-BB!! Laugh

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Back into the murky lurk from whence I came
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"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon

Bruce · Posted: Sat May 24, 2014 9:22 am Post subject:

Welcome aboard!

If you want a critique or two on your demo, feel free to post it in the Critique section.

B
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VO-BB Member #31 Enlisted June, 2005

I'm not a Zoo, but over the years I've played one on radio/TV. .

Chuck Davis · Posted: Sun May 25, 2014 4:45 am Post subject:

Welcome in Sean...from another former radio guy.
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