VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

iladelf · Guest

Hello all,

After several years in the virtual wasteland known as radio, I've decided to give voice over work a shot. Actually, I got out of radio about seven years ago, but friends have often wondered why I didn't go into VO work before now. One was cost, the other was I was getting a computer repair business off the ground. My goal is to just get VO work on a supplemental income basis, and eventually get it to become my main bread and butter.

My question is this; is there any easy-to-use recording software you'd recommend? I've used Audacity in the past, but would like something a little more robust. My current setup is as follows:

1. M-Audio Delta 1010LT Sound Card
2. ElectroVoice MC100 mic (plugged into...)
3. Behringer Xenyx 502 Pre-amp/Mixer
4. Grado SR-125 Headphones
5. 5.1 Surround Creative computer speakers

I've also tried Cubase LT and found the learning curve to be too much, and Acid Music 6, but didn't like the fact that I couldn't normalize track levels in Acid (for example, if the mic level was too low).

Here's what I want to be able to do:

1. Record multiple tracks.
2. Raise and lower levels of recording (the waveforms themselves)
3. Something that is compatible with the Delta 1010LT.

Look, I work on computers for a living, but in this case, for me, the simpler the software, the better. Kind of like the old "SAW" program for Windows 3.1.

Thanks for your advice.

louzucaro · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:51 am Post subject:

Well, I'm still learning about all this stuff myself, so in a sense we're in the same boat.

Before setting up my DAW here, I'd used the audio tools in Vegas and thought they were pretty easy to work with.

My audio hardware came with Cubase LE and as you say, the learning curve is something.

There's Audacity, which is free, but doesn't give you a ton of features, which may be exactly what you're looking for.

But on the advice of a number of people here on vo-bb, I got a copy of Adobe Audition 2.0 and I have to say, I really like it a lot. It's easy to use, looks nice, works well, does multi-track etc. etc. etc.

Just my two cents Smile

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iladelf · Guest

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

I tried Tracktion, which was included with my Mackie Spike, but Adobe Audition 2.0 worked much better for me...I had been out of radio for 10 years at the time, and the last time I had done any editing it had been on a reel-to-reel tape deck with crayon and razor blade!

louzucaro · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 11:49 am Post subject:

I never used 1.5 so I can't really speak to that...sorry!
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bobbinbeamo · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 7:33 pm Post subject:

I use an MBox with ProTools LE. Everyone says it's hard, but I picked it up pretty quickly. I also purchased "ProTools for Dummies" and tutored myself for about 2 weeks and learned what I needed to know. I also pick things up from friends in the business. I also have a Behringer Xentx 1204 mixer. I am gonna sell some of my other worldly posessions on ebay and then get me a Neumann. probably on ebay too.
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iladelf · Guest

Ah, well, folks, I keep trying different software, and keep coming up snakeyes so far. The Pro Tools M-Powered software keeps whining about the M-Audio card not being detected. I've installed the latest M-Audio drivers, still didn't fix it. So far, Mixcraft 3 seems to be the one that will do what I want. Seems easy to use, installed easily and is working. That's half the battle.

But I still haven't found anything that emulates the simple "Amplify" tool in Audacity. With that tool, you could clearly see the change in your waveform, to either raise or lower it.

How I'm recording currently is this:

1. Mic to the Behringer, then Main Out to RCA IN 3 and 4 on the LT1010. I'm controlling the level from the Mic Pot, Trim and Main Mix of the Behringer.

What's odd is that, even though the M-Audio panel shows a little clipping as I talk into the mic, once recorded, the levels are good, but not great, meaning I need to raise them a bit.

Oh well, I'll keep on truckin'. Keep those suggestions coming. I must say that this has been quite frustrating. All I want to do is record, edit and listen to the finished product!

billelder · Guest

Rob, You know you're an old radio guy when you own your own grease pencil. Smile

For most jobs I use a standard WAV editor like Audition. For multi-track I use a program I found on the internet years ago named N-Track. Multiple tracks, and at $54 for the 16 bit ($79 for the 24 bit version) it won't break the bank. The evaluation version has a splash screen and tones every 30 seconds. I've done multiple tracks and even recorded 30 tracks for a band with it. The down side is that the older version I have won't allow you to easily edit the wav file. You have to use your editor to do that.

Somewhere on here there are good comments about the free version of ProTools.

Deirdre · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 3:21 am Post subject:

Pro Tools Free isn't much of an option for anyone using a system newer than Mac OS 9 or Windows 98.
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todd ellis · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 6:30 am Post subject:

i'm a big fan of adobe audition also - have 1.5 and now 2.0 - not much difference between the two - the GUI is a little more intuitive on 2.0 - particularly in the multi-track view, and there are a few more pre-set effects. i found it pretty simple to figure out - haven't read the manual yet. and as far as format goes - you can save/convert to just about anything. jmho.
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bobbinbeamo · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 8:19 am Post subject:

davediamondprovo · Posted: Mon May 07, 2007 6:28 pm Post subject:

Can't say enough good things about:

http://site.magix.net/english-us/home/music/music-studio-12-deluxe/
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iladelf · Guest

Say, Dave, that program does look slick. Looks like I'd have to try the Magix Music Maker 11 Demo, since the 12 Studio Deluxe apparently has no demo download. Always great to try before you buy.

Was install and setup easy?

davediamondprovo · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 8:57 pm Post subject:

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 9:48 pm Post subject:

I agree with Todd. Audition is an amazing program, always has been. And it worked flawlessly with my new ART Tube USB interface. Sound Forge, not so much.
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