VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Monica Lowe · Joined: 24 Apr 2010 Posts: 2

I'm going on vacation for two full weeks and I'm wondering how best to adapt my Laptop to become my traveling studio.
Normally I can take off for a few days and get back to work in my studio on return. This time around with two full weeks....I can't disappear from my TV clients more than three days.

Aside from my home studio with all the equipment, I have a laptop with audacity but now I'll need to record VO while sitting in a rental car at the beach in Maui! Please advise! This seems like it must be simple but I want to be sure.
Thanks,
Monica

KaraEdwards · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 9:30 am Post subject:

Welcome Monica!

I use the Micport Pro. It's small, light, easy to travel with and sounds great. Just connect your mic to the Micport, plug the Micport into the USB port, and record! Plus- you can monitor while recording if you like.

I toggle between Audacity and Twisted Wave when on the road.

Hope that helps!
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Jason Bishop · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 10:51 am Post subject:

Hey Kara,

Great advice as always!
But how do you manage noise on the road?
The usual hide in a closet/stack pillows in a corner method?
A software compander?
Sennheiser 416?

I use a combination of the three but am always in search of a better way!

Thanks and later,

Jason
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KaraEdwards · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:40 am Post subject:

I just purchased a 416 for this very purpose!

I also find that some hotels have coffee tables that fit perfectly on the bed. Then, I pull the bedding around the table, and place the pillows inside and around the edges. If I can find a picture, I will post one.

The backseat of a car works really great too- good acoustics.
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Jason Bishop · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 11:54 am Post subject:

Cool.
Most places we stay have a wardrobe closet/armoire so I hang clothes to either side, stack suitcase on top of that luggage caddy thingy (you know, the tubed aluminum thing with the webbing that folds up?) and add pillow on back side to cut reflections. Then to soften the hard doors of the wardrobe when they are open, I drape the extra quilt/blankets over them or even drape it over top of both doors to make a "tent" if you will.

Thanks for sharing your "secrets"!

Jason
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KaraEdwards · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:01 pm Post subject:

Good to know Jason!! There are likely several ways to make it happen...I wonder if anyone else has pictures?

Here's a set up I did in LA last December...this was good for auditions but would not have worked for a job (the mic is my Lawson L47)

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Deirdre · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:37 pm Post subject:

Man, I wonder if hotels have any idea how and why we wrangle their stuff.
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bobsouer · Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:41 pm Post subject:

Deirdre,

I know they know about mine because I usually leave my gear set up the whole time I'm checked in to a given room. And that's for that lovely shot Kara. Quite interesting. I'm going to steal some of these ideas.
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Monica Lowe · Joined: 24 Apr 2010 Posts: 2

Thanks Everyone! I'm on my way to pick up the Micport Pro. Hopefully soon I'll post pictures also!

bransom · DC Joined: 06 Nov 2008 Posts: 650 Location: St. Louis, MO

Kara's setup looks pretty similar to what I do, using either a coffee table or that luggage rack-thing.

But, when I do this, it's never anywhere near as good as a studio and I always wonder: How much room noise, etc. is TOO much? In my head, I'm thinking, "Does this sound so bad that I'm humiliating myself?"

Anybody have any thoughts on this?
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Moe Egan · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 8:45 am Post subject:

If you have regular clients and you know you'll be out of town .. right up front, let them know you'll be traveling, with limited availability and that you'll be using your porta booth. Then do a test feed from your room to the client in question. I've never had issues using my porta booth (or Liz's!).
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asnively · Posted: Tue Apr 27, 2010 1:33 pm Post subject:

I've been experimenting with recording in rental cars. Depending on all the usual variables, I think it can sound better than a hotel room.
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todd ellis · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:31 pm Post subject:

kara - is that a 1gb netbook? what software are you using? & how does it work?
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KaraEdwards · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:39 pm Post subject:

It's a 3 year old Macbook. 1 GB RAM, Core 2 Duo, running OSX 10.5.

I mainly use it for photography, and if I'm traveling I'll use it for recording. I use either Audacity or Twisted Wave. Just plug in the MicPort Pro and go!

I'm hoping this year to upgrade to a Macbook Pro. They make such great computers!
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Car is the way to go!

1.) Place laptop with interface in the trunk
2.) Weasel XLR cable from trunk through back seats (have car with drop down seats)
3.) Rig microphone (shotgunmic or dynamic of choice) into the headrest of the driver's seat
4.) Sit in back seat and Voice On!
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