Just starting out, need some Idea's on home studio equipment

Clint Crawford

I'm just getting started in in this area of the Biz ...been acting Professionally about 5 years..in theatre about 25. have a studio demo on my website but have been having to do custom demo's on my home computer...loses a lot of quality....any Ideas on equipment for a nice low to medium budget home studio system would be GREATLY appreciated...thanks in advance....Clint C.

Chip Hinshaw · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006, 14:48 (GMT) Post subject:

Clint, I don't want to seem like a shill here, but I am a big fan of "The voice actor's Guide to Home Recording" by Jeff Fisher and Harlan Hogan.

There are undoubtedly other fantastic resources (hopefully others will post here), but this is the only one I've read. I was actually a sound engineering student in college for 3 semesters (20 odd years ago almost), so I had a good head start, but someone recently gave me the Fisher/Hogan book, so I read through it and found it to be a fantastic primer to home recording.

Fred Wilharm · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006, 19:31 (GMT) Post subject:

Another voiceover forum , populated mainly by pros, just had a shootout of about 8 mics, priced anywhere from $99 to $3000. No one knew which was which, and everyone voiced opinions. THe 3 favorites seemed to be the Studio Projects B1, the Neumann U-87 and the T-103. Respective approx.prices:
$99, $3000 and $1000. So the B1 is probably a good bet for anyone without buckets of cash. The AKG Perception 100 is the same price and also good, I use it every day.
Plug your mic into a M-audio Fastrack Pro ($200) and plug it into your USB port. Then get a copy of Audacity software (free?) and you are in business for 300 bucks. A pop filter and a couple of pieces of acoustic foam, angled in a V shape behind your mic, will help also. And a reasonably dead room.

Alex Torrenegra · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006, 02:03 (GMT) Post subject:

I agree with Chip. Harlan's book is a very good resource.

Gary Johnston · Posted: Tue Nov 07, 2006, 04:50 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Clint,

There are a lot of options but you can get a decent, clean setup going for under $1000.

I use a Tascam US428 controller ($400 on ebay) and a USB interface to my PC with Cool Edit Pro. I only use the sound controllers on the US428. I have an Apex 435 Condenser mic ($99) going through an Maudio Audio Buddy pre-amp ($99), which also supplies the phantom power. Combined with a down and dirty booth made from PVC pipe and moving blankets ($100) and I can get a pretty quiet, clean, crisp sound.

I've got my eye on the T-103 though after all the great reviews I've read.

Good luck.