I'm new I just started yesterday and I need help!

Lauren Whitmore

Hello!

I just started doing voice overs yesterday. I don't have any training but I've been told that I have a great voice. What's the likelyhood of me making money?

Also, I purchased a really awesome USB microphone and I record and convert to MP3 with Audacity, but for some reason my recordings always come to the voice 123 website with very low volume. Does anyone know how I can fix that?

Thank!

Lauren Very Happy

Vance Elderkin · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007, 03:30 (GMT) Post subject:

Hello, Lauren.

Do you Normalize your audio file before you convert to MP3? That could fix the problem right there. (I use Audacity with a USB mic, and never have volume trouble.)

Can you make money? Having never heard your demo or your voice, I would blindly say: Sure, if you can read copy as well as the people doing it full-time, and if you know enough technically to make decent recordings...but if you're after "get rich quick," this is NOT the place for you.

You can get a LOT of information in these threads concerning some of these issues. Take a look around.

...OK, I went over to your 123 page and listened to your demo. First of all, there was plenty of volume. Second...listen to some of the other demos of the people on this site, particularly females, and ask yourself honestly if your demo is as good or as professional-sounding as theirs. Those are just SOME of the people with which you're competing for work.

I think you have a nice voice with a lot of potential...a diamond in the rough. But it's not about having a great voice...it's about what you DO with the voice.

Best advice I can give you to learn essentials quickly--get a book called "The Art of Voice Acting," by James Alburger, 3rd edition. If you're near a Barnes & Noble, they probably have it in stock. If not, you can get it from the web site voiceacting.com. (No, I don't get kickbacks.) Right now, you're in the position where you "don't know what you don't know." After you read the book, you will "KNOW what you don't know." Then, I think, you'll know what to do.

You photograph well, BTW...

Grant Holmes · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007, 15:17 (GMT) Post subject:

Lauren,

Ima Newbie to VO work, but have been acting on stage/theater, etc for over 30. My acting is what will probably get me as much/more work than my "great voice". I just got off a website for actors. There are video demos on everyone. What it REALLY was was, a model site for gorgeous people that can't act.

The point? Learn how to act the piece. If you're just in this 'cause people tell you that you have a great voice and you think you'll turn a couple bucks until whatever comes along... just go ahead and do that other thing now.

I feel my acting chops puts me in league with these REALLY talented folks. However, I've spent weeks on the forum reading, listening to demos, putting up some demos for comments and LEARNED. I still have a lot to learn. I expect to go several more weeks without landing a job and it doesn't matter. I want to get good.

Not trying to be critical here, just realistic. Search the forum. There are MANY threads on the same subject. I almost wish they'd create a separate category, "Can I really make money doing this". Go read them.

Finally on volume. I have my speakers/amp set to listen to my demos that I do here and most posted in the forum. Yours WAS like 50% on my side. Had to crank the amp to hear you. Sorry, I have no idea how to fix it.

Lance Blair · Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2007, 16:04 (GMT) Post subject:

On your demo, you seem to be very distant from the mic and almost shouting into it. I can hear the space of your room - and I shouldn't. Ideally, you should be 8"-3" away from it and speaking at a normal volume.

Excited/engaging doesn't equal over-projecting. It's a mistake I made for a long time, and still have to focus on.

good luck.

Debbie Deutsch · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2007, 05:39 (GMT) Post subject:

Read REad REad everything you can, out loud, with different tones and inflections. Practice, and listen to others in the field of voice work. take any classes you can on voice acting. Remember to breathe! Cool