Does it really make a difference?

September Day Leach · **Voice Talent** Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 1526

So I started out with a Sennheiser mic, computer, factory sound card which I ran my mic directly into and Audacity when I began home recording in our computer room which had 3 comps running and 2 big windows. Now things are better, I've upgraded mics, software and the like. But I can honestly say, there are a lot of my older recordings that don't sound that different in quality to my new ones. Of course, the mic has helped the warmth and quality of the way my voice sounds, but the background stuff, the ambient noise, it just doesn't seem to be any different. I can't hear it on my older stuff and I don't here it on my newer stuff that I've recorded from home or at remote locations. Compared to a lot of you guys' set-ups, I'm sure I'm running a fairly ghetto-fabulous workshop. So, seriously. What do you really NEED to record from home? What's something I could get now and hear a big difference when I use it? Have my demos sounded subpar with background noise and the like?

Joe J Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 1521

Hi September,

Believe it or not, I use a Shure SM-58 Mike, run through a PreSonus TubePre, directly into the 1/8" line-in jack on my sound card. A bit of noise cancelling software and my recordings come out pretty good.

Most of my clients have no problems with the quality of my final output. For extra measure, I use a bit of Auralex foam around my mike when recording.

If a client wanted a bit more, or something like ISDN, there are plenty of studios nearby. I just pass on any studio time charges on to them.

All that being said, I would like to get a condenser mike, processor, and better connection to my computer (USB or RCA maybe)

For my money, it doesn't seem to make much of a difference.

In The Ghetto,
Joe J Thomas
www.JoeActor.com

Steve Royal · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Posts: 167

Hi September & Joe,

I'm running a Behringer B2 with sE Reflexion filter into a Fostex MR8 MkII and then processing/editing with Soundforge. The only time my sound card is part of the chain is when I'm monitoring, so a decent set of speakers is vital.

....maybe I'll get around to buying some one day! Smile

I'm finding with the B2 that while it suits my voice, it also is very sensitive to room colour, background noise, etc....which is why I use a Reflexion filter.
Using that reasoning, all home studios should be using $9.99 dynamics!
Smile

But, I agree with Joe that in the end it makes little difference. Once your voice goes through your own processing and is then (often) re-processed, mixed with music, fx, etc, any small acoustic flaws in your recording probably won't be noticed.

The Geek Shall Inherit The Earth!

Steve Wink

Lynne Alston · **Voice Talent** Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Posts: 743

Steve wrote:which is why I use a Reflexion filter.
Using that reasoning, all home studios should be using $9.99 dynamics!

What is a reflexion filter?

Lynne

DB Cooper · Posted: Sun Jun 03, 2007, 04:36 (GMT) Post subject:

http://www.seelectronics.com/rf.html

Lynne Alston · **Voice Talent** Joined: 20 Oct 2006 Posts: 743

Thanks DB, very interesting write up, have to add that to my wish list.

Lynne

Joe J Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 1521

Steve Royal · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Posts: 167

Joe J Thomas · **Voice Talent** Joined: 16 Nov 2004 Posts: 1521

Thanks for the info on the Reflexion, Steve.
Sounds like it's nice, but a bit tempermental...

Cheers,
Joe

Cira Larkin - Studio 53 · **Voice Talent** Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 497

Lance Blair · Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007, 03:47 (GMT) Post subject:

September, I really like your work, and I think I could listen to your voice through a pair of cans and string and be entertained. Maybe because the quality is already there in your voice subpar equipment isn't so much of a distraction. I would say that often female voices are easier to record well unless you're running into sibilance issues or a lack of presence, but your voice doesn't fall anywhere near those issues. Listening to your work, I can tell the difference (I think) between your older and newer stuff, but I come from a audio engineer background first. Your newer work sounds extra terrific, so I'd say it was worth the investment! BTW, your website is one of the better ones out there, especially for female talent.

I see that a lot of your work is Atlanta based (like me) if you ever want to shoot the breeze my info is at www.lanceblair.net.

take care and good luck!

Todd Ellis · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007, 21:26 (GMT) Post subject:

Yeah - they're pretty steep. I got it into my head that i'd build one. i followed the specs on the product website and came up with the filter i posted in this thread.

http://voiceoversavvy.com/ftopic675.html&highlight=reflexion

without a direct comparison it'd be hard to say if i got it right. in MY room it deadened the mic too much ... it's hanging in the closet now - awaiting a future use ... somewhere ...

Steve Royal · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Aug 2006 Posts: 167

Hi Todd,
I had a look at your 'ReflixiTodd'...well done!

In that photo, the mic looks pretty close to the back of the filter, and that's gonna make it sound deader than dead.

Try moving the mic out about half-way. That should improve things a bit.

Steve

"No Warranty Expressed or Implied"
Smile

Todd Ellis · Posted: Wed Jun 06, 2007, 22:13 (GMT) Post subject:

thanks steve. my room is boarderline "too dead" now - but i'm planning a trip soon and i'm going to take it with me and try it on the road.