Equipment Essentials for Voiceover/Narration?

Chakra5films wrote on 6/11/2005, 11:41 AM
Hey Guys -

I'm just starting to learn the audio end of things. I had initially focused on learning my NLE (vegas), but now is time to get more into audio, so I need some help:

I need to record narration/voiceover into a documentary I am doing. I have a standard Windows PC (2.5 1Gb RAM) with a standard crappy souncard. Because of budget constraints, I am trying to get away with using a short-shotgun (AT 897) to do this, but I am not adverse to buying a budget condenser if y'all think it's crucial and have a recommendation. Other than that I have a few other questions:

Should I replace the soundcard with another internal, or get something like the M-Audio firewire solo? I have no need to record music, just vocals.

Also, If I do get M-Audio Firewire solo, must I also get a mic preamp? Any recommendations there would be helpful as well. I do already have a Beacktek, but that will not help me here as far as a pre-amp, correct?

So, to sum up - I have a windows based PC, an OEM crappy soundcard and a Beachtek. What do you recommend as far as a decent set-up to record good audio into the computer? Also, if you have any opinions on using a stand-alone audio recorder for this purpose, I would welcome those as well.. :)

Thanks in advance to all of you on these great forums. Any limited knowledge I do have in this interesting field is a tribute to all of you here.


Marc
chakra5 Films

Comments

drbam wrote on 6/11/2005, 2:30 PM
What is your budget? Knowing this will assist us in offering the best options possible.

drbam
Chakra5films wrote on 6/11/2005, 2:55 PM
well I probably only have about 300.00 to spend.
farss wrote on 6/11/2005, 11:37 PM
Certainly one thing that I've found caused me grief recording voice was the recording environment, my loungroom with all hard surface was a major problem when I tried to apply heavy compression to speech so I'd leave a bit of money to get your environment not only quite but dead. Easy enough to add reverb, nigh ompossible to get rid of it.
Also don't underestimate comfort, for you and the talent. You can spend a lot of time recording speech, a comfortable working space for the talent can really help.
Others will probably disagree but I've used a Rode NT1A into a M-Audio Firewire 410 to record many hours of speech. Sure more expensive gear would have been a bit better but without a matching studio space it would have been a waste and what I have is in line with what my clients are willing to pay.
Bob.
bullshark wrote on 6/12/2005, 9:48 AM
"well I probably only have about 300.00 to spend. "


Ouf, that's barely cutting it even for low end stuff but I'll try to suggest something in that price range.

Audio card: M-Audio Audiophile 2496 is the best bang for the buck. $99.00

Mic: KEL Audio HM-1, warmest sounding of all the below $100.00 (even better than a few -$200.00 ones) mic that I've tried, low noise floor to booth. I use one all the time for voice-over. $99.00
http://www.kelaudio.com/hm1.html

Preamp: M-Audio (again) audio Buddy. I've seen this one for $99.00 and sounds ok, good clarity of sound (which is what one want for voice over).

That would get you to $297.00, but you still need cable for the mic and a pop filter (that, you can make using ladies nylon, ask your wife to contribute) and a stand for the mic ($20.00 will get you a decent one, but you can make one if you're handy with tool).

Like mentionned before, you will them have to hunt down a location for recording, the equipement I mentionned will give you pretty good result, but not if the room sound like crap. Movers blankets I found to be pretty good at atenuating reverberation if you're in a pinch.

Good luck.
rraud wrote on 6/12/2005, 10:19 AM
In additon to the foremetioned suggestions.
Ive used a clients M-Audio mobile-pre, which has two mic preamps and is USB powered. I thinks it goes for about $150USD.
I hear good things about the new budget priced Audio Technica 2020 which goes for $99.
Leaving some $ for a windscreen and shock mount
Alex_Talionas wrote on 6/12/2005, 11:13 AM
Be sure to check here also with your question. A lot of the audio guys from the Sony forums are posting here more now.

http://bbvegas.mywowbb.com/
Chakra5films wrote on 6/13/2005, 5:15 PM
Great, thanks.

Thanks to everyone for their suggestions and advice.
digifish wrote on 6/14/2005, 11:28 PM
QUOTE: $300 Ouf, that's barely cutting it even for low end stuff but I'll try to suggest something in that price range.

You have to be kidding, there is no problem getting a professional result on that budget!

A Bheringer Eurotrack 802 (mixer/preamp/phantom) www.behringer.com/UB802/index.cfm?lang=ENG ($65 USD)and a Rode NT-1A www.zzounds.com/item--RODNT1A ($199 USD) into your sound-card will produce a professional result.

TOTAL: $264, leaving $46 for cables, stand and pop-shield.

indeed I recorded the Vocals in this track using the above setup

www.digifishmusic.com/kt/KT2-Angel.mp3

Regards Scott.
bullshark wrote on 6/15/2005, 2:53 AM
No, I was not kidding.

I see no A/D converter (that would be the audio card) mentionned in your proposed setup.

And if you're happy with the sound and quality of the Behringer preamp...well, best of luck to you.
digifish wrote on 6/15/2005, 4:17 AM
Any PC audio card less than 5 years old (fed a line level signal) is more than up to the task of creating voiceover audio.

I stand by my comments (did you listen to the track I posted?).

Behringer Eurorack 802 + Rode NT-1A + Audigy 2ZS

seems to me you may be having trouble coming to terms with the revolution that has happened in audio low-cost manufacturing in the last few years.

Regards Scott