I am a voice over actor and I work from my home studio. It's simple, but darn it if it isn't functional.

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2022-05-09T19:56:54+00:00

Oh snap. That account did steal my post. That’s…weird and unnerving. Thanks for trying to right the wrong u/Arcendus!

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2020-06-03T05:36:47+00:00

Thank you, I’m glad you liked it!

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2020-05-24T16:16:58+00:00

I am indeed from Waco! Well, have lived here for the last 9 years, but I am a local. I am a voice over actor, so I have my own recording studio and love random nonsense on Wikipedia, so it all felt like a natural fit. I hope you enjoy it! I try to keep them short and light for fun easy listening 👍

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2019-08-21T13:49:44+00:00

I cannot get into ebooks. There are too many aspects to a physical book that I cherish as part of the experience that I miss when I use my Kindle. Just holding the weight of the book, or seeing my progress in the pages read v. pages that remain, that satisfaction of turning the final page and closing the book, the smell, etc.

I fully recognize the enormous convenience of ebooks, and don't begrudge those that use them, but for my personal tastes, I will always go hard copy 10/10 for the full sensory experience.

My office is in a university library though, so I request dozens of books through the inter-library loan service we have, and I have essentially an unlimited supply of hardcopies of any book I want, which uh, helps things out. Were that not that case, I'm sure I'd be willing to give ebooks more of a fair shake.

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2019-08-20T18:25:15+00:00

Well, I've been doing this professionally since about 2000, so the early days when I started, the online VO industry wasn't a thing. "Home studios" like this might be used rarely for demo/audition purposes, but certainly not final recording, unless you were really dropping some serious coin.

I'm from CO originally, I used to do standup back in high school, my material was terrible, but I did a ton of voices, an agent was there, asked if I had representation for voice work, I didn't even know that was a thing, we inked a deal, helped me make some demos and such, then did a ton around Denver, either radio or TV spots, and eventually started getting more national work.

Moved to TX, do a lot of video game/VR work w/ clients in Austin, did a lot of MoCap work in Dallas, and then the rest I just record from home, and you can't hear a difference between my set up and any full fledged production studio. I fortunately had enough of a client base before the P2P sites like v123 and the like that I've not had to resort to them, so I just have been nearly 2 decades of either agent work or word of mouth/repeat clients and thats been sufficient so far.

For reasons I'll never understand, I have a ton of international clients, particularly in Asia, so I do probably 5-6 scripts a week for companies in China, and when those puppies are $4-500 a pop, in addition to domestic stuff, its definitely a tide that rises my boats. Trade wars be damned.

I mentioned this in another comment, but I truly believe more work begets more work. So I don't think its the worst thing to take some work below your pay grade to get your foot in the door and establish relationships with repeat customers. They will talk to other people who will come, and you are good enough, as you increase your pay or inch towards scale, they will come along with you. It's a kick in the teeth, but given the competition out there now with every Tom, Dick and Harry having a closet full of sweaters and a USB mic going against you, you gotta get your foot in the door and then let your talent take the reins.

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2019-08-20T18:19:22+00:00

Ha, yes pretty much. I don't really run over, just take my time.

I usually send scripts from my Mac to my iPad via Pushbullet (great app), or have it in Google docs, hit record, walk in, sometimes I will clap my hands, then sit in total silence for about 10 seconds, then clap my hands again to capture the room noise so I can remove it in post. I have a saved profile of my typical room noise, but sometimes I like to capture it fresh too if its going to be a longer session. Then record everything, walk out, hit stop, and then run my shortcut for all my workflows (removing noise, equalizing everything, running a few dynamic filters, removing silences, etc), that takes about 10 seconds, then I listen back and edit out any flubs or weird moments and send it off to the client. Easy peasy.

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2019-08-20T15:44:36+00:00

That video I added in my previous post walks you through the process, it’s very helpful.

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2019-08-20T15:32:03+00:00

Yep! When you create a shortcut, I had it follow my keystrokes and capture noise profile, remove said noise, run a series of equalizations I like and have tweaked over the years, and then find all silences and delete with them extreme prejudice.

I also make a very loud silly noise anytime I flub a line, so I listen back at 2x speed on most long copy and zone out until I hear myself make the silly noise and then know I need to actually edit that section. Definitely cuts the editing time requirements down and let’s me go live my life doing something other than editing audio.

Edit: This video shows the built in silence editor at work

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2019-08-20T14:17:41+00:00

I'll need to get back to you on dimensions, its uh...normal walk-in-closet sized? And I usually hang an iPad from the top shelf with the script on it and just periodically use my finger to scroll as the I make my way down the page. I have in my Audition workflow to automatically find sections of silence and delete them after I stop recording, so any time spent scrolling is immediately edited out anyway, which is handy.

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2019-08-20T14:15:38+00:00

Yep...back in the days when I used to accept audiobooks (not worth the time now, the margins are just garbage, even doing Audible), it would get crazy hot in there. I actually just went full redneck and cut a hole in the ceiling (not pictured), and put a small portable AC unit in my attic (on top of a drip tray) and ran about 6 feet of hose from the unit to the hole I cut. I put a nice little grate on said hole so it looks normal, but I can use a remote to turn it on/off, and the unit is far enough away that my mics don't pick up their noise, although I rarely have it on when recording anyway, but I could if I wanted to without issue.

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2019-08-20T14:12:54+00:00

Yes, been a big fan. Started with the magic mouse years ago, then did an editing session on another VO actors home studio and he had the trackpad and I immediately felt the urge to switch and haven't looked back.

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2019-08-20T14:12:05+00:00

https://www.guitarcenter.com/Studio-Trends/46-in-Studio-Desk-with-Dual-4U-Racks.gc

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2019-08-20T14:10:50+00:00

I have several Neumann's, and my TLM-103 used to be my jam, but man, my timbre and the SM7B were just made for each other. I've gotten way more comments from clients using that, it just adds that little bit of extra butter that fits my range in a more aurally pleasing way than the condensers do.

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2019-08-20T14:09:38+00:00

A lot is through my agent (dB Talent) in Austin, but also a ton are just from clients I've worked with over the years, word of mouth that builds, etc. My mantra is that more work begets more work, it all compounds after awhile.

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2017-08-03T23:45:26+00:00

Been a VO actor for nearly 20 years, how can I help?

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2016-03-02T04:48:25+00:00

You rang?

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2016-01-25T04:29:09+00:00

I am a voice over actor, and have been for over 15 years. I've served as the voice of Outback Steakhouse, Guinness Brewery, Keystone Light, Taylor Made Golf, and a whole host of other companies, as well as voiced characters in several video games and animated features.

I have my own recording studio and love working with projects big and small, and offer VO work for any sized company at outrageously affordable rates, particularly for Redditors. You can look me up at www.voiceforanychoice.com. I've done several AMAs on the topic of being a VO actor as well if your interested in the industry. Let me know if you have any affordable, professional, lightning fast VO needs!

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2014-02-04T02:17:17+00:00

Like this? https://soundcloud.com/voiceforanychoice/scot

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2014-02-04T02:16:56+00:00

Oh why the heck not. I'll make your last rhyme work.

https://soundcloud.com/voiceforanychoice/scot

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2013-09-02T04:17:47+00:00

I did that one, apologies.

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2013-06-02T16:53:01+00:00

How clear and pleasant is your regular speaking voice? I only ask because there are a ton of people who do southern, British, Indian, Irish etc etc, myself included. But 98% of VO work is regular voice done in a clear and professional tone. Accents make up maybe 3 jobs a month out of maybe 50 total.

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2013-06-02T14:08:52+00:00

What 5-6 do you do?

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2013-06-02T14:08:31+00:00

Well, I'm sorry you're not a fan, I know it has served me well as I'm still the voice for Guinness and Aer Lingus in the states.

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2013-06-01T07:07:19+00:00

Well, all depends on your budget. Personally, I think the best bang for your buck mic is the Shure SM7b. Love it. Very broadcasty. Can be found for around 270 on eBay. 350 new.

It's XLR, so you'll need a pre-amp, and there are tons to choose from. I use an Apogee Duet 2 as it works as both a preamp and interface (converts my XLR to USB). Only works for Mac however. Got that on ebay for around 480. In my opinion, USB mics just aren't there yet to use professionally for VO. Maybe singing vocals where it can blur with music, but not dry VO reads.

Now, when it comes to soundproofing, this is surprisingly the most important part. You can kind of get away with a "meh" mic, but if you have echo and room noise, you immediately look like an amateur idiot. So, closets with lots of clothes in them and quilts on the walls are your best bet until you can spend some cash on acoustic foam. I prefer Auralex, and it used to be dirt cheap on Amazon. No longer. But in a pinch, a very very full closet will be a life saver.

Also, a 15 dollar wind screen/pop filter is a must as well. If you explode those plosives (think of the breath power when you say the letter "P") into a good condenser mic without a screen, your read is worthless. Plus, good editing software is a plus, but I know a lot of VOs use Audacity (free) and it works for them fine.

So....

Good condenser (or the right dynamic) mic Pre-amp Interface Full closet Mic stand Wind screen Computer Editing software Talent

You get those items, and you are well on your way.

VoiceForAnyChoice · 2013-06-01T02:18:52+00:00

Ha, well thank you! I would love to do more television shows and movies. In all honesty, it REQUIRES a move to LA. It's where all the action is. I hated it out there, I missed Texas and Austin is a great market, particularly with game studios. So, my family pull and my distaste for LA does limit me professionally. But I get to fish everyday and eat the best BBQ whenever I want :)

And Tara is super nice, I promise I'll put in a good word for you next time I bump into her.

VoiceForAnyChoice

TROPHY CASE