MODULE 7: HOW TO BUILD YOUR OWN HOME STUDIO
WHY SHOULD YOU INVEST?
- Having your own home studio is probably one of the best investments that you can do for your career as a VOICE ARTIST.
- You need/ be able to make your recordings right from your home.
- You can update your knowledge with your own research as you move along in your career.
- Reminder: Don't be dependent on your hardware or software. The quality of your recordings will still depend on your skills.
MICROPHONE
- The microphone captures the sound of your voice.
- This is probably the most important equipment in the list.
- Do not scrimp on your microphone, choose the best that's within your budget.
- Study the different kinds available & choose the best one for your studio.
TYPES OF MICROPHONE
USB MICROPHONE
- The best type for those starting out.
- Plug-n-play direct to your computer.
- This is my "Best friend" when I started my company.
- I also used this during training & when I was interviewing Presidential candidates in 2010.
PROS
- Easily connects to any computer with a USB port
- Allows you to record directly on the computer
- No additional equipment.
CONS
- Hard to set up if you need to use 2 USB mics at the same time
- Not as versatile
- Performance dependent on the computer's specification
- You need to use the higher end models if you want studio quality sound.
DYNAMIC BROADCAST MIC (DBM)
- The type used by anchors & DJs in radio stations.
- Only captures the sound directly in front of it; "Unidirectional".
PROS
- Helps minimize plosive sounds like "P" & "S"
- Does not need phantom power
CONS
- Lacking in upper mid & high frequencies
- Cannot capture extremely loud and soft sounds
- Needs additional equipment to connect to the computer
LARGE DIAPHRAGM CONDENSER MIC
- The type used in recording studios
- Also used in recording musical instruments
- Very "detailed" sound quality
- Allows for a "textured" voice over
PROS
- Sensitive, can pick-up upper frequencies
- Assuming the room has the correct ambience & you are using the correct technique in recording, you are able to get the best quality voice recording using this mic
CONS
- Because it is sensitive, it is also able to capture plosive sounds & background noise
- Needs additional equipment to connect to the computer
TIPS IN USING THE MIC
- Treat it like the EAR of your listener
- Shouting at the mic is like shouting at your listener
- You should know how to use the mic properly
SPEAKERS
- If the mic is the INPUT, the speakers are the OUTPUT
- You are able to hear the sounds that you are capturing through the speakers
- The speakers used are called STUDIO Monitors
- This gives you a FLAT frequency response for an even sound & good quality audio mix
HEADPHONES
- Even if you're alone in your room or house, it's important that you use headphones in listening to your audio recording
- You are able to hear background noise that may not be noticed through the speakers. example: Flipping of the script; breathing sound; touching the mic
COMPUTER AUDIO INTERFACE (CAI)
- You might be wondering by now, "How do you connect non-USB types of mics to the computer?"
- You need the computer audio interface or CAI for that
- There are microphones that require "phantom power" in order to function.
- This feature is often seen in mixers or in the CAI
MIC STAND
- You should not be holding the mic while recording
- The mic is sensitive & there is even the possibility of you being electrocuted!
- The mic stand ensures that the mic remains steady all throughout the recording, ensuring a consistent sound all throughout.
- In the absence of a mic stand, you canuse a desk stand or studio arm instead.
- A desk stand is a small, table-top version of the mic stand.
SHOCK MOUNT OR SPIDER WEB
- The shock mount is where you can see that the Mic is attached to a casing that allows the mic to seem to "float" in front of you.
POP FILTER
- Even if you maintain proper distance from the mic, you may still be producing plosives or sibilant sounds during your recording , such as "P" & "S".
- You can adjust its distance & position in front of the mic
- The mic could be made of metal or a foam-like substance, similar to a pantyhose.
OUTBOARD GEAR
- There are different kinds of outboard gears in the market, but for recording voice overs what is needed are micrphone preamps, a dynamic processor & channel strips.
SOUNDPROOFING
- That is why one of the important factors to consider in setting up your recording studio is the room acoustics or ambience.
DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION (DAW)
- Aside from the mic, the digital audio workstation (DAW) is perhaps the most important element in your recording studio.
- There are also audio editing programs that allow you to import video files
- Such programs allow you to mix the recording of audio & video files together
- Don't worry if you don't have any of these materials & equipment
- You can just use a portable digital recorder
- Especially useful when traveling
TIPS IN EDITING AUDIO
Don't just study how to edit and how to mix your audio files.
- This means you should know how to choose the proper music & effects appropriate for your recording.
You can't use everything that you can download in the Internet
- Use "royalty fee" music or songs that have no copyright
FINAL THOUGHTS IN SETTING UP YOUR HOME STUDIO
Invest in T.E.A.M.
- Time
- Energy
- Ability
- Money
- You can learn & develop your home studio as you move along in your voice artist career.
