Hey, all.
I am beginning to try and take my home recording a bit more seriously. I enjoy recording songs I have written, but the real reason for my desire to get back into recording is the fact that I am trying to get some voice-over work, and am starting to record my character and announcer reels to pass out to an agent and potential clients.
What I have now is pretty modest, but I am able to get some semi-decent recordings so far. Here is the totality of my 'studio' as of now:
Mics: AKG c212 condenser, Behringer C1 condenser, Shure SM58, vintage Shure 545 Unidyne III
Preamp: Pre-Sonus BlueTube (I don't really know if this is doing much to the sound, TBH)
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (older version 1)
Computer and DAW: 2015 Macbook Pro - still running GarageBand
Monitors: KRK Rokit 5
Headphones: Audio-Technica ATHM40fs
Vocal Booth: My closet, with blankets and some acoustic treatment on a moveable room divider
I am now wondering what I should invest in next.
1. DAW. My first thought is to upgrade to Logic Pro X, as GarageBand is somewhat limiting, even for voice-over work. I am thinking Logic as I am familiar with Garageband, so the transition would be easier... though Reaper is MUCH cheaper, and I know some voice actors use and like it.
2. Microphone. I just got the AKG c212 a week ago - my first 'good' condenser mic. Cost 350 on sale. I don't feel that it is the best fit for my voice (which is baritone and bass) seems a bit harsh on the top end - pretty bright. For a bit more I can get a used Neumann TLM 2 which MIGHT be better. The mic needs to be a good fit for me, as in voice-over work there are no instruments around the voice, and no reverb - it's just naked voice (with compression, de-essing, etc.) I'd like to get a really good mic right from the start - but if nothing in the under 700 mark is noticeably better than the AKG, I'd save the cash and upgrade somewhere else. I can still take the AKG back and get something else if I want to - I just have to figure it out within the next couple weeks or so.
3. Interface. Would upgrading the interface to, let's say, a version 2 Scarlett do me much good? I don't need more channels, as the most I would really use would be two (and more likely one).
4. Vocal booth. I simply can't afford one - but I am getting the closet sounding better and better. For voice-over stuff, the room needs to be really 'dead' sounding. Moving blanket tents, etc. I am sorta working on this slowly, and I can't create anything permanent in the closet. The room I am in is noisy (near a freeway) and I am able to get it pretty dang quiet in the closet right now.
5. Pre-amp. I have had the BlueTube for years. To be honest, I don't know if it even really helps on the voice stuff I have tried it with. Still experimenting here.
6. Monitors and headphones. I am really happy with the KRK's - no desire to upgrade here as of now. My headphones suck, though. Very trebly and thin. I don't think it matters that much, but what do i know.
So - what should be my focus next? I am tempted to spend the money to 'upgrade' the mic and the DAW first... possibly the used Neumann and Logic Pro X. Am I on the right track here?
Thanks for any thoughts!
big jilm
I am beginning to try and take my home recording a bit more seriously. I enjoy recording songs I have written, but the real reason for my desire to get back into recording is the fact that I am trying to get some voice-over work, and am starting to record my character and announcer reels to pass out to an agent and potential clients.
What I have now is pretty modest, but I am able to get some semi-decent recordings so far. Here is the totality of my 'studio' as of now:
Mics: AKG c212 condenser, Behringer C1 condenser, Shure SM58, vintage Shure 545 Unidyne III
Preamp: Pre-Sonus BlueTube (I don't really know if this is doing much to the sound, TBH)
Interface: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (older version 1)
Computer and DAW: 2015 Macbook Pro - still running GarageBand
Monitors: KRK Rokit 5
Headphones: Audio-Technica ATHM40fs
Vocal Booth: My closet, with blankets and some acoustic treatment on a moveable room divider
I am now wondering what I should invest in next.
1. DAW. My first thought is to upgrade to Logic Pro X, as GarageBand is somewhat limiting, even for voice-over work. I am thinking Logic as I am familiar with Garageband, so the transition would be easier... though Reaper is MUCH cheaper, and I know some voice actors use and like it.
2. Microphone. I just got the AKG c212 a week ago - my first 'good' condenser mic. Cost 350 on sale. I don't feel that it is the best fit for my voice (which is baritone and bass) seems a bit harsh on the top end - pretty bright. For a bit more I can get a used Neumann TLM 2 which MIGHT be better. The mic needs to be a good fit for me, as in voice-over work there are no instruments around the voice, and no reverb - it's just naked voice (with compression, de-essing, etc.) I'd like to get a really good mic right from the start - but if nothing in the under 700 mark is noticeably better than the AKG, I'd save the cash and upgrade somewhere else. I can still take the AKG back and get something else if I want to - I just have to figure it out within the next couple weeks or so.
3. Interface. Would upgrading the interface to, let's say, a version 2 Scarlett do me much good? I don't need more channels, as the most I would really use would be two (and more likely one).
4. Vocal booth. I simply can't afford one - but I am getting the closet sounding better and better. For voice-over stuff, the room needs to be really 'dead' sounding. Moving blanket tents, etc. I am sorta working on this slowly, and I can't create anything permanent in the closet. The room I am in is noisy (near a freeway) and I am able to get it pretty dang quiet in the closet right now.
5. Pre-amp. I have had the BlueTube for years. To be honest, I don't know if it even really helps on the voice stuff I have tried it with. Still experimenting here.
6. Monitors and headphones. I am really happy with the KRK's - no desire to upgrade here as of now. My headphones suck, though. Very trebly and thin. I don't think it matters that much, but what do i know.
So - what should be my focus next? I am tempted to spend the money to 'upgrade' the mic and the DAW first... possibly the used Neumann and Logic Pro X. Am I on the right track here?
Thanks for any thoughts!
big jilm