audio interface - voiceovers

[maxcalvada]

I do just voiceover work in my home PC with Cool Edit software. I have been using an old Realistic mixer and want to upgrade. I have just recently discovered that many voiceover artists record with an audio interface(which I had never heard of, I'm from the old school), instead of the traditional analog mixer.

Much of the audio interface hardware I've seen sold online contains recording software with the purchase price. I simply need to connect 1 or 2 microphones into my PC to record on Cool Edit. Can anyone suggest something that won't compromise voice quality?

Thanks.

 

[Dr Biscuits]

Technically, you already have an audio interface!
whatever gets your sound from one place to the other is the interface, so you must already have a souncard of some sort on your computer... if it's just an on-board one, you can upgrade that to something like an Audiophile 2496 soundcard (for about $100) but you'll still need to use some type of pre amp...

 

[maxcalvada]

preamp

Sorry, I'm just learning about this stuff.

From what I've been reading, I apparently need something(hardware?) that the mic(s) would plug into, for volume control on the mics, which would then plug into the back of the PC?

In another forum(on another website), someone who does voiceover work says I could buy a UB 502 - a http://www.behringer.com/UB502/index.cfm?lang=ENG - which is less than $40.00. Someone else suggested a Presonus Firebox or similar equipment by Mackie and M-Audio...

All of these would be considered preamps and that would be what I need?

 

[Dr Biscuits]

No problem!
Yep, you'll need a preamp (which is sometimes built in to the interface, like in the ProTools MBox) and you could use the Behringer one if you're on a tight budget... keep in mind though that a) that particular unit only has one preamp, so only one track at a time b) it doesn't have phantom power so if you're using a condenser mic (which you would probably want for VO work) you'll need to buy one and c) because it's only $40, and from Behringer, the quality of the preamp is pretty low... I actually have one of those little guys but I only use it as a headphone mixer, I wouldn't use it for it's pre
But esentially yes, that's the kind of thing you need.

 

[JT1]

maxcalvada, howw yoouu doooin. JT1 here. I think we're kinda in the same boat although it seems you've already been doing voiceovers on computers. Here is a list of my new beginner voiceover studio (very beginner) Behringer B1 Mic(condenser mic) - Studio Project VTB1(my preamp-48v phantom power-a must with condenser mics) - Audiophile 2496(upgraded soundcard) - Onstage Stands(cheapest mic stand $19.99) - and probably Sony MDR-V6 Studio Headphones(haven't ordered headphones yet-these are supposedly pretty much the same as MDR-7406's).Getting ready to go to local shop for some cables, XLR and 1/4" to RCA. Preamp and Soundcard is on it's way as I type, just wanted to make sure your getting enough info., so, first of all make sure to use search right here on Homerecording.com and for voiceovers you have to know about this http://www.radiodaddy.com/requests/forums.html you gotta join to see copy and hear uploaded audio also http://www.tweakheadz.com/guide.htm . Any questions from anyone about my beginner studio after I'm setup (in about a year or two...ha...ha) would help me to, so feel free. Found Homerecording.com about a month ago and found lots of info about all this equipment right here, Thanks Members ..... JT1