Remote VO recording

[Rustik33]

Hi all,

I just had a last minute contract : I have to record VO - 10-15 seconds clips, for radio.

The problem is that for a reason, the personalities (six of them) can't go to a studio. So I was hired, being experimented in music location recordings.

It's my first time recording VO on location, I did some in a studio. I don't know anything about the places yet (they'll be office places I guess), I'll have about 45 minutes to determine the best spot in each case, and 15 minutes for recording.

Anyway, I need some advice. I already reserved a TLM103 + pop filter, a Focusrite Red 7 and a Tascam HDP2.

As for the rooms, this is going to be the biggest challenge. I thought of choosing, in each case, a medium-sized carpeted office with curtains somewhere, and I thought of bringing a big piece of curtain, and ask for fabric panels (for cubicles). I guess that's a start... ?

Any advice, tips, again, would be greatly appreciated !

[fifthcircle]

I do lots of this kind of work. My biggest advice is go simple and do your best to deal with noise issues. Noise is a constant problem in this work as offices are not meant to be as quiet as the studio. Watch out for computer noise, door noise, bathroom noise, elevator noise, etc...

I generally stay away from Large Dia mics and go for small diaphragm with a clean pickup. LD mics just pick up way too much that you don't want to hear. Schoeps MK41 and Sennheiser MKH8040 are my current favorites. Usually I don't have the space for pres so usually I just plug into a Fostex FR-2 recorder. Sometimes I'll use a Grace Lunatec, but most of my clients honestly don't know the difference. 16bit 44.1/48 mono is the delivery format more often than not.

Good thing is for Radio, the standards are relatively low. Clean audio that is tight at a good level is the main task. Beyond that, everything is a bonus.

--Ben

[Chris Wilson]

Originally Posted by fifthcircle

Sometimes I'll use a Grace Lunatec, but most of my clients honestly don't know the difference. 16bit 44.1/48 mono is the delivery format more often than not.

Good thing is for Radio, the standards are relatively low. Clean audio that is tight at a good level is the main task.

Ben hit the nail on the head.

Even a VO sounds like the space it's performed in, so noise and room resonance can be a real problem. I like the extra curtain idea, as your microphone is pretty sensitive.

As Ben mentioned, the average voiceover talent (in my experience) has no concept of preamplifiers, sample rates, etc. 16bit 44.1 is generally fine. Maybe some of them know what a U-87 or a 416 is, but that's been about it in my (limited) experience.

[Don S]

A quiet room is good start. Also, an inexpensive but effective solution is to get a 2X4 sheet of Auralex from banjo center and place it around the mic on a desk. It cuts down on reflections and is portable and light-weight.

[Rustik33]

Thanks to all !

I'll skip the Focusrite, then... It's going to save a little time AND considerable money, which is nice.

Have a great day.

[fifthcircle]

Oh also... Give it to them flat. Let the client compress, EQ, etc... unless they say otherwise.

--Ben

[Rustik33]

It went really well, didn't miss the Focusrite at all - the HDP2 was more than enough. Big voice, yet clear sound. The room was noisy, didn't have access to any curtain or fabric... but the result is much better than I expected.

Having done many takes, I got rid of some extraneous noise. The main problem had to do with the speaker, who was not experienced and made "click" noises... With lots of editing, it's ok now !! I guess the sensibiliy of the TLM103 has to do with it... it's bright and hears everything

[Jim vanBergen]

Next time, maybe consider a Senn 421 or E/V RE-20. There are good reasons why these are radio standards.

Originally Posted by Rustik33

It went really well, didn't miss the Focusrite at all - the HDP2 was more than enough. Big voice, yet clear sound. The room was noisy, didn't have access to any curtain or fabric... but the result is much better than I expected.

Having done many takes, I got rid of some extraneous noise. The main problem had to do with the speaker, who was not experienced and made "click" noises... With lots of editing, it's ok now !! I guess sensibiliy of the TLM103 has to do with it... it's bright and hears everything

[fifthcircle]

The other thing is to make sure the voice tallent has a glass of water. It is amazing how many clicks and lip smacks a dry mouth will create. A sip of water will clear up a multitude of sins.

--Ben