Not DJ-related but hoping some of the radio bods can advise
I need to send some auditions off for some voiceover/narration + AI training work. I’ve done some projects but others got rejected because they didn’t sound right.
Am nowhere near pro level and don’t have a studio. I have a laptop, inbuilt sound recorder and headphones but recurring issues include outside interference from the street and neighbouring flats, audio background humming, and an inconsistent voice pitch.
For optimal voice audio:
- what software/hardware do you use? (is a plugin mic necessary?)
- how do you minimise/eliminate noise interference?
- what settings should be adjusted?
- what kind of budget do you need?
Ta!
I used to work in the voiceover business (producer, not talent!) all the big BBC headz would recommend a large ladder and a double duvet over the top, sit inside and you have a home made audio booth!
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Been in and out of a few “professional” podcast studios in a technical capacity. Most of them were using Adobe Audition software which I think is pretty straightforward / well documented.
I’ve been working as a sound engineer long enough to know that everyone with a pair of earphones is an expert in audio and there are alot of opinions… My advice would be that some basic best practices go a long way, even with cheap equipment.
Would recommend getting a cheap USB mic for what you’re after. Probably go with a Rode. You can probably get a wee bundle deal with a stand and headphones for 100 odd euro.
Give the Adobe software a go. Get as close to the mic as you can so your voice will be relatively much louder than background noises at the mic diaphragm, and apply some noise reduction (NR) in the software but don’t overdo it. That’ll probably be a vast improvement over what you’re doing already.
Other interim option perhaps, I actually find the earphones with mics in line with the wires (yeah I know, in the bin with Bluetooth) but having a mic actually in front of and near your mouth is a bigger factor than anything else tbh. My 2 cents.
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this is great. thanks v much
There’s also a cheap silver thing that you can buy that you sit / stand in that cuts out lots of outside noise. The ladder sounds far better but if you don’t have the space this is pretty small (sort of width of shoulders size on a mic stand).
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