Newbie

Marques Bridgeman · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007, 22:40 (GMT) Post subject: Newbie

Hello,

My name is Marques and I'm new to this big world of VO. I'm really looking forward to being a part of it. Can someone be so kind as to point me in the direction of what equipment would be nice for a newbie on a budget. I appreciate the input and also do you have to be a premium member to do work, or audition?

Thanks everyone

Marques

Ed Gambill · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007, 22:45 (GMT) Post subject:

Marques

Tell us the budget amount or rang you have and we can give better advice

Ed

Marques Bridgeman · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007, 22:48 (GMT) Post subject: Budet

About $250. Not much.

Amanda Geyer · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007, 23:23 (GMT) Post subject:

You have to be a premium member in order to be considered for invitation by SmartCast to leads (Premium membership does not guarantee invitation to audition to all leads that match your profile). As a Standard Member, you will receive notification of all leads that match your profile, but will be unable to respond to them.

You do not need to be a premium member to participate on the forum (this place, now, where you are reading my words, thusly).

Do you have a closet or small room that you can soundproof fairly effectively? The more soundproofed your recording area is, the more professional your recordings will sound. I ain't professional-soundin' yet Wink

Can't get the stupid window to close and I can't stuff the gap with a pillow or sumfin'.

Are you on a mac or pc, windows or linux? If you're in Windows, AUDACITY is a freeware sound editing program that, while fairly primitive, is adequate for multi-track recording.

Check out the Geek forum, where there are some good equipment discussions.

Amy Snively · Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007, 23:25 (GMT) Post subject:

Welcome! I might be wrong, but I don't think you can actually get started for $250. You might be able to squeak by with $1000. Maybe. While you're checking the couch for change, what kind of acting experience do you have? What brings you to the world of VO? It's a friendly group, very willing to answer questions. I hope you'll enjoy hanging out with us.

Ed Gambill · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007, 01:19 (GMT) Post subject:

Amanda Geyer · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007, 01:26 (GMT) Post subject:

Embroidery circles can be found in 2nd-hand stores for cheap-cheap. Just as a head's-up Smile

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Sat Aug 11, 2007, 01:29 (GMT) Post subject:

I'll have to agree with Amy (as I usually do, btw!) - on a $250 budget, forgetaboutit. You couldn't even buy a prober microphone with that (IMHO), and you need some kind of preamp and interface, too. Don't even get me started on preps for the recording room!

As a minimum budget solution, look at something like:

- MXL or ADK microphones;
- Behringer preamp or small mixing console
- M-Audio/Midiman interface (soundcard) - your $25 SoundBlaster WON'T do!
- Audacity recording/editing software (that's actually free - yay!!!)

This would run up to something like $500 or so, at least in danish prices, but you may find it cheaper.
But this is really just to get you started with demo's and stuff, I wouldn't think that it would cut it for serious VO-business.

EDIT: Ed's examples are probably even better, f. ex. he has suggested an interface with built-in preamp for your mic. and he has the right prices, too. Go with that.

Lance Blair · Posted: Tue Aug 14, 2007, 04:49 (GMT) Post subject:

Marques,

I can't think of a business that I could start with only $250. I could take the $250 and then use that towards earning enough money to really start a business, but $250 won't cut it as an initial business investment, even if you want to just run a lemonade stand. In other words, save your money for equipment, recording a demo, and perhaps most importantly marketing that demo; and meanwhile spend your time improving your skills.

I wish you the best of luck,

Lance.