Voice Over Travel Rigs
Sometimes a voice actor has to leave their home studio and a travel rig can keep a VA working on the go, whether they're recording from their car, a closet, or a cottage.
Here's a tip: If the idea of using a travel rig or creating a temporary recording space is too stressful or you're not certain you can provide the level of quality/quiet/connection for a booked session, look up local studios or other vocal talent with home studios in the location you're visiting. Especially for bigger, higher pressure jobs it's worth the cost to hire an audio engineer and the peace of mind.
I know of voice actors who have recorded gigs from inside pillow forts, under hotel luggage racks, inside vans, using collapsible travel booths on cruise ships, pockets of space in repurposed furniture, and my personal favorite: the blanket/pillow/clothing/towel lined closet. Every time I have to MacGyver a pop-up closet booth I treat it like a puzzle to solve and it's immensely satisfying.
Here's a tip: A mic with a narrow pickup pattern, like a shotgun mic, is going to be more forgiving in a less than ideal space. The Sennheiser 416, which is designed to be used on movie sets, is a hardy mic that travels well. Another option is the Rode Videomic GO 2, which is designed to sit on an SLR camera for interviews (it's not as nice sounding as a 416 but at less than $100 it's a really good mic for auditions in particular and it's tiny).
When it comes to setting up a closet booth, flexibility is key. It's useful to know what can prevent a setup from sounding too boxy (too small and soft a space), or from having too much reverb (too many hard surfaces). Sometimes the solution is repositioning the mic (aiming into a wider space), or throwing a rug down on a hardwood floor (to prevent reflected sound from bouncing up), or taking away some of the softer surfaces if there are too many. It's also useful to know what you can get away with, treatment-wise. For example, if your temporary setup requires you to stand you likely don't need to worry about treating the space around your lower legs (except the aforementioned rug on a hardwood floor situation). Or if you are recording in folding box setup, like a Hylander Vocal Booth, you can get in close to the mic, using your body to block most outside noise behind you.
Here's a tip: Sometimes a closet setup doesn't have the space for the VA to stand inside it, but a blanket or comforter tented behind them can do a lot of good (hangers with clips are handy in these cases). Another way to mitigate potential noise is to book hotel rooms as far from any elevators as possible--this avoids noise from their mechanisms and there's also less foot traffic from noisy guests.
Having a travel rig prepped and ready to go can save a lot of time and stress. If you're comfortable traveling with the mic and interface you'd normally use then by all means use them. My usual mic is a Sennheiser 416 and inspired by a post by Carin Gilfry I took out the foam from the hard plastic box the mic came in, popped in my Scarlett interface, the mic, and the necessary cables to use it with my ipad (usb-lightning converter, powered usb hub, usb-a to usb-c interface cable, xlr mic cable, spare wired earbuds or aux cord for my bluetooth over-the-ears headphones). I also made a mic stand out of a repurposed selfie-stick that unfolds like a tripod and collapses small enough to fit in the mic box. When I want to travel lighter, I have a secondary rig: my Rode Videomic GO 2, its mount, my collapsable mic stand, wired earbuds, usb-a to usb-c cable, and usb-lightning converter--all of which fits in a makeup bag, weighs almost nothing, and can be plugged into my iphone. My usual DAW is Twisted Wave, which I have installed on both my ipad and iphone (there's a free version but the paid version has more features).
Here's a tip: If you're in a situation where you have an audition but don't have your travel rig and you don't have time to get it or go to studio, you can typically use your phone to record. Be sure to tell to your agent or whomever you've sent it to that it was recorded from your phone and if at all possible send them a sample of your home studio so they know what you'd normally sound like (having a raw booth sample (speaking, whispering, shouting, then 3 claps, then 10 seconds of silence all without any EQ) on your website is extremely handy in these situations).
Here's a tip: If the idea of using a travel rig or creating a temporary recording space is too stressful or you're not certain you can provide the level of quality/quiet/connection for a booked session, look up local studios or other vocal talent with home studios in the location you're visiting. Especially for bigger, higher pressure jobs it's worth the cost to hire an audio engineer and the peace of mind.
I know of voice actors who have recorded gigs from inside pillow forts, under hotel luggage racks, inside vans, using collapsible travel booths on cruise ships, pockets of space in repurposed furniture, and my personal favorite: the blanket/pillow/clothing/towel lined closet. Every time I have to MacGyver a pop-up closet booth I treat it like a puzzle to solve and it's immensely satisfying.
Here's a tip: A mic with a narrow pickup pattern, like a shotgun mic, is going to be more forgiving in a less than ideal space. The Sennheiser 416, which is designed to be used on movie sets, is a hardy mic that travels well. Another option is the Rode Videomic GO 2, which is designed to sit on an SLR camera for interviews (it's not as nice sounding as a 416 but at less than $100 it's a really good mic for auditions in particular and it's tiny).
When it comes to setting up a closet booth, flexibility is key. It's useful to know what can prevent a setup from sounding too boxy (too small and soft a space), or from having too much reverb (too many hard surfaces). Sometimes the solution is repositioning the mic (aiming into a wider space), or throwing a rug down on a hardwood floor (to prevent reflected sound from bouncing up), or taking away some of the softer surfaces if there are too many. It's also useful to know what you can get away with, treatment-wise. For example, if your temporary setup requires you to stand you likely don't need to worry about treating the space around your lower legs (except the aforementioned rug on a hardwood floor situation). Or if you are recording in folding box setup, like a Hylander Vocal Booth, you can get in close to the mic, using your body to block most outside noise behind you.
Here's a tip: Sometimes a closet setup doesn't have the space for the VA to stand inside it, but a blanket or comforter tented behind them can do a lot of good (hangers with clips are handy in these cases). Another way to mitigate potential noise is to book hotel rooms as far from any elevators as possible--this avoids noise from their mechanisms and there's also less foot traffic from noisy guests.
Having a travel rig prepped and ready to go can save a lot of time and stress. If you're comfortable traveling with the mic and interface you'd normally use then by all means use them. My usual mic is a Sennheiser 416 and inspired by a post by Carin Gilfry I took out the foam from the hard plastic box the mic came in, popped in my Scarlett interface, the mic, and the necessary cables to use it with my ipad (usb-lightning converter, powered usb hub, usb-a to usb-c interface cable, xlr mic cable, spare wired earbuds or aux cord for my bluetooth over-the-ears headphones). I also made a mic stand out of a repurposed selfie-stick that unfolds like a tripod and collapses small enough to fit in the mic box. When I want to travel lighter, I have a secondary rig: my Rode Videomic GO 2, its mount, my collapsable mic stand, wired earbuds, usb-a to usb-c cable, and usb-lightning converter--all of which fits in a makeup bag, weighs almost nothing, and can be plugged into my iphone. My usual DAW is Twisted Wave, which I have installed on both my ipad and iphone (there's a free version but the paid version has more features).
Here's a tip: If you're in a situation where you have an audition but don't have your travel rig and you don't have time to get it or go to studio, you can typically use your phone to record. Be sure to tell to your agent or whomever you've sent it to that it was recorded from your phone and if at all possible send them a sample of your home studio so they know what you'd normally sound like (having a raw booth sample (speaking, whispering, shouting, then 3 claps, then 10 seconds of silence all without any EQ) on your website is extremely handy in these situations).
FAQ
►What Kinds of Services Do You Offer?
Short answer: When I am hired for a voiceover job I record my performance and supply either raw, lightly edited, or lightly processed audio to the client, depending on their preference.
Long answer: When I am hired for a voiceover job, I can record on my own using a script that the client provides (self directed), or I can work directly with the client in person or via a program like Zoom or Source-Connect (directed session). Regardless if it's self directed or directed in session, if I'm in my booth I record the audio on my end. After recording from my booth, I will supply either raw, lightly edited, or lightly processed audio to the client, depending on their preference.
I have a long list of genres I perform in: Animation, Anime, Audiobooks, Audio Dramas, Automotive, Documentaries, Commercials, Corporate Narration, E-Learning, English Language Training, Explainers, Museum Guides, Narration, Podcasts, Political, Singing, Video Games / Interactive and Performance Capture.
Don't see something you're looking for? Drop me a line! [email protected]
►What's Your Turnaround?
To respond to inquiries: Typically within a day, often sooner.
For auditions: Typically within a day, often by end of day--sooner if needed.
For completed jobs: Typically by end of day, often sooner. It depends on the amount of editing I do, if any. If no editing is needed, I can submit recorded audio to the client immediately. I always record in the booth, even when doing a directed session and the client is recording on their end. I do this in case the connection breaks or their copy glitches. Redundancy for the win!
►I'm From Another Country... Can I Still Hire You?
Yes! I've worked with many people from around the world. If there's a large time difference it's easier if the project is self directed, but I can accommodate a directed session with enough notice.
►How Can I Reach You About A Project?
The best and fastest way to reach me is via email: [email protected]
►How Much Do You Charge For A Project?
It depends on several factors, such as length of the finished project, genre, and where / when / how long it will air. No two projects are the same so to get an idea of what fair rates are for your project, I recommend checking out the GVAA Rate Guide.
I am Non-Union, which also influences how much some projects cost, but if you'd like to hire me for a Union job (or want to convert a Non-Union project to Union that you hired me to) there are ways to do so and I can help with that too.
►Voiceover looks like so much fun! How Can I get Into voice acting??
First of all: It is!!
Second of all: There's no one way to get into VO, which is a beautiful thing when you think about it. There's also not one particular path required to have a fulfilling career--loads of people make a lot of money doing things like Corporate Narration and Commercial work, or they love to read and work exclusively in Audiobooks, or they're into character work and focus all of their time and energy into Video Games or Anime.
Most VOs have a mix of genres they do and that mix is as individual as a thumbprint.
If you're interested in learning more about getting into voiceover, I recommend checking out Dee Bradley Baker's awesomely encompassing site, I Want To Be A Voice Actor. It will give you insight on the industry, equipment, demos, and what to do if you're starting from absolute scratch.
Short answer: When I am hired for a voiceover job I record my performance and supply either raw, lightly edited, or lightly processed audio to the client, depending on their preference.
Long answer: When I am hired for a voiceover job, I can record on my own using a script that the client provides (self directed), or I can work directly with the client in person or via a program like Zoom or Source-Connect (directed session). Regardless if it's self directed or directed in session, if I'm in my booth I record the audio on my end. After recording from my booth, I will supply either raw, lightly edited, or lightly processed audio to the client, depending on their preference.
I have a long list of genres I perform in: Animation, Anime, Audiobooks, Audio Dramas, Automotive, Documentaries, Commercials, Corporate Narration, E-Learning, English Language Training, Explainers, Museum Guides, Narration, Podcasts, Political, Singing, Video Games / Interactive and Performance Capture.
Don't see something you're looking for? Drop me a line! [email protected]
►What's Your Turnaround?
To respond to inquiries: Typically within a day, often sooner.
For auditions: Typically within a day, often by end of day--sooner if needed.
For completed jobs: Typically by end of day, often sooner. It depends on the amount of editing I do, if any. If no editing is needed, I can submit recorded audio to the client immediately. I always record in the booth, even when doing a directed session and the client is recording on their end. I do this in case the connection breaks or their copy glitches. Redundancy for the win!
►I'm From Another Country... Can I Still Hire You?
Yes! I've worked with many people from around the world. If there's a large time difference it's easier if the project is self directed, but I can accommodate a directed session with enough notice.
►How Can I Reach You About A Project?
The best and fastest way to reach me is via email: [email protected]
►How Much Do You Charge For A Project?
It depends on several factors, such as length of the finished project, genre, and where / when / how long it will air. No two projects are the same so to get an idea of what fair rates are for your project, I recommend checking out the GVAA Rate Guide.
I am Non-Union, which also influences how much some projects cost, but if you'd like to hire me for a Union job (or want to convert a Non-Union project to Union that you hired me to) there are ways to do so and I can help with that too.
►Voiceover looks like so much fun! How Can I get Into voice acting??
First of all: It is!!
Second of all: There's no one way to get into VO, which is a beautiful thing when you think about it. There's also not one particular path required to have a fulfilling career--loads of people make a lot of money doing things like Corporate Narration and Commercial work, or they love to read and work exclusively in Audiobooks, or they're into character work and focus all of their time and energy into Video Games or Anime.
Most VOs have a mix of genres they do and that mix is as individual as a thumbprint.
If you're interested in learning more about getting into voiceover, I recommend checking out Dee Bradley Baker's awesomely encompassing site, I Want To Be A Voice Actor. It will give you insight on the industry, equipment, demos, and what to do if you're starting from absolute scratch.
