What is a home studio for voice-overs?
A voice-over home studio is a space designed 'at home' as its name suggests, optimised for creating high-quality audio recordings and which, in our case, was designed to be able to work remotely with all the players involved in an audiovisual production (agencies, film producers, directors, sound engineers, media, actors, etc.).
In this article, we're going to take a detailed tour of 'Fred's home studio, presenting its equipment and detailing the elements needed to set up this type of studio for recording voice-over actors.

HOME STUDIO DEDICATED TO VOICE-OVER

A professional voice-over home studio is much more than just a room equipped with a microphone and surrounded by insulating foams.

It can include :

OVERVIEW OF FRED'S HOME STUDIO

Voice-over recording studio - Equipment details

Skills required to set up a voice-over home studio

The heart of a voiceover home studio is more than just the equipment.
In addition to the talent, skills and expertise of the voice-over actor, and unless they have the opportunity to work with a sound engineer, home studio actors must have a dual skill set, that of artist and technician.


As far as the installation of the above-mentioned equipment is concerned, the internet is fortunately full of advice on how to choose equipment to suit your budget and your artistic desires.
Insulation and acoustic treatment are a little trickier, and setting up a professional environment should (if possible) be carried out by...a professional, i.e. a sound engineer and/or acoustician who can supervise the technical aspects and take the appropriate measurements.

You will of course need to familiarise yourself with audio editing and recording, and once again, the Internet offers a wealth of resources for this, although specific training will be an additional advantage in providing a solid foundation for moving forward more quickly and with greater peace of mind.

Frédéric Blindt has been trained in sound recording and mixing techniques and can also take care of voice-over recording, editing and audio/video editing of your audiovisual project, or other post-production work.

Hire a voice-over artist with a professional home studio!

"Home studio" and "pro home studio" - what's the difference?

A pro home studio will give you :

• 1. Optimum sound quality
  A professional home studio is equipped with an appropriate acoustic configuration that complies with the standards and norms of the business sector, guaranteeing voice-over recordings with impeccable, clear sound quality, free from unwanted reverberation, background noise and balanced equalisation.
  A broadcast-quality studio!
  In this configuration, the microphone will be able to reproduce all the nuances of the actor's voice for a perfect result.


• 2. Flexibility and convenience
  Having a professional home studio means you can work at your own pace, at any time of day, and have fun doing it!
  The voice-over recording often comes at the end of the production line and deadlines can be very tight, that's why employing an actor with a home studio can be a solution for some in terms of productivity.
  To do this, you will need to check with the vocal talent what their deadlines are, what their policy is in terms of possible retakes and, if necessary, what equipment they have for organising a remote session.


• 3. Improved exchanges
  In addition to the time savings associated with a tight production schedule, the home studio voiceover artist will be able to discuss the project with you in advance and offer you several demos or test recordings.
  What's more, if the project requires subsequent additions, you can contact the actor quickly and be sure of the same sound quality.

Home studio voiceover rates

For home studio or commercial studio rates, please refer to this ARTICLE

Conclusion

At a time when remote working is becoming increasingly common in many sectors, the voiceover industry is no exception.
However, it is more than comfortable to work in a 'real' commercial studio with a producer and a sound engineer who know their job inside out, so that the result is exemplary and the client and the vocal talent are made to feel welcome.
As technology and usage continue to evolve, it is important to be able to meet all needs by offering impeccable sound quality and an efficient communications system.

A few links to find out more

Condenser microphones widely used in professional studios and pro home studios:

• Neumann U87
• Neumann TLM 103
• Neumann TLM 102
• AKG C414


Setting up a home studio :

• Link to "home studio guide"


3 audio interfaces for voice-overs :

• SSL 2
• MOTU M2
• Focusrite Scarlett MK4


The ultimate headset?
• Beyerdynamic DT770 Pro