Hi folks. I wish to do a voice over but i have no idea what is the most cost effective way. I was thinking of using a Giant Squid with the Iriver, or even the rode videomic with the Sony FX1. Any tips n suggestions? How do u guys do it? Do I need a mixer board and some software?

can anybody help here?

Don't see why you'd need a mixing board for a v/o. I use a Univox cardioid mic (any decent mic should do), record a v/o track in Vegas and export it into Sound Forge, where I clean it up and usually fatten the bass end with the eq. All depends on what type of v/o I'm looking for. Of course, with the perfect voice you might get what you want just using the IRiver/GiantSquid combo, but I would think it would turn out a bit flat sounding.

Sean--Just browsing through my Maximum PC cd and came across this sound editing program that might be right up your alley if you're hurting for cash--it's called the Audacity Audio Editor, and it's completely free--
http://audacity.sourceforge.net/
Hope this helps you out.

hmm..

okies, well, there are afew ways to do this.. do u want mobility or do u want to do this in the studio?

mobility, i'd recomend the giant squid iriver combo, studio, id run a mic straight into the PC and record with an audio editor like soundforge. I dont know what NLE ur using, but many these days offer voiceover recording, but even wiht this feature, i would risk the background noise (fans etc etc) try to find a nice dark quiet closet, baffled the walls and go nuts... another option is to record teh voiceover in a car at 3 am in a park car park.. youd be surprised how much noice cancellation is possible in a car.. and at that time of day 9depending on where u live) u might get next to no background noise..

hmmm... 3am in a car park...doing an 'interview' are we Sir? Is that a super cardoid or are you just pleased to see me? Let's have a little interview down at the station... lol

I've seen a video tutorial by DSE (Douglas Spotted-Eagle) somewhere for creating your own cheap voice over box but now I can't find it.

hmmm... 3am in a car park...doing an 'interview' are we Sir? Is that a super cardoid or are you just pleased to see me? Let's have a little interview down at the station... lol
LOL
i do alot of voiceover work (well, my wife does the voice, and i do the recording.. ) and sometimes when i just cant get it right, i just do this.. works for me.. also gives us a chance to relive our courting days when were done with work.. roflmao.. shut up pete..

Hey that nice advise guys. I'm using Vegas. I didnt know I could plug the mic directly into the PC. I already have the giant suid/iriver combo. It works pretty well but I was thinking of more indoor recording. I think that the iriver cant work if I plugged it directly into the PC. Would probably need a powered mic in this case.

As for the sound box, I read somewhere that we could use a carton board with a small hole which we could 'speak' into to cut the ambient noise. I'm gonna do my recording at home but there could be some noise even late in the night!

I already have the giant suid/iriver combo. It works pretty well but I was thinking of more indoor recording. I think that the iriver cant work if I plugged it directly into the PC. Would probably need a powered mic in this case.Why do you need a direct mic plug-in to the PC? Just record the dialog to the iRiver, transfer it and put it on a Vegas timeline.

youd be surprised how much noice cancellation is possible in a car..

Not at all, Pete. I was reading another website a while back that also spoke of using your car in the garage for doing voiceovers. The author mentioned (and rightly so) that auto makers spend millions of dollars of R&D into making car interiors quieter. The only downside is if you are one of those who prefers to stand up while doing VO work.

-gb-

I have a friend who records the host segments of his successful podcast in his car. (he does drive to a remote location and watches the submarine races as well!) LOL

DSE's video tutorial is gone( i know I've tried to find it and keep getting the error code) but you can find the article on the site. Basically its a 2x2x2 4 sided box with acoustic foam on those four panels, set the mic about 10-12 inches into the box, and your body will block the rest of the room. Also put down a towel or even some on the desk to kill those reflections. Can be tough to read a script in that box, but it does work pretty well.

there are other variations, I've buitl one out of foamcore but only 3 sided, I left the top off, others have made them with 4 sides(pegboard) hinged together and no top, still others have actually used a cardboard box.