The VO Breakfast Show

In a this episode, Carin and Jamie explored various technical aspects of voice acting, offering valuable insights and tips for both beginners and seasoned professionals. The conversation covered crucial topics such as equipment quality, travel tips, headphone selection, acoustic treatment, sound waves, studio maintenance, home studio challenges, software compatibility, and the significance of tech self-education.

Exploring Voice Acting Discussions

The conversation began with an overview of discussions around voice acting. Carin and Jamie delved into comments on a thread, highlighting the prevalent fascination among voice actors for collecting microphones. Drawing an analogy to wine preferences, they emphasized the subjectivity of microphone choices.

Equipment Quality and Travel Tips for Recording

Carin and Jamie stressed the importance of using high-quality equipment for on-the-go recording. They recommended the 416 microphone and a compact interface for durability and consistency between home and travel setups. Travel tips included pre-warning TSA agents about unique equipment to avoid complications.

Headphones for Recording and Editing

A detailed discussion ensued regarding the significance of high-quality headphones for recording and editing. Carin shared a personal experience with subpar headphones affecting the editing process. The duo emphasized the importance of comfort, durability, and sound quality, jokingly entertaining the idea of a sponsorship from Sennheiser.

Acoustic Treatment in Recording Studios

Carin and Jamie discussed challenges and solutions related to acoustic treatment, specifically focusing on bass traps. Jamie highlighted the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of bass traps in reducing undesirable sounds. Recommended solutions included LENRD Auralex bass traps for home studios.

Sound Waves and Resonance Discussion

The conversation delved into sound waves, resonant frequencies, and the use of foam to trap sounds. Carin shared a humorous anecdote about a vibrating boom arm and breaking glasses with specific pitches, drawing parallels to opera singers.

Studio Maintenance and RF Interference Solutions

Jamie and Carin emphasized the need for maintaining a clean, noise-free recording environment. They discussed issues like electrical and RF interference, recommending systematic checks and quality cables to minimize disruptions.

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Home Studio Setup Challenges Discussed

Common issues with home studio setups were explored, emphasizing correct mic placement, sound treatment, recording levels, and efficient workflows.

Software Compatibility and Workflow Efficiency

The importance of software and operating system compatibility was highlighted to avoid technical issues. The duo shared experiences and emphasized the need to streamline workflows for increased efficiency.

Tech Self-Education for Voice Actors

The discussion concluded with the importance of self-education and problem-solving for voice actors dealing with technical issues. Learning from experiences, breaking down complex problems, and a recommendation for Emmett Andrews' book, "The Vo Studio Companion," were shared as valuable insights for voice actors.

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In this podcast episode, Jamie and Carin answer listener questions around studio tech, including their holiday experiences, tech interests, and the significance of professional home studios for voice actors in 2024. They delve into the importance of self-learning, challenges of operating system updates, and the need for high-quality audio recording. Here's a concise summary of their conversation:

Jamie and Carin start with a lighthearted discussion about their ages and holiday experiences, including a New Year's Day party miscommunication. They then shift to tech, with Jamie expressing interest and sharing feedback gathered from a Facebook group post.

The duo emphasizes the importance of professional home studios for voice actors in 2024. While expensive equipment isn't necessary, they stress evaluating sound quality professionally. Jamie suggests prioritizing the studio environment, using acoustic blankets, and experimenting with live engineering for sound improvements.

Carin voices concern about reliance on others for tech knowledge, emphasizing the need for self-learning. They discuss the importance of understanding technology in voice acting and share experiences with clients assuming industry-standard equipment usage.

A casual discussion follows about work routines, working from booths, societal appearance expectations, and subtly processing auditions. They reveal their use of specific audio equipment and plugins, highlighting the importance of understanding their features.

The duo delves into audio recording topics, covering gainstaging, normalizing processes, and techniques. They stress aiming for proper volume levels, adjusting gain based on performance type, and avoiding distortion. Carin discusses the need for a mute button feature on Source Connect, and they address challenges with operating system updates.

The importance of capturing high-quality audio is discussed, along with solutions for recording in noisy environments. They touch on professional audio recording software, recommending trying different options and discussing limitations of free solutions like Garageband. Session recording and playback strategies are also explored, with Carin preferring recording takes and Jamie expressing concern about technical issues.

In summary, Jamie and Carin cover a wide range of topics related to voice acting, technology, and audio recording, providing valuable insights and advice for fellow professionals in the field.

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In a dynamic conversation, Jamie and Carin delved into various aspects of their professional lives, covering topics such as in-show narration, work routines, true crime's appeal, reality TV, and voice acting. Their engaging dialogue provided valuable insights into the intricacies of their industry, highlighting the importance of understanding narrative structures, cultural differences, and the unique challenges faced by voice actors.

Jamie and Carin explored the often-overlooked genre of in-show narration, emphasizing its significant influence on storytelling. They discussed how narrators shape the narrative progression and underscored the flexibility the role offers. The discussion concluded with a focus on the importance of grasping the format and rhythm of different networks and shows.

The duo shifted gears to discuss their work routines and cultural disparities. Jamie's use of British terms prompted a consideration for an episode catering to American audiences. The conversation extended to sleep and work schedules, with Carin highlighting the impact of circadian rhythms and sharing her strategies for overcoming jet lag.

Carin and Jamie delved into the world of reality TV, emphasizing the crucial role of narration. They shared admiration for Desiree Burch's work in "Too Hot to Handle" and discussed how the narrator becomes an integral part of the show's narrative, shaping viewer engagement and perception.

Focusing on specific examples from "Too Hot to Handle" and "Married at First Sight," Carin elucidated the structure of reality TV shows, highlighting the narrator's role in each phase. Jamie likened the narrator to a bassist in a band, essential but not the central focus. The discussion shed light on the intricacies of reality TV production.

Carin provided insights into the act structure of TV shows, detailing the progression from problem discovery to resolution. Jamie emphasized the significance of the wrap-up phase and the potential for unexpected developments, showcasing the dynamic nature of TV storytelling.

The duo explored the importance of understanding the structure and pacing of TV shows, advocating for familiarity even in genres one might not typically watch. They also discussed the relevance of thorough audition preparation, including researching the network to enhance chances of success.

Carin and Jamie delved into the emotional aspect of narration, stressing the need to convey perspective and emotion through inflection. They discussed the balance required in bringing scripts to life, even without visuals, citing humorous examples from their past projects.

Sharing their experiences in voice acting, Jamie and Carin highlighted the challenges of last-minute script changes and discussed effective audio editing techniques. Jamie emphasized the ability to isolate and enhance core audio, even in noisy environments.

The duo shared strategies for handling disruptions during voiceover recording, emphasizing the importance of pauses and emphasis. They agreed on the need for multiple readings to offer editing options and stressed the contextual understanding of each line.

Jamie and Carin concluded their comprehensive discussion with insights into voiceover pay rates and a glimpse into the upcoming 2024 VOcation Conference in Costa Rica. Their conversation provided a holistic view of the multifaceted world of narration, reality TV, and voice acting, offering valuable lessons and perspectives for industry enthusiasts.

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On this episode of the VO Breakfast Show, we talk about Facebook, etiquette (including some not so child-friendly language) and CPAP (obviously). Half way through the episode we realized this was going to have to be a two-parter, so stay tuned for episode 2, coming soon!

VOcation Costa Rica, April 25-28 2024 is on sale now! Visit: https://www.VOcationConference.com

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We're back!! And we have conferences on the mind, so we're talking about our own - VOcation!

How and why did we start VOcation? How do we organize these events? What are our favorite parts of the process? And much more...

Our virtual conference eVOcation is being held September 8-10 2023, and tickets are on sale now! For tickets and all the information about the event, visit: https://www.VOcationConference.com

VOcation Costa Rica, April 25-28 2024 goes on sale July 26th 2023.

Join our Facebook group for the up-to-dateiest information: https://www.facebook.com/groups/vocationconference

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