@justaskjimvo
I help fellow voice actors get their sound sorted out, so they can just focus on being brilliant behind the mic. Weekly posts. Free audio review. Tons of resources yonder - https://justaskjimvo.studio
it was a shock to find the iPad Apple Magic Keyboard Folio was more than half the price of the device itself. Thus began the keyboard quest, which proved to be more circuitous than expected.
VO Weekly Workflow – Studio Foundations
Many people come into voice acting with an aversion to the technical details of recording their voice. The studio side of things may be uninteresting to them, or they may have genuine dislike for working with screens and technology. Compounding this, a lot…
The new Twisted Wave update now allows you to apply a Batch Process to any open file. Since that appears as a menu item, you can also apply a specific keystroke to activate that Batch Process. That actually makes it even more efficient to invoke when you are ready to send off a file.
Software may seem solid and dependable, but is often ephemeral. It’s helpful to consider whether your studio could still function if core tools went away. Flexible and redundant systems are a key aspect in any business. What are your fallback tools?
You can't overcome acoustics. There's always an effect from the surfaces and dimensions of any enclosed space. That's why I always encourage anyone setting up a home recording space to budget for treatment within the room. It is that important.
Our frame of reference for audio quality can be a bit skewed. When we start recording ourselves, our reference point for that quality is often the fully produced spots which we hear everywhere. But it's our raw sound that matters. Are you in the habit of always listening post-polishing?
Before we end up in the momentum of this year, perhaps it’s worth pausing to look for those things that have become clutter and distraction.
It feels good to step back into the studio after some time away. This is the time of year when it becomes obvious that stepping away to perhaps find a broader perspective can be an important asset in our VO journey.
In going back through my 2025 notes for posts and emails, I realized a few snippets never coalesced into full posts. Given that it’s the season completion, here a few of those scattered thoughts.
It's helpful to recognize there's no inherent finality in the calendar "year end." While the fresh start of the new year can be a good excuse to review what worked and what may need improvement, the end of one calendar rolls right into the beginning of the next one with no pause.
As we gain comfort and proficiency, we may challenge ourselves a bit less actively. That's not to say we shouldn't trust those skills we've built. But, it's always worth considering whether there are some areas that need refinement. Knock the rust off? Or a full overhaul?
Everyone loves to get out ahead of the competition, which has led to a cascade of "special early-bird savings" emails. It's easy to get overwhelmed and excited in equal measure. Although it may be cool to get an amazing deal on a new microphone, will it really help your VO business in the long run?
A bit of mid-session adaptation underscored a point I repeat often: things will always go wrong. As counterintuitive as it seems, starting with that mindset takes the pressure off of us.
Is distortion ever a good thing in the home voiceover studio? Getting things correct at the source is a key step in good sound. In our home voiceover studios we attempt to capture a very dynamic instrument - the human voice. It can be tricky to get things right.
Something sounding wrong with your recording? The effects of distortion can range from recordings sounding "not quite right" to a vocal track that sounds like a space alien has taken up residency in our booth.
And it's generally something we want to avoid. But where does it originate?
The need for additional recording options can occur when we are in charge of the recording itself. In most home voiceover studio setups, the focus is on capturing high quality sound from your microphone. Needing to record someone who is not even in the same space is an added layer of complexity.
Before we start trying to record different streams of audio, it's helpful to understand a bit about I/O routing. As I mentioned in last week's email, "I/O" stands for "Input/Output." The actual I/O routing determines how each piece of software connects with different audio signals.
Had a great time hanging out with Sean Daeley and Paul Stefano as a guest on the VO Meter Podcast. We talk about studio gear, voiceover stuff, and how to balance technical challenges and the creativity we need for what we do. #vometer #justaskjimvo
vometer.podbean.com/e/episode-12...
Loopback in the VO studio: While playing with some Audacity setups recently, I found a feature that can be helpful in remotely directed sessions. Even better, it's not limited to that app alone, and can be replicated in Twisted Wave if you want to venture out past the documented features.
When other voice actors would share their audio and warn in advance how bad it sounded, I would expect to hear horrifically bad mouth clicks, or sibilance that might make my skin crawl. Lo and behold, their audio sounded good. This was confusing until I turned things up - way up.
Unlike many creative disciplines where there are specific mandated guidelines, "Industry Standard" doesn't seem to be that well defined within the confines of voiceover training, recording setups, or deliverables. Navigating that truth is a challenge for every voice actor and narrator.
Like UPS power backup setups, long term archival storage is one of those things that most of us don't worry about until those files are desperately needed. Taking time to think through how to archive your work can be a gift to your future self.
We get hassled by updates all the time. "Nag" screens and persistent text bubbles get in our face touting each a new version of our software or operating system. It can make us feel like we're exposing ourselves to grave danger if we don't act swiftly. But is it ever safe to do so?
Which computer? A better question might be to ask what needs to be connected in your studio. With a docking station and high speed connection, It's a simple step to disconnect the single cord and become completely mobile.
Much of what we experience in the home voiceover studio can knock us off course. Technical issues and unforeseen challenges often conspire to send us off in unexpected directions. Having a solid foundation and workflow can help stay the course.
"Simple" is not the same as simplistic. In our home voiceover studios, we have to balance technical and creative tasks. Simple is strong. It gives us the foundation needed for our tasks.
Where do certain voiceover "Truths" originate? Some may be highly recycled. A salient idea shared in an interview by a knowledgeable VO director or voice actor could get repeated enough until it becomes gospel. And it may continue to be valid. The best coaching advice I received still resonates regu
Why do we need any of those extra takes? Is there another assumption which might be undercutting our success? What if we limited ourselves to just one take?
