As a Voice over Artist of many long years standing, there came a time when having my own studio, at home, became a necessity. I was dragged into the twenty first century by a colleague who insisted it was the only way forward. Living near London and venturing into town to voice the odd TV Ad or cartoon character was all very well but, he insisted, it was time I had the facility to audition and work from home.
I had my office completely re-fashioned with Double Glazing and special carpet on the wall. To this day, the “wall carpet” is really handy for stapling things to – it leaves no marks. I purchased a very expensive Neumann microphone, base and stand and a Mixing Desk. A Mini Disc Machine and speakers followed. The Mini Disc is now hopelessly redundant as all home recordings are emailed or sent by a bulk carrier such as “YouSendIt”. However, at the time it was the way Continuity Announcing could be delivered, having been written and recorded in the home studio. Continuity Announcing is the introduction of TV shows on air – such as “In half an hour EastEnders, first “The One Show” kind of stuff. Time was you had to be at the TV Station live, but these days, it’s all done by computers, smoke and lights …
It’s no use trying to explain how the things are linked and work. I am hopelessly non-technical, although I am extremely efficient at working the studio itself as a whole. It revolutionised my working life. Because of the Double Glazing and carpet, it’s pretty warm in the winter too!