To step inside my voice booth is to be at once isolated and connected. The chunky door closes with the satisfying ffft of a fridge (incidentally where the seals are reclaimed from). 1 x 1 m of acoustically treated silence envelopes me, bringing deep focus and calm. Meanwhile, headphones, mic and computer screen, connect me to the outside world, and the digital audio workstation (Logic Pro X) I use to record and edit voiceover from within this very high-spec, hidey-hole!
It’s handily located in my studio in Yorkshire – so when one of my lovely clients sends a script, I’m there in a heartbeat! So what’s inside?
A Modern Studio Mic
Neumann is widely considered to be the leading manufacturer of studio microphones and my TLM 103 model was a sound investment (yes, literally) in the high-quality audio I produce for my clients. A modern classic! Perfect for capturing that close, warm and relatable female voiceover delivery.
My Beloved Headphones
I’ve used these Beyer Dynamic DT100s for as long as I’ve been a voiceover artist (about 12 years) but they’re way older than that. First produced in 1965 (and still produced today), they are super comfortable, balanced and according to Beyer Dynamic, “… don’t have the ‘high end hype’ other headphones can suffer from”. Never one for high-end hype, I am bound to agree!
They also have sentimental value, as a photo of my daughter wearing them when she was tiny, sits proudly in the booth!
Last year the soft leather ear pads had begun to degrade with years of use, leaving little black bits all over my ears when I wore them. I went into the booth to record one day to find that Adam Nabarro-Steel had ordered and fitted replacement pads for me. In audio, this is classed as romance!
DT 100
Standing Room Only
Actually, I have a comfy ‘sit-stand’ stool to perch on while I edit. But I always record standing up, to maximise lung capacity, energy and general va-va-voom. In my singing life, I would never dream of recording vocals while seated. It occurred to me after a spell of back pain that I should apply the same physical discipline to voice over. Now I am always free and flexible when I record and can also throw my arms around better! (I become Italian in the booth).
Voiceover Bloopers
I have a growing list of words and phrases that floor me during recording sessions. As soon as I’m tongue-tied, I scribble down the offending item and one-day, perhaps I’ll share a few…and find out if it’s just me!
The Edit
I pride myself on a meticulous audio edit, all done from within the booth. When broader listening is required, if I’m syncing with sound design or music for instance, I have a larger audio suite with stereo monitors, right outside the booth.
Booth Improvements?
My voice over booth does all of the above – in addition to hiding presents and storing next year’s Christmas crackers. Some possible improvements in the pipeline are:
- I’m keen to try an all metal pop-shield, which I feel is more hygienic (research required). I’ve always used a textile one.
- I’d also like to be able to use a wireless magic mouse for even quicker editing, but the distance from the main studio computer is currently a tad too far. Working on that!
- Lastly, I really need to hoover – the spiders are in residence!
Thanks for popping in! Head to my voiceover page or read about some of my favourite VO projects below.
Emma Nabarro-Steel 
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