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Voices of Eden - Voice Acting

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Voices of Eden - Voice Acting
3
Circe
13 years ago
[color=#ff0080]Voices of Eden[/color]

[color=#ff0080]Welcome to the Voices of Eden thread.

Voices of Eden is an amateur voice-acting group comprised of a small handful of friends,
each with a similar vision:[/color]

[color=#ff0080]Dedication to growth as voice actors and quality voice acting productions.[/color]

[color=#ff0080]We appreciate and encourage feedback.
We are learning and growing with each experience, so please let us know what you think.

Please feel free to follow us on our Youtube account: VoE Youtube

You can also check out our website at http://www.voicesofeden.org

Our logo is courtesy of kisukesword and slightly modified by menolly-hime[/color]


[color=#ff0080]Current Members[/color]
Spoiler:
[color=red]asaforever[/color]
[color=#B93B8F]Aphrodite[/color]
[color=#48CCCD]Asphodel[/color]
[color=#ff0080]Circe[/color]
[color=orange]Kaien[/color]
[color=blue]Melfice_1[/color]
[color=#F75D59]menolly-hime[/color]
[color=purple]Nekohime[/color]
PUMPJACKMCGEE
[color=green]SamRavster[/color]


[color=#ff0080]Want to Join?[/color]
Spoiler:
[color=#ff0080]Membership Tryouts are currently[/color] [color=green]Open[/color]. [color=#ff0080]We are looking for 1 female and 1 male.

Requirements:


[color=#ff0080]Skill Level - Auditions are open to people of all voice acting skill levels. So whether you have years of experience, or are just looking to try something new, all we ask for is an enthusiasm for voice acting.

Samples - Send at least two sample recordings of your voice acting:

†¢ The first clip should be of your normal speaking voice.
†¢ Additional clips should be of an anime/manga quote that displays your acting ability.

These let us hear your voice and recording quality. Upload these samples to a file-sharing website such as mediafire or send us your youtube link. PM all information to SamRavster or Circe.

Availability – It cannot be stressed enough that we are not interested in half-assed members. If you are not willing to give 100% to the club, meet deadlines, and make practice sessions, this is probably not the group for you.

Communication – Our team uses Skype for most of its communications, coaching, and practice sessions.

Practice Sessions - We hold practice sessions or "cold reads", where we offer each other tips and critiques, and have an enormous amount of laughs. Attendance at the cold reads is key to improving your skill level.[/color]


[color=#ff0080]Frequently Asked Questions[/color]
Spoiler:
[color=#ff0080]"Are you professional voice actors?"

Nope. None of our team has ever been in a professional, licensed production. We are all complete amateurs just trying to have fun and improve our voice acting skills.

"Why haven't you released anything in a while?"

Busy lives. Simple as that. The editing process is long and tedious, and while we do have two editors, we are both still learning the ropes of making quality productions and learning how to fit that in while juggling work, school, technical problems, etc. We expect to be far more active in 2012, so please support us as we continue to create and grow.

"What languages do you speak?"

Though our members come from several parts of the world, our productions are completed in English.

That said, if you would like to join the VoE, but English is not your native language, please make sure that your English is clear and easy to understand to the average English speaker. We can also work with you on adjusting accents to fit a role, if necessary.

"I saw the anime for "insert title" and you guys sound nothing like the cast!!"

I think it's important to note that, in our manga productions, we do not strive to match voices set by anime characters. If an anime exists or is released for a manga production we complete, that's great, but it is not our goal to imitate these voices, for primarily two reasons:

1) Our goals in doing manga are to explore our vocal ranges and skills and learn more about acting. Manga, rather than anime, allows us the freedom to apply whatever voice we see fit for the role, or do something completely different to give it another angle or depth.

2) Japanese anime specifically tends to have a higher vocal range for both males and females. As many of our team members are not Japanese, speak languages that tend to have deeper tones, or just have deeper voices in general, trying to match the Japanese voices would be straining and unnatural, causing for noticeably unpleasant productions.

We ask that when you review our productions, you evaluate the skills of the present actors, instead of trying to see how well they match another set of different people. We are not imitators, we are voice actors.[color]
0
Circe
13 years ago
[color=#ff0080]Projects[/color]


[color=#ff0080]Completed Projects[/color]
Spoiler:


[font=Courier New]Lackadaisy: Chapter 1[/font]

[b][font=Courier New]100 Ways of an Exorcist: Chapter 1[/font]

[b][font=Courier New]Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko Chapter 1[/font]

[b][font=Courier New]kawaii not: Collection 1[/font]

[b][font=Courier New]The Phoenix Requiem: Chapter 1[/font]

[b][font=Courier New]Wish: Chapter 1[/font]



[color=#ff0080][b]In-Progress Projects[/color]
Spoiler:
[color=#ff0080]Denpa Onna to Seishun Otoko: Chapter 2
kawaii not: Collection 2
Nodame Cantabile: Chapter 1
The Phoenix Requiem: Chapter 2[/color]


[color=#ff0080]Future Projects[/color]
Spoiler:
[color=#ff0080]7 Billion Needles
Nowhere Boy[/color]


[color=#ff0080]VoE Sillies[/color]

Spoiler:


[color=#ff0080]Cold Read Clips

Spoiler:
[/align]
0
Circe
13 years ago
[color=#ff0080]Education
[/color]

[color=#ff0080]This section of the thread will be dedicated to education on voice acting and associated topics. If there is a topic you'd like more information about, please post in the thread or if you're feeling shy feel free to send me a PM ❤

"Tips" by PumpJack McGee[/color]
Spoiler:
[color=#ff0080]Microphone Basics
Optimization
Test your microphone. Optimize it so it picks up your natural speaking better. Face it away from your computer to minimize background sound.
Distance
Keep note of the distance between you and the microphone. Higher and louder sounds should be done from distance. Deeper and quieter sounds from up close.
Popping Problem.
Avoid speaking directly into the microphone. Maintain distance or speak to the side of it. Pop filters can help this problem.

While Recording
Background Sound
Close any windows or doors that might allow outside sound to interfere with the recording. If possible, record when little/no people are at home.
Timing
Do not speak as soon as you start recording. Allow a second so words do not get cut off. Same applies to the end of the recording; allow a second to stop recording.
Relating to the Situation
Try to put yourself in the characters position; mentally and physically. If they are talking with their mouth full, have some bread. If they’re angry, read up on Geoffrey Leonard. Just don’t say the words.

Files
Lines
Do one line to one file. Make very clear on the file name what line it is i.e. Wish01ShuichiroPage01Line1.wav. That translates to Wish Chapter 1, Shuichiro Kudo, Page 1, Line 1. This helps editors keep lines in order and put projects together much faster.
Character Emotion Sound Effects
Where a character would do a sound i.e. crying, sighing etc etc, these emotions will not be on the script. Full discretion is allowed here. The file name needs to supply the editor with as much information as possible to try and figure out where you want the sound i.e. Wish01ShuichiroPage01Sound_Sigh_Top_Right.wav.[/color]

[color=#ff0080]"Equipment and How to Set It Up" by Nekohime[/color]

Spoiler:
Full Post Here

[color=#ff0080]The Microphone

The microphone price isn’t an important factor. With proper recording technique, a decent level of quality can be achieved. Even webcam/headphone microphones can be used for voice-acting purposes. However, higher priced microphones last longer and will give better results.

Recording

Ensure that the microphone has a good signal. It should pick up your voice clearly, but not pick up much static or other noise. Slight static can be removed by post-processing. Record in a small, quiet space with little echoing. Turn off any loud appliances. Close windows and doors. If possible, hang quilts on walls to absorb echo and noise. Set your microphone on a stable surface as far away from your computer as possible. Adjust placement accordingly with regards to the microphone’s “sweet spot”. Avoid clipping – when you speak too loud into a microphone – by adjusting the level on the recording program; don’t go beyond +/- 3db.

Equipment

Recording Booth

If a good acoustic space isn’t possible, a recording booth can provide the microphone isolation from external noise. The best results come from acoustic foam , which is expensive, but good results can be achieved by using: inexpensive foam, old rags, quilts or even a pillow fort.

Pop Filter

Help filter out plosive consonants and unwanted noise. Can either be bought or fashioned out of pantyhose and a wire hanger; bend the hanger into a circle shape to cover your microphone and stretch the pantyhose around it. Place the filter around 3inches away from the microphone and record whilst 1-7inches away from the filter.[/color]

[color=#ff0080]"Proper Microphone Techniques" by Nekohime[/color]

Spoiler:
Full Post Here

[color=#ff0080]Starting Off

Two rules. 1) No rule is absolute. Everything is a guideline. 2) Trying different arrangements is to be expected. The microphone, just like any other instrument, must be learned. Before recording, make sure you are relaxed. Tension in your body will reflect in your voice. Move around if need be, but make sure the movements do not get picked up by the microphone. Warm up your voice as well.

Recording

Generally, the microphone should be around your mouth level and 3-12inches away. For most lines, 7inches will provide the best quality. Quiet, intimate or low-pitched sounds should be done closer. Loud or higher-pitched sounds should be done further away. For more nasal or higher-pitched sounds, point the microphone above your mouth. For chesty, throaty or low-pitched sounds, point the microphone below your mouth.

When speaking, project to a point beyond the microphone, not at the microphone, or else the sounds could get muddy. However, there may be times when you want to speak into the microphone i.e. quiet sounds. Loud sounds can cause clipping, so when recording, try to get the feel of the tone of voice required in there. The microphone will amplify the volume for you. The emotion, rather than the volume, is more important. To avoid popping without a pop filter, be sure to: 1) be at least 6inches from the microphone at all times. 2) Speak to the side of the microphone. 3) Be vigilant about diction.

Overall, every voice is unique, so your setup will be different from other people’s setup.[/color]


[color=#ff0080]"Sound Recording Program Reviews" by Nekohime[/color]

[spoil]Audacity

Reaper
1
SamRavster
13 years ago
[font=verdana][color=green]Yay! I'm very proud of all the members in Voices of Eden to come together to release these projects. Let's hope that we continue to do these projects for a long time to come!
0
Circe
13 years ago
[color=#ff0080]I very much mirror Sam's sentiments. I am so proud of the work this team has put into our first two productions. We are all amateurs striving to get better and better, and I hope to keep working with this amazing group of dedicated people for a long time.

Gonna make myself cry ;/////;

I love you guys ❤ ❤ ❤[/color]
0
Calus40
13 years ago
Ive already seen the first one and i thought it was good but not the second one but i dont think there will be much difference in opinion


*snuggles Circe* hey no crying
0
Kyuubi no Shinigami
13 years ago
Haven't gotten a chance to watch either yet but just want to wish everyone working in here the best of luck with current and future projects.
0
Lizlet L. Chelsie
13 years ago
Good luck you all~
0
artcellrox The Grey Knight :y
13 years ago
What type of mics do you guys use?
0
Circe
13 years ago
artcellrox wrote...
What type of mics do you guys use?


[color=#ff0080]Sam and I both use an[/color] Audio-Technica AT2020 USB Condenser Microphone . [color=#ff0080]Not sure about the rest of the team.

But I'd say the mic is only part of the battle. A lot of us are struggling with acoustics as well, since of course we don't have recording studios in our houses. I'm working on a tutorial for how to get the best acoustics inexpensively, so please look for this soon.

I also have articles on choosing microphones that may be cheaper than the AT2020. PM me if you'd like to know more ^-^[/color]
0
Nekohime
13 years ago
Awww, I've been waiting to hear these. *huggles everyone on the team*

@artcellrox: I don't know what everyone else uses, but I use the ZoomH2 portable recorder hooked up to my computer.

@Circe: that article would be helpful--linky please?
0
artcellrox The Grey Knight :y
13 years ago
*looks at mics used*

...

Yeah, I'm not going to VA'ing for a long time. -_-
0
Circe
13 years ago
artcellrox wrote...
*looks at mics used*

...

Yeah, I'm not going to VA'ing for a long time. -_-


[color=#ff0080]I've recorded other projects with a $20 headset mic by Logitech and gotten decent results. I don't think it should stop you from trying projects and practicing your recording skills : )[/color]
0
Nekohime
13 years ago
artcellrox wrote...
*looks at mics used*

...

Yeah, I'm not going to VA'ing for a long time. -_-


Actually, for my lines in Denpa Onna (I did the two random train girls talking about boobs) I just used my webcam mic on the HD C310. My lines for Wish (I did Kohaku) were done on the Zoom H2. You don't need a super good mic--like Circe says, the equipment is just one part of it. The acoustics of the room is also important, and post-processing is definitely a must.
0
artcellrox The Grey Knight :y
13 years ago
Circe wrote...
artcellrox wrote...
*looks at mics used*

...

Yeah, I'm not going to VA'ing for a long time. -_-


[color=#ff0080]I've recorded other projects with a $20 headset mic by Logitech and gotten decent results. I don't think it should stop you from trying projects and practicing your recording skills : )[/color]


...

*looks at my own mic*

I live in Bangladesh, where quality is already at a severe minimum. The mic I have for my PC (none for this laptop) probably costs less then $10. And no, it was not a used mic. :/
0
SamRavster
13 years ago
[font=verdana][color=green]Well, Art, you can use post-recording sound removal. Please PM me if you want to know the details.
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artcellrox The Grey Knight :y
13 years ago
SamRavster wrote...
[font=verdana][color=green]Well, Art, you can use post-recording sound removal. Please PM me if you want to know the details.


Thanks for the advice, Sam, but that might wait till later.

Also, one other thing, guys. Does singing ability closely relate to voice acting ability? I say this because I sing from time to time. Some say I'm pretty good.
0
SamRavster
13 years ago
[font=verdana][color=green]Fair enough, Art. Hopefully you will PM me soon though, as it would be a shame for you not to even try (EDITED for Circe's sake; to try voice acting due to a low quality microphone >>;)

Err....hmm....I'm not really too sure about that claim. I'm no expert, by any means, so I don't know who to answer that.
0
Nekohime
13 years ago
It's not necessarily related--I've known great singers who are terrible voice actors, and vice versa. Singing can help in that you can get better voice control, but the important part in voice acting is ACTING.
0
artcellrox The Grey Knight :y
13 years ago
You know what? If I'm ever bored, I'll record a sample of some anime quotes and send it to you guys. It'll be completely raw, though...

*looks at Nekohime's sig*

Damnit, Hime! You're sig is distracting me!
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