My name is Jim Sherry, and I have been in the voice-over industry for nearly 20 years as an audio engineer.
I have recorded thousands of voice artists for spoken word productions including men, women, and children of all ages, from the guy next door to a countless host of celebrities.
I have even recorded a singing fish. And, if I do say so myself, it was the best recording of a singing fish I have ever heard.
Over the years, voice work has changed dramatically. No longer do voice artists have to travel all over town from studio to studio, factoring in drive time to schedule their day.
Many have taken the plunge to record at home, with varying success.
But not everyone wants to be an engineer, and in fact, the technical challenge is the last thing most voice artists want to be thinking about when trying to record their voice at home.
I Can Help You
I have helped many voice artists over the years to set up their own home studio, as well as many who already had been recording their voice at home, but needed technical help to get past the frustrations that they ran into when it was not going as smoothly as they expected.
I can help you, too.
- I can help you overcome your fears about recording your voice at home.
- I can help you tackle the challenging technical issues.
- I can even help you become a better voice artist through tips and techniques that I have learned and created over my many years of experience with the best people in the industry.
As a singer, I started out recording at home in my teens and had been recording vocals for many years by the time I decided to pursue a formal education at The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences, graduating from their Master Recording Program.
After being hired as a dubbing assistant at the finest commercial studio in Phoenix, I quickly rose through the ranks of engineer, senior engineer and then co-owner of Lambchops Studios with my partner, Susan Bolin.
We are now known as SPEAK HOUSE Audio, and today I have come full circle from where I started recording voice at home, with a full production, commercial home studio for the spoken word.
I am here for you, the striving voice artist, in any way that I can help you with your audio recording endeavors.
Jim
Hi Jim,
I am really enjoying your newsletters. You are following my hero Pat Flynn who shares value with his audience. Abundance of good will come to you.
As a newbie, there is so much to learn about VO. It is easy to get sucked into the equipment funnel. I really appreciate your recording tips for people who cannot rush out and purchase the “necessary” equipment.
I have a problem with sibilance. I use AA to record and edit. I am experimenting with the DeSesser at a setting of -10. It seems to be ok. I’ve read that it helps to smile during the s. Are there any other ways to help with sibilance or voice exercises to practice?
Thank you,
Paula
Hey Paula,
Here is my best advice for sibilance. If the de-esser isn’t doing it for you or if you just tire from fooling with the plugin, SHORTEN the amount of time your tongue is engaged is the formation of the ‘S’.
Different people put their tongue in different places when forming an S, like the back of the bottom teeth or the middle of the roof of the mouth. Just get it off there as soon as possible and your sibilance will be reduced. This is going to take some discipline but you will soon find it will be second nature.
Good luck and let me know how things are going.
Hi Jim ! My name is Niko and i am Bulgarian VO artist. I want to comunicate with you if you dont mind.
Hi Niko,
Thanks for visiting the site. I hope it is helpful to your voice-over work. If you have any questions, just let me know and I will be happy to answer them.
Hey Jim,
Just found your site through WA.
All of your articles are catching my attention.
I have had a killer day but will be back to read everything 🙂
I have given you my email address and look forward to your messages.
Thanks Edmund,
I am glad your are getting some really good information out of my posts. And thanks for joining the newsletter, I hope it keeps sparking your interests.
Great information!
Thank you,
Eileen
Thank you.
I am glad you found it interesting and useful.