I don’t normally see any threads about sound recording. In my opinion this is probably the most “unspoken” part of game development. For the studios and or “in-depth indies” out there, how do you handle your sound effects, vocals, and ambiance? Do you buy tracks, hire a sound studio, or create your own? I plan on buying recording equipment next week to start learning how to create ambient effects, vocals, etc. I would like to start making a sound engine for my current unity project.
For doing vocals for characters, what equipment is needed? I have an older mic that is used for karaoke. I have the attachments to connect to the pc. Would I need a buffer wall? A buffer wall meaning a stocking to prevent unneeded popping, breathing, or background noises. I don’t have a sound booth in my room. Depending on the money situation I may build one later on in the summer.
For the first, it is easier to buy royalty free effects than go out yourself to record them if you are on an indie budget. You would need some good field recording kit, which would cost a pretty penny for any that sound decent. For the second, I record vocals in a makeshift studio I set up for myself. I use a couple of inexpensive condensers which do the job well. For any recording a pop filter is very useful, as it helps remove the plosive sounds from speech. You also want a mic that will capture good audio, not a built in computer mic or a dynamic mic for live settings. When you say “boom mic,” I assume you mean shotgun mic. It could work, but it would need to have a wide and even response (basses are captured the same as the midtones and highs). The Sennheiser 416, a shotgun mic, is actually widely accepted as the industry standard for voiceover, although there are those that don’t like its sound.
Yep I was wrong. The mic I have isn’t a boom mic. Its’ just one of those standard vocal mics. I found on a site called “backpacker” that I can use the smaller Zoom H1 recorder like I mentioned in the OP for outdoor settings. It should be able to get the high and low end frequencies without issue. I found that bestbuy sells shotgun mics. They have one listed for 250$. Sadly its’ a cheaply built mic. Wouldn’t be worth spending the money on it. Best Buy sells side address mics. From what i’ve read, those are pretty good for doing voice acting / voice overs. They sells those for 150$. I also just remembered that I have a electronic keyboard. its’ one of these. Might be of use.
EDIT: I don’t have an indie budget. I’m willing to get the equiptment. It just won’t feel like my work if I was to buy or use loyalty free audio files. Ill use friends and family to do the voice acting. I live in an area that is perfect for ambient recording. Birds, rivers,lakes, trees, etc.
One mic I would strongly suggest for voice work of you don’t want to spend a humongous amount is the CAD U37. It’s a USB condenser mic, and it sounds very good for the price of <$50. There is no audible circuitry noise, but the microphone is very hot (sinsitivity, not temperature), so it will pick up every sound if you’re not in a auiet place. The zoom should work to record outdoor sounds and such, but more as a general ambience than specific sounds. I would suggest getting a directional shotgun mic if you want to, for example, capture the birds separately from the river.
Though this is the best option, it is also the most expensive. I suggested the U37 because the circuitry noise is very low on the built-in USB preamp. The biggest problem with USB mics is that if something goes wrong, you have to replace the whole mic, not just the preamp. A good audio interface coupled with a decent condenser and accessories (pop filter, shock mount, any mounting adapters, mic stand/scissor arm) can really add up quickly.
That would be indeed a lot cheaper, though you can get an audio interface for 80,- bucks. It’s a lot more flexible as well. I think it depends on what you want to do with it.