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[Evan Balster]

Hey, all.

I had a funny idea.  What if there was a little group on TIGSource consisting of people who are interested in doing vocals for free indie games?  I'm personally interested in small 'jobs' for the time being, and I think I'm not alone.  (I've got pro recording equipment and am after practice work!)

Certain developers (like bento_smile or Jonas Kyratzes) who are making narrative-style games might then be able to draw from this pool in order to get character vocals.  Then we have nice talkie games--profit!  Even non-narrative games often have use for smaller bits of voice acting, like foley screams and grunts.

Would anyone here be interested in joining or drawing on such a talent pool?

[SundownKid]

I wouldn't mind. I recently got a nice mic. It sounds like it could be handy.

[Audiosprite]

i suppose i could use a productive outlet for my ability to make gross noises. i'm tentatively in.

[Noyb]

Sounds like fun. I'd be interested.

Don't have any professional equipment though (just a USB Logitech mic w/out a pop shield).

[Evan Balster]

I'm thinking we could set up a little site or forum somewhere and link to our own pages in our signatures or some such.  Or, we could do everything on TIGForums and I could keep a list of members (and links to portfolio topics with reels) here.


I'm thinking the general system of operations will be:

-Client solicits voice actor for help

-free vocals for free games

-free help on no-budget commercial games, trailers etc (at actor's discretion)

-possible paid work on funded commercial games (or unpaid, if actor is willing)


For the time being it makes most sense just to operate on TIGS, so if and when anyone gets a demo reel put together and up in a portfolio topic, post a link here.

I don't think anyone should worry too much about experience or equipment quality.  They definitely make a difference, but we've all got to start someplace.

[FK in the Coffee]

Sorry for the bump, but this concept intrigues me.  And I have a good working mic, so why not?  I would love to be a part of this.

[namre]

I'm not really a voice actor but I am interested on how this thing will go. It would really help the indie community. :D

[ink.inc]

It would be so awesome if we could get a working library of voices for the TIGSource public to utilize in their games, even just for basic grunts and shouts.

Only issue is when a dev needs female voices... TIGS is sadly lacking in the estrogen department.

[Audiosprite]

Yeah, I've done some voice work since my last post in here and I'm definitely up for some more.

[Aquin]

Well I suppose I could offer my voice, but I can't imagine it'd be all that useful.  I've done a few TV commercials (just voice), so I guess somebody liked it... wouldn't say I'm a pro though. 

[Renton]

Me and my myriad of silly, badly done accents wish to join this guild.
Don't really have a good mic, though.

And Aquin... what haven't you done?

[Bander]

This really is a wonderfull idea!
I dont have a good mic either but I plan on getting one later, so I'll join this.
Maybe someone could find use for an authentic scandinavian accent.
Oh! And I used to growl in a metal band years ago so i can make some really brutal demon/troll recordings

[Aquin]

@Renton, well... I dunno.  I haven't been to South America yet, but maybe in a few years.  I kinda wanna hike that machu pichu trail. 

Besides, the voice work isn't really that weird.  I used to do a lot of theatre (both musical and otherwise) and my best friend works in advertising.  So I just help him out every now and then.

However, I'm not the greatest at accents... I think I'd come off a bit cheezy and there are some accents I just cannot do for the life of me.  I swear, I don't know how that girl on youtube blows through like a two dozen accents in five minutes. 

[McMutton]

I vote Yes. I would definitely take advantage of such a thing.

[Craig Stern]

I've done free voice acting for noncommercial indie games in the past, and would enjoy the chance to do it again in the future. Count me in for this!

[NathanielEdwards]

Hey! I have a (slightly southern) American accent and an expensive microphone! I can do this!

[Evan Balster]

For anyone who wants a serious semi-professional setup for low cost (about $150 for everything) try mine:

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This mike ($50-60) is one of the cheapest condensers that can be bought and is surprisingly good.  Comes with case and shock mount.

This interface ($30-40) will hook it up to your machine through USB.  Portable and low noise, and from a well-regarded manufacturer who'll happily replace defective devices.  If you're looking at others, make sure they have "phantom power" for the condenser.

An XLR cable like this (25ft for $13, longer is better because your computer makes noise) -- DO NOT plug the icicle directly into your mike.

This pop filter ($15) is cheap and good.  These are essential and keep Ps, Bs and other 'plosive' sounds from creating windy noises in the recording.  Don't let your cat claw it up.

A sturdy boom stand ($10-$25?) is really worth the money.  Bought mine from a store a month after everything else and am really happy with it.

You can make a sound room for yourself by finding a narrow closet and covering the walls with pillows, blankets, tapestry, or some other muffly cloth.  Room echo and ambient noise are really bad for recordings.  Apparently memory foam mattress pads work extremely well, though they're pricy; I get along fine with some down comforters or (while at school) the soundproofed practice rooms in the music building.

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Anyway.  Should we make an honest-injun site for this thing?  TIGVA or something?  The newgrounds community has a spinoff site for similar purposes.

[FK in the Coffee]

I'm pretty happy with my Blue Yeti USB mic right now.  The sound quality's wonderful, and I just think I need a pop filter, and I'm good to go.

[namre]

The shorter mic cable you can get, the better to maintain audio quality. I couldn't say exactly why, but it's the what every professional engineer I've met has told me.

I'm not exactly sure, but I believe that the longer the cable is the higher the resistance is inside the wire. The higher the resistance, the signals sent deteriorate over time. As soon as it reaches its destination, the signal is all worn out resulting in a low audio quality.

[Daniel Eddeland]

This idea sounds like a lot of fun, as well as interesting possibilities for games! Sucks I don't have an expensive microphone, but I'd like to at least try with a bad mic (or borrowing a good one from someone).