In this two-part article, we will unpack the ultimate travel kit for voice actors. Taking into consideration size, weight, functionality as well as practicality, any reader will be able to deduce what is best for their performance needs. Why are size and weight an issue? Well, simply put, a travel kit, typically speaking, needs to be convenient, easily maneuverable, and not too strenuous. The last thing you want when traveling is carrying two heavy monitors. Finally, rest assured we will cover acoustics too! So, without further ado, let’s begin.
What to Loose in the Travel Kit
Audio interfaces are a vital part of our industry. Every voiceover artist plugs their microphone into the phantom-powered magic box, which takes their beautiful rhythmic voice and has it translated into something our DAW of choice can understand. So why wave goodbye to our dear sweet audio interface? Well, simply put – the audio interface is getting in the way of convenience! Arguably, the audio interface is light and small, typically speaking for the needs of most voice actors. However, it is extra space and weight when not essential to traveling light and convenient. A USB microphone we will discuss in part two of this article, will support our lightweight and convenience goal much better than the interface.
Travel Kit Made Simple
This next paragraph might seem to state the obvious, but we must list and identify every setup element so there are no surprises. Should you use a pre-amp, you must leave this at home too! Why? mainly for the same reason we are not taking an audio interface on our epic travel. It’s just extra unneeded consumption of space. The good news is without the pre-amp and the audio interface, and you will not need a long bulky weighted XLR cable either! Looking at the microphone stand, is this something we should be looking to take with us? If so, do we take a shock mount and a pop filter?
This is a tricky one, and like most things come with a preference. Initially, I will say no to the microphone stand and shock mount! it is more weight, and it is not convenient. That said, you can get some great microphone stands that are compact and portable however, so many microphones have stands already, and if you are in a hotel, the odds are you won’t have enough space to use a microphone stand. The shock mount becomes redundant without the microphone stand. What about the pop filter? well, for most voice actors, this is almost essential. Some microphones come with inbuilt pop filter technology; if not, you can easily take this around with you, assuming you get a small, lightweight pop filter designed for transport.
Travel Kit for Voice Actors Part One Summary
In part one, we discussed what not to do with your travel kit. We have bid farewell to the interface, pre-amp, shock mount, and microphone stand. Not to mention all those bulky XLR cables too. If it was not obvious already, monitors are out of the question too. So what should you take? How do we get around some daily challenges without our standard equipment? Check out article two of our ultimate travel kit for voice actors.
Travel Kit for Voice Actors – The Ultimate Guide by Alan Shires, Actor, Voiceover Artist, and Presenter at www.alanshires.co.uk.
