ACX University Presents: Studio Gear Review

Great audiobooks begin with proper recording tools and techniques, without which most common engineering issues can't be fixed. With such a wide range of products and software available, producers need guidance on which key pieces they should invest in to get the best recording. Viewers will be surprised at the cost of equipment used by our award-winning Audible Studios team and can get answers to their questions about the philosophy behind equipment choices and setup.

First, we'll cover the fundamental equipment that all producers need for a basic recording. Our team will present microphones, interfaces, headphones, and DAWs at budget, intermediate, and top-end rates. Then, we'll show you how to combine these tools in your recording space to create the best sound. We’ll finish up with a discussion about selecting and soundproofing your recording area. Our speakers will take questions throughout the program.

[mickeyromeo]

it would have been nice if audio professionals could have used a mic to record this

[IrsaShahcrochet]

Very nice video thanks for sharing 👍👍👍👍

[MarylouPhillips]

The videos would be much more useful if there was a time list break down of the topics covered. It is hard work trying to re-watch just the bits of information one needs, rather than watching the whole video again (particularly difficult on an iPad).

[mstonua]

Gear info starts at 3:10-You're welcome.

[gailroberts]

Is this mic called EV r 820? I can’t understand.

[jwr]

I use REAPER as my DAW - for the whole process from recording to mastering. Last year I sat in on a group where I saw the engineer use REAPER coupled with Sound Forge, and again the same thing this year in this video.What are the pro's and con's and the procedure of using the two programs in tandem?

[badmiddens]

I gotta say.. this video is not very helpful at all to the newbie.  First of all, you talk about DAWs, but not really.  Free to expensive.  Ok, yes, that's true.  How about some real examples.  Plus, as a beginner mic, you promote the Rode NT1A, which many VO artists find far too peaky and sibilant.  Granted, it is workable, but the Audio Technica 2035, for example, is less expensive, but much more balanced, and if used correctly, the audiobook listener will have a very pleasant experience.  The next mic you show is a dynamic broadcast mic in the 4-500 dollar range.  EVs are great in radio stations, but really, for audiobooks??  Then we jump right to the U87?  Yeah.... 3300 bucks.  Sure, it's the gold standard in many ways, but not at all necessary.  Here's my recommendation... start with the AT2035 at 150 bucks.  Upgrade to either a Rode NT1, 269 for the whole kit (not the NT1A)  or the Audio Technica 4040. (300 bucks)  Then, when you're really making some coin because you are good at what you do, you can hardly go wrong with the Neumann TLM 103 at 1100 or so bucks.  All that said, if you are good at narration and acting and production, you can do quite well with an AKG 220 and a 100 dollar focusrite solo interface to start.

[mcarta]

How "bout featuring a laptop rig. Some of us take the show on the road as would some "newbies".

[pam]

cannot hear names of products--no visual--no transcript.

[MikeMurdy]

First, I love your company! and I appreciate the effort that went into making this video...

However... the acoustics of the room you used for this video... and the recording quality is subpar for what I would expect from ACX. Further, you didn't even mention great low cost options like Blue Yeti usb condenser mic (which works great for MAC or WINDOWS) or other DAW's like Adobe Audition or other premium DAW's. Not a big deal, I understand that this may be out of scope for what you were producing. The inteviewer's script (and delivery) makes the interaction feel artificial and most of the individual presentations at the beginning of the video were "uncomfortable".

Additionally, the content of the video was too broad and the format was too long. This should have been several different videos because there's a wealth of information. We want to hear from you, as the experts, but not as one ginormous brain dump.

You get an A for effort, but C for execution and Incomplete for content.

I only contribute this in the hope that you will continue to provide this very generous and valuable content, but that it will continue to evolve and improve over time. Please accept this in the spirit it was intended.

M. J. Murdy

[SirCrimsonWolf]

You may wanna lay off the caffeine a little :)

[fletcherbrown]

I am always astounded at how poor the audio quality is with a ACX University videos on audio quality. Maybe have your QA team actually QA your audios before you put them out on YouTube and embarrass yourselves.

[fletcherbrown]

I just can’t help making a second comment. This is probably the absolute worst video I have ever seen on YouTube. It teaches absolutely nothing to anyone. The host actually looks at the camera and grimaces when guests make statements - wow what are you doing. DAWs, some are cheap and some are expensive and some are better at editing and others are better at mastering “. Great. Thanks for that.

[IrsaShahcrochet]

Very nice video thanks for sharing 👍👍👍👍