VO Recording setup ( physical placement of mic, pop filter and script)

[kennai]

Hi all,
I'm wondering if anyone has found an "elegant" solution to the awkward dance of having VO talent stay "on" the mic, use a pop filter, and still be able to "see" the script...
In my experience, the music stand approach encourages the talent to look down, and thus speak off axis into the microphone...
Does anyone out there have a solution that has worked for them? I'm not trying to compare mics / pop filters, etc. I'm asking more about any tricks or products that have helped this situation. It would be great to see any pics you might have of your set up.
thanks!
Kenneth

[Sonny Keyes]

One of my talent gave me a (partial) solution for this: she folded the top of the script back and hooked it over the top of the Manhasset, which raised it up high enough not to direct her voice down off mic. This only works for short scripts, but I was doing ads, so it helped a lot.

[FlorianE]

use a teleprompter, or text overlay with something like Video Slave (would even be sync).

[Soundburst]

Originally Posted by kennai

Hi all,
I'm wondering if anyone has found an "elegant" solution to the awkward dance of having VO talent stay "on" the mic, use a pop filter, and still be able to "see" the script...
In my experience, the music stand approach encourages the talent to look down, and thus speak off axis into the microphone...
Does anyone out there have a solution that has worked for them? I'm not trying to compare mics / pop filters, etc. I'm asking more about any tricks or products that have helped this situation. It would be great to see any pics you might have of your set up.
thanks!
Kenneth

I always have the microphone off-axis by 45 Degrees. I thought this was standard practice.

So I've the script in front. . . and then at slightly-below mouth level aimed a tad upwards (as I always assume they'll be looking down so i'm compensating) I've the microphone aimed at their mouth from the front-side 45 Degrees.

[smurfyou]

Originally Posted by Soundburst

I always have the microphone off-axis by 45 Degrees. I thought this was standard practice.

So I've the script in front. . . and then at slightly-below mouth level aimed a tad upwards (as I always assume they'll be looking down so i'm compensating) I've the microphone aimed at their mouth from the front-side 45 Degrees.

Same here. Not that I measure 45 degrees but almost always the mic is a bit higher than mouth level, pointed down at an angle. Occasionally even from the side if the voice is exceptionally spitty or sibilant. Give it room to breathe. IMO VO recorded point blank sounds terrible (416 and dynamics the exception). And I can tell every time I get it from talent that records in their home studio.