Recording your dialog requires a few basic tools. You can use any PC or Mac with a good sound card, or a stand-alone multitrack recorder. Later, you'll use a sound editing program for cleaning up the files and combining takes, rearranging words, adding fx, etc.This is the REALLY fun part, and you can experiment with all kinds of options.

Tools You'll Need:

• A good microphone
• A recording program or device (multitrack, DAT, cassette recorder)
• A Compressor (to get good even volume on the dialog)
• A small Mixer with EQ (under $100)
• FX processors are optional

Microphone

To start, get a good microphone (or two if you have multiple actors). An inexpensive mic can be had for around $60 at any music store - I'd go with the Shure SM57 or SM58. Or you can buy one at Radio Shack much cheaper (around $20), but as a pro audio guy, I'm not satisfied with the sound of a cheap mic. You can use a computer mic plugged directly into your sound input. Depending on your skill and patience, you can get decent results from this, and it can be useful for certain vocal fx.

Recording Program or Device

You'll also need either a good recorder or a recording program. There are many good ones to choose from. I usually use Sony Sound Forge or Sony Vegas for recording dialogue. I recently worked at Ground Crew Studios for a voice over session and they use Vegas. It's a full-featured professional level audio program, and you may not need as many options if you're doing simple voice-over work. With that in mind, here are my recommendations for shareware/freeware recording software:

Macintosh & Windows

Audacity
Audacity is a cross-platform, easy-to-use, and powerful audio editor. It is now the standard in freeware audio. Audacity can even handle multitrack files, convert to Mp3, add effects, and help with loop creation. It should be an essential part of your audio toolbox - it is certainly in mine.

Compressor and Mixer

A compressor is a unit that evens out the volume levels of an input source. This is good because it will control any sudden bursts in volume as you're recording the dialog. It can help with pops and clicks as well (when you make "p" and "b" sounds).

You also could benefit from a very small but affordable mixer like the Behringer MX602A (under $100). The mixer will boost the signal and allow you to get a good even, equalized sound before it ever reaches the computer.

Other Equipment

Any effects processors, such as reverb, echo, delay, etc. are optional, and can be used for some interesting results. Reverb is useful as it can create a "room" - if your characters are in a cavern, or hangar, etc., you can add more reverb to make the room sound big. Echo is good for caves. A good all-around reverb processor is the Alesis Nanoverb, under $100. I use one as well as a Digitech S100 for hardware reverbs.

One exceptional effects processor is the Digitech Vocalist. It's a harmonizer that will add background vocals to a singer's lead. But, it can be used as a single-voice synth with the right tweaking. Or, it's perfect if you want your character to have two different voices speaking at once! You can change the tone and timbre of your voice, as well as the pitch. It's rather expensive though, even used the good models are around $300-500 US on eBay, so definitely shop around for condition and price.

Plugins for recording software these days are unlimited - you can find a plugin that will do anything. I use the above hardware units, the built-in Sonitus FX plugins from Cakewalk (included with Sonar), and the Lexicon Pantheon plugin which is a great reverb

The Recording Environment

A quiet back room in your house or apartment will do just fine. Hang some thick blankets on the windows to keep out undesirable sound. Turn off any air conditioners, fans, etc., as these create noise and will be picked up on the track. If anyone else is in the house, ask them to be as quiet as possible when you are recording. Use a mic stand, don't let them hold the mic. Set your microphone about 5-6 inches away from the actors' mouth. Set the height of the mic stand so they don't have to stoop or stand on their tiptoes.

A music stand for holding the script is also a must. These items are fairly cheap and can be obtained at any music store. Also, don't staple the script pages together, because if/when they need to turn the page, you'll hear the paper rustle. Record a page or scene at a time, and save the file. You don't want too large of a sound file, nor risk losing 30 minutes of dialog when your computer crashed and you haven't saved yet. When they need to take a break, give them a break, and give them water.

Now, just press record on your device or program. You may want to record only one line or scene at a time. You can edit this together later in a WAV editor or video editor. It's helpful to string one scene into a single WAV file for import into your video program. This helps keep the continuity and the scene flowing, and will give you an idea of how to time your animations. The key is to experiment, and get to know your recording equipment & software. With practice and patience, your editing skills will increase.

I hope this article was helpful. Enjoy recording your voice actors!
--Donnie