Customer Reviews
Great Book Needs techinical updating BADLY 
2008-07-30
This book is fabulous and worth the price but the very very important details about computer based recording is BADLY dated and the publisher coould really revive the title and I would even rebuy it if they would update this info or at least provide an online update.
Great Book 2008-07-07
This book is great for people who are new to voice overs. It's a must buy if you want to set up your own studio.
Home Recording Made Easy for VO's 
2008-05-25
I already had a working knowledge of how to record at home, but found I still had a few things to learn. Voice Actor's Guide to Home Recording is a valuable book whether you have experience recording at home, or you are just starting out. I guarantee you will benefit from owning this book and your home recordings will sound better and better!
I should have checked the dates on all the + reviews 
2008-01-27
Man, I should have checked the dates on all the positive reviews of this book. Had I done so, I would have saved myself the purchase price.
3 years ago, when it was published, I'm sure this was a fabulous reference, however, it is now SO out of date as to render more than half the book almost useless. To the author's credit (and the book's ultimate downfall) he includes a high level of detail on things like computer hardware and software, microphones, and other studio technology, but in any techno-based treatise, one year is a long time and three years is an eternity. The very detail that would have been fabulous three years ago is totally irrelevant today.
I found myself skipping more than half the text of the book primarily because it was so out of date. Recommendations like a computer with a Pentium 4 processor with up to a 40GB hard drive and a minimum of 256MB of RAM were appropriate at the time of publishing (early 2005) but not now. Step by step instructions on how to use programs that have long since been upgraded (or even changed ownership) are of very little benefit in the year 2008. What I have in my hands is a 180 page book with maybe 80 pages of pertinent information.
Another example is in the area of ISDN connections. Again, the authors couldn't include programs like Source Connect or Audio TX, both VOIP type programs and neither of which require an ISDN line and associated hardware/software/expenses to function in this book because they had yet to be released, but I go back to my original statement that if a book is going to be technology-based then it is incumbent on the authors to keep it up to date. Harlan Hogan himself has written a very good discussion on Source Connect and Audio TX that can be found at the CommercialVoices.com web site where he discusses the place non-ISDN communication solutions currently occupy and where they will be in 5 years, and it's critical everyone understand this BEFORE making the substantial investment in ISDN.
I don't fault the authors because they wrote an exhaustive and definitive guide covering the subject at the time, but when one publishes a book like this, you need to make a concerted effort to keep the content up to date. I would think an eBook, with a living chapters would be more appropriate than a paper and ink volume like this. Harlan Hogan's web site is very helpful, and in fact, I learned MUCH more from his web site on the topic than I learned from his book.
My bad, like I said, for not checking the dates of the reviews and the date of publishing.
There is still some information in the book that is of general value regarding how to set up a home studio and get started in the business, but I feel there are other books out there that may be more complete and more importantly, more up to date on this score. On the positive side, the authors write in an enjoyable and humorous style which makes reading the book a positive experience.
This isn't a terrible book, but it could be a GREAT book if it were current.
Right on time. 2007-11-30
Book was shipped on a timely manner, in the condition they said it would be in.
Revolutionizing The Home Recording Industry, One Studio At A Time! 2007-09-19
Just when I thought I knew it all about voice-overs, my agent and producers started asking me to audition at home. Honestly, I was overwhelmed by the thought of it all. And thought that maybe this was the technological chasm, the great divide, that would separate the wheat from the chaff....and not related to voice-over abilibity.
And then I found Harlan Hogan's and Jeffrey P. Fisher's book on Home Recording. To say it has saved my derriere is putting it mildly. Harlan and Jeffrey take you through step-by-step on what affordable equipment to buy, how to set up your home studio and how to properly record and edit yourself. They even toss in chapters on ISDN and phone patch, as well as self-promoting your home studio.
A "home run" if you ask me...and you did!
A MUST HAVE! 2007-09-05
I put a recording studio in my home in 2006 in order to build my voice over business. I must admit, I'm not sure why I didn't buy this book sooner!! This book is a MUST for anyone who is even REMOTELY considering building their own studio.
In the process of building my home studio, I came to one conclusion: there's a reason there are audio engineers... because they understand all of this equipment, and I didn't have a clue what all the knobs and sliders meant. What little I did comprehend when building my studio has now been further explained to me in this book... NOW I KNOW!!!
The text is written so that it's easy to understand. And, it's apparent, without even knowing them, that Harlan and Jeffrey included their personalities in the book. You can just tell by reading, these are guys with a great sense of humor... which is so refreshing when you're reading about things you may not necessarily understand at the onset.
Good Overview 2007-08-31
This book provides a good overview of the process and the equipment needed. it covers some of the technical aspects well in broad strokes with enough information to point in the directions for further study if required but is sufficient in the depth of information to be up and running quickly.
The subject is huge. There are the technical aspects of the technology, which is changing monthly,and any publication will be out of date by the time it is printed, however, the underlying processes are unchanged.
I recommend it as a good reference for anyone interested in Podcasting or Voice Overs.
Hands down the BEST hands on book on subject! 2007-08-09
From assembling your home studio (mic, pc and software) to tips on HOW to make yourself sound better, etc., this is an EXCELLENT, easy to read primer.
an invaluable resource 2007-07-09
I have read this book cover to cover and keep comming back to it. What a Wonderful Resourse for any Voice Actor!!!! Thanks Harlan and Jeffrey for the hard work you guys put into this book! Not only is if full of good info it is easy to understand for the non-tech people out there.
