Case Study: Andrea Kummer
- Client
- Andrea Kummer, voice actor
- Setup
- RØDE NT1-A, Focusrite Scarlett Solo, Reaper
- Problem
- Thin recordings despite new gear and hours of tutorials
- Fix
- Adjusted mic position and gain, then added only light compression and a gentle low-end roll-off
The Challenge
Andrea, a talented voice actor, was ready to take her home studio to the next level. After investing in a new RØDE NT1-A microphone and a Focusrite Scarlett Solo interface, she was excited to start recording. However, she was quickly disappointed with the results.
Despite hours spent watching YouTube tutorials and experimenting with plugins in Reaper, her audio sounded thin and lacked the professional quality she needed. Frustrated and unsure of her next step, she reached out for help.
What I did
Andrea booked a Full Studio Setup session, and I began a detailed, step-by-step diagnosis of her entire signal chain. I found that the solution was not more plugins or new gear, but a precise focus on the fundamentals.
- Acoustics & Mic Placement: We began by making subtle adjustments to her microphone’s position in the room to minimise unwanted reflections and ensure a clean recording environment. We also fine-tuned her distance from the microphone to find the perfect spot for her voice.
- Hardware Configuration: We verified all the settings on her Focusrite Scarlett Solo to ensure the gain was correctly set and the audio signal was clean, avoiding any distortion.
- Software Optimisation: Inside her DAW, Reaper, I confirmed that all settings were optimised for her new interface. After some listening tests, we found that Andrea’s recording environment and the quality of her gear meant that heavy-handed EQ was not needed at all. Instead, we applied only a slight amount of light compression and a gentle low-end roll-off to give her voice a professional presence without sacrificing its natural tone.
The Result
After the session, Andrea completed a few quick test recordings. The difference was immediate and dramatic. The sound was rich, full, and perfectly captured the quality of her new microphone.
Her response was the best measure of success: “This is the best quality sound I’ve ever heard come out of my studio.”
Client feedback
“This is the best quality sound I’ve ever heard come out of my studio.”
Got a problem like this?
Send me a short clip and tell me what’s going on. I’ll reply in writing by the next UK working day, and it’s free.
Get a free diagnosis