The Cost of a Solo

lightcrystal · Post by **lightcrystal** » April 25th, 2022, 6:48 am

Does anyone else feel selfish for doing solos when they could be a collab that gives more people a chance to record?

I shouldn't feel that way. But it gnaws at me. Maybe I am just weird.

Post by **TriciaG** » April 25th, 2022, 8:37 am

No guilt here. There are plenty of group projects available. It's not like readers have no choice or opportunity.

Plus, I often find that solos can get released faster than group projects, depending on the motivation of the soloist and group readers. Some group projects get bogged down by people claiming a section, only to have it sit there for 2 months waiting for them to submit their section. So from the perspective of getting things done, it's debatable which type of project has the advantage.

DACSoft · Post by **DACSoft** » April 25th, 2022, 10:54 am

lightcrystal wrote: ↑April 25th, 2022, 6:48 am Does anyone else feel selfish for doing solos when they could be a collab that gives more people a chance to record?

I shouldn't feel that way. But it gnaws at me. Maybe I am just weird.

Selfish ... not at all. My original goal at LV was/is to record solos of the books I produce for Project Gutenberg. Also, my individual preference (as a listener), is to listen to books recorded by one reader ... unless the project is something like a book of short stories, or individual articles.

FWIW,

Nammy · Post by **Nammy** » June 27th, 2022, 2:13 pm

I've been waiting on a solo, but I'm getting bored. How do I get a solo? I like the dramatic roles, but I zipped through the last one, and I can't find anything that I'd like to do. I've been doing a lot of the same things. I need a kick in the pants to boost my enthusiasm or something!

Carol/Nammy

P.S. I prefer children's books or dramatic roles of young girls. Have I missed any?

Post by **TriciaG** » June 27th, 2022, 2:30 pm

You "get" a solo by starting one yourself.

"Want to start a solo recording?", a thread in the Launch Pad, tells you what to do: viewtopic.php?f=28&t=13513

loon · Post by **loon** » June 27th, 2022, 8:23 pm

Also, if you really love a book (enough to want to read it solo) you don't need to worry if a version is already in the LibriVox catalog.

This is "choice of voice" - for listeners and readers.

sjmarky · Post by **sjmarky** » June 28th, 2022, 4:42 pm

lightcrystal wrote: ↑April 25th, 2022, 6:48 am Does anyone else feel selfish for doing solos when they could be a collab that gives more people a chance to record?

I shouldn't feel that way. But it gnaws at me. Maybe I am just weird.

Even if there is a solo, there is nothing preventing a group project.

Nammy · Post by **Nammy** » June 29th, 2022, 7:40 pm

BEE AND BUTTERFLY
A TALE OF TWO COUSINS
BY LUCY FOSTER MADISON
AUTHOR OF "THE PEGGY OWEN BOOKS," "A MAID OF SALEM TOWNE,"
"A COLONIAL MAID OF OLD VIRGINIA," etc.
ILLUSTRATED BY
ADELIA B. BEARD
CHICAGO
M. A. DONOHUE & CO.
COPYRIGHT 1913
BY M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/33407/33407-h/33407-h.htm

I have found this book that has not been done on Librivox! It wasn't easy to find something that hasn't been done, but I am considering it for a solo. It is rather long, but it would keep me busy so I wouldn't be constantly looking for new things to do.

I also enjoy reading Pollyanna, but that has been done over and over and in various versions. I'd rather do something new, if possible. All of the children's tales seem to have been already done. Any thoughts on doing this one??

Do I absolutely need to buy a special mic and headphones for this? What I've been using has been fine for my regular recordings, and right now, money is a little tight so perhaps this isn't even a good idea. I always come up with ideas, then find reasons why it's not a good idea. I'm standing in my own way, I think.

Carol/Nammy

lightcrystal · Post by **lightcrystal** » June 29th, 2022, 8:07 pm

Nammy wrote: ↑June 29th, 2022, 7:40 pm BEE AND BUTTERFLY
A TALE OF TWO COUSINS
BY LUCY FOSTER MADISON
AUTHOR OF "THE PEGGY OWEN BOOKS," "A MAID OF SALEM TOWNE,"
"A COLONIAL MAID OF OLD VIRGINIA," etc.
ILLUSTRATED BY
ADELIA B. BEARD
CHICAGO
M. A. DONOHUE & CO.
COPYRIGHT 1913
BY M. A. DONOHUE & COMPANY

https://www.gutenberg.org/files/33407/33407-h/33407-h.htm

I have found this book that has not been done on Librivox! It wasn't easy to find something that hasn't been done, but I am considering it for a solo. It is rather long, but it would keep me busy so I wouldn't be constantly looking for new things to do.

I also enjoy reading Pollyanna, but that has been done over and over and in various versions. I'd rather do something new, if possible. All of the children's tales seem to have been already done. Any thoughts on doing this one??

Do I absolutely need to buy a special mic and headphones for this? What I've been using has been fine for my regular recordings, and right now, money is a little tight so perhaps this isn't even a good idea. I always come up with ideas, then find reasons why it's not a good idea. I'm standing in my own way, I think.

Carol/Nammy

A lot of direct dialogue in this book. If that's what you like to do then go for it! You don't need a special microphone or headphones. More important is to be comfortable with your DAW.

Post by **mightyfelix** » June 29th, 2022, 9:20 pm

You definitely don't need any extra equipment. What you've been using is just fine.

It looks like a cute book. Your next step will be to follow the link that Tricia gave you a few posts up. That will explain to you how to set up your solo and what to expect once it's set up.

mattm · Post by **mattm** » June 29th, 2022, 10:57 pm

When I first started I was anxious that a certain group project I was very interested in contributing to might be entirely claimed before I could get myself ready to start my recording career. So please don't feel guilty for not claiming sections in group projects!