Thumb scrolling device?

[mac_audio]

I need to record a voiceover of me reading a long passage, and am looking for an easy way to use a computer or tablet instead of paper, because with paper there would be rustling noises as I turn the page.

The problem with using a computer is that it is still awkward to try and scroll from page to page and stay remain quiet while recording.

So I am wondering if there is some sort of device on a cable which would allow me to use my thumb to scroll a page forward and backwards on my laptop or an iPad.

This is going to sound funny, but as a child I remember we had an electric blanket which had this tiny switch - maybe the size of an original Lego - that had a slotted disk inside it. To turn the heat up or down, you would just use your thumb to dial in the temperature you wanted.

Whatever you recommend, it needs to be silent because the slightest noise would end up getting recorded.

Preferably something that is tiny, and on a cord, so that I can just hold it in my hand or set it in my lap and use it to quietly scroll from page to page as I record.

Hopefully that makes sense?!

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

Seems like the wheel on a mouse would work as long as it spins freely like the option on my MX Master. That or a two finger scroll on a trackpad.

 

[chown33]

I have the older wired version of this:
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Handheld-Finger-Trackball-Pointer/dp/B0057KL2AU


I also suspect you could use any wireless mouse that has a scroll wheel. There are also specialty mice for gaming that have lots of control options. Hold it in your lap and put a towel over it to muffle it, if that's even necessary. It's trivial to test: set things up, start recording, and click or scroll the mouse while saying nothing. If the mike doesn't register anything, you're good to go.


I'm also wondering if you might be better off with a more directional mike. For example, a cardioid pattern instead of omni.

 

[mac_audio]

Seems like the wheel on a mouse would work as long as it spins freely like the option on my MX Master. That or a two finger scroll on a trackpad.

Ideally I would like something that is small that I can hold in one hand as I read and not something where I need a table top for a mouse pad or something where I would have to look at it.

This disk wheel on a mouse is too complicated for my needs, but thanks for the suggestion.
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I have the older wired version of this:
https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-Handheld-Finger-Trackball-Pointer/dp/B0057KL2AU

A little closer, but still kind of clunky.

Imagine if you had a thin wire, or could be wireless, that went to something the size of a small 1" x 2" match box with a tine disk on the side protruding slightly like a crescent moon.

That would be ideal, and is similar to the switch on that ol' electric blanket we had when I was a child!

I also suspect you could use any wireless mouse that has a scroll wheel. There are also specialty mice for gaming that have lots of control options. Hold it in your lap and put a towel over it to muffle it, if that's even necessary. It's trivial to test: set things up, start recording, and click or scroll the mouse while saying nothing. If the mike doesn't register anything, you're good to go.

Thanks, but again, too clunky for my ideal solution.

I'm also wondering if you might be better off with a more directional mike. For example, a cardioid pattern instead of omni.

My mic is in a sound booth, but a disk wheel on most mice I know would still get picked up.

Besides, I want something that is s-m-o-o-t-h when I spin the disk/wheel.

 

[chown33]

Imagine if you had a thin wire, or could be wireless, that went to something the size of a small 1" x 2" match box with a tine disk on the side protruding slightly like a crescent moon.

That would be ideal, and is similar to the switch on that ol' electric blanket we had when I was a child!

Besides, I want something that is s-m-o-o-t-h when I spin the disk/wheel.

I understand what you're looking for. I don't think you'll find it. My impression is it's too specialized, or too limited.

You could look at presentation controllers (search terms: presentation mouse), but mostly those will be pushbutton devices, not ones with wheels. But I could be wrong.


If you've got some mechanical and/or electrical skills, you could probably make one using the innards of a USB mouse with a scroll wheel. Pick up a used one at a thrift store or Goodwill and take it apart. The mechanical part of every mouse scroll wheel I've encountered can have the detent mechanism removed, leaving a smoothly moving rotary encoder.

If you have more skills, you could start with a rotary encoder, add it to an Arduino Trinket, and build a custom USB rotary encoder. Something like this, but you may need to modify the firmware to act as a scroll wheel instead of a volume control:
https://www.instructables.com/id/USB-Volume-Control/

 

[tobefirst ⚽️]

Ideally I would like something that is small that I can hold in one hand as I read and not something where I need a table top for a mouse pad or something where I would have to look at it.

This disk wheel on a mouse is too complicated for my needs, but thanks for the suggestion.

Fair enough. Maybe the Griffin Powermate? I don’t think they make them anymore, but you should still be able to find them.

 

[cruisin]

The MX Master wireless mouse has a silent scroll option built in (and you can hold the mouse in your hand without a table) and the Apple wireless mouse is a smooth surface you touch to scroll (like a trackpad, so even quieter that a wheel), but you can also look up "USB rotary knob" or similar keywords and find something just for scrolling. Or if you are handy (or know someone) you can get a rotary encoder of the size you want and add a chip that converts the signal to USB and make your own scrolling device.

Either way, an iPad might refuse to work with odd external devices so you should aim for something for a computer. Most of them pretend to be a keyboard anyway, but the iPad expects things to work a certain way and a computer is more flexible.

Out of curiosity, what is wrong with tapping gently on the iPad screen to go to the next page, or simply scrolling the page? It doesn't seem to be audible.

Windows has a option to click the mouse wheel to trigger automatic scrolling and you move the mouse to set the speed. Then it will scroll forever at the speed you set.

 

[mac_audio]

Out of curiosity, what is wrong with tapping gently on the iPad screen to go to the next page, or simply scrolling the page? It doesn't seem to be audible.

Fair question!

To be honest, I am not entirely sure what I want or need just yet, but allow me to explain my issue...

So I am learning how to do voiceovers, and don't have the ability to create a sound-proof studio at home for many reason - mostly space and money.

I am trying to sound-proof around my microphone and head, and haven't found a good set up yet.

For example, I bought a PortaBooth Pro and while it does a good job of soundproofing around the microphone itself, it is a real PITA to set up using a mic stand. And the bigger issue with it is that while it works well when you speak into a microphone, it isn't practical to use because there is really no room to put even a piece of paper let alone a laptop.

Here is a link...

https://www.amazon.com/Porta-Booth-Pro-Your-Recording-Studio/dp/B003JZOW98

That is my larger issue that I am struggling with!!

I am older and my vision is not so great, so I need to find something that displays a script that is lrge enough for me to easily read and allows me to navigate the script as well. (It is hard enough trying to apply all of the voice techniques I am trying to learn, let along fumbling around trying to see what you are reading and then having issues trying to navigate the document.)

Ideally I would like a setup where I could sit at a desk and have my MacBook in front of me, and I may be able to do that, but I'm not sure that setup will work with the PortaBooth Pro as it appears to be designed to be used on a mic stand rig where you are standing.

I really need a setup that is easy to set up and that is mobile, since I will often be on the road and in a hotel or whatnot where I will need an easy yet effective setup.

From what I am learning - newbie voiceover guy here - it is as important or more important that you have a "sound treated" room than it is having fancy audio gear.

And as mentioned above, while I have been able to get a fairly well sound treated area around my microphone with the PortaBooth Pro, I am struggling to get something that allows me to easily and comfortably read from and navigate a script - which would most likely be a PDF document.

I don't own an iPad, but would gladly buy one along with any other gear to make this whole endeavor work out for me.

Not to go off topic from my OP, but I would really appreciate some help here on this whole mess I have described.

Back to your question...

Yes, using my finger to scroll on an iPad *might* work, but think about it from my standpoint... If you were trying to give the vocal performance of your life, i.e. be quiet, read a script word-for-word, enunciate words correctly, not lose your metering and rhythm, and so on, would ackwardly want to hold your arm in an upward position for an extended period of time so you could scroll your script?

Whether I am standing or sitting and I am not sure which arrangement I will use, I ultimately want 95% of my body and mind focusing on giving a great performance, and the other 5% going towards seeing my script and navigating it.

I have probably just confised the heck out of everyone here, and probably just spawned 10 other topics, but that is what I am ultimately trying to accomplish.

Would love to hear back from everyone, and see hat Apple products (and 3rd party products) I could use to help me accomplish my goals.

Thanks!