How To Do Voice Overs – A Step By Step Guide
Introduction
Few people can master the complexity of voice even after spending years studying sound. Producing that perfect vice is indeed a difficult task. What is required is a good understanding of the techniques involved in recording and mixing voices to make it sound better than most of the voice recordings. Below are given a few hacks that will help you in recording that perfect voice that you desire.
- Finding a suitable room is a must.
The quality of sound during a voice recording session depends a lot on the room. Never choose a prominent place as it may result in sound quality as if you are speaking from a distance, thereby making it more cumbersome to understand.
On the other hand, a small room will make you have a louder echo. Another consideration that you have to take care of is the hardness of the room. A place with plenty of soft furnishing is better. If a room has plenty of hard and reflective surfaces, it will degrade the sound quality compared to a room with soft furnishings.
Ideally, you must select the ideal room that is neither too big, resembling a colossal hall, and neither too small as if like a washroom. Remember that in a voice recording session, the microphone will catch other sounds in the room. It means that the mannerism in which your voice blends with the surrounding environment will affect your voice recording quality.
- Testing the chosen room
Once you have decided which room to use for recording, it is now time to test it. Just examine how it sounds when you clap. Do you hear any echo or reverberation? Speak loudly for a while. Do you have a clear and comprehensible voice?
On the offset that your voice is difficult to understand, try to place some soft furnishing to blank out the hard surfaces. If you have tried all the rooms without getting a notable amount of success, then you can choose the space under the duvet. It may make you sweat, although it will work.
- Organizing your equipment
Next, it will be time to make your equipment ready. Erect the stand of your mic, place, and plug your microphone. Your microphone has a USB then you can connect it directly to the computer. On the other hand, while using an audio interface, plug the microphone with an XLR cable. Once you are done, connect the interface with the computer. You will also need to set up the audio to video converter if you intend to provide the voice recording behind stills or running images.
- Run your software for audio recording and set levels
Run DAW i.e., audio recording software for creating a new track. Start recording and arm your track. While setting levels directly, speak into the microphone. Ensure that you do not exceed -18dBFS; otherwise, it will mean that you are peaking.
Now hear the recorded audio. If you find any background noise like fans, electrical appliances, A/C, or street traffic, then you should fix it immediately.
- Adjusting the position of the microphone
Modulate the position of the microphone and maneuver its distance from your mouth. It is essential to get good sound quality. Hit the record button and start talking five inches away from the current position of your microphone. First, step nearer to the mic and then try to move out further. Examine how it is affecting your voice tone and determine the ideal position.
Suppose you find a lot of sibilances (‘ess’ sound) and plosives (p sounds), then you must try to move and adjust the axis of your microphone. Position yourself in such a way that your mouth is aligned to the side of the mic.
- Brace yourself for the session
It is essential on your part that the take goes smoothly until its logical conclusion. Make sure no one walks in while you are recording. Make sure that everyone knows you are in the middle of a voice recording session. Put off unwanted electrical equipment and hang a Do Not Disturb on the door. Ready your notes and ensure they are all here. Ensure that the stand of the mic is firm and tightened properly. Keep your phone on silent mode.
- Preparing mentally
Before you commence the first take, it is vital to be mentally prepared for the voice recording session. At the same time, performing a voice-over on the part of an imaginary character, you need to keep in mind that you have to step in the shoes of a character, so get this fact into your head.
- Get set go
Start recording and give your best shot. If you have not got it right for the first time, do not worry. At times, you will hit the perfect shot on the first take itself, whereas there will be days when you may have to need more than 100 takes.
Do not give away too soon. Recording the same action repeatedly is quite familiar. Based on the voice length, you may record individual sections or cover the whole script. If you are having problems recording audio, then you can add music to video online.
- Take notes as you listen back.
When you have done everything, take 10 to 15 minutes to break, relax, and re-energize your ears. It is the perfect time to sip on some exotic beverages. After some time, get into the groove. Hit the play button and start taking notes on the sound quality. Is there any background noise? Is the voice muffed? Lacking warmth? Is it sounding bass-heavy?
Remember that the first time you listen can make all the difference between low and good quality sound. You will have a new perspective, so you may risk losing it with time. Hence, it would help if you took down notes.
- Begin the editing work to cut out the mistakes
It entirely depends on the DAW that you will be using. Ideally, you will prefer to eliminate the errors and keep moving around different sections and remove long silences. It is essential to make your record consistent, and it plays a pivotal role in creating a polished and professional sound.
Final Thoughts
Recording that perfect voice requires time. You have to be persistent. With experience, you will start hitting that ideal pitch sooner than later. The tips that have been provided will make things easy for you when implemented. Remember not to shy away from experimenting when you are trying to record the perfect voice.
