Edit Voice Overs in GarageBand Like a Pro

[@thedownwarddoug6642]

Buddy. These videos are ace. I’ve got the basic Focusrite starter kit and this has been a life saver. Really nice production value of your vids!!

[@Justin_Hikes]

As a complete noob trying to improve my voice overs for my KZbin vids, I'm thrilled to find your channel. A couple of questions/suggestions... I wish you had used plugins that comes free and out of the box with Garage Band instead of Waves. Trying to understand whether Waves is free and how to download got me really confused. Also, any chance of creating a "Edit Voice Overs in AUDACITY Like a Pro" video to complement your "Audacity Tutorial for Beginner Voice Over"? Thanks again for providing great info. Cheers!

[@voices]

Thanks Justin! Glad we're able to help :)

[@jasonkyle8542]

Hey Randy- thanks for this! What would be comparable replacements for the wave plugins you used, that are already in GarageBand (or under the Audio Units > Apple options)? You had me up until this part. It got a little complicated for my small brain 😀 Also, want to avoid purchasing additional plugins.

[@voices]

Yup! You can do almost everything with the plugins built in to GarageBand. I find that the GarageBand plugins are quite capable, they are just a little harder to be subtle with (in my opinion, of course). But yeah, you should be good with the built-in plugins! -Randy

[@katiafloreska5309]

Thank you for asking this, Jason! I'm in the same boat right now! Lol

[@SmoothResonance]

Great content! I am just getting in VO and your insights in this video are a huge help in setting a baseline! Thanks!

[@voices]

Glad you found this helpful! Wishing you all the best in your VO journey!

[@ZacharyRoozenChannel]

Solid video...Thank you for the help!

[@voices]

Thanks for watching :)

[@callemorgan]

Loving your content on Garage Band! Very helpful as I am just starting out. I have one question… Which plug-ins would you suggest for equalizer and compressor if you don’t have wave or izotope? Thanks!

[@RachelDiaries93]

This app was recommended to me by another youtuber. It seems to have a good set up for a beginner.

[@voices]

It really is! We have a video just like this for beginners - check it out if you haven't already!

[@RachelDiaries93]

@@voices Thanks! I have it downloaded, haven't done much with it yet. It looks like it could get pretty fun to mess around with...

[@voices]

@@RachelDiaries93 Nice! Let us know what you think of it when you get a chance.

[@kenromero9236]

Great job on the video! I use Presonus Studio for my work but watched anyway because of your no BS delivery. Subscribed also. Thanks.

[@nandasdelhi]

Plug-in you recommend for mouth clicks noises @voices ?

[@haleybeauregard191]

When looking for the right plugins, I'm super confused. I went to the Waves site and they have so many different plugins to purchase. Are you able to link the specific plugins you're using here?

[@pibaltop]

great video.. wondering, can you show how to use the GB settings without the WAves plugins? Most of us dont know how to use this stuff at all and buying plugins just clogs up our small audio brains. haha. thanks!

[@monteshanksph.d.7113]

Love the channel. Newbie here. Can't put money into new plugins. Do you have a vid on the garageband plugins that are best for podcasting? I got the free noise reducer by Berton, but I can't justify buying plugins right now. Also, would you consider doing shorter vids on the best plugins and what they do for improving vocals for podcasters. Talking about multiple plugins while not really understanding what they do is like drinking from a fire hydrant. Again, thanks for all the help, I've learned a lot. Best help for garageband beginners by far.

[@voices]

We'll add some plugin videos to the list for sure! Thanks for the suggestion.

[@monteshanksph.d.7113]

@@voices Thanks, that would help. I'm not sure I was clear, what I meant was the best plugins already in GB. Trying to avoid downloading stuff off the web. Just trying to know what each GB's plugin actually does without all the technical vernacular, ya know, in layman's terms. Thanks and merry Christmas.

[@sinsamutrattanamanoch8824]

Thank you!

[@macjeffff]

Great video. I would love it if you would do a video on moving from GarageBand to Logic. Maybe starting by opening an existing GB project in Logic, showing where everything went, and using some of the better features, like stripping silence, and other useful features for VO or simple podcasts. Thanks!

[@voices]

This is a great video idea. Thanks for the suggestion! -Randy

[@ZelovesMARS]

@@voicesdid this video idea ever become reality?

[@michelanateachingpiano7491]

Hi Randy, such a useful video. Big thanks. For some reasons, I can't manage to grab a section of a track. Do you mind letting me know how to select just a little section of a track as you do in 11:42? Thanks again!

[@voices]

Thanks for watching, I'm glad it was useful. I think I just highlighted a section within the edit panel at the bottom and then dragged the selection from the top panel by clicking and dragging from the bottom half of the clip. I hope this helps! -Randy

[@michelanateachingpiano7491]

@@voices thank you so much for your prompt reply, Randy! It’s just sad I don’t know how to highlight the potion of the track. Sorry that I’m so dumb. 😬😪

[@IKnowThatMyRedeemerLiveth]

Me too. I wasn't able to select a portion of an audio track. Did you ever find an answer? I'm searching now and I'll comment back if I find out.

[@Immalearnya]

THIS WAS AMAZING! Omg it's so informative. I've just recently switched from a PC to a Mac and I was freaking LOST using Garage Band for the first time. Such a lifesaver. I'm so grateful for this knowledge. Thank you! Also I went to the Waves website and couldn't seem to find the Q8 plugin, I found Q10. Is it part of a bundle? If I'm just starting off buying plugins, which ones would you say are key for beginners to advance editing?

[@voices]

Thanks so much for the kind words! If you're looking for plugins and aren't currently tied to any companies, I would highly recommend looking into FabFilter plugins (FabFilter Pro-Q 3 EQ and FabFilter Pro-C 2 Compressor). They are simply some of the best and they come with a bunch of presets that make them quite user friendly! If I was starting from scratch today, I would go there. One-time purchase, no subscriptions. Hope this helps! -Randy

[@jasonkyle8542]

What’s the next best option that’s free within GB?

[@Immalearnya]

@@voices Oh wow thanks a bunch, so helpful!

[@ellagrace6518]

Hi Randy, I'm so happy I've found these videos. I'm a little confused about how to apply the EQ and compressor as you did. I have an older version of GB and it seems the only way to enable the effects is through a knob icon at the very top but there are no numbers. It looks like a consule with a bunch of dials. Also, I don't know how to keep these as a preset for future voice recordings...is post editing necessary to normalize sound then, if I've done this beforehand?

[@voices]

Hey Ella, that's interesting that your GarageBand doesn't look the same. You should be able to save the whole session as a template which will load it the exact same way each time. Normalizing will bring the entire level of your audio up to a certain dB, usually -1dB. If you're adding processing beforehand (EQ/Compression), you can still normalize after to make sure your levels are hitting the right benchmark, but it's ideal to normalize before applying effects to mitigate noise in your chain. -Randy

[@sunnyjang82]

Thanks for the lesson. I would like ask what is the alternative option to set the EQ & Compressor instead of using the Waves (Q8(s) & Waves RCompressor (s)).

[@voices]

You can certainly mimic these steps using GarageBand's built in EQ and Compressor. Hope this helps -Randy

[@ericjones7777]

ok, I got a lot out of this video; however, this is my 3rd pass through and didn't realize I never grabbed the PAZ Analyzer. I just got that but I also have questions about plugin placement and usage for both track and master. I added DeEsser, X-Click and X-Noise. My questions are 1. Where in the signal chain under master would you suggest putting them? I have PAZ, DeEsser, X-click and X-noise. 2. Do you use these while recording or post, and if post how do you get them to work? ( disabled during original them drop the dialogue to the comp track and run the track again while they are on ?) I have created quite a few tracks and submitted for auditions, maybe I'm not hearing anything back because they sound terrible I don't know. Had a co-worker who did/does audio engineering listen and he seems to think there ok. My ear doesn't hear anything wrong. I'm sure this is more art than science as far as levels but understanding placement for track and master sections for plug-ins would help. I've been searching for more videos but most speak to music vocals not VO/Narration. ej

[@wesholden8232]

So glad I found you, very informative. Can you recommend some must have plug-ins that you enjoy using? EQ, Compression, Noise reduction? And I saw your response with Izotope's RX Plugin - Mouth De-Click plugin Thanks!

[@voices]

Absolutely, I love the FabFilter plugins, they are exceptional. My favourite compressor for voice is the Waves RVox. It's really simple to use and I find it easy to be transparent with it. For noise reduction, Mouth De-Click is fantastic, but Waves has also released some new 1-knob options Clarity VX and Clarity VX Pro -which are shockingly effective! I hope this helps! -Randy

[@wesholden8232]

@@voices Thanks, it did help. And Waves just had a "Buy two, get two free" sale on. Maybe they do that often, but it helped.

[@voices]

@@wesholden8232 That's awesome. They have a ton of different sales throughout the year, so glad you managed to find a good one!

[@berikkulmamirov]

How to set 44.1kHz to recording voice?

[@sarajaynesouthey]

Hi Randy, once I downloaded the Waves RCompressor and clicked on it, it did not have the option to change views. There was only one toggle down menu at the top of the compressor window. What do you recommend?

[@JarvisArson]

@ 12:21, how do you export the bottom audio only and not the top? 🤔

[@voices]

The bottom is only an edit view of what's within the top section. You can only export the top section, as far as I know. -Randy

[@NatalieCampagna-rr5ek]

Hello Randy, How can I use my yeti blue yet mike with my iPhone 14?

[@zannyatlarge]

Hi Randy, I have a question. I've been told to turn off all compressors, expanders, limiters, or gates when recording for audiobook narration. You're adding EQ and compressor before you record. I record, edit and compress to MP3 for ACX. Do you suggest adding these before I record, so I don't have to do it after? as I am acting as editor/publisher myself??

[@voices]

Thanks for the comment/question! If the request is to turn everything off, I would suggest following exactly that. Client might want something really clean to mix themselves. So no EQ and compressor, before OR after.

[@ladywarfield]

Im sorry, I wasn’t very clear in my message. What I meant to say, when doing research I’m told… however i am doing the whole thing, recording, editing, mastering… So my question is more like, if I’m doing the whole thing, and I’m only working with the author, or even my own books, should i record without eq, compression etc first? Add it after? Ive done it first and uploaded to ACX before and it passed. Just wondered? Thanks

[@voices]

@@ladywarfield Gotcha! I think it's totally a personal preference. So either works! Some people could record without anything, and fix everything in post, and some may choose to add compressor/eq on the way in, and get the sound you want at the source as you're recording.

[@ladywarfield]

Thanks! That was my suspicion. Lol. Great tips.

[@chloeelmorevoices]

Hey Randy, me again. Hey I have decided to upgrade to Logic Pro after watching your video and I am looking at some plug-ins. What would you recommend for software? Izotope RX standard? Or just iZotope RX elements? Also you mentioned something called Waves. I looked them up and I wondered if you had a recommendation for something that was best suited to a voice actor's needs? Clarity Vx Pro? CLA Vocals? or something else? Also, when would I need a 'limiter'?

[@voices]

Hey Chloe, great questions. I love iZotopes audio cleanup software, but mainly "Mouth De Click" and "Voice DeNoise". I'd look for a bundle that includes those as they are outstanding. As for Waves, I would highly recommend a bundle. They often have crazy sales (like 80% off every bundle), which means you can usually snag 20-30 great plugins for $99 or $199 or something like that. Clarity Vx Pro is just as good as izotope voice denoise in my opinion, so if you find a decently priced bundle that includes that, I would just stick with Waves. You'll also need a decent EQ, I like the Q line from Waves, and you'll want a decent compressor, RVox is fantastic from Waves. Limiters are great to use at the end of the chain as a last plugin to make sure you're not peaking. Hope this helps -Randy

[@chloeelmorevoices]

@@voices Thank you so so much wonderful Randy!! You are an absolutely gem! And your advice is just sublime!! thank you again and again for taking time out of your crazy busy schedule to answer my questions! I sincerely appreciate it! I will absolutely go ahead and grab those deals for sure! and I think you've inspired me to go and get some solid VO-specific editing training now...

[@Jortyunofficial]

So I’ve been using the Narration Vocal effect when auditioning on Voices. Is that something you don’t recommend? I’ve only gotten one job and 3 shortlisted from using that effect. I don’t know enough about audio to see if the sound on the effect is too loud, crunchy, or just all around ineffective. Will it be better to use the EQ and Compressor you used?

[@voices]

I'm not sure why my reply is not showing up here, but let me resend it. Typically I recommend avoiding the presets as they can have some effects already applied to the microphone input. On the Voice Over preset, for instance, there is reverb, and thats something that should be avoided. I'd recommend following these steps to create a fresh template from scratch. Hope this helps! -Randy

[@chloeelmorevoices]

Hey Randy! Thank you so much for this! It is awesome! I have been using Audacity, for very basic stuff, but I am thinking of using GarageBand because Audacity doesn't seem to use Izotope plugins to great effect... although I might be using it wrong... I was wondering how I normalise to -1.0db before sending out my auditions? And also, how do I export the file?

[@voices]

Thanks so much for the comment. As it stands right now, there's no nice way to normalize within GarageBand. They have that "auto-normalize" in the settings, but I would avoid that. If you have iZotope, you could use those plugins to accomplish something similar. To export, click on the "share" option at the top. Hope this helps! -Randy

[@chloeelmorevoices]

@@voices You are amazingness personified, Randy! Thank you kindly! Thank for your time answering me! 🙏🙌

[@DementoBiohazard]

Do you by chance have any ideas for presets on making an old vintage radio voiceover effect?

[@voices]

Garageband has some built in plug-ins to achieve this - mainly through the Amp Designer. You can try playing around there. Hope that helps!

[@maudedesrosiers7979]

Hi! I have a hard time with a problem that I don't understand. It says: Error synchronizing audio and MIDI (Une erreur est survenue lors de la tentative de synchronisation audio et MIDI) But I never use MIDI. Many Thanks, if you can help.

[@voices]

It may be creating a session with a MIDI instrument instead of your microphone. When you open GarageBand, make sure to select Audio not Midi Instrument. Let me know if this works for you! -Randy

[@maudedesrosiers7979]

@@voices Hi Randy! I found that I need to make an update of my MOTU. Everything is ok now! Thank you! - Maude

[@voices]

@@maudedesrosiers7979 Glad to hear it!

[@AngelicElrod]

Bro you are going way to fast for us beginners and totally lost me at plugin from waves.

[@robinrashida]

You talk way too fast bro! Slow down the tutorial for people doing this the first time. :)

[@voices]

You can always watch at 0.5x speed :)