GarageBand For Voice Over | Is It Good Enough?

[@voices]

What DAW are you using now? 🎙🔊

[@davidparker6713]

I'm sorry, I am using Garage Band and am a novice. Your video is helping me put it all together. I understand the highlighting of the area needing to be deleted, but I only know how to arrow to the edit drop-down to cut the section.

[@richardgomez5511]

I’m using GarageBand. The tools I have available are: 2012 MacBook Pro - upgraded ram and ssd, Yeti usb mic, 7th gen iPad, and iPhone X Max+ with 500gb. My background is as a professionally trained vocalist, degree in broadcasting with dj training and experience. However all my employment has been in the area of manual labor, then working with special needs children; both abused and neglected and substance abuse, then lastly as a Special Ed Teacher. I have spent a lot of time in front of people singing and teaching. My goal here is to develop a career that is fun, helpful, and profitable. I’ve watched several videos now, begun developing my profile and made two practice recordings using GarageBand. My sound is not what I’d like it to be. Need to improve my “sound room” and add a mic screen! I feel like I’m learning a lot from VOICES! Thanks! rilygo - Fort Worth Texas

[@rodherrera2926]

REAPER DAW, is free trial, maybe Logic soon.

[@sujithjoyabraham]

Hi Randy, this is super clear and informative. I was wondering if you've done any tutorials on connecting an iphone to a audio interface (ex. Focusrite 4i4)? I'd like to be able to be able to take a live call on my iphone and be able to respond back to the caller using my XLR mic and be able to record the interaction between me and the caller. The only way I can think to do this is thru an audio interface. Would love any help here.

[@voices]

@@sujithjoyabraham Thanks for watching! While we haven't done any tutorials on this specific topic, you can definitely look into to adapters to hook up your audio interface. You can also look for lightning to XLR adapters to connect a Microphone directly to the phone.

[@GremlinLord615]

GarageBand is what I use and I'm so happy to see these short cuts! Plus the extra stretched track at the bottom should make recording editing much easier, thanks!

[@voices]

Thanks for sharing! Glad this was helpful for you -Randy

[@richardgomez5511]

Hi Randy. This is the absolute first time I’m looking at voiceover as a brand new career. Your tutorial is exactly what I needed. I’m on a very tight budget and need to make use of the tools I already have. Your affirmation of how to start economically and reinvest is right where I am. I look forward to other tutorials to help me build successful new career! Thanks! rilygo I just subscribed to VOICES🤗

[@voices]

This is so awesome to hear. Glad it was helpful! Wishing you the best as you get started. -Randy

[@MrDudePatrol]

I've been using Adobe Audition , and I've enjoyed it.

[@voices]

I feel like Audition has some of the best VO tools that come stock!

[@StarWarsJay]

Hi there. Great video for us beginners. Thank you. So I have a mic preamp that I’ve set up to sound how I like it. Is there a way to get the raw signal into Garageband without it processing anything in the DAW? I basically want my audio track to sound how it does in the preamp. Thanks in advance, Jason.

[@sunnyjang82]

I've been using Grageband for 2 years and just learned the quick keys from you, thanks!

[@voices]

Awesome! Love to hear that. Thanks for watching -Randy

[@leahdegruchy2338]

This was so incredibly helpful, thank you!!

[@1KCPB-i2e]

You made my day. appreciate your shearing 😍

[@voices]

Thanks for watching!

[@coacharielandersson]

Thank you for simplifying things for me.. was feeling duper anxious!!

[@voices]

So glad we could help! :)

[@voicetalent_ben]

Hay Randy - So very helpful. Thanks a TON - Bernard Campbell (India).

[@voices]

Glad it was helpful!

[@_sk_videos]

Perfect, exactly what I was looking for. Hope the next ones are still coming.

[@voices]

You bet -Randy

[@diannajackson2966]

OMG! IM super happy!!!!! jammed packed with info. Thank you❤

[@voices]

You are so welcome! -Randy

[@tinylittlefilms3043]

Hi Randy, why do so many voice over talent use the MacBook Pro when there are so many choices? Is it sound quality?

[@voices]

I think this is mostly preference on whether they want to use Mac or PC. Sound quality would be more dependent on the setup, rather than the computer or even software used!

[@stuffiestguy]

Great stuff. How easy is it to do this on the phone app as well?

[@voices]

Hi Ahmad! The phone app is definitely easier to use as it has less controls and capabilities, making it really straightforward to use. But at the same time though, you might feel limited on the phone version with limited features and with a smaller screen.

[@Totsreal]

thank you so much for this very detailed information. Starting a podcast and I just wanted to get more insight on how to use garageband and luckily, I found this video. Thank you so much you just got a new sub!

[@voices]

Thanks for the sub and for subscribing Marie! Glad we were able to help out :)

[@VoiceOverUseMyVoice]

Thanks very helpful!

[@voices]

Thank you, we're glad you found this video helpful!

Thank you for this video. I'm new to editing voiceovers. What keys did you use to overlay the "is's" lol and what key did you use to create a space.(6:05-6:17)? Much success to you.

[@voices]

Glad it was helpful! I just clicked on the blue 'region' and dragged it over the other one. No keyboard shortcuts necessary. I hope this helps -Randy

[@tesscacciatore602]

How did you get the second tier track to show up? I followed your instructions and the basic one on the top is the only one showing? What version of Garageband are you using? Might be an older version?

[@voices]

Great question, you should be able to hold option (mac) or Alt (pc) and drag the main track down. Let me know if this works! -Randy

[@TechTweek]

I use Fl Studio, for EQ and noise removal.

[@voices]

I'd love to try it out! I've heard such good things.

[@TechTweek]

@@voices Yeah

[@pamelamoore9775]

Hi, I’m new to voice acting and I’m on a very tight budget, is it possible to use my laptop’s built in microphone as opposed to a plugin microphone ?

[@voices]

It may be a good tool to practice, but I'm afraid our clients will be expecting higher audio quality for their projects. I'd suggest checking out our video "Voice Over Demo Under $30" for some tips on creating a great demo within budget.

[@davefigore7843]

Wow ... Thank You for doing this Video ... Would love to see you continue and further expand with effects other tweaks on GarageBand.

[@voices]

That sounds like a great idea! Thanks for the suggestion and the kind words, Dave. -Randy

[@commonsensecitizen4797]

Randy, I understand you monitor posts here, thanks for the tutorial. I do not have a natural VO voice so I want to know how to modulate the tone of my voice for straight narration and character voices if such tools exist in garageband

[@FittedMisfits1]

Any advice out there on editing the spaces or “transitions”in between phrases? your audio how to make audio crisp and clear between each pause before your next phrase ? Kind of hard to explain hope this makes sense .

[@voices]

We just put out a video on this exact topic! Check out "How to make your recordings sound professional". There are a few things you could do, but keeping things sounding natural in terms of pacing is important. Also, you'll want to avoid completely dead air. There is a difference between the quiet parts in your recording and no sound at all, and it can be really obvious that there are edits after compression. More info in that video I shared. Hope this helps! -Randy

[@kevinflanagan4711]

V helpful Thank you! I'm going to go through your courses!

[@voices]

Wonderful, glad to hear this. Thanks for watching, Kevin!

[@liverawwithLisa]

This was great!! Thank you!

[@voices]

You're so welcome! -Randy

[@LifeLover2020]

Thank you! Super Helpful!

[@mama_tips.and.tricks]

For people trying to do this today. Express mix multitrack mixer. Which is an application on the iPad that is from the same makers of wavepad. Is an application that is just as robust as audacity for PC. You are able to punch and roll Crossfade fade-in fade-out normalize noise reduction compression and pretty much anything you could possibly want for a recording app on the iPad.

[@voices]

Ouuu, will check this out!

[@lovehorrors4681]

Is there a video where you add effects to voiceover reel. Thanks for your help!

[@mikef6063]

Hi Randy, I would love to get my audio to sound exactly like yours on this video. It’s so pleasant and really just perfection. I am using GarageBand with a Rode NT-USB placed inside a good noise dampening box. However, I’m not sure if I like the sound result. It may be not crisp enough and a bit to bassy and murky sounding. Are you able to offer any guidance on settings? How can I get my recording to be close to what yours sounds like in this video? Please help I’m willing to pay for consultation.

[@EverythingPSPOfficial]

Try adjusting your EQ settings to reduce some of the lower frequencies or choose a treble boost / bass reduction preset

[@KnowingSelfKnowingOthers]

Hi. Do you have the 'next' tutorial in this serial which goes into equaliser functions etc? I have no idea what any of the buttons do but I really want to learn!!!! Thanks

[@voices]

Not yet, but stay tuned! :)

[@joelalvarado3974]

Hey Randy, I have just gotten started dabbling in VO with GarageBand. I’m having difficulty with editing breaths. Just curious as to your method for those finer edits. Thanks a bunch for the content!

[@voices]

It's absolutely our pleasure. Hope you're having fun getting started. I don't have a lot of experience editing within GarageBand, but a good practice is to keep breaths that aren't too distracting. It tends to work best to take the breath from the second piece of audio you are keeping with a very small crossfade (4-5 ms) placed in the quietest part of the audio. For any breaths that need to be completely removed, you can also experiment with dipping the volume down 4-6dB on the breath. This can really help make them sound less distracting. For the finer edits, very small crossfades placed before the transients will be your best friend! I hope this is helpful. I believe our webinar with Toby Ricketts covers this topic in more detail. kzbin.info/www/bejne/d6Pbl42Poa-Joq8

[@MalibuGossipReporter]

Hey! Thanks for the great info! I must mention that the pointer could be a lot bigger. It took me a while to find where you were pointing to zoom audio tracks slider. I had to rewind you a few times, when I finally spotted the tiny little cursor. :) Thank you for sharing... Stay safe. :)

[@voices]

Thanks for the feedback! -Randy

[@GoYardBabe]

I have to thank you for helping me with voice over educational.

[@voices]

Absolutely our pleasure! -Randy

[@rodherrera2926]

Hey thanks, i use to do everything you do here, but did you try to export in MONO? All my export from garageband are in stereo. Some clients note that, do you know how can i export in mono?

[@voices]

Interesting. I'd suggest checking in with the manual on that one. I'm not entirely sure, sorry. -Randy

[@NaomiCantora]

I appreciate you and this video so much!! SO helpful

[@voices]

Amazing, glad it was helpful! -Randy

[@sinsamutrattanamanoch8824]

Thank you!

[@littlejohn000]

Hi. For example, if I wanted to alter the voice pitch of one of those segments, and not the other, would that be possible?

[@hildegardstories]

Thank you so much: this was crystal clear and so helpful!🙏🏼

[@emilyeng6782]

Is all that is neseccary for a good recording or is there more to do like in Audacity? Also is the sound better in GarageBand for a voice over compared to Audacity?

[@voices]

Hi Emily! Audacity has a lot of other features and controls that you can play around with -- it can get pretty advanced. One of the biggest advantage though is that Audacity is free for both Mac and PC users. The sound will be more based on your setup rather than the software, though Garageband is much easier to use especially for beginners in comparison to Audacity. Hope this helps!

[@globetakeovertv]

How can I use my voice over from garage band to include in my video on final cut pro?

[@voices]

You'll need to click 'Share' and export the audio, then import it within your Final Cut project. -Randy

[@Kevinmuckout]

Great video. Thanks

[@voices]

Glad you liked it! -Randy

[@judystadt]

How do I create a dialogue with 3 tracks. (creating 3 different voices) but it sounds like one conversation.

[@midnightgaming9849]

great video thank you

[@voices]

Thanks for watching!

[@kevinflanagan4711]

V helpful THANKS!

[@misfitstranger]

What i'm looking for, and seems impossibly hard to find, is a tutorial showing me what settings I need for the noise gate, compression...the stuff that will make it demo quality. I don't want to waste my time recording a bunch of samples only to have them passed over because the recording quality sucks. Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!

[@voices]

We've had a couple webinars with Bradford Hastings discussing audio production: Audio Post Production for Voice Over: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZDZYa2Ndr5lqq8 Understanding the Power of the Gain Knob: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fn2bo5eajcl0rJo The videos definitely are longer but lots of value and golden nuggets in these sessions. Let us know if it helps!!

[@naturaledward]

Are you going to do a video on eq, compression, etc. for Garage Band?

[@voices]

I think this will have to be a video we cover. -Randy

[@stephenflynn7600]

Hi Randy, Why would one lose the second audio editor? I was editing and then lost the second editor.

[@voices]

I believe "E" is the key command the bring up the editor. I could be way off -Randy

[@lifeofsuz]

great video thank you..... BUT HELP. I've got my first audiobook gig. I'm using a professional mic, recording directly into garageband. when I make an edit (cut something out and then push the remaining two tracks together) it leaves behind this little click/pop sound where the cut is. I have tried everything to get rid of it. when I zoom in REALLY far there is no waveform where the sound is BUT I CAN HEAR IT. i've watched so many youtube videos and even posted desperately on reddit. I have my first audiobook gig and it's a trilogy... there are going to be a LOT of edits. it can't be full of pop sounds!! can anyone help?

[@voices]

Have you tried exporting and seeing if the clicks are still there? Does adding crossfades help in any way?

[@u40fit33]

Could you share with me how to use eq in garageband to make the voice over sounds better?

[@voices]

You can check out our video on EQ for Voice Over. It's really tough to demonstrate EQ because how you use it really depends on the mic you use, the space you record within, and of course, your voice. -Randy

[@hamidyasamin]

Hi can you explain how we do a voice over on a video, like dubbiu a cartoon for example?

[@voices]

We have a video on how to add voice over to your video! Watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imqVqneKa8xrea8

[@stephenflynn7600]

Is there a way to bring all my sliced segment together? Currently, I have to drag and drop each each splice.

[@voices]

Interesting, I am not sure. I know that's called shuffle or ripple delete in some editors. Maybe GarageBand has something similar. -Randy

[@ericlathan3080]

In garage band or audio editing is it possible to record a track then then upload another voice and replace the original speaker on that audio track if so Ho was it done

[@voices]

Hey Eric, are you trying to remove a voice from an existing audio track or simply replace the track?

[@stephenflynn7600]

If I want to sandwich in text in between two existing text, how do I do that? Do I create two tracks for that purpose?

[@karnelljones1387]

How to remove the lead singers voices out of the song while keeping the choir in there ?

[@SmS-pR]

Thanks

[@voices]

Our pleasure -Randy

[@mariahleiataua4275]

How do you add instrumental to the voice over pls

[@voices]

You can add a .wav file in another track!

[@sheriastorino]

Hello everyone does anyone know how he zoomed in?

[@davidparker6713]

what is the easiest way to "delete" a section,please?

[@voices]

I'm not sure if there's an easy way to delete a section and snap the other two together in GarageBand -Randy

[@stephenflynn7600]

Is there a way that I can join all of the gaps at one time?

[@stephenflynn7600]

I am editing and the (curser)? Had a gold hash mark just after 2:03 on the ruler; what does that mean and how do I get rid of it?

[@voices]

Oh interesting, I am not too familiar with GarageBand, but it may be a loop that has been created for playback. Sometimes this can be useful for rehearsing a section. I'd look for a 'Clear loop' option. -Randy

[@marxalenina]

Omg, can you please help me? What is the updated shortcut to Delete Section without a gap in GarageBand?? This is for podcast editing, to delete and move the sections is a serious drag! 😵😭

[@voices]

I'm not totally sure. We edit our podcasts in ProTools. I hope you're able to find an answer! -Randy

[@TerrinhaVerde]

I'm not sure if you're talking about Edit > delete and move. You can create a shortcut via system preferences > keyboard > shortcuts > App Shortcuts > Plus Sign > GarageBand

[@davidparker6713]

I am using Garage Band

[@Andrew-FishermanOfGod]

I'm about to start doing voice-overs for church and earlier today, the waves went away after I recorded. I can hear the audio on playback, but the track doesn't show a change in volume of my voice - it's just nothing. Any idea how to fix that? Many thanks!

[@voices]

Interesting! Are you recording on an interface with multiple inputs? It could be only displaying, for example, tracks 1 and 2 as L and R, but you may be recording on 3 or 4 which may not be represented. I'd also check that your app is up to date. Another option is to see if it's hiding takes once they are recorded, as if there is a loop record function on and it's clearing the playlist for the next pass. It's tough to say, but I hope this helps -Randy

[@Andrew-FishermanOfGod]

@@voices Hey there, and thanks for getting back to me! I've used only one input, as I have only one microphone. I did just change from my Behringer mic to my older Nady one, and I could see little waves in the bottom display (as you showed how to do in the video), but they're still not the high peaks and valleys that I saw on first attempts yesterday.

[@voices]

@@Andrew-FishermanOfGod Thats very interesting. I'd double check that you're on the most recent update and see if that helps! Sorry I can't be more help for you. -Randy

[@Andrew-FishermanOfGod]

@@voices No worries, Randy. Many thanks, and keep up the great work, sir!

[@garymcadamspa8450]

I keep getting a "tap tap tap tap" sound every time I hit record. Am I doing something wrong?

[@voices]

This sounds like you might've toggled the Metronome on. You can turn this off.

[@garymcadamspa8450]

@@voices What is the Metronome? How do I turn it off?

[@Sgardain]

How does he 'zoom' the bottom one in!!!??

[@voices]

At the top right section of that "bottom one" or the isolated Audio 1 Track, you can see a slider. Randy clicks on this at 4:16 (very right of the screen).

[@meirsantana]

how do you normalize audio

[@voices]

Great question. We should make a video covering this! -Randy

[@bobisandyi2]

Garage band is not picking anything up from my usb microphone. It recognizes and lets me selects it, but no sound is recorded. I am able to hear my voice through my headphone which is plugged into the mic’s built in head phone jack. Garage band troubleshooting is not helpful.

[@voices]

Lots of factors to consider here and it's hard for us to tell exactly what's wrong. But you can try contacting Garageband's support or even your microphone company's support team.

[@bobisandyi2]

@@voices Thanks. I’m new to garage band obviously. I restarted my MacBook and the problem resolved. I truly appreciate your response.

[@voices]

@@bobisandyi2 Hey no worries, glad it was resolved!

[@LisaLomax-ys9bs]

I tired step by step and it’s not recording my voice - it’s moving but no playback…

[@voices]

Are you seeing waveforms when recording? If so, you might just have to adjust the audio output to your headphones or speakers to hear the playback.

[@ralphtoastiepetersonoffici5079]

With “VoiceOver” being the name of the Apple screen reader, I thought this video was going to be about using GarageBand with “VoiceOver”.…. I am totally blind and I have been attempting to use GarageBand on an iPhone with “VoiceOver”, I am starting to get somewhere, but the first problem I have discovered is there is no obvious way to set the time index to an actual time accurately…. I was hoping this video might be some help but with the obvious confusion between making a VoiceOver and the screen reader, “VoiceOver”, this has led to a rather large disappointment.….

[@voices]

Sorry for the confusion, but this video is to help with using GarageBand for voice over recordings. -Randy