The Best Voice Over Recording Levels (And Why)

What is the best recording level for a voice-over? In this video, I illustrate the proper voice-over recording level to achieve the best quality and explain why it matters. While working on this client's voice, I notice some issues with his recording level. Once we adjusted his procedure to include the proper recording levels, I could continue to sculpt his tone with processing and reach his desired voice sound. You'll see and hear how the proper recording level for your voice can translate to the effectiveness of your processing.
Submit Your For Voice www.lennyb.com/get-your-voice...
Training Courses www.lennyb.com/training-courses
Website www.lennyb.com
Equipment Used In This Video:
Scheps Omni Channel by Waves: waves.alzt.net/15ZNma
Waves AudioTrack waves.alzt.net/Y9BmbB
Universal Audio Apollo Twin sweetwater.sjv.io/zNxjVm
Neumann TLM 103 Microphone sweetwater.sjv.io/0ZQ6ZL
About Lenny:
Audio engineer, producer, marketing specialist, and radio broadcast professional in Southern California.
A custom processing preset by Lenny B for voice-over is a series of plugins explicitly tuned for your voice, in your room, and on your microphone. To compete in today's voice-over world, you must ensure that your demos and auditions are extraordinary. Voice-over artists at every experience level from all over the world are fighting to win work. However, if you don't have a professional sound, you will lose out to someone who does. Custom voice-over processing can take your audio presentation quality to the level necessary to compete with the pros. Instead of taking it upon yourself to tweak the parameters like EQ compression, DeEssing, and saturation, you can hire a professional voice-over audio engineer to create it for you. Once you have the custom preset on your system, you have "The Sound" every time you press the record button.
Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the links on this page are links to affiliate websites, and I receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. My affiliates include Sweetwater, Waves, and Amazon.

[@BeingWolfy]

I had to stop watching for a minute at 4:55 in and tell you that your photography under/over exposure analogy was brilliant. Thank you. Back to the video!

[@vedoxg]

This is crazy, your channel is so educating, like you got straight to the point of recording levels and explained the difference between recording levels and post production levels. Just what i was looking for. Thanks ✌

[@elliotmaneclangguitar228]

This is incredibly helpful! Thanks for all the fantastic advice. Exactly what I was looking for.

[@HappyElvis]

Absolute amazing! ♥ Sound is my worst enemy on every social media plattform

[@TheFranswahStudio]

Fantastic video Lenny! thanks for taking the time to thoroughly walk through this

[@sofiavoices]

This was brilliant. Structured like a world-class masterclass. Invvaluable advice. Thanks for helping so many people improve their audio editing skills!

[@RoySFord]

This is so good! Great teaching as always Lenny!

[@richardsisk1770]

Great tutorial. Just what I needed. Thank You

[@ahpoiseheh]

Incredibly informative! TY!

[@smpiggystudio]

For that 414 part, that needs an expert's instinct to pick out the distortion memont, you are truly a great VO expert Mr. Lenny, respect!

[@donaldblair1982]

Great information, thanks!

[@paul-seager]

Very very good video! Thank you so much for sharing!

[@AdrianTschubarov]

Best explanation ever!

[@MidSouthVoiceovers]

Lenny B, this is exactly what I needed to hear and understand. This is outstanding and valuable instructions. Awesome material.

[@HeyLennyB]

I'm happy to help. It's been a pleasure to work with you.

[@elinafeliu991]

EXCELLENT! Am keeping your yt on file!!!

[@elivangarde9024]

Remarkable refinery!

[@somewhatbased.]

Such helpful stuff here. I'm in the middle of recording my first demo reel, and getting practice in general. After about an hour of recording I reviewed everything and saw that I was quite low on everything, bouncing around -26db. Going to redo it all after watching this great video!

[@HeyLennyB]

Glad it helped!

[@martymcfit]

THAnk you lenny!!!

[@LindaMariano]

Wow this is so awesome! I am a neophyte learning vo and love this detail!

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi Linda, Thanks for watching.

[@Yogeshbairaagi]

Thanks sir..

[@garyclement5527]

-12 to -6, and leave the rest up to infinity for compression, eq, reverb, makes great sense to me. I would love your advice about new samples I’m recording for a project. Please allow me to send samples.

[@quancena5772]

So uh, while watching this and following along i managed to fix everything i wanted to fix. Louder voice Less noticeable noise floor 10/10 (Fifine T699)

[@randomfeller]

This is exactly what I was looking for! I was watching a VO group discussion a week or so ago on Facebook, where folks were talking about what levels to record at. I knew -6 to -3 was a no-no, but folks were talking about -22 to -18. I don’t know how many of them were audio engineers, but the levels you mentioned seem much more in line with what I was thinking and where I’ve been recording at. I’m gonna send you a sample soon. I had been waiting for my new audio interface to come in...or be replaced actually...because the first one was faulty. I don’t plan on changing any components after this, so if I get a custom setting from ya, I know it won’t need to be tinkered with any time soon and, as you mentioned, it would be comforting to know that my voice will sound it’s best every time I send a recording out :D

[@HeyLennyB]

Hey Chuck! Yes, please send audio. I can't wait to hear it. Regarding the levels, I know it can be really confusing. I tried my best to give you the proper settings to shoot for AND explain why. One of my next videos is definitely going to be about mastering vs. recording levels. Once you understand the difference and power of mastering, it's yet another game changer! Thanks so much for watching and commenting. 👍

[@Nadroj97]

Dear lord bless you sir!

[@saltypancreas5866]

Do you have, a great alternative for windows for voice processing, I’m getting an sm7b and could use your help

[@von_Apa]

Thank you so much for your service! I’m an actor working with audiobooks and commercial voiceover. The way you make your videos becomes like my school. I work in Logic, which has been good, but also with time-consuming bugs. I also spend much time on the internet trying to learn more. My new gear is Softube Console 1 with the mixer, and I would love to hear your thoughts about that. I also would love you to recommend your favorite microphone. Again Thank’s❤

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi @Albin_Apa, I have the Softube Console 1, and it's beautiful. I don't have any videos on my KZbin channel with the Console 1 because it seems more popular with music producers. I'll have to do a video on it soon. As for microphone suggestions, I have a list of my preferred mics here www.lennyb.com/equipment#section-1680075065548

[@GameOverJesse]

What is the difference in recording it at -12db and just lowering the db after recording?

[@HeyLennyB]

Hey @GameoverJesse, That's a great question. Think of recording level like a camera exposure. If you take a photo and it's over-exposed, you can make it darker afterward with your photo edit adjustments but you can never get the high detail in the photo back (if it wasn't captured in the first place). Does that make sense?

[@Ho-swae]

@@HeyLennyB Dude you're an excellent teacher, an example like this is exactly how my brain works! Thank you!

[@valarieknight7990]

Finally! Someone who can explain to me how to do this! lol My question is, I'm in a country where it's nearly impossible to purchase electronics and what they do have is lower quality. What software would you recommend? I'm going to have to do everything via software. I have a Yeti mic, sounds pretty good on it's own. But I want to boost the quality of my voice. I use Yeti for my VO and I also have a lavalier for my video presentations. Can you also help with the lavalier?

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi Valarie. Yes I can make some suggestions. The first step is to fill out the form and send me an audio sample of your voice according to the instructions. Once you submit your voice for processing, I will offer some suggestions. Thanks! See more information here: bit.ly/Submit-Your-Voice

[@ArtistMorning]

This is exactly what I was looking for. I do 2 new meditations every week and got tremendous value from this video. Thank you!!! One question for you Lenny. What level did you tell the voice talent to put his gain to? I have the same mixer. Many thanks! Darius

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi Artist Morning, good question! The setting (number) on the mixer is arbitrary because each person's voice is different, each mic is different, and each room is different. The proper way to approach setting your level, is to adjust the gain knob... while looking at your input meter in your software (DAW). The gain level setting on your mixer will be different for each person to achieve the target level. So knowing Pedro's level (even though he has the same mixer) won't be the right level for you. Does that help? Let me know if you have further questions. 😉 [Inhale...exhale]

[@ArtistMorning]

@@HeyLennyB makes sense. And do i start with gain then move to the levels on the mixer and aim to get them at max -6db on the DAW? Or start with mixer levels then the mixer gain? Ps: I just discovered your channel but will be binging very soon!!

[@HeyLennyB]

Set the channel fader on the mixer at unity gain (The thick line 3/4 the way up). Make sure the Pad is off and turn off the EQ and Compression on the mixer. Send me an email at [e-mail] to continue this conversation if you have more question. This way I can send you images to help. Then once you get it set, send me a audio example. I'd love to hear your sound!

[@HeyLennyB]

I just realized, I was thinking of a different mixer in the message above. So, email me a photo of your mixer/settings to my email and I'll show you exactly what to do. Thanks!

[@ArtistMorning]

@@HeyLennyB you are a legend.

[@perrykeshahwalker5321]

Greetings, I am looking to get into voice over work. I use studio one 5 pro, a motu m4 audio interface and a neat worker bee mic, a akg p120 mic and an mxl 67g. My room is treated. Will the equipment I have work for voice over work?

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi. It looks like it. However, I'd need to hear an example of the audio to give you my opinion. Feel free to send me an example of your audio and I'll let you know. The first step is to fill out the form and send me an audio sample of your voice according to the instructions. Once you submit your voice for processing, I will let you know if your audio recording quality needs improvement or if it's ready for prime time. If your production quality needs improvement, you will be offered suggestions to help identify and resolve any issues before being asked to resubmit the audio. On the other hand, if your audio recording quality is up to par, you will receive a sample of your custom-tuned processed sound to review for free. See more information here: bit.ly/Submit-Your-Voice

[@tinylittlefilms3043]

Hi Lenny, Will Logic Pro X dramatically increase your workflow compared to Audacity for basic voice over editing? It sounds like you recommend all the effects that comes with it too.

[@HeyLennyB]

In my opinion, if you are a Mac user, you'll love it. Just like with any new software, there will be a learning curve. I won't say it's better than Adobe Audition or any other DAW. It's just different. You can record tracks and apply effects with most pro DAWs. However, Logic's work flow, and interface is intuitive and like all apple products. It's my preference and I use just about every DAW available. And yes, the effects are awesome, especially if you are experienced with using processing. You may consider GarageBand (which should be free on your Mac) and see what you think. I hope this helps.

[@tinylittlefilms3043]

Thank you Lenny! I'll check out Logic Pro X.

[@cook-music]

Great video! do you do your own video editing? It really ads to your lesson

[@HeyLennyB]

Hello, @cook-music. Yes, I use Final Cut Pro for my video editing. I appreciate the kind words.

[@BoostieBadAss]

Join the site and love the content. Do you have a discord or any type of chatting app that we can go back and forth with?

[@BoostieBadAss]

Also I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Tony Maserati series waves plugins. I bought them years ago, they were like magic.

[@TheHalfmanofOz]

Are these recording levels also optimal for live streams or would you aim to be a little louder as no post processing will be used?

[@HeyLennyB]

No, and no. However, I can point you in the right direction. How are you streaming your audio? What software are you using?

[@TheHalfmanofOz]

@@HeyLennyB Hi Lenny. Thanks for the reply. I use a PreSonus revelator IO24 with an sev7 mic and stream using OBS.

[@HeyLennyB]

I think this video may help. www.specialagentsqueaky.com/blog-post/xfs2jzel/2021-01-26-setting-perfect-obs-studio-audio-using-lufs/

[@todd40cal1]

Lenny, my name is Todd , I had been doing voiceover professionally for a number of years, but I’m no engineer. I understand performance and delivery etc. but very frustrated working on my own to get the sound I require to get quality work on my own. Help! Thank you

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi Todd, the best way for me to help is to first send me some audio. Please follow the three steps on this page: www.lennyb.com/get-your-voice-processed-submission-form

[@jn2400]

I'm dying here trying to get good recordings. I end up trying to eq some bad frequencies and before I know it hours later I'm listening to a robot. Seems like when I subtract it reveals new bad sounds that werent there before so I have to keep starting from scratch.

[@HeyLennyB]

Oh, man! I feel your pain. I've been there for sure. Unfortunately, it sounds like there may be another issue in your system preventing you from making any progress. I may be able to help you if you send me a sample of the audio you're working with. You can submit your voice at lennyb.com. Thanks for reaching out.

[@jn2400]

@@HeyLennyB I might do that. If I can actually have a pro listen to what I'm doing vs what I should do that is priceless. I will check out your site, thanks.

[@MoussaMikhail]

Beautifully done video with great info thanks @lennyb