Voice Over Tips: 9 Ways to Record Better Sounding Voice Over

►► Free "Getting Started in VO" 3-lesson video series → VoiceActing101.com/start/
In this video you're going to learn 9 voice over tips to keep in mind for recording better sounding voice over.
From time to time, voice actors will ask me to give their demo or audition a listen and provide feedback. Some sound amazing and others need some work. These are the voice over tips I mention most often when I run across a poor voice over recording.
The first tip is all about picking the right place to record.
Tip number two talks about controlling the sound in your studio with various sound absorption options.
Tip number three covers which mics work for voice over (and which don’t).
Tip number four shows you the correct microphone distance.
Tip number five is about preventing plosives (or poppin’ your p’s).
Tip number six helps you set your recording input levels properly.
Tip number seven keeps mistakes out of your recordings.
Tip number eight is all about keeping your voice-over simple by not over processing or eq’ing the voice over.
And finally, tip number nine shows you exactly how to save out your audio files correctly.
For more voice over tips, Visit
www.VoiceActing101.com
To hear what the MXL V67G vs a Neumann TLM 103 go here: voiceacting101.com/what-did-yo...
/ / / / VOICE-OVER STUDIO GEAR & TOOLS I USE EVERYDAY / / / /
Links below are for tools I personally use and highly recommend.
Some links are affiliate links and using them helps support this channel.
Gear:
⭐ Microphone: Neumann TLM103 - amzn.to/3qyhpUe
🥈 Travel Microphone : MXL V67G - amzn.to/3D68kFJ
⭐ Audio Interface - Apollo Twin X - amzn.to/3wyoHII
🥈 Alternative Audio Interface - Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 - amzn.to/3BXsUXy
⭐ Mic Boom Arm : Rode PS1a - amzn.to/3fV3wXf
⭐ Headphones : Sennheiser HD 280 Pro - amzn.to/2JrXRtd
⭐ External Hard Drive : Samsung Portable SSD T5 - amzn.to/30kX8qB
Apps:
⭐ Audio Editing Software / DAW : Adobe Audition CC - voiceacting101.com/adobeaudition
⭐ Online Casting : Voices - www.voices.com/signup (use code VOICEACTINGAFF to save $)
⭐ Website Builder : Thrive Suite - voiceacting101.com/thrivesuite
⭐ Website Hosting : WPX Hosting - voiceacting101.com/wpx
🥈 Alternative Website Hosting : Bluehost - voiceacting101.com/bluehost
⭐ Invoicing and CRM app : SpitFire CRM - spitfirecrm.com
⭐ Sales Cart : ThriveCart - voiceacting101.com/thrivecart

[@Voiceacting101]

►► Free "Getting Started in VO" 3-lesson video series → VoiceActing101.com/start/

[@noiJadisCailleach]

I wish the site had a dark theme though

[@flawlessking99]

So its going to be... 1. Record in Quiet place 2. Do acoustic treatment 3. Use a dedicated Mic 4. Keep the Distance from Mic (6 inch is a sweet spot) 5. Use pop filter 6. Level check before recording 7. Read from the screen instead of paper for quick edits 8. Keep it simple (avoid over processing) 9. Save in correct format God bless

[@erin.patience]

Thank you thank you thank you🥺🥺🥺🥺

[@shanthivardhansvr4720]

Mr King thank you so much

[@Kal1Don]

Not all heroes where cape... 👁️👄👁️

[@crispinfrancis6633]

@@erin.patience thankssss

[@sadiashehzadi6325]

Thank you

[@kbs1212]

I've been recording in my closet, literally into my clothes. I speak through a very thin silk shirt to control popping. Very cheapy but damn, it works in a pinch.

[@Voiceacting101]

That's great. Clothes in a closet makes for great sound absorption.

[@gmg9010]

Voice Acting 101 I know it definitely takes a long time to make a video but I thought I finally found a person who could help me trying to get into the voice acting industry PS hope if you read this that is that it doesn’t sound like I’m pressuring you to make another video because I don’t wanna do that

[@MiahGrace]

Dead ass about to do this. By tutorial videos have like...real bad audio quality.

[@Randelliciouss]

Interesting

[@paulinafarah3641]

sameeee closet works

[@reylunajr]

I actually recently helped my parents with a remodel of their home. I replaced a lot of their doors, so I took 4 of the old ones and hinged them together, stapled carpet padding and mattress toppers to them and created a make shift booth of my own. Just getting started, so yeah... shoestring budget lol

[@Voiceacting101]

Nice job! If it sounds good, you could probably use it for years.

[@RitaMerlot]

The local public library has sound booths (which one needs to be trained before being allowed to use). I tend to use those.

[@Voiceacting101]

Wow - sounds like a nice local library!

[@RitaMerlot]

Yes, it is!

[@martytoth2019]

Thanks, Jason, great stuff! My family and I just moved into a new house (during COVID-19 of all times) and I've just started doing voice overs for my training company's new online platform. I noticed the sound quality was all over the place in my downstairs office. To try and knock down some of the noises around me I took a moving box (a lot of those around) and adhered some scrap foam and recorded into it. It actually worked pretty well. I'm working on convincing my wife to finish out a 10x10 storage room upstairs and turn it into a studio. She's not too happy, seeing that storage for our FIVE Christmas trees and decorations is much more important than my business! Lol...Keep up the great job

[@moonmedia8790]

Im shocked you didnt recommend towels for sound proofing. Just sick some towels in a cardboard box and place the mic inside and you have a perfectly silent clear voice. You can also put towels on the wall too.

[@Canderson_Beats]

I would be worried about a comb filter effect.

[@larryschultz7106]

Your tips are wonderful. I have a first voice over audition for a Local Union video and working with my phone. I found my music speaker works wonderfully as a mic. Thank you for the tip on working from the closet. I pinned some comforters to absorb unwanted sounds. Using a towel on a folding table to eliminate any other bouncing sounds. Thank you, LarryS

[@juliegold9724]

Thank you! I've been searching for weeks for a video that explains adjusting the levels. So simple, so helpful.

[@rmarasa628]

Hello. I built a vocal booth in my home. It was fairly inexpensive, using plywood, 2X4's, acuostic foam, and moving blankets. The entire booth cost me under $200.00

[@Voiceacting101]

Nice work Ronald. That's a great price for a DIY vocal booth.

[@mankobi]

Nice video! The tips were well explained and you gave some helpful recommendations. Here's where the tips are: 1. Find a Quiet Place to Record (1:00) 2. Record your Voice, not the Room (2:48) 3. Use a Decent Microphone (4:13) 4. Keep your Distance from the Microphone (5:33) 5. Use a Pop Filter (6:02) 6. Check your Recording Levels Before you Begin (6:45) 7. Read your Script on a Screen Instead of Paper (7:37) 8. Keep it Simple (8:05) 9. Save your Files in the Correct Format (9:14)

[@diamaudixaudioltd.299]

Can't imagine anyone so cluelessly beginner as to find value in this. You'd have to be four years old

[@nottweef1753]

Well done! I'm loving your content, delivery and authenticity. Thank you very much!

[@Hidden_V_Treasures]

I have to say, that these are 9 common knowledge tips, well put and well spotted!! Great job and thank you for reminding all of us that simple things are usually the best!!

[@sunshinewildfire7087]

This is amazing! Thank you. I'm new to all of this.

[@Denver_Risley]

I record under a blanket into the laptop's mic. That's all I have right now. Professionally, it sounds like a trash truck. For my purposes of fake commercials and scores for fake TV shows, it works. I've been doing this my whole life and never realized it could actually be a career!

[@Voiceacting101]

I used a computer mic when I first started. Just getting the practice will help you.

[@sayseriously]

These are the best most straight forward tutorial videos on VO.

[@alfonsoachiyahburneyisrael742]

I appreciate the tips. Needing all the help I can get!

[@BillMcSwain]

New Sub! Thank you for making these videos. I used to be in broadcasting years ago, and now want to get back into it. It's amazing how much you forget, in such a short period of time. I just got FL Studio mobile comma and a good microphone. Now, the sky's the limit.

[@RickyJayG]

Dude. This guy hasn't posted anything in over a year. He has 6 videos total, and they are all really helpful. I'm trying to get into this

[@tesscot]

Really super technical tips. Thanks so much!

[@shellyepiscopo354]

Great video and suggestions. My husband and I built a sound booth in corner of basement. Used insulation in drop ceiling and sound foam on walls.

[@MsUnity2011]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@Krueger2014]

This channel absolutely deserves more than 15k subscribers. Can't wait to see your progress in a year, dude! I believe you will blow up!

[@Voiceacting101]

Thanks! Appreciate that!

[@peterireland1719]

Really enjoyed this cast, simple useful information.

[@richarddrawsstuff2728]

Thank you for the advice, I needed this.

[@lenkacorlannova9346]

I had a great mic, had a pop filter, no noises in the room but I still didn´t like the sound of my voice on the recording. I moved to a closet as you adviced and wow! What a difference. Now I love the sound of my voiceover! And it costs 0. Thank you for that tip.

[@Mr_Zesty]

Really cool video, I would love to see comparisons. For example... for in room sounds maybe an example of with and without acoustic wall pads, etc. especially for beginners. I’m sure you wanted to keep it really simple, but those little touches would be incredible. Well done!

[@ohmeowzer1]

Oh man I've only used my microphone on my head set, on my iPad lol...and I need to get a microphone, ,, glad I checked this out, ...you are so knowledgeable,,, omg

[@erikduncan8790]

Very helpful- thank you for your insight and advice.

[@qyuto]

Thank You! very useful tips

[@pattibullock3642]

Great tips and so very helpful.....TY!!

[@ScotPage]

Thanks for the Frequency & Bit rate suggestions, plus file save format. That helps Jason. Using an acoustic VO box in a quiet room in my home.

[@Voiceacting101]

You bet Scot! Glad you found it helpful!

[@IdeaOfTheDayCom]

Your 1st tip is the most important to me. Location. Location. Location. I did some of my best work by recording in my car while parked in the middle of nowhere. It's a surprisingly quiet environment. While that was good for a few short projects, I just set up a Whisperroom in my studio. I'm still putting it together, but I'm looking forward to the wonderful sound of silence behind my voice.

[@Voiceacting101]

Cars are great for sound isolation. I'm sure you'll love the Whisperroom.

[@AJVoiceover]

I am recording in my Bed Room and I only have Mobile Vocal Booth; it works just fine for me but not for good! I am planning for it in the very near future to have a professional booth. Thanks for your informative tips! I am just getting started and they are very helpful!

[@scientificentertainer2108]

The best video for voice over I have ever seen 💖💖💖

[@Anghardel]

Great tips! I especially appreciate the description of the various file types, which I'm still getting used to. I know this video is several months old, but keep the good info coming! As for my work space, I'm holed up in a corner of my master bedroom. I gave the walk-in closet a shot, but here in TX the summer heat really beats up on you in a small space like that. I found myself sweating like crazy and becoming dehydrated while performing long-form narration (audiobooks especially) in spite of attempts to hydrate during the work. I just built myself a trifold vocal booth using some plywood from Home Depot and attached some thicker acoustic foam to the surface to help absorb some sound. It does a great job, but because I'm in a corner I'm dealing with some reverb when I have to speak very loudly or yell for acting purposes. Going to give some moving blankets a shot and see if I can cut that.

[@Voiceacting101]

Thanks Stephen. I use Auralex acoustical foam in my studio but moving blankets can do the trick too.

[@HighFunctioningMedium]

great stuff! thanks so much!

[@finacialfridaystv5482]

First time watching one of your videos. The part I love the most was the end. :) LOL. Seriously, great information. I want to improve my voice over recordings for my own educational videos. This has been a great help.

[@FilipedeBarrosDance]

Excellent, thank you so much for sharing! :)

[@MaxThrills]

1:29 I watched this at 12 pm and now I am SCARED AF!!!!! 😱 also thanks for the tips literally you might be the coolest best KZbinr ever!

[@frustratedgamers9532]

amazing video thnxx

[@JonathanStrait]

THANK YOU Jason! Piggybacking on tip #2: if you are going cheap (like me) Harbor Freight had moving blankets SUPER cheap. I've taken over a corner of our finished basement and used drywall screws coupled with fender washers to secure the blankets on the ceiling and walls to create a small room. As long as doors are closed and the furnace is off it sounds good (to me.) Still working on demos!

[@Voiceacting101]

Hey Jonathan - great suggestion on checking out Harbor Freight for moving blankets. I used moving blankets to dampen the sound for years back when I first started. They work very well!

[@EpicReign]

Wal-Mart has moving blankets here for just under 6 bucks. It was the same price I found on Harbor Freight.

[@smorisch]

Yay! I'm all set. You helped out so much in helping me build confidence in what I've done. So I was hoping this was focused on script reading. I'm in a walk-in closet with foam on the walls. :)

[@airpodsrust]

This video is so good. Very helpful information and it's clear you know what you're talking about. Thanks for uploading!

[@Voiceacting101]

Glad it was helpful!

[@PaganSkye]

Thank you very much for sharing this information 😊

[@burtclemons5438]

You are quick and to the point. I did what you said about not putting any effects on my recording, I liked what I heard. I did this before I found your channel, you confirmed that for me. Thanks, I’m gonna subscribe 👍🏽

[@Voiceacting101]

Awesome, thank you!

[@dennismcatee7174]

Great video! All of the audiobooks I've narrated were recorded in a walk-in closet, with a $100.00 Behringer B-1 mic and a Focusrite Scarlett Solo interface, into an SSD laptop. Ugly but functional. I also use the 75hz rolloff switch on the mic for clarity, instead of using the recording software's high-pass filter.

[@00TY]

Dennis McAtee howd u get clientele?

[@AllanGildea]

Brilliant! Thank you very much.

[@randyroubal8916]

Jason this was very cool bro, thank you for you're time. Lots of great info. My walls in my V/O room are all Acoustic panels & A thick drape on the window & the room sounds great :)

[@Voiceacting101]

Thanks Randy!

[@trailervobrent]

Very Nice Work! Quality Video!

[@tempo6044]

Thank You So Much...It Was Really Helpful❤️

[@michaelhoward4152]

Great VO tips, Jason! Thanks for Sharing these 9 essential ones. One of your recommendations on mic use is one I've heard a couple of times, and it's been extremely helpful to me. Speaking just to the side of the microphone, along with the two different types of Pop Filters I use, prevents almost all of my Plosives.

[@Voiceacting101]

Thanks Mack! It's amazing how much of a difference mic placement can make.

[@michaelhoward4152]

@@Voiceacting101 Absolutely! I'm learning so much, from the Pros That Know. Thanks, again!

[@alexisbendelamousseauchocolat]

Thank you so much!

[@ZenInnovations]

Golden tips. Thanks.

[@sayandpronounce5037]

Thanks, good info.

[@korihope4165]

THANK YOU!!!! This helped so much.

[@Voiceacting101]

Glad it helped you!

[@mlodlearns6368]

I am just learning to record and my quiet space was my car until I had to start doing longer readings. Outside noises really played a major part..Ive been thinking about the closet... Great video, sooo much helpful advice. Thank you.

[@Voiceacting101]

Thanks! Closets make great recording environments.

[@SammyBigBird]

great tips thanks

[@k-bot187]

thank you very much, ive been trying to record some original audio for my animations but i always get really annoyed at how loud i breathed during the recording, after watching this vido and with some adjustment, im happy with the audio quality

[@BernadetteAvila77]

Perfect I try this

[@singmysong4444]

Good tips... thanks...

[@alimoghnieh5661]

Amazing thanks

[@shazlee100]

Thankyou, you were very concise, and explained things very clearly. I actually have a very young voice for my age, it's almost childish, I'm hoping there will be something for me, animation or children's audio books.

[@leahepperson6569]

My Son has a recording studio. Your information was very helpful. I am an actor wanting to get into voice over work.

[@TerrinhaVerde]

Thank you so much. Nice tips. 👍

[@Voiceacting101]

Glad it was helpful!

[@CarClique101]

Thanks for the tips. I learned a lot.

[@Voiceacting101]

Glad to hear it!

[@chappahx]

Excellent!!!

[@IfIcanYoucan]

great video.....thank you

[@JayRedding12_12]

What a cool coincidence, my name is Jason and I used to have an Ibanez GRX40.

[@JohnKostohryz]

Great and informative video.

[@KismetBP]

Great tips Thanks for this video! ♥🤘

[@Voiceacting101]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@AncientInsights1]

My recording space is an open room with a whole lot of noise from both outside and inside. It's frustrating most of the time. I would have to wait till mid night the neighborhood is a bit quieter. Thanks for this video. I really enjoyed your narration. I wish I had this accent.

[@Voiceacting101]

Thanks! Sounds like a booth (ie. studiobricks.com) would be needed in your situation.

[@punjabiurduhindipoetry9544]

@The Constable No need to spend thousands. 1. Go to furniture manufacturer get old foam seat or back for free which the garbage of sell very very chap. 2. go to mattress seller get a leftover Which is cut for customization of odd size. i got 1/2 mattress (4 x 4 feet) for $10 Cut lines with sharp knife ----- you are set Have clean sound and FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN

[@arthurhark1954]

This was really good. Thank you

[@Voiceacting101]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@PropNationIndia]

Good one! Nice tips

[@shakespeareconsultancy3614]

Keep up. Very enriching

[@NickFieldMedia]

Great video. I tend to record with a duvet over my head because a mic set-up won't fit any wardrobes here!

[@l.s.8296]

Thank you!

[@cephotoclub]

I bought some 3x2 treated pine and built a frame big enough to stand in comfortably. Covered it in 2 layers of furniture blankets. I put a small LED light inside to avoid heat from the light and Hooley Dooley it sounds amazing compared to anything else I tried.

[@esiaji]

Thank You!

[@joirnalhswarrior]

New Sub from South Africa. Thank you

[@adolfogomez-herrera1348]

Am starting this gig, the ideas of moving mats seems the least expensive, I'll try that first!

[@doodleknowledge]

nice video..will try out voice over.

[@RickySweum]

Great tips. Thanks so much

[@Voiceacting101]

Glad you like them Ricky!

[@ocardaugh]

Great information. Thanks. I'm an author narrating several of my books. I record in a walk-in closet surrounded by a couple dozen 4XLT flannel shirts

[@kerwinalexander6836]

Hello Jason, Great video mate. I'm an actor and singer. I'm new to the voice over arena. I'm interested in doing it to aid in my acting career - future voice overs for animated movies for Disney, etc., generating money while I'm taking acting classes and doing audio books and commercials. I have a home office where I have a photography and video setup to do headshots and self tapes for auditions. The room is already setup acoustically for the self tapes so all I had to do was get a mic, pop filter, headphones and add audio software to my computer specifically for the recording of audio. I'll be using this audio setup with my video setup to record my self singing songs for auditions as well since directors now want self tapes of the actor singing since Covid is on the rise again. I've subscribed and I've signed up for your Voice Acting Class - Voice Acting 101 along with your podcast. Thanks and I'll be talking and working with you soon. Cheers!

[@ParyatakVlog]

Excellent Info

[@SpicyFlavors]

Thank you for the video! 😊

[@Voiceacting101]

You're welcome 😊

[@ceceliaottenweller6018]

Thank you! This was simple, straight forward, and you didn't try to make a commission off me;) (or, at least I didn't notice!!)

[@oooweebaby4483]

Great tips

[@BornAwsumb]

Great Information, Great Voice

[@SuperIwatch]

Good video. thanks. good information, really good information. Tip: Goodwill very often has comforters for like three bucks, big old fluffy comforters that make great soundproofing for a small room.

[@Voiceacting101]

Great tip! Comforters and thick blankets make a huge difference. I've done a blanket fort working from hotels many times.

[@willieiraheta18]

Very good advices.

[@Voiceacting101]

Glad it was helpful!

[@yourvoicenarrator9978]

This helped!

[@wordsyo]

1:00 skip the fluff

[@jean-michelargentin208]

Dude you are awesome!!! I love those tips it was very helpful.. I own a Warm Audio wa87 Two RODE NT1 1 Stellar X Do you think those are good enough for voiceover and professional radio sound like?

[@N1BNfilms]

Well done!

[@asaadyt9795]

Very awesome video

Thanks Jason... You're the best!!! Greetings from Venezuela

[@Voiceacting101]

Thanks Yván!

[@Jorgearslanianelbro]

Epa!

[@randykokeitamiller7709]

Your video was very helpful! Just getting started and I don't wish to sound like a rookie! I will record in a closet!

[@outlawstarr417]

If I may add, a good interface helps too. Some use XLR USB preamps, I prefer using good old fashioned mixing boards. (Yamaha) All my hook up is analog based; two mics I use are a Shure KSM27 and a ST51. M-Audio studio monitors and STREET by 50 Cent headphones. Another way to "treat" your room is with those new Aston Halo's. Watch a before and after review of those and notice a HUGE difference in clarity! Just my thoughts. 🤔

[@comikawn5147]

Thanks bro