How to Record a Voice Over in 7 Easy Steps

Rule number one of professional voice over recordings is that they need to be clear and easy to understand. For this reason, you’ll need to steer clear of the built-in microphone on your smartphone or laptop. While these are great for everyday purposes like casual video calls, they won’t give you the sound quality you need for a good voice over.

Instead, opt for a USB microphone, which can be plugged into your computer and ready to go in minutes. Many models even come with a mini stand that lets them sit on your desk, ready to be used at a moment’s notice.

Pop filters are one of the most simple yet effective home recording studio accessories, and can mean the difference between background noise and silence. They work by eliminating the popping and hissing sounds that can be produced by fast air movements caused by motion, talking, or singing.

While the best mics for podcasting and voice overs usually come with a pop filter, you may need to purchase one separately. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even make your own pop filter with a coat hanger, pair of nylon tights, and a clamp!

While a handheld microphone can look like the epitome of cool when used by musicians and TV stars, they won’t help you get a good voice over recording. To eliminate handling noises like bumps and rustling, always mount your microphone on a tripod or mic stand.

For best results, position your tripod or stand at a height that allows you to sit or stand comfortably: good posture is essential for clear, perfectly enunciated speech.

Anyone who has ever recorded audio at home has horror stories of getting what they think is the perfect take, only to play it back and hear distracting background noise at the editing stage. By this point, unfortunately, it’s often too late to do anything but try again.

To prevent this from happening to you, always monitor your audio during recording by using closed-back headphones. As you record, take note of your levels and listen out for distracting background noises and eliminate these wherever possible.

Ideally, the best place to take a voice over recording is in a professional studio with sound-proofed rooms. In reality, this is often out of reach for most enthusiasts, particularly those who only need to record a voice over every once in a while.

Thankfully, there are few simple measures you can take if you’re planning to record at home. The best way to record audio at home is by choosing a medium-sized room in a quiet part of the house. Smaller rooms will produce loud echos, while larger spaces can make you sound muffled

Top Tip: Not sure which part of your house works best for recording? Take some test recordings clapping and talking in various locations around your house and compare them.

To avoid annoying “umms” and “ahhs” that you’ll need to remove at the editing stage, write a script that outlines what you intend to say in your voice over. Having a basic idea of the direction of your voice over will help you sound more confident, in turn encouraging your listeners to take what you have to say more seriously.

You don’t need to write out a speech word-for-word, but even a few dot points can help keep you on track and focussed. Do a trial run or two before you press record to iron out any final issues.

No matter how good a speaker you are, chances are your recording will need a little bit of polishing. To do this, you’ll need to choose a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software such as the popular, free program Audacity. Learning how to use Audacity or your chosen software can help take your voice overs from amateurish to expert in no time.

When you record your track, use your DAW software to ensure you’re speaking at a volume that’s clear and easy to understand but not loud enough to lead to audio “clipping” or distortion. After recording, trim your audio down to remove awkward silences or delays. Then, apply a high-pass filter, which removes low frequency background noise such as rumbling or ambient sounds.