Conversational Voice-Overs are used in animation, films, and some commercials. The point is to sound clear but natural, as if you are dialoguing with the video/audience. Hard Sell/Announcer Voice-Overs are used in commercials and events, and speak over people instead of to them. You are grabbing attention and feeding key information, and your voice is crisp and authoritative. [1] X Research source
You will need a computer program capable of recording as well. For beginners, download Audacity, which is free. If you plan on recording often, you should get a program like Logic or Pro Tools for complete customization of your voice. You can also get pocket recorders, like Tascams, for portable and efficient audio recording. A windscreen, which prevents the air from your breath from reaching the microphone, is an incredible and essential tool that you can get cheaply online. [2] X Research source
Clear and concise. Each word needs to be easily heard and understood. Emotive. You need to get the emotion or idea of the line out only using the tone of your voice. Consistent. This is especially important if you are playing a character. The best, most unique voice in the world is useless if you slip out of it every 3-4 words. [3] X Research source
Avoid yelling and screaming whenever possible. Stay hydrated with a liter or two of water each day. Avoid heavy dairy on the day you record, as it creates mucus around your voice box. Avoid cigarettes and alcohol, especially a day or two before recording. [4] X Research source
Avoid yelling and screaming whenever possible. Stay hydrated with a liter or two of water each day. Avoid heavy dairy on the day you record, as it creates mucus around your voice box. Avoid cigarettes and alcohol, especially a day or two before recording. [4] X Research source
Take the sentence “The ball is on the table. " “The ball is on the table” conveys a different meaning than “The ball is on the table. Use inflection to help get your message across to the listener.
Whenever possible hit play on the video and microphone recorder at the same time. Then, when you start recording, you’ll be perfectly synced up to the video.
You want to be 8-10 inches from the mic. Roughly the distance between your thumb and pinky if they are both extended out. [5] X Research source
The main goal is to get rid of or cover any hard surfaces, which reflect sound back to the microphone. If your mic has a “hyper-cardioid pattern,” use it. This means that the sound is moving through the microphone and out the back instead of echoing around inside. [6] X Research source Practice sounding conversational. You should sound like you’re talking to another person, not like you’re reciting something.
You do not need to worry about speaking loudly into the microphone, just being clear and emotive. [7] X Research source
You do not need to worry about speaking loudly into the microphone, just being clear and emotive. [7] X Research source
In Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, Robert Downy Jr. ’s narrator provides great, sarcastic commentary about the locations and fills in necessary backstory, allowing the movie to focus on comedy, action, and events instead of telling everyone’s history. In nature documentaries like Planet Earth, the narrator knows to remain silent for large periods of time, letting the gorgeous images take center stage. [9] X Research source
Be conscious of your pace. Be aware of the speed at which you speak. Make mental notes of how fast you think you’re speaking while you record yourself. Then, play the recording back. Were you right? Remember that different voice overs will require different paces (think of an energetic hip hop dance club commercial vs a relaxing massage commercial).
Breathing is much easier to remove from recordings than it used to be, but it still saves everyone time to avoid recording it in the first place. [11] X Research source Focus on breathing in and out through your chest, moving your belly with each breath like a singer does.
Be sure to read the entire script before making changes – you never know if a detail you believe is small will come back later.
If you are serious about audio, you need a program like Pro Tools or Logic to really mix and master sound. At the very least, play with the EQ and volume of your voice, which allows you to subtly balance the tone of your voice.
