How to record a voice, a soundtrack?
After talking about podcasts that have been booming since containment, about how to produce content faster with « Speech To Text« , we’re going to go deeper into the heart of the source. In this line of producing podcasts and mass content, you need to know how to record a voice, a soundtrack. So here are all our tips on how to efficiently record your voice, an audio track, a soundtrack.
Record voices
To begin with, it is important to understand that audio is a very sensitive, precise type of content, which must be treated with great care for optimal rendering. For this reason, many mistakes are common in this field. That’s why we explain how to record voices properly, how to optimize the audio file from the very beginning… Indeed, this will save you a lot of time in mixing and conversion.
In fact, according to the blog landr.com, you can « easily convince yourself that mixing is what matters most in the end. In fact, your recording, even upstream, is much more important« .
Because recording is so important, you have to make sure you make the right choices, taking into account all the parameters that can improve a recording or, on the contrary, tarnish it…
Choosing the microphone
The first basic tip is to choose your microphone carefully and place it in the right location. In terms of tone, this makes a big difference. Everything affects the quality of a voice, of a voice recording. It is therefore very important to choose the right equipment, to set everything up properly. To look into the matter – and to call in professionals if necessary!
Placement of the microphone
In order to prevent strange noises, resonances, poor audio quality, you must first make sure to set up your microphone as far away from the walls as possible. In addition, you should also not be completely in the center of a room.
Your microphone should be placed at lip level by default. But if you can, pay attention to the distance, height and axis. Depending on the height of the microphone, this will reduce or amplify some of the totality of the voice. That is to say, treble, bass etc. And so that you don’t get tired when recording your voice, we also advise you to look straight ahead. Stay in the same direction.
Check the levels to properly record your voice
This point is often forgotten and yet to record a voice well, a soundtrack is also important. Your recording levels should neither be too low nor too high. Indeed, if they are too low, you won’t hear anything, but if they are too high, there will be a reverberation, an audio overtone.
Therefore, we strongly recommend that you take several minutes to properly adjust, adjust the volume, the recording intensity of all your devices – microphone and recording equipment.
Some entities have the advantage of telling you directly if the balance is well done, if the audio level is well adjusted. This avoids certain inconveniences.
Before starting the entire recording of a voice, a soundtrack, you should first make a short sequence. Then you adjust accordingly.
How to record a voice over
Furthermore, the choice of software – especially when recording a voice, soundtrack and/or voice-over – is key. According to Techsmith.fr, when it comes to « voice over software, you’re spoilt for choice. Audacity has established itself as a good, easy-to-use and free recording software; it is distributed under a free license.«
Once you have grasped the above tips, you will have to choose the right place. Usually a small, well insulated room. The acoustics of the room can be tested by clapping your hands. It should not be echoing.
Choosing the room and the sound environment
When recording a voice, we often pay attention to the microphone, the equipment, the technique, but not enough to the environment. The place where you are – with its advantages and its brakes – to record. Before you start mixing, you might as well record directly. You might as well prepare your recording well and take care of every detail for a good quality beforehand.
For vocal recordings, the piece plays an essential role in altering the tone. In addition, recording in a non-professional environment, at home, is a real problem with many challenges to take up.
Therefore, the objective is to use a small or medium sized room with lots of soft objects: cushions, carpets, beds etc. Indeed, textile absorbs sound. The quality of the voice is thus neutral and preserved.
In addition, be aware that some microphones are very sensitive. They can easily be bothered by parasitic noises. For example, even acoustic sounds at the back of a room can alter your recording. It is therefore necessary to treat this environment as much as possible. Make it neutral.
Professional advice to improve your voice recordings
To further improve your recordings, you can put in place other professional tips. Notably by recording a few seconds of silence before each beginning of speech, song, scenario reading. In addition, always remember to articulate, to take your time, to vary the tempo of your voice, to breathe quietly.
Make safety recordings
Finally, we recommend – especially when you are a beginner and for major audio recordings – to make several recordings. Have several audio jacks. Make safety recordings. In case and for professional editing if needed. Indeed, this is a common mistake! It is often thought that it requires one take and then comes the galleys afterwards.
You now have all the cards in hand to record a voice, a soundtrack and adopt audio and podcasts massively! Going for audio is a very good idea in the long run! If you would like to benefit from our audiovisual expertise, in transcription or subtitling, do not hesitate to contact us!
Authôt. You speak. We write.