Recording Voiceovers with Audacity

Using the Microphone

Follow these tips when recording your voice over narration

1. If you're using a condenser microphone, be certain to turn the phantom power button on your mixer or other recording equipment so that the signal will be strong enough in Audacity.
   
   
2. Add a wind screen or “pop” filter to the microphone. These help to reduce the effects of “breaths” and “pops” that may be picked up in recording.
   
   
3. Position you mouth between three to six inches away from your microphone. If you are too close, the microphone may pick up unwanted sounds like your “breaths” or “pops” when you say p’s. Too far away and you’ll sound distant and pick up more ambient sounds.
   
   
   
4. Keep a constant distance between you and your microphone during recording. Changing that distance will degrade your overall audio recording.
   
   
5. Position the microphone away from your computer and monitor to prevent unwanted noise.
   
   
6. Be certain you are speaking into the front of the microphone (for the Audio Technica AT3035 mic, the front is the side where the words “Audio Technica” are printed).
   
   
7. If the microphone picks up unwanted “breaths”, speak above the microphone rather than directly into it.
   
   
8. Check your recording levels and make certain that you are not “peaking” the meter. Never, EVER exceed 0 (zero) on your digital level meters. Anything above that level will sound distorted. You want any loud sound to fall below digital 0 with the majority of your level well below that (between -6 to -12 dB).
   
   
9. Record in a quiet environment. Loud background noises can affect recording quality. To get the best performance, you should always record in a quiet environment. Back bedrooms, walk-in closets are great for this. These rooms are usually located away from high traffic areas of the home and contain materials that will absorb unwanted sounds. In addition, carpeted floors and padded walls help improve your recording environment.
   
   
   
10. Don’t drink milk or consume other dairy products before a recording session. These create thick mucus on the back of the throat that results in much throat clearing and seems to restrict the vocal cords.
    
    
11. Get closer to the mic to improve the sound of your recordings. The farther you are away from it, the more you pick up the sound from the room around you. Your voice starts to sound thin and distant. Get closer and you voice will sound more intimate. By getting closer, the mic will accentuate the lower frequencies and you voice will sound more powerful.
    
    
12. When you’re ready to record, turn away from you microphone. Take a deep breath. Exhale. Take another deep breathe. Open you mouth and turn back to your microphone and begin to speak. This technique eliminates the sharp intake of breath and lip smack that often occur when starting to speak.
    
    
13. Speak clearly and slowly. Keep an even pace and keep you voice level fairly constant with no extreme ups or downs.
    
    
14. Experiment with the position of the microphone. You may have better results inverting the microphone so it sits above your mouth as you speak.

Microphone in the upright position for recording	Microphone inverted for recording

Other Recording Tips:

• Use eucalyptus cough drops for opening the sinuses and clearing congestion.
• If you make lip-smacking sounds when you speak, use lip balm.
• Speak above or below the microphone, not directly into it.

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