If you want to know how will you mark something that you can’t quite distinguish in the audio file? Here is the answer and some additional solutions for you.
How will you mark something that you can’t quite distinguish in the audio file?
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Tips on how to record a professional voiceover
Recording a good voiceover is not difficult. Nevertheless, you can find countless videos on the net with loveless and sometimes incomprehensible speaker comments. Sound and sound quality play an extremely important role for the audience – also with audiovisual content. Some examples:
- If the sound quality is poor, the brain has to work harder . Listeners tire more quickly and attention decreases. Stress symptoms can even occur.
- TV viewers have been annoyed about the deteriorating sound quality from the flicker box for years. Public service programs are particularly criticized.
It is worthwhile to ensure good sound, especially for training videos, tutorials, screencasts, etc. We explain to you how you can record a professional voiceover with little effort, what equipment you need for it and what you have to pay attention to when adding audio to your videos.
Good sound includes: a microphone and an audio program
If you think video dubbing is only for tech geeks and professionals, then you are wrong. Recording a professional-sounding narration on the PC is amazingly easy. You only need two things: a microphone and an audio program.
The microphone
In principle, you can use an external microphone, but of course, the better microphones usually produce better recordings. There are many different models and the price range is wide.
For starters, you should use a USB microphone or headset. The advantage: You can simply connect it to the PC and get started right away. The entry-level models are priced between € 30 and € 120.
Get a suitable tripod so that you have your hands free. Also, treat yourself to some pop protection. This prevents distortions from occurring when pronouncing hard consonants that impair the sound quality. Very practical: in models like the Studio-Pro from Auna, tripod and pop protection are integrated.
The software
You are also spoiled for choice when it comes to the audio software. One tool that has been very popular for many years is Audacity. The open-source software is free and easy to use, even for beginners. It offers a wealth of options for recording and editing audio files. Thanks to the large fan base, you can also find a lot of tips and tutorials on the net.
Camtasia is also ideal for recording voice-overs. You can use this program to record and edit both videos and sound files. To speak a voice-over, select the “ Spoken commentary ” function.
You can watch your video and record the comment at the same time – with one and the same program. Another advantage: You save time in post-processing because you don’t have to import the audio file into your video editing program first.
By professional software you will know how will you mark something that you can’t quite distinguish in the audio file?
5 steps to your first professional voice-over
What makes a good voiceover? With a lecture it is like this: No matter how good the content is – if the speaker does not manage to entice his audience, what is said usually goes under. It is similar to voice-over: It not only depends on what is said but also on how it is said. We will guide you in 5 steps to your first voice-over and show you what you can learn from the sound and dubbing professionals.
Access the script
Pinpoint what you want to say and write it down. Sure: easier said than done. First, think about who your audience will be.
What knowledge can you expect from them? What should your audience know or be able to do after seeing your video?
The more clearly you answer these questions for yourself, the easier it will be for you to write your script.
It is up to you whether you just write down bullet points or formulate your sentences in writing. The only important thing is that you know what you want to say and that you don’t get tangled up while recording. When writing down entire sentences: make sure that they are neither too short nor too long. A good measure of this is the “one thought, one sentence” rule.
Find a Quiet Place
Find a place that is as quiet as possible. Many electronic devices emit an operating noise that our ears can barely hear. This can affect the quality of your recording. If you are forced to record in your office, check the room acoustics by clapping your hands. Does the room sound “dry” or does it echo?
The radio play and podcast community provides lots of creative ideas online on how to use simple means to reduce reverb. Some always record with a blanket over their head – no joke!
When using a mic, be sure to position it correctly. Even if you know it differently from television: Do not speak into the microphone from above, but over the microphone head. Place it about 15 to 20 cm from your mouth and a little lower than the chin level.
Check the sound
Take a few minutes to set the recording volume properly in your audio program. Ideally, your voice should reach between -20 and -10 DB. The maximum deflection should be -6 DB. If you go above 0 DB, clipping occurs.
The good thing is: you don’t have to remember any of it! Audio programs such as Audacity or Adobe Audition show you with traffic light colors whether the level is in the green area and when it becomes critical.
Make sure that the microphone sound is deactivated during the recording: If the option “Loop through software” is selected in Audacity, remove the checkmark. Otherwise, the uptake intensifies immeasurably and there is uncomfortable feedback.
Attention, keep quiet
Do you have your mic on hand, the audio program open and the script ready to hand? Then you are good to go and can start recording. Now your qualities as a speaker are in demand! You can learn a few helpful strategies from presenters and dubbing professionals:
- Speak clearly and take breaks. Your audience will follow both your comment and what is happening on the screen. Give them enough time to process this information.
- Vary the speech melody and speaking speed. A simple trick is to emphasize what is said using facial expressions and gestures. Even if your audience can’t see you, they’ll hear the difference. It will make your presentation livelier!
- If you make a mistake, just repeat the last sentences. Have you made a mistake or lost the thread despite the script? That is not tragic. Take a short breath and just start again shortly before the spot. You cut out the blunder later.
If you find it difficult to bear the sound of your own voice: Even the professionals do at first. You get used to it! The more you listen to yourself, the faster you will get used to the sound of your voice.
Post production
As soon as the recording is in the box, the fine-tuning begins. Here you can thank audio software! – achieve surprisingly good results with just a few clicks.
- Cut outbreaks, mistakes, and breaths by marking and deleting the sequences.
- Remove the noise from your recording. In Audacity, this option is called “ Noise Reduction ”. Highlight the silence you recorded at the beginning and let Audacity determine the noise profile. Then call up the Noise Reduction option again and carry out “Step 2”. Audacity then applies the noise profile to the entire file.
- For advanced users and those keen to experiment: edit your recording with a compressor, equalizer, and the “normalize” effect to achieve the typical radio host sound.
Now, you had know the answer to how will you mark something that you can’t quite distinguish in the audio file? Hope this article helping you.