Whether it's a commercial, a short film, an animated movie, or a quick tutorial on YouTube, a voice over proves a crucial component of any production. An excellent voice over recording requires a basic understanding of the equipment, environment, purpose, preparation, and editing techniques needed to create clear, crisp audio.
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What is a voice over?
Voice over happens off-camera and supplies a film with narration or a character's internal dialogue. Often shortened as V.O. in a script, voice overs provide context for a scene.
Professional filmmakers often rely on external dialogue, themes, and shots to relay information. But a well-timed voice over, done right, moves audiences and leaves an impression on them.
Take "The Shawshank Redemption," for example. The 1994 film based on a Stephen King novella wasn't an immediate success but worked its way into popular culture based on its message of love, hope, and friendship.
Morgan Freeman as Red provides a powerful voice over when speaking of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins):
"Sometimes it makes me sad, though ... Andy being gone. I have to remind myself that some birds aren't meant to be caged. Their feathers are just too bright. And when they fly away, the part of you that knows it was a sin to lock them up does rejoice. But still, the place you live in is that much more drab and empty that they're gone. I guess I just miss my friend."
Video via EvigMunk
Voice over is heavily utilized in the television drama, "Mr. Robot." Elliot Anderson's (Rami Malek) inner dialogue accentuates his loneliness and provides context for a whirlwind of wild events.
Beginning filmmakers wondering how to record a voice over like these examples can start by ensuring they have the right environment and equipment.
Ready to get started? Sign up for a free WeVideo account to easily create your first voice over.
Setting up a recording environment
It's possible to improvise a great-sounding, voice-recording space at home with little effort or cost.
First, find a quiet space. Even the best microphones pick up background sound to some degree.
Sometimes, a quiet space presents itself when the world falls asleep. Dogs settle down, children sleep. Road noise lessens, and the near-constant construction pauses. Now it's time to record.
Make sure the sounds of an air conditioner or heater are not leaking through — adjust the thermostat if needed.
And accept that complete silence itself is uncommon. Find the quietest place and make the most of it. Try using acoustic foam, bass traps, and acoustic panels to insulate a recording space from ambient noise further. Curtains and rugs also absorb noises, reducing echo or reverberation.
Selecting the right computer
A computer is the first piece of equipment a beginning filmmaker should purchase. A microphone is of no use without at least a decent laptop. There are a few things to look for in a computer suited for voice over:
Processor performance
A good processor (CPU) is essential for good voice over work because it can help ensure clean, uninterrupted performance. Processors handle the tasks running, giving attention to each one as needed. More processors means more ability to transition seamlessly between multiple tasks without interruption. A dual-core processor can handle the most basic voiceover tasks (although it might struggle with video editing software on a local machine).
Thankfully, WeVideo is a cloud-based editor, meaning we handle the computing power needed — a beginning filmmaker only needs a good internet connection.
RAM and storage requirements
Memory and storage space are vital for those working with large audio files. No one wants a computer that will freeze or lag while trying to edit. At least 8GB of RAM handles voice over well.
Selecting the right microphone
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A good USB microphone can complete any voice over task for those just starting. Still, it's essential to know the different kinds of microphones on the market. Specific mics pick up sounds differently. Each serves a unique use case:
Condenser microphones
A condenser microphone utilizing a cardioid polar pattern, which captures sound in a heart shape in front of the microphone, is best for studio recordings and voiceover. They capture the voice over and little else around.
They're suited for capturing human speech.
Dynamic microphones
Omnidirectional microphones are great for live music performances, where capturing the whole environment is the goal. They're a poor voice over option as they capture every sound around them.
Ribbon microphones
Ribbon microphones provide a unique sound and work well when recording instruments. They thrive with woodwind and brass instruments but aren't typically used for those learning how to record a voice over. However, their unique capabilities and rich proximity effect mean they're one to know about.
When outfitting a studio, place the microphone on a sturdy stand or boom arm with a shock mount that isolates it from vibrations. Consider adding a pop filter to catch plosives, a type of distortion caused when a blast of air from the mouth hits the microphone.
Invest in a decent pair of headphones to play back the audio and make adjustments as needed.
WeVideo allows users to make their voiceover more powerful with its recording features. Users can easily adjust the volume, add stock audio to enhance a voice over, and more. Sign up for free to easily create your first voice over.
How to write a voice over into a script
It's time to start preparing a script with the environment, equipment, and setup finalized. Learning how to record a voiceover involves more than speaking into the microphone. The first step is writing a script that includes voice overs.
Great voice overs begin with well-written scripts. Learning where voice over enhances a scene or supports the portrayed themes is a skill set developed with time. It is essential, though, to differentiate between what is diegetic sound, which only occurs inside the world of the film and is heard only by the characters, and that which is non-diegetic sound, only heard by the viewers who exist outside of the film.
For example, the famous John Williams score before an attack in "Jaws" – "Duh, Nuh ... Duh Nuh ... Duh Nuh, Duh Nuh, DuNuDuNuDUNU!" – exemplifies non-diegetic sound. The characters cannot hear the music before the shark attack.
Keep in mind that voiceover, however, can be either non-diegetic or diegetic. In "Forrest Gump," tthe voice over narration provided by Tom Hanks is diegetic since Forrest tells his story for other characters in the film to hear; it's happening inside the film.
Video via Movieclips
"Fight Club" often offers non-diegetic narration. The Narrator's (Edward Norton) voice overs are spoken to the audience (no spoilers, but let's just say there are exceptions) and not as internal dialogue or for other characters.
This is different from internal dialogue, which is diegetic. It happens inside the film because, like Ethan in "Mr. Robot," the characters themselves hear this dialogue.
We've previously covered the differences between diegetic and non-diegetic sound at length. For the beginning filmmaker, write in a voice over that best fits the scene's intention. The questions to ask are: Who is meant to hear the voice over, and what is the purpose?
This knowledge makes writing voice overs into scripts more effective.
How to record a voice over in WeVideo
Many of the audio software on the market is tailored for the music industry – leaving the novice with a complex toolset that is often too bulky for voice overs. Capturing a voice over in WeVideo is quick and easy:
- In the editor, click Narrate, or use the Podcast shortcut from your dashboard.
- Allow access to your microphone.
- Get about four to six inches from the mic and click Record.
- When you're ready to stop recording, click Stop.
- Review your audio. If it’s too loud or too low, double-click the clip in the timeline to open the clip editor and navigate to the Volume tab. Adjust as needed.
- Eliminate any unwanted background noise by toggling Reduce Noise. Review your audio. Adjust levels and add audio fades by clicking the Audio & Opacity option at the top of the timeline and selecting Show audio level.
- Save your recording as a media file after recording. You can choose Record again to discard your recording and start over.
Once the recording is saved, it will automatically be placed in a new voice over track wherever the blue playhead is in the timeline. It’s a simple process that adds high-quality voiceover into a video.
Voice over recording tips
To record a high-quality voice over, it’s important to warm up and speak with clarity. Here are a couple of warm-up exercises to use:
Lip trills
What sound does a horse make? That’s the lip trill. Also known as blowing raspberries, the lip trill exercise blows out air rapidly so that the lips open and close. It helps soften the lips, warm up vocal cords, and balance air pressure within vocal folds.
Humming scales
Start with middle-range notes and slowly rise and fall to limber up the vocal muscles.
The speed and clarity with which a voice over artist speaks can make all the difference in how easily the message is understood and appreciated. Maintain a steady rhythm, but vary the speech pace for emphasis. Enunciate clearly without over-exaggeration to ensure each word is understood. A steady cadence and good diction will also make the words easier to process.
It's also essential to convey the right emotions through voice to create a compelling and memorable voiceover.Adjust the tone of voice to match the mood of the script. Use inflection to highlight key points and add interest to the delivery.
Learning how to record a voice over is an integral part of a production to the next level. With the right environment, script, and WeVideo, it's easy to get started!