Tips for Voice Overs

When creating a screencast, there's more to consider than video, you need to pay attention to the sound too. I'm not a professional vocal artist, but I do spend a lot of time in a recording booth creating screencasts for TechSmith. Here are some of my tips for recording your voice.

Post questions & feedback to: http://bit.ly/hnIBkH

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• sound
• voice over
• record your voice
• screencasting
• booth audio
• voiceover
• audio
• narration
• home recording
• home studio
• audio quality

[larrydh57]

I am using an APEX 440 usb mic for my voiceovers...click on my link and you can hear them, if you like. My question is: Do you think I will really notice a big difference with a Podcaster Rode or large diaphram Shure? Have done radio, but without all the processing it seems like a different world. Thanks.

[ChannelTechSmith]

@larrydh57 We couldn't sample every type of microphone. From what I understand, the APEX 440 is a high quality microphone. I don't think that it would dramatically change with Podcaster Rode or large diaphram Shure.

Ali White - Social Media Intern

[ArunTU92]

Hey, thanks for the video! A quick question though, do you find a pop filter significantly improves the quality of the recording?

[ChannelTechSmith]

@ArunTU92 - I'd say yes, it does make a difference. It's really in the, what are called 'plosives' like P's and T's, M's... it helps eliminate some of the breathy noise. If you have good control over your breath it may not be needed - but we've found them to be helpful.

[carlylespicks]

What I want to know is how to get better sound into Camstasia, regardless of the mic or your voice. I have been recording audio separately because camstasia audio sounds like you are using a cheap $10 PC mic even if you are using a $400 microphone. I have it set to 48khz PCM. What gives?

[ChannelTechSmith]

@carlylespicks Hey Carlyle, first off I checked out your channel, very cool! Second, it looks like this question is going to require a little bit more room to breathe than I can perform here (especially without providing links) in these youtube comments. If you would like to ask your question again here bit [dot] ly [slash] fPFmzD or I can ask it for you, we can help get everything sorted out, and onto making some more BA car vids :P

[indicatorguys]

nice video



[larrydh57]

@ChannelTechSmith THANKS!

[marygovanco]

Good work on this, Chris. I'm an instructional designer getting into video production. Great tips - and not too run of the mill, especially the note about your voice emulating your food! I tried cramming a lunch and recording VO's - oy. I started sneezing, and you can hear the difference in my voice.

[TheKarlProductions]

OMG so you are the guy that narrates the techsmith tutorials!

[yombotolompi]

great!!



[Radioboutros]

The hard part for me is modulating my voice. One tip I know is to underline what you want to emphasize and you can make that a higher or lower pitch. If you want it to be lower (more authoritative) you have to get a little higher first. If you want the emphasis to be higher (friendlier), you have to go down first. Just listen to the local TV newscaster or tune into NPR when they are doing the news and you will hear them do this.

[Radioboutros]

Getting close to a nice studio condenser sounds great. It isn't that you are being intimate, it is called a "proximity effect." @kazikpl6 I think these were just basic tips. You don't need foam on the wall or a pop filter, but of course a proper recording environment will make it sound better.