So, your amazing video is almost ready to be lauched, you just need to add the voice. A tiny little detail. Well, not exactly. Both elements need to be in harmony: great quality of video needs supreme sound and vice versa. Great music, good technical performance (editing, volume, no echoes, etc) and yes, a well done work of voice-over.
Learn with pros how to do a superb voice-over. Here at Wagner Consulting International we know what we are talking about. As one of our areas of expertise, we can honestly say is a piece of cake... but only because we love what we do!
You can take our advice to generate your own voice-over for home-made videos, either for having fun with friends or to release a semi-professional production and (why not) become a popular vlogger with millions of followers.
To record a good voice over, you need the right equipment. Your recording and processing chain consists of 5 main pieces (among many optional extras):
- Microphone
- Accessories
- Computer
- Software
- Headphones/Speakers
You’ve got them? Let's start!
- 1)A good place to record
This is the most important step to begin with because a bad sound will ruin a good voice work. The room you choose have to be of the right dimension: not to small so you avoid loud echoes and not too large that it makes you sound distant and difficult to understand.
Make sure the room is "soft" which means it has furniture. Stay away from places filled with hard edges and reflective surfaces (like the kitchen). Remember you are not only recording your voice but also its relation with the surroundings. A good environment will make a good background sound.
Read the script aloud in each room and listen carefully to select the right one. Distinguish between a fixable problem and a real one. For example, listen out for any problems that are easily fixed, such as reverb (use a hyper-cardoid mic) or ‘dead’ sound (try removing those super heavy curtains that absorb all of the sound).
Once the room is chosen and adequately set up, it's time to more tests. Go to the room and clap. Can you hear an echo or lot’s of reverberation? Talk loudly in the room. Is your voice clear and intelligible? Or mushy and hard to understand? If so, try placing some soft furnishings (specially mattresses and pillows) to lessen the effect of the hard surfaces.
- 2)Have your script at hand
No matter you were the writer of the script, you have to check it again after reading it out-loud. It may need to be adapted to make it sound fluent. Sometimes the written word doesn't translate in its right intention when is heard.
Focus only in your reading instead of trying to read and watch the video simultaneously even if you are looking for spontaneous comments. For that purpose, you should view it several times before recording and then add the comments to the script. It sounds it will lack a natural reaction but being prepared is better (how do you think it's done even in "live" events?, everything with a script!) or it will be difficult to synced up to the video but again, it is important to be meticulous, so just take into account the exact minute and second of every frame is with the script.
- 3)Practice and find your voice
Each line you say is, in essence, like acting, even though it would be an informative production or need a very casual tone. This means you just can't in your everyday's voice. You have to overemphasize the words because the voice tends to lose some character in a recording, so you'll have to work in bringing back the natural energy of your voice. Don't shout, just be:
- clear: each word needs to be easily understood,
- emotive: the tone you use is your tool to get the emotion or idea.
Try out 3-4 lines in the beginning of recording at various levels of energy. Don't re-record the same inflection, pauses, and emphasis every time you do the line. Instead, test out new readings of the line until you find the best one, making sure is the most precise for the intention of the text.
You would also benefit a lot from mentally prepare for the performance. It’s not only about being good in a technical, cold way. You have to really commit. If you are playing a character, become the part. If you’re recording a corporate or institutional video, you still need to make it interesting.
Remember: although you would like to sound "efficient" and likeable, you are you, not anyone else. This practice should let you find your own, unique voice.
- 4)Record time!
Here are a few tips you might want to try:
- Focus on varied inflection. Inflection is the rhythm and tone of your speech. Many people end their sentences in "up" tones, like they are asking questions. Good inflection, however, is about varying your voice to sound natural and dynamic.
- Never say "uhm". Simply put, there’s nothing worst for the audience. If you need to pause, just stay silent.
- Breath silently. A big, audible breath in the middle of a sentence sounds unprofessional and is distracting. Focus on taking short, controlled breaths, turning away from the microphone when you need to take a big breath.
- Gesture your hands. This makes the voice-over sound more natural.
- Smile. If you want the voice-over to sound happy, audiences can actually "hear" smiles.
- Take a stand. No matter how far away you hold the script while you’re recording your voice over, it’s likely that you’ll still be able to hear the paper rustling. Invest in a book stand that will hold your script still. Also, factor in the breaks to your script: print it off in a way that each section can be displayed without having to turn the page.
- Apple bites. To get the best vocals, the mouth has to be slightly wet. But before running for a bottle of water, take into consideration that you will have to interrupt the recording to use the bathroom. A bite of an apple will make your vocals sound crystal clear.
Ready? It seems you are! Good luck in your journey to becoming the next voice-over superstar.
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If you want to receive more information or ask about a project, please contact our sales team that will gladly assist you. Project Management Team of Wagner Consulting Phones: US: (718) 838 9533 (línea en inglés) |
