If you are into making explainer videos like the “how-to” guides, you will have to record voice-overs. Depending on the numbers of such videos you create, there will be a lot of voice over work required.
Many of you may think that the visuals take over the voice in a video. However, this is not entirely true. Most people who watch your videos online are more likely to stop midway if the voice or the audio in the video is not appealing.
This is why great voice-over recordings are an essential part of making videos, and this is how you can keep your audience engaged and interested. Are you wondering about how to do great voice overs? This article will tell you all about how to add audio to video in a simple way.
What exactly does voice-over mean?
Voice over is the audio in a video file recorded by someone who is not actually in the video. They help in providing the exact context of the video. This is why voice-over is often confused with video narration.
Voice overs are generally needed when you create informational, instructional, and educational video clippings. Typically in a professional video, voice-over specialists are hired to do the work. However, with the useful tips given in this article, you will be able to do it yourself.
How can you make your voice over good?
You may think that to do a great voice over; you need to have an excellent voice. While this can help, it is not a necessity. A good voice over comprises the entities listed below.
- Volume and clarity of the audio
If the voice-over recorded by you is muddy or fuzzy, people may find it difficult to understand. This will make your audience get distracted, and they will move on to some other video.
When the volume is too low, it becomes difficult for the viewers to hear. Similarly, if the volume is too loud, it can become pretty annoying to the listener. This is why you need to maintain proper volume and clarity while recording a voice-over.
- Inflection and tone of vocal audio
This means that you need to speak in a very pleasing and natural voice. You, of course, would want the video to be fun and engaging, but you must ensure that it does not sound too fake.
You need not sound like a host of a game show, but at the same time, you must avoid speaking in a monotone since that might cause the viewers to get bored.
- Audio pacing
You need to maintain a deliberately natural pace while recording the voice over. Start by getting your script ready and practice the script well before recording the voice-over. This will help you in speaking at a natural pace.
Pacing also includes pausing in between to give time to the viewers to grasp the information.
- Pronunciation of words
Part of making a great voice over recording is making sure that you pronounce every word clearly and correctly. You must avoid mumbling at all costs, and you must also not over-enunciate the words.
How to prepare to record a great voice over
Not every kind of video will need too much preparation. A quick demonstration of a product or quick screencasts can be done without any practice. However, there are a few other videos wherein you may have to polish your techniques before creating the voice.
- Find the perfect place to work.
You have to ensure that there is absolutely no noise in the place where you choose to record. This is because the microphones used for recording audio will pick up even the faintest of all sounds.
- Pick a suitable microphone.
As much as possible, try to avoid recording through your laptop’s microphone. Even a smartphone’s microphone is a better choice when compared to laptop microphones. Try investing in a good USB microphone, which would not cost you much (around $60-$100).
- Start with a script.
To sound professional and avoid all the “umms” and “uhs,” it is always better to be ready with a written script. Take time to write out a good script and practice it several times before recording it.
- Have a test recording session
Before you record the final voice over, have a test recording. This way, you will eliminate minor flaws that may occur while doing your last recording. Some minor detailing errors like the place of recording, microphone placement, audio levels, etc., can be identified during a test recording session.
- Record your voice over
Once everything is in place, you can go ahead and record the audio by keeping the following things in mind.
- Enunciate each word correctly and maintain a natural pace while speaking.
- Have a pleasant tone.
- Don’t stop midway if you mess up. You can always edit that part out.
- If you are making a lot of mistakes, take a break and start over again.
- Edit the voice over
Once you are done recording the audio, take some time, and carefully edit the audio clipping. First, go through the entire recording and only after that start over from the beginning to edit the audio clip.
- Save and import
Once you are done editing the voice over clipping, save it, and import it to your video editor. You can use online audio to video converter tools for this purpose.
That’s it! You would have successfully recorded a great voice over! Although recording voice over may seem like a task fit for the pros, that needn’t be the case. With the help of this guide, you can now easily record excellent voice over for your video.
By taking care that you follow each step carefully, you can ensure that your online videos become more engaging and entertaining. Always remember that the more you practice, the better you will get at it.
