Leah Arscott

Generations of Voice Over Talent

July 13, 2022 by Leah Arscott

We are living in an exciting time in history, with multiple generations living and working together. There may be some challenges to so many generations working closely side-by-side, but it has significant benefits. Understanding each generation’s characteristics and expectations can help us communicate efficiently and work together harmoniously. This week we will dive into the different generations of voice over talent working together and how they fit into the wacky world of voice over.

The Silents or Traditionalists (1925-1946)

This group of individuals was born in the beautiful era of the “Roaring Twenties” and World War 2. Think Elvis Presley, John Lennon, Natalie Wood, and Morgan Freeman. The age of radio, milkmen, and rituals of home-cooked meals. They grew up with very little technology and had to overcome adverse circumstances such as poverty and poor healthcare. They are known to be thrifty, respectful, and loyal. It was the early days of voiceover, created by visionaries such as Walt Disney. Mickey Mouse in 1928s Steamboat Willie used a voice-over recorded in 1900.

This group of voice actors was most likely living in large urban centres such as Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, etc., where the acting and voice acting studios were located. They may have wanted to pursue a career in on-camera acting but stumbled into voice acting as the demand for the service grew. The Silents would have voiced many projects, including the first cartoons and television advertisements. They would have also voiced for radio dramas and live-sporting events. Some may be, but this is generally unlikely. This generation is well into their 80s and 90s and may still dabble slightly in VO performing senior citizen roles. Most are likely enjoying their retirement and time with friends and family.

Generations of Voice Over Among Baby Boomers (1946-1964)

Baby Boomers encompass a large number of individuals today. They were born post-WWII when soldiers had returned home ready to settle down and start a family. This is the era of black and white televisions, TV dinners, and hippie culture. Think Michael Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney, and Madonna. Baby Boomers are known to be workaholics, dedicated to quality over quantity, goal-oriented, and love the idea of stability. I’ve personally found this generation particularly interesting and transitional. The face of the world really changed during this period and is reflected in what we see today.

This group of voice actors lived in large urban city centres where work was available. At this time, more agents appeared in the voice over world, representing talent and booking good-paying jobs. Although radio-drama series were phasing out by the mid-1950s, voice actors were booking more work for television and cartoons. Audiobooks were also gaining popularity in the 1970s, providing another stream of income for Baby Boomers as well as new lines of work such as movie trailers and documentaries.

There is still quite a demand for the Baby Boomer voice. Think commercials for financial institutions, comfort food, and legal advice. The Baby Boomer voice projects warmth, compassion, and a feeling of security. They also voice quite a bit of e-learning and corporate narration. The voice style popular during the Baby-boomer period tends to have a hard-sell approach, which is less prevalent but still requested now and again. The Baby Boomers are phasing out slowly, but as long as they can speak, the work will come.

Generation X (1964 – 1981)

Generation X is the largest group of voice actors today, although they are called the forgotten generation squeezed between Boomers and Millennials. The evolution of technology shapes them. Think Elon Musk, John Krasinski, Tiger Woods, Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio. Gen X’ers are more educated than previous generations, self-reliant, individualistic, and hardworking. Their infamy comes from the Brat Pack, MTV, and the ’80s.

Generation X is still going strong with voice-over gigs for television and digital commercials, in-show narration, IVR, and audiobooks. They are the popular choice for anything corporate related such as e-learning and corporate narration, a big piece of the voiceover industry. This generation has begun to bring in diverse voice actors from different cultures and ethnicities. The Generation X voice is kind, engaging, and professional, yet doesn’t come across as bossy or parental.

The majority of the castings are Middle-Aged talent (35-54). Gen X’ers may have voice agents but are savvy enough to find their own business through cold-calling, networking events, online casting sites, and referrals. Persistent and consistent are good descriptors of the Gen-X voice.

Generations of Voice Over Among Millennials or Gen Y (1982-1995)

Millennials, also called Gen Y, are the children of the Baby Boomers and were born between 1982-1995. They grew during the digital age and are great with technology, creative, open-minded, and curious. Think Scarlett Johansson, Emma Stone, Drake, Lebron James, and Mark Zuckerberg. They are skilled in various industries and love to bounce from job to job, try new experiences, and care for their health.

Millennials are pretty busy in the voice-over world. You’ll hear them often on national TV commercials. They’re usually the ones with raspy voices and sound very relaxed. They don’t like the hard-sell commercial tone and favor sounding like the guy or gal next door. There is a high demand for this diverse generation, especially anyone with various accents and ethnicities. Millennials provide voice work for audiobooks, narration, and Artificial Intelligence. They value freedom and creativity, so living in large urban centres to find work isn’t for them.

Millennials are just getting into the thick of their careers and still have a long way to go before retirement, so they are open to new and creative methods to increase their income. They may have an agent or two, but most of their business is generated through their marketing efforts, website, or online casting sites. They want to take control of their income and are very open to the next hot thing in VO.

Generation Z (1995-2010)

Generation Z, or Zoomers as they are sometimes called, are children born after 1995. They are incredibly familiar with technology and masters of the IoT (the internet of things). They grew up with lots of screen time and all the modern conveniences of life and were encouraged by their parents to jump into the unknown. They are socially conscious, risk-takers and entrepreneurs. Famous Zoomers include Greta Thunberg, Billie Eilish, Kylie Jenner, and Max Verstappen. Zoomers hate to be sold to and prefer purchasing items from social media channels such as Tik Tok, Instagram, or YouTube.

Like Millennials, they appreciate the flexibility of finding work from many sources. They love to find voice work online, anywhere, and anytime. They prefer online contact rather than communicating on the phone, and instead of being open to trying new things, they’re the ones creating them. Gen Z talent books a lot of animation work and commercial and audiobooks. They are Digital Nomads who are just starting their careers and appreciate the flexible lifestyle available today.

Generations of Voice Over For Every Project

It is clear to see that there is a voice for everyone today. One generation isn’t better than another, and they all combine to create a wonderful community that supports and encourages one another. The industry is constantly changing, and limitless opportunities are ahead for the next generations of voice over.

What Does Music and Voiceover Have in Common?

July 5, 2022 by Leah Arscott

I had to dedicate this week’s blog to music and voiceover! June was a big month for music internationally, and I spent extensive time traveling through Europe a few years back. During the time I spent in France, I discovered a La Fete de la Musique, which is a day dedicated to all things music.

June is Black Music Appreciation month internationally, June 25th is International Beatles day and June 24th of this year was also the release date of the new Elvis movie. By the way, have you seen it yet? What were your thoughts? I thought it was very entertaining.

Similarities Between Music and Voiceover

Since June is a big month for music, I wanted to discuss the similarity that music has to voiceover. You may think – how can music and voiceover have similarities as one is speaking and one is singing or playing an instrument. But, speaking or voice-over does have a musical quality, and they both have Timing, Tone, and Pitch in common.

As someone who has played instruments, sang, and danced for many years, I can hear the similarities in timing, tone, and pitch in voice-over. Having those elements as a foundation helps me with each voice-over I perform for my clients. This week, we will discuss these elements more in detail.

How Does Pitch Relate to Both?

Pitch relates to the frequency of sound and vibration. Is the sound low, or is it high? A high frequency is a high pitch, and a low frequency is a low pitch. In an orchestra, for example, an oboe, which is a woodwind instrument, is used to tune the entire orchestra to a specific pitch, so all the instruments sound in unison. Some people, rare as it may be, have absolute or perfect pitch. It’s the rare ability to identify or re-create a given musical note without a reference. Only a few musical artists have this ability, for example, Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Puth, and Frank Sinatra, to name a few.

Understanding pitch helps us speak a language correctly as it aids in how we respond to what is being said. You’ll notice that when someone asks a question, they may raise their pitch at the end of a sentence. That helps us to know what is being said. If the pitch is low when ending a sentence, it is usually perceived as a statement.

Adjusting Pitch

When I perform voice over, I often raise or lower my pitch depending on the copy. If the spot I’m working on requires a softer feel, perhaps playing a character speaking to a child or loved one, I will lower my pitch slightly and speak more introspectively. If the spot is a quick-moving sales commercial, I may raise my pitch and annunciate more to show a call to action and demand attention. If I’m playing a child or teenager in a spot, I will certainly raise my pitch to sound younger, and if I’m playing a middle-aged to a senior character, I will lower my pitch accordingly to sound older.

For an audition with a large casting, I may do the opposite of what you may think to do to stand out amongst the hundreds of others auditioning. Having an understanding of pitch and being able to adjust on the fly will help you to get into character quickly and hopefully win the job.

How Tone Plays a Part in Music and Voiceover

The definition of tone is a musical or vocal sound regarding its pitch, quality, and strength. Tone refers to the color of the sound you are speaking or playing. Many instruments can sound drastically different depending on the tone you are playing. A guitar can sound soft, melodic, and romantic. On the other hand, it could sound loud, moody, and dark, depending on how you play. Also, a piano can sound muffled, soft, and sad, and then in an instant, it can sound bright, excited, and brash!

Musical artists also have a variety of tones. Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes, and Barry White possess a deep, melodic, warm, velvety tone of voice, which fit in perfectly for their R&B, Funk, and Gospel sounds. Other artists such as Macy Gray, Bon Jovi, and Steven Tyler have raspy voices that fit perfectly for the rock genre they are known for. One artist may also change their tone depending on the genre of the song they are singing. Paul Mc Cartney, for example, was an excellent example of this. He could sing a sweet melodic song like Blackbird, which is on their famous White Album, then change his tone entirely in an instant and sound like a blues-rocker, for example, on the renowned track Darlin’ on their iconic last album Abbey Road. Freddie Mercury and Michael Jackson also gave great examples of fantastic tone in their music, adjusting from song to song. One technique isn’t better than another, but the ability to adapt quickly can make you book the job.

Adjusting Tone

The same can be done with your voice in voice-over. In my voice-over jobs, I perform a variety of tones daily. One spot could ask for me to speak with an authoritative tone, which means using downward inflections, adjusting my tempo, and pausing. At the same time, the next spot could ask me to speak in a cheerful tone, perhaps playing a younger character or a commercial for a fun new product. It would mean using more inflections, going upward in the middle and end of sentences, and adjusting my tempo with a quicker pace and less pausing.

Music, Voiceover, and Timing

Timing is the choice, judgment, or control of when something should be done. A command of timing is crucial in music; otherwise, a song would never start or finish on time. Also, an orchestra would never stay in line with the sheet music, and you would most likely have no idea what song they are playing.

Many musical artists are known for their excellent timing. When watching a band on stage, you’ll see how they always look back and forth at each other to ensure they are moving simultaneously and staying together. One example of this is recently I watched The Beatles – Get Back series on Disney+. At the end of the documentary, you’ll see the band do an impromptu performance on top of the Abbey Road studios rooftop on a cold January afternoon in 1969. Though cold and playing relatively new music, they knocked it out of the park. Very often, you’ll see both John Lennon and Paul Mc Cartney look over at each other constantly to ensure they keep in time and play together. Also, thank goodness for Ringo playing the drums at the perfect time to ensure all band members are in-sync. Another great example of timing is rap artists. They must ensure their many lyrics fit in with the music that backs their vocals. If they didn’t keep in time, their music would sound chaotic, manic, and frenzied.

Practicing is Crucial in Music and Voiceover

The same is very important in voice-over. Often, I will receive a timeframe of how long my voiceover should be, usually 30 seconds or 1 minute, and I have to have an excellent inner stopwatch to ensure I hit the mark each time. Also, sometimes up to 10 people are on the call during live-directed sessions, so having an excellent inner clock is crucial to keep the clients happy. Sometimes they will also play music in the background, and you will have to speak over the music. It can sometimes be distracting, but you must ensure you finish your voice-over right as that last note plays. This can be tricky, but with good practice, it’s possible to nail it each time.

Practice recording voiceovers with music underneath, trying to hit specific phrases on or off the beat. If a part of the song speeds up, brighten your voice, try smiling, and drop your voice if there is a sad moment. Play with pitch and tone, and that will help your overall timing. So, is voice-over musical? It is. You may not be singing in your voiceovers, but you are essential because you are constantly playing with pitch, tone, and timing, and understanding those in detail will make your clients happy and satisfied and help you book that job!

How to Be Diverse and Stand Out in the Voice-over industry

June 14, 2022 by Leah Arscott

It has never been a better time to get into voice acting. With the plethora of streaming channels, digital content, diverse genres, and the ability to work from home, it’s never been easier and more accessible to make this a career. At the same time, there has been a considerable influx of excited, young, fresh voices getting into the voice over industry. The pandemic alone saw many new faces and on-camera actors starting with their skill, talent, clients, and social media followers. The competition makes it more difficult for existing voice actors to stay ahead of the curve. With voice acting becoming a popular industry for Millennials and Gen Xs to join, is it possible to stand out in a sea of talent?

Authenticity is Key

First and foremost, it is so important and challenging to just be yourself! What does that mean? Why does that matter? In the old days of voice over, many saw similar types of people – age-wise, skills-wise, gender-wise, and race-wise in the voice over world. Nowadays, it is so important to be yourself. You matter! You are unique and diverse and have an exciting story to share. Only you have walked in your shoes, which is what the creative directors and producers want to see. Be authentic in ways that many do not dare. It has never been more popular than ever to be yourself! There is no “voice-over” mold that directors want to see. Just turn on the TV, and you’ll hear a variety of diverse voice actors from different walks of life. The more distinctive and eccentric you are, the better. That means people will listen to you, and people will take note.

Languages & Accents Used in the Voice Over Industry

Having a unique set of skills is one way to set you apart from other voice actors. Can you speak another language? Are you of a specific nationality? Are you BIPOC? Can you speak with a particular accent? Can you translate the copy into another language? The ability to perform multiple languages and accents will set you above so many other voice actors today, and directors, agents, and producers will love that. Do you think they would rather have one actor who can speak one way or an actor who can speak ten different ways? I think you can answer that one.

I am a native North American accented English speaker. I can speak beginner French and Spanish, yet, I speak with an accent. One of my biggest regrets is not following up on my French and Spanish lessons from a younger age because I know if I kept it up, it would be a difference in my business. My husband speaks fluent Spanish, and I have been able to refer work to him. Within the last six months, I have noticed that he has been booking quite a few more appointments, which tells me there is a definite need for more voices. I do have the ability to perform accents if need be. I will not audition for a role if they ask for a native speaker of a specific language, but if they don’t, and the part is small, I may audition in the accent that I feel I can relate to.

Technical Skills You Need to Succeed

How are your technical skills? Are you able to edit your voice over files, are you trained in engineering? Can you mix and master? Nowadays, I have seen call-outs for actors who can add music under their files and provide their editing and mixing. It takes weeks, months, and years to perfect the art of editing. Suppose you have a background or a knack for technical skills such as setting up equipment, editing, trouble-shooting, and mixing and mastering. In that case, that will set you apart from most voice actors and make you a very diverse and coveted talent.

You can also enroll in technical classes online or in-class. I use Logic Pro X and am part of a few Facebook groups to assist me when troubleshooting. I would love to take formal Log Pro X classes and use tricks and hacks that can improve my recordings.

Acting & Singing in the Voice Over Industry

A big plus to being a diverse voice over talent is the ability to act and sing. Are you someone with those skills? Then agents may be looking for you! This is the industry of Voice Acting – full-stop. Some talent call themselves voice over artists, and I’m guilty of having business cards with that title, but that doesn’t do our profession justice. We are actors, plain and simple. Some actors are on-camera; we are off-camera. Every role we play requires thinking, “Who are you, where are we, and who are you speaking to?”

Those are the same techniques that an on-camera think as they put themselves into their character. Let your clients know if you have been professionally trained in the Stanislavski, Method Acting, Meisner, Chekov, or Practical Aesthetics method of acting. They will give you an edge over many other talents out there that you can jump into character and most likely cover various characters and genres as required.

I took drama in high school and was grateful to win awards for my efforts. I enrolled in Improv classes, and this summer, I am enrolled in official acting classes via zoom, and I know that will be a difference in my acting ability.

It’s also important to note that age doesn’t matter in voice acting, and there is a need for all voices from 3 years old to over 100 years old. Don’t let your age or experience stop you from moving forward.

Career Experience

Your previous work experience is valuable when becoming a voice actor. You can find a skill in voice over. Do you know how to prepare an invoice? Can you make cold calls? Do you have customer service experience? Do you have graphic design experience?

When I started my career, I felt I had no experience, but slowly I began to notice my 15+ years of business experience was very important when running my business. These business skills are almost more important than any other skill mentioned in this article.

Join the Incredible Voice Over Industry!

By reviewing languages and accents, technical skills, acting and singing, and career experience, I’m confident there are many ways for you to stand out as a voice actor. What is your unique value proposition? What do you bring to the table? Take your time to brainstorm what that may be and use that to your advantage!

Voiceover Equipment #4 – Mac vs. PS and Studio Sound Insulation

May 27, 2022 by Leah Arscott

To be successful at voice acting, you will require specific hardware and software to be competitive. The last article in our series on voiceover technology and hardware will discuss additional equipment to help you achieve your goals. Today we will discuss voiceover technology such as computers, specific software, and audio panels.

Computer Preferences MAC or PC?

When deciding on which computer to purchase for your voice over career, there are certain factors to consider. Essential technology such as computer, memory, storage, processor, graphics, anti-virus, and internet are necessary. When you do a Google search, you’ll find hundreds of comparison articles on which computer is best, MAC or PC?

Ultimately, the decision is up to you! I own a MAC and a PC. My husband, who has a knack for technology, suggested I use his MAC. He’s always considered MACs better for creative tasks, and I didn’t do too much research. I trust him and have been happy using a MAC throughout my career.

In my previous work in the business world, I used a PC, and transferring over to a MAC felt very strange initially. I wasn’t used to the drag and drop features synonymous with a MAC. I prefer point and click, and to be honest, I still do, but MAC does have many other diverse features that many and myself appreciate.

Benefits of Voiceover Technology

Although I used a PC in the business world and all of my other co-workers, I always recall the Graphic Designers in each department using MACs. It stood out to me as I walked the hallways and saw the massive monitors, which always looked so stylish and unique.

If you are an Apple user, you will prefer using a MAC as all the Apple products work seamlessly together, and they were designed that way. MAC computers are known to have high-powered graphics, are visually appealing, and there are specific apps designed to be used only on a MAC. They also have a far lower rate of computer viruses.

PCs have come a long way to compete with MAC’s reputation of being King in the creative professional world. PCs are usually more cost-effective, diverse, and easily upgraded and there tend to be more software options created.

For me, after being in the creative world for a reasonable length of time now, I’m pretty comfortable with my MAC. However, I will say I still prefer the point and click feature that PCs offer. At times, remembering how to use the command/control/option/shift/fn buttons on a MAC can be frustrating, and I still find myself googling which command to use to solve a simple task. For now, I will press on and appreciate all the various features that a MAC has to offer.

Erase the Noise With Isotope RX

In the previous article, I discussed voice over software and the difference between DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations.) Another vital piece of software to consider for Voice over is Isotope RX, an audio restoration plug-in used to repair noisy or damaged audio. This software is an additional purchase that is not part of any particular DAW but can be used alone or as a plug-in for Mac and Windows-based DAWs and NLEs.

This software is a sound engineer’s best friend, and I would never be able to create professional voiceover without it. It’s used for recording, mastering, and audio-for-video post-processing, and its main features boost the ability to analyze sound. The thermal-spectrum view allows you to see all details and nuances in the waveform.

I use their De-Click option daily to remove those pesky mouth clicks, sounds, and pops that occur naturally. I have the plug-in connected to Logic Pro X so as I record, it removes all the sounds, and I can instantly deliver clean, fresh, de-breathed audio.

Client Requests for Voiceover Technology

Sometimes clients will ask me for particular audio requirements. Below is an example of a recent request from a client:

48kHz, 24bit, mono, PCM wav
background noise<-65dB
SNR>40dB
RT60≤200ms
No plosives, No clipping
2-3 second pause in between each line (no file splitting)
Maintain consistency and quality throughout all recordings

By using Izotope RX, I was able to achieve their desired sound. There are countless blogs and YouTube videos online to help you set up the tool to your desired liking. There are various Izotope Packages you can purchase on their website. Take your time doing your research to see which is best for you! I have the Izotope RX7 version.

Insulating Your Voiceover Studio

There are many ways to reduce reverberation and echoes in your studio or booth. We have previously mentioned the option of purchasing pre-made booths, but some prefer to work in a small space within their homes, such as the closet. Working in a closet is the most economical way to get started in voice over. You can fill the space with moving blankets, sound foam, or audio panels to help reduce the noise. Let’s review specific studio foam and studio panels as a method to reduce noise.

Studio Foam

Studio foam is a popular option to help reduce echo and reverberation, aiding in good clean audio. The price range can vary, from around USD 25 for a 12”x 12” 12 pack to over USD 400 for 12. Although studio foam is the less aesthetically pleasing of the two options, it serves a huge function. It aids in providing clean audio. It is also very customizable and flexible to work with. It can really help fill in all the gaps on the wall that produce echo sounds, which allows sounds to bleed through the walls. The goal of the recording space is to make the room sound “dead,” and studio foam can help you get there.

My only hang-up with studio foam is the lack of available colours. They seem to come in black, black, and more black. If you’re lucky, you might be able to find bright hues like cobalt blue, red, or teal. I do wish they had more options in white or lighter tones as I prefer to work in a bright space rather than a tomb 🙂

Voiceover Studio Panels

Studio panels are the large frame sound absorption panels in large music and production studios, movie theatres, and home theatres. They are usually more aesthetically pleasing than the studio foam mentioned before, yet, they don’t absorb sound and reduce reverberation. This is because they usually come in large-sized panels that are difficult to shape around corners and edges and are pretty expensive, which reduces the number of panels many want to purchase.

I would consider using large 2’x4’ studio panels in my general office space to aid in sound reduction. When the washing machine or air conditioner is on, or a noisy truck goes by, it can get loud. Every bit of noise affects my primary recording space, so I would choose studio foam in a heartbeat.

To purchase either studio foam or studio panels, you can find them at your local music or sound store or online at Amazon, Vocalbooth2Go, or the coveted place for all things related to voiceover technology and equipment sweetwater.com.

Voiceover Equipment #3 – The Right Voiceover Software

May 17, 2022 by Leah Arscott

An essential component for setting up your business is considering which software you will use to record or edit your voiceover projects. You can purchase a state-of-the-art microphone and have a quiet space to record but consider which voiceover software program will capture vocal quality and perform day-to-day editing. Whether you work in commercials, narration, animation, IVR, Promo, or eLearning, an excellent digital audio workstation or DAW will help you get the job done quickly and accurately.

As a diverse millennial voice actor, I was interested in learning the technology involved in starting a voiceover business. Although I love technology and all the bells and whistles that good software can provide, it can be daunting to learn a new tool. Especially when your inbox is flooded with auditions, you’re marketing yourself, and your time is limited.

How I Decided on My Voiceover Software

Software is one of the things I didn’t research. I purchased all hardware, set up my studio, and explored casting websites that I wanted to join. I had no drive to choose software, and I wanted to hit the ground running and start to book the jobs. I wish I had researched this when I look back on how I got started as a voice over actor.

My Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) of Choice

My husband had a MAC Computer, and he mentioned to me that we had a program called Logic Pro X, and that was the one I should probably use. He noted that his brother would use our computer now and again when he came over on the weekend and liked to make beats, so that’s the program he would use, and he figured it would be advanced enough for me. I had no idea how to use it, but he slowly but surely showed me how. I used Logic Pro X for about a year and a half with no real training on how it should be used. I searched the web high and low for tutorials but with little success. Most of the YouTube videos I found were geared toward music production and how to change the sound for instruments, and little was mentioned about straight voice over.

Luckily, my two fellow Canadian voice over friends, Christi F. and Dalal S., also used Logic Pro X, so we chatted now and again and asked questions about how we used the program. Now to this day, those conversations were the best training source that I had on how to use the program. If anyone who reads this knows of an actual Logic Pro X course that we could take, please let us know.

The Right Tool for Each Job

I should mention that I also contacted George Whittam, a top sound engineer from Los Angeles, to assist me with my overall sound. I told him I used Logic Pro X, and he was surprised. He asked why I used it and I said that it was already on our computer and figured it would be the easiest choice. He mentioned that for voice over, it was “like bringing a tank to a knife fight.” It was a massive software package for a simple job like voice over, and wasn’t necessary. But once I showed him what it could do, he agreed it was a good choice and referred me to use specific plug-ins to enhance my sound.

After working in voice over for a reasonable length of time, I now discovered that Adobe Audition was the most popular DAW, and I realized that I did have that on my computer. I decided to try it for a week as a trial to see how it compares to Logic Pro X but to be honest, when you are so familiar with and use a tool daily, and it’s tough to re-learn a new program. For that reason, I decided to continue with the tool that I was most comfortable using. Adobe now has a monthly subscription cost that I was not willing to pay, especially when I remember a time when it was a single buyout price.

When to Use Plug-Ins with Voiceover Software

It’s important to note that if you are recording in a beautifully top-quality sound-treated room, the effects you will use on the DAW will be limited. The better your recording space, the less you will use on your DAW. I used quite a few plug-ins when I began my career because I was recording in a lightly-treated bedroom closet, and I had to adjust and tune the sound to sound like I was recording in a professional Los Angeles studio. Now that I have upgraded my recording space, I use more minor sound effects and plug-ins. My good friend, who has the best recording space and top-tier microphone, uses virtually nothing on her voice and delivers raw audio, almost completely eliminating any plug-ins.

Because we are living in a digital age and have such diverse tastes, there are quite a few DAWs on the market. Below, I will review some of the most popular DAWs available today, and as time goes on I’m sure there will be many more to come!

Audacity – Free

Audacity is a free voiceover recording software! I remember using this in college to record an assignment for my class to hear. I had zero VO experience back then, but it was user-friendly and only took me a couple of minutes to learn. It’s press record and speak!

Equalization
Compression
Mono vs. stereo
De-Esser
De-Clicker

For a simple beginner voice over, this is a good choice. If I needed to do quick editing for a general project, this DAW would be my choice, and it’s low risk and high reward.

Garageband – Free

Available for Mac computers only, Garageband works for music production and audio recording and editing. There are two versions available – free (great for low budgets) and a paid version. It contains an extensive sound library and is a popular choice for podcasters.

Adobe Audition – USD 20.99 Monthly

Part of the Adobe Creative Suite, this is the most popular voice over DAW software for voice actors. Many of my voice actor friends, both young and old, use this. It contains several effects and a thermal spectrum view that many find user-friendly. I remember when this software used to be a full buyout price, but now it has moved to a subscription price of USD 20.99 monthly, which I find unnecessary and refuse to pay.

Logic Pro X – USD 279

A pricer software, Logic Pro X is considered a high-quality recording software. It contains many plug-in options for music production and voice over and includes an entire library of sounds and instruments, and I have made background music for my demos. Although designed for music production, it works wonderfully for voice over.

Pro Tools – USD 299 Annually

This software is the industry standard for music production and voice recording. Beyonce, Sir Paul Mc Cartney, and Coldplay use it. It is a lot for the simple act of recording voice, but many voice actors love to use it.

Reaper – USD 60 for a Discounted Licence – USD 225 for Commercial License

Reaper is a new up-and-coming, fully customizable software favorite for voice actors. They claim it is user-friendly, fast, and crashes less than most recording software. I have heard great things about reaper, and many tech-savvy voice actors are slowly switching over to this software with rave reviews.

Which Voiceover Software is Best?

After a brief overview of the top-rated DAWs for voiceovers, which is the best? That comes down to your ability to learn all that the program offers, your requirements, and your budget. If you’re a singer and need to record vocals and instruments, you may pick a DAW suited for music production. If you just need to record a single-track voice-over, you may choose another DAW. For me, Logix Pro X is advanced for what I do daily, but it allows me creative freedom when I need it, and I am happy with all it has to offer.

Voiceover Equipment #2b – Recording Studio – Voice Over Booth Recommendations

May 10, 2022 by Leah Arscott

As discussed in the last article, where you record your voice over can make a big difference in your booking rate and your ability to be seen as a professional. Whether you are a newbie or a seasoned pro, recording your commercials, narrations, or animation jobs in a noisy space can frustrate your clients and editors, and they may not hire you again. It is essential to have no interferences within your recordings, and so, therefore, a voiceover booth is key to your success.

I began my voice over career recording in a closet within my home, and it served me well for the first three years of my career. I recorded thousands of auditions and hundreds of jobs in that closet, and although it was not pretty and quite stuffy, it got the job done. I landed commercials on network TV and hundreds of explainer videos for international fortune 500 companies.

Quality Voiceover Booth Choices

Eventually, I decided to upgrade my booth to a more professional look and feel, and I’m happy that I did. The booth I have now (Vocal Booth to Go) works very well for my day-to-day work. It diffuses noise, absorbs sound, and is not too stuffy, which smaller booths tend to be. Although it is not the most expensive booth on my market, one would never know. When deciding to purchase my booth of choice, the Vocal Booth to Go, I did quite a bit of research online to learn about the various options available today. These are some of the most popular and highly-rated booths available.

Vocal Booth 2 Go

This booth is cost-effective, portable, travel-friendly, and durable. It’s a portable walk-in studio that allows you to have an immediate acoustically treated room anywhere. This is an excellent option for a permanent booth at home and on the road. The set-up time was relatively quick, and in no time, you could be recording professional sounding Voice over for your clients. The booth comes with a PVC frame, moving blanket walls, and a LED light within a large duffle bag. Available in multiple dimensions. The Vocal Booth to Go interior is in the color white, which aids in providing me a lot of energy and vitality throughout my day.

Price: $955 USD+
Made in the USA
-10 dB reduction
Under 50 Lbs

Tri-Booth

Cost-effective, portable, travel-friendly, and durable. Ideal for voice actors or recording artists who require an affordable professional home/mobile studio anytime. Set up time is relatively quick. The booth comes with a PVC frame, moving blanket walls, a stand, and an LED light within a duffle bag or hard-shell case. Available in three dimensions – standard, short or tall. The interior color is white.

Price: USD 1500
Made in the USA
Under 50 lbs

Whisper Room Voiceover Booth

Though this booth is at a higher price tag, this is a trendy choice for voice actors. This is considered a professional-grade voice over booth and can stand the test of time. This booth comes with the frame, walls, a ventilation system (add-on), door, cable passages, acoustic foam, LED light, and a remote switch. Available in many dimensions, you choose and can also choose from colored acoustic foam.

Price: USD 4275+
Made in the USA
-30 dB reduction

Bear Cave Silent Booths

This booth is a professional-grade option and would sit permanently within your space. The basic models are the only booths that use 1-inch MDF for their walls, and their single wall unit is roomier than most. Their double-wall units are the only ones on the market that use an innovative material called Sonopan, which is specifically used for soundproofing.

Price: USD 3878+
Made in Canada
Single Wall Booth -25-30 dB reduction
Double Wall Booth -40-45 dB reduction

Studio Bricks

If you’re looking for a higher-end vocal booth, look no further than the famous Studio Bricks. It is the booth that accomplished voice actors possess. The overall visual appearance of Studio Bricks is very appealing. It dons a white sleek, futuristic look, all done with professional-grade materials. The interior studio foam comes with a recognizable cube design. The booth comes as a frame, and all other materials are not included in the basic price. Multiple color options of the exterior and interior studio foam are also available. Despite its high-quality design, it’s pretty durable if you decide to move the booth’s location into a different room of your home, your office, or move entirely.

Price: USD 4500
Made in Spain
-46 dB reduction

Which Voiceover Booth is Best?

All of the booths mentioned are professional-grade and highly acclaimed. Suppose money was no object. I know which booth I would be getting. I would list the Whisper Room, Bear-Cave booth, and Studio Bricks to be similar in functionality. They are a more permanent structure and are all very quiet rooms regarding noise reduction. All three brands also come with many add on’s, such as HEPA filters, Bass Traps, Desks, wall windows, etc., to perfect your recording space. My booth of choice would be the Studio Bricks, not only because of the design and low dBs but also because I love the overall aesthetics. It is a thing of beauty, as well you can choose your studio foam color, and I love the idea of a lighter, brighter booth to give me energy throughout my day.

As a diverse millennial voice actor, my Vocal Booth to Go will serve me well for years. I would love to be a digital nomad traveling with my portable booth. And when I am ready to upgrade for my home, the Studio Bricks would be at the top of my wish list!