voiceover home / Playbook
Audio production / practical steps
Record a voiceover that is easier to edit
A home-studio planning guide for script preparation, recording consistency and a clear delivery brief.
STEP 01
Agree the deliverable before recording
Confirm the script version, intended use, language, file format and any required technical targets with the recipient. Record pronunciation notes and how revisions will be handled. Do not guess a loudness or export requirement when a client or platform has its own specification.
STEP 02
Test the room and recording chain
Record a short sample with the intended microphone position and input settings. Listen for background noise, reflections, clipping and movement. Adjust the setup and repeat the sample before investing time in a full performance.
STEP 03
Capture an organised performance
Keep microphone distance and delivery reasonably consistent. Mark alternate takes and corrections clearly in a take log. Leave room to edit around mistakes rather than constantly changing the recording setup or overwriting the only copy of a usable take.
STEP 04
Edit and check the actual export
Keep an original recording, then make edits in a separate project or version. Review pronunciation, pacing and unintended edits. Export to the agreed specification, listen to the exported file and deliver clear filenames with the script version and any relevant notes.
Choose the right next step
- Noisy recording: address the source and room before relying on heavy processing.
- Unclear pronunciation: confirm names and technical terms before the session.
- Delivery mismatch: check the recipient’s specification rather than reusing a previous client’s preset.
Worked example
A narrator records a 30-second sample before the full script. The reviewer notices a mispronounced company name and a background fan. Fixing both at this stage avoids repeating an entire session. The final export is listened to separately from the editing project.