This section includes helpful resources for doing narration or voice-overs, recording interviews, establishing good tone and intention, as well as resources and logistics to improve your audio when speaking or capturing others speaking.

VOICE-OVERS & NARRATION

Reading from a script or passage is not a voice-over or narration, it's just reading out-loud. When creating a voice-over or narration, you want to factor in additional considerations like intonation, emphasis, speed, emotion, and synchronization.

A dispassionate reading over video will just as likely dissuade your audience as bad or inaudible audio, so it's best to put a significant effort into your recording.

Know The Difference

More commonly, narration often takes a narrative form that may describe actions, scenes, character thoughts and omniscient perspectives, where as voice-overs can simply be first-person dialogue, or even quotes of information used sparingly.

Know The Steps

Each of these factors contribute to a well-produced audio recording, however they each require multiple attempts, practicing variation and review.

BEST PRACTICES

Have a well written script, which includes plenty of paragraph breaks and keep sentences short.

If you have video clips or a rough cut of your project complete, consider watching the content as you read.

Pay attention to your flow, but don't try to record an entire script in one take. Break your recording down into sections for easier editing and tone shifts.

Record multiple takes ( attempts) to give yourself some options when editing and compiling your media. It may seem silly, but slight variations on each take will help you edit the best tone and delivery for your project.

Have someone with you to help record, listen, and give feedback to your recordings. They will make the process a lot easier, AND they'll be able to tell whether something needs to be re-recorded.

TELEPROMPTERS

Teleprompters are a valuable asset when needing to read specific or exact phrasing, and they're also extraordinarily helpful for keeping good pacing. Below are some free or low-cost options to consider, which might help you read from a script or speech.

https://teleprompt.me - Website
https://cueprompter.com - Website
https://zacue.com - Mobile-friendly website
Teleprompter Lite - free app

Use NPR's Sound Your Best

Breathing exercises are critical to help warm-up and keep pace when recording.
REMEMBER TO RECORD A PERFORMANCE, not a reading
Recording in short bursts can be much easier over long-recording passages, but remember to watch your pace and tone from each short clip.

HELPFUL VIDEOS

AUDIOBOOTHS

There are a few spaces in the library where you can record high-quality audio recordings in a studio space.

Using Quicktime Player with the AudioboothBrief walk-through of how to use the Quicktime Player application in the audio recording room to record your voice-over, narration, or other audio recording.

USING THE AUDIO BOOTH IN THE LIBRARY IS THE BEST RESOURCE FOR RECORDING CLEAN, HIGH-QUALITY VOCALS FOR MULTIMEDIA PROJECTS ON CAMPUS. THE BOOTH LOCATED IN BERTRAND LIBRARY INCLUDES A USB MICROPHONE, A WHISPER-ROOM SOUND BOOTH, AND AN iMAC AVAILABLE FOR RECORDING. SEE THE VIDEO BELOW FOR USE OF VISIT THE AUDIOBOOTH PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Another studio space option available for recording audio is the 2nd Floor Studio, which is an easy to use video recording space, but can easily record audio as well, and uses a direct to USB flash drive method of recording. View the 2nd Floor Studio page for more information.

DPS Demos - 2nd Floor StudioWes Bernstein introduces the 2nd Floor Studio in Bertrand Library, located in the corner of the East Reading Room.

INTERVIEWS

Recording interviews is a both an art and a skill, you have to perfect information gathering with comfort and ease... all while making sure the sound is good and working. Here are some tips and guides to help.

THE ART OF THE INTERVIEW - Quick Summary

PREPARE: Do your homework and know significant background information about your subject.
Do a PRE-INTERVIEW
Plot out your questions in advance, and outline your questions in a logical format
Be prepared, but be prepared to shift gears and pivot to a follow-up.
Be loose, comfortable, and casual
- Start with an uncomplicated question, or an ice-breaker.
Check your Audio levels on the device, be it your camera, your recorder, or your phone!

Eliminate environmental distractions, like silencing your phones, and closing doors to hallways or other rooms
Don't be afraid to ask for clarification or explanation of what people mean
Don't make your questions too complicated, and don't be afraid to rephrase the question multiple ways
Ask 1 question at a time
Listen to their responses, there's a big difference between really listening and just waiting for your turn to speak.
Don't be afraid of the silence

FIND THE RIGHT TOOL

Open the link to see available audio recording tools for conducting good interviews.

AVAILABLE AUDIO EQUIPMENT FOR INTERVIEWS

*** You may also consider using the 2nd Floor Studio space, if you are on campus.***

The following are recommendations based on situations you might encounter when recording.

Solo Voice-Recording: Use one of the studio spaces, a wired lavelier / lapel mic, or a good dynamic USB studio mic.
2-Person Interviews: Consider a Sony Digital audio recorder or Zoom Recorder positioned between both individuals in a quiet space within close proximity.
2-Person Interviews (1 person the focus): Use a wireless lapel mic on the person of priority speaking, and have 1 mic connected to a dedicated audio recorder, while a backup recorder is used for both voices.
Multiple People speaking: Use a shotgun mic, or handheld microphone that gets passed around