Overview
Professional voice over recordings are made in homes every day. The key is controlling the acoustic environment before investing in expensive gear. A quiet closet full of clothes beats a reflective home studio every time. Some links in this guide are Amazon affiliate links; if you purchase through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
What You Need
- A large-diaphragm condenser microphone (Audio-Technica AT2020, Rode NT1) or a quality dynamic mic (Shure SM7dB)
- An audio interface if using an XLR mic (Focusrite Scarlett Solo)
- A pop filter
- Recording software: Audacity (free), Adobe Audition, or Reaper ($60)
- Closed-back headphones for monitoring
Steps
Choose and treat your recording space
The smallest room in your home typically has less reverb. Walk-in closets are ideal — the hanging clothes act as broadband absorbers. Avoid rooms with bare wooden floors, glass windows, and hard parallel walls. If you can't use a closet, hang a duvet behind you and in front of you, use a rug, and record in a corner.
Select a microphone
Large-diaphragm condenser mics capture the full warmth and detail of voice — the AT2020 ($100) and Rode NT1 ($180) are reliable entry-level choices. If you're in a noisy environment, a dynamic mic like the Shure SM7dB has higher noise rejection. Avoid USB mics with built-in preamps for professional VO — they limit your gain control.
Set up your signal chain
XLR mic → audio interface → computer via USB. Enable 48V phantom power on the interface for condenser mics. Place the mic on a sturdy stand (not resting on a desk — it'll pick up vibrations). Fit a pop filter 4–6cm in front of the capsule.
Configure your recording software
Set sample rate to 44.1kHz or 48kHz, bit depth to 24-bit, and record in mono (single track). Most clients want a 44.1kHz 24-bit WAV mono file. Record in WAV, not MP3 — you'll encode to MP3 only as a final delivery step if required.
Set your recording level
Gain on your interface should be set so that your voice peaks between −12dB and −6dB on the DAW meter when speaking at full delivery volume. Louder isn't better — headroom prevents clipping during an unexpectedly loud line. You'll boost in post if needed.
Do a test and listen critically
Record 30 seconds of your script. Listen back on closed-back headphones. You're listening for: room reverb (boxy, hollow sound), proximity effect (excess bass when too close), plosives (popping on P and B), and background noise (air conditioning, traffic). Fix any of these before starting a real session.
Pro Tips
- Record at consistent times — traffic, HVAC cycles, and neighbourhood noise are predictable. Early morning is quietest for most home setups.
- Use our Voice Over Recorder for quick browser-based takes without setting up a full DAW session.
- Always deliver a −3dBFS peak WAV file unless the client specifies otherwise — it gives them mixing headroom.