Overview
Good mic technique reduces editing time more than any other skill in voice over. When the performance is clean at the source — no plosives, controlled breath, consistent distance — post-production becomes straightforward rather than corrective.
What You Need
- Your microphone on a stable stand
- A pop filter mounted 4–6cm in front of the capsule
- Closed-back headphones for monitoring your signal
- Our Script Analyser for breath mark suggestions
Steps
Find your optimal mic distance
For large-diaphragm condensers: 15–25cm from the capsule gives a natural sound without excess proximity effect (low-frequency bass boost from being too close). For dynamic mics like the SM7B: 5–10cm is typical. Test by recording the same line at 10, 20, and 30cm and listening back. Too close: woolly and boomy. Too far: thin and roomy. Somewhere in between is your sweet spot.
Angle the mic to avoid plosives
Plosives (P, B, T sounds) create a burst of air that hits the capsule and causes a low-frequency thump. Rather than speaking directly into the mic, position it slightly above your mouth and angled down at about 30°, or position it just below your lips and angled up. Both positions keep the capsule out of the direct airflow path while maintaining full tonal quality.
Control your breath before lines
Take your breath before you need it — never gasp mid-sentence. Read ahead in the script while recording so you can inhale during natural phrase breaks. Breath from the diaphragm (belly expands) rather than the chest — it's quieter and sustains longer. Mark breath points in your script with a pencil before recording so you know where the planned pause are.
Handle breaths in editing
Audible breaths are part of natural speech — don't remove them all. Remove breaths that are too loud relative to speech, are out of rhythm, or happen in mid-word. Leave natural breaths between sentences. To reduce breath volume rather than cut: select the breath region and apply a −10dB gain reduction rather than silence, so the track doesn't feel unnatural.
Maintain consistent mic position across takes
If you need to re-record a line after moving away from the mic (to check your script, drink water, etc.), return to exactly the same distance and angle before recording the pickup. A line recorded 5cm closer sounds audibly different in tone. Use a strip of tape or a stand marker to define your position precisely. Inconsistent distance is the most common cause of "patch" sound in compiled takes.
Pro Tips
- Drink room-temperature water before recording — cold water constricts the throat. Avoid dairy, which creates mucus, and carbonated drinks.
- Use our Script Analyser to automatically add breath mark suggestions to your script before recording.
- If you can't eliminate a plosive with positioning, use a thicker pop filter or double them — two pop filters reduce plosive energy by roughly 80%.