{"id":9354,"date":"2020-07-30T11:30:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-30T09:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voicebooking.com\/blog\/2017\/06\/01\/how-to-record-high-quality-voiceovers-on-holiday\/"},"modified":"2025-02-26T10:58:30","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T09:58:30","slug":"recording-quality-voiceovers-on-holiday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.voicebooking.com\/en\/blog\/recording-quality-voiceovers-on-holiday","title":{"rendered":"How to record high quality voice overs on holiday"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Here\u2019s the dilemma. You\u2019re a talented voice over expert with a large book of business. Your clients want to collaborate with you all the time, and you want to keep them satisfied. But now you\u2019ve got an upcoming vacation planned. So are you forced to take some time off? No, you’re not! Because even when you’re far from home it’s entirely possible to record great, high-quality voice overs. Here\u2019s how.<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Where to record<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You may not realize it, but you probably already have a studio at your disposal, even if you are on the road. It\u2019s small, lined with sound-absorbent material and is shock-mounted to prevent mechanical vibrations.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

That mobile studio just happens to be your car. Yes, your vehicle may actually be a better temporary recording space than a room in your hotel. In fact, a lot of professional voices<\/a> prefer their vehicle to record even when they\u2019re home. To improve the quality of your recording, consider the following tips:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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1<\/strong><\/td>\r\nPlace blankets on the dashboard and windshield<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
2<\/strong><\/td>\r\nPut a blanket over yourself<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
3<\/strong><\/td>\r\nPark in a quiet, safe place, grab your portable recording equipment and go for it<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
4<\/strong><\/td>\r\nMake sure you haven\u2019t parked near Elephant\u2019s drinking spot<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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\"voice<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Here’s how Dutch voice over Jakob<\/a> does it on holidays.<\/small><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you don\u2019t have a car or still don\u2019t feel comfortable recording there, you can easily turn your hotel room into a recording studio<\/a>. If possible, ask for a room that is at the quietest point of the hotel \u2013 in other words, far away from the lobby or swimming pool. This will help you avoid unnecessary background noise.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Ever wondered who uses those luggage racks<\/a> in hotel rooms? Believe it or not, but with a few modifications, this can make a fantastic portable recording booth. Simply open it up, place it on the bed or desk and drape a heavy blanket over it, leaving one side open. For additional sound absorption, place pillows inside along the edges or put a towel underneath the luggage rack. Set your recording equipment inside near the open edge and begin recording<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You can also use the mini bar as a makeshift recording studio. Simply remove the contents (including the racks), unplug the cable and place your recording equipment inside. If desired, you can also line the inside with pillows to increase sound absorption. We advise to hold off on drinking the contents of the bottles until the recording\u2019s done. \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If neither of these choices suits you, there\u2019s also the option of purchasing and bringing along a Porta Booth<\/a>. Here\u2019s what a recording in one of these portable recording booths actually sounds like<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Still skeptical? Here\u2019s an example of a professional voiceover that was recorded in a vehicle. Have a listen and judge for yourself. The first minute<\/strong> of this music video has been recorded in the car of the talented Dutch voice over Boet<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Managing acoustics<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

To bypass poor acoustics, a boom or shotgun microphone<\/a> is a great tool, as it\u2019s designed to only capture your voice. It\u2019s also very important to have a decent pop filter \/ cap \/ isolation ball<\/a> for your microphone so it doesn\u2019t pick up all the ambient sounds and other noises you don\u2019t want to be recorded. Finally, it\u2019s a good idea to invest in a small tripod<\/a> to hold your mic.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019re recording in your vehicle, be aware of additional sounds, like the noise created by your A\/C or heater. It\u2019s also essential to bring a pair of quality headphones to review your recordings.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to record<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you are using a laptop make sure you turn the mic away from it so the built-in fan doesn\u2019t get picked up on your recording \u2013 or better yet, switch it off entirely until you\u2019ve finished your recording (this blog<\/a> helps you do just that). When switching off your fan, keep in mind that it normally spins for a reason to cool down your device. So keep the length of a session to a minimum and use intervals if necessary. It may get a bit steamy but you can always cool down afterward in the pool.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

You can extend your distance from the laptop with a 10\u2019 XLR cable. Software like Pro Tools, Logic, Audition or even Audacity should be sufficient to obtain a quality recording.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Alternatively, you can use an iPad, provided it has the proper software and microphone setup. Software like Garageband and the built-in recorder should suffice! Simply connect your iPad with a device like the IRIG<\/a> and you should be good to go!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Audio processor \/ AD converter<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If you\u2019re going to record voice overs while on vacation, it can be useful to bring along a small audio processor \/ AD converter that fits in your suitcase. Keep in mind, however, that the processor should work as well as a larger one does. After all, you don\u2019t want to compromise on quality.<\/p>\r\n

At Voicebooking.com we sometimes have to send a voice back into the studio, because the wind blowing through palm trees and flapping parrots are nice to see, but not to hear in recorded audio. Just consider before sending your audio over whether you\u2019d be satisfied with your recording if you\u2019d be working from home. If the answer is no, we advise you to postpone the project until you\u2019re back home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The CEntrance MicPort Pro<\/a> and Shure X2uXLR-to-USB Signal Adapter<\/a> are both small, but powerful and work great. Of course, if you really value your clients and good quality, you should invest in a high-end processor such as the Apogee Duet<\/a> for Mac and iPad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Voice over studio<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What\u2019s even better is finding a voice over studio near your location that suits your needs and those of your clients. Voice Over Studio Finder<\/a> is a helpful website where you can search among a wide variety of studios located across the globe. They share very useful details on their profile pages, including:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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