How To Improve The Sound Of The Elgato Wave:3 Microphone For Voice-Overs
In this video, I examine an audio submission from a voice-over artist using an Elgato Wave:3 USB microphone. He’s come to me to improve the sound of his voice so he can win more auditions and get more work. Although the Elgato Wave:3 USB microphone isn’t a professional-level voice-over microphone, the sound can be improved with better room treatment, EQ, and other audio signal processors.
I first describe the limitations of the recording space and the equipment used and then explain how each can be improved to offer a better voice recording. First, the microphone used in this submission captures voice and voice reflections from the reflective surfaces in the recording space. These reflections must be eliminated to improve the quality of the raw recording. Second, the Elgato Wave:3 combines three vital components in a recording system: the microphone, the microphone preamp, and the AD/DA converter. While they may be capable, higher-quality components are usually required to deliver professional voice-over recordings.
Most importantly, I discuss that we are all in a different location on our voice-over journey. This also includes our equipment and recording production skills. As long as you are learning, you can improve your voice-over quality and continue to level up. There are many things, other than acquiring a more professional/expensive microphone, you can do to improve the quality of your voice recording. Removing the reflections in your recording space and using processing like EQ can provide a sizable sonic improvement in your voice recordings.
What Is A Custom Preset And Why Do I Need One?
A custom processing preset for your voice-over is a series of plugins explicitly tuned for your voice, in your room, and on your microphone. If you want to compete in today's voice-over world, you must ensure that your demos and auditions are extraordinary. Voice-over artists at every experience level from all over the world are fighting to win work. However, if you don't have a professional sound, you will lose out to someone who does.
Custom voice-over processing presets can take your audio presentation quality to the level necessary to compete with the pros. Instead of taking it upon yourself to tweak the parameters like EQ, compression, DeEssing, and saturation to name a few, you can hire a professional voice-over audio engineer to create it for you. Once you have the custom preset on your system, you have "The Sound" every time you press the record button. The investment pays for itself with the money and time saved. Here are the top reasons why they are so popular:
- A custom processing preset lets you focus on your strengths, leaving more time for pitching your voice-over and less time stumbling with engineering.
- A custom processing preset gives you the confidence necessary to help you perform your best.
- A custom processing preset allows you to outshine the competition, win more auditions, and get more work.
Demo Your Custom Voice-Over Preset Sound Free!
Once you submit your voice for processing, you will be notified if your audio recording quality needs improvement or if it's ready for prime time. If your production quality needs improvement, you will be offered suggestions to help identify and resolve any issues before being asked to resubmit audio. On the other hand, if your audio recording quality is up to par, you will receive a sample of your custom-tuned processed sound to review for free.
About The Author
Lenny B is a professional voice-over audio engineer. Thousands of voice-over artists worldwide trust Lenny to improve their voice-over production quality and presentation.
