What Is The Best Recording Level For Voice-Overs?

There are many different philosophies and suggestions on the "best" recording level for voice-over. However, I'm going to show you my approach. I'll explain precisely what that level is for me and why I think it is the best choice. Getting a good recording level is the foundation and the infrastructure of a professional sound. If you don’t get a proper recording level for your voice, you could have less-than-optimal sound quality, and nothing you do after the fact can resolve the issue altogether. However, when done correctly, a proper recording level prepares your final audio to sound great.

This Is The Best Recording Level For Voice-Over

Use your preamp (or audio interface's) gain to adjust the recording level so it's as high as possible while NEVER peaking over -6db on your peak meter. Averaging between -18db and -10db on the peak meter is healthy.

Here's Why It's The Best Recording Level For Voice-Overs

Getting as high as you can while never peaking over -6 dB gives you the least amount of noise in the system, optimizes interaction with processing effects (plugins), and gives you massive leeway during the mixing process. It also standardizes your voice-over products (consistency).

I've produced an affordable and quick video training course called Optimum Recording Level For Voice-Over. Once you complete this course, you will feel confident that the RAW recordings you send to your clients look and sound professional, you’ll feel confident that your recordings are well-prepped for processing and mastering, and you’ll feel confident that your recordings will have a standard high-quality consistency from one project to the next, just like the pros. The training course includes:

• Simple Meter Reading: Understand the data the input meter is showing you in your DAW.
• Proper Level Benefits: Learn why a proper recording level is so crucial for voice recording quality.
• Preamp Gain: Learn how to use the gain in your preamp to optimize your voice recording.
• Walkthroughs: Watch recording-level setting walkthroughs on different popular DAWs. Look inside the course!