Curious about how to record and save your vocal performances? This primer will give you a brief overview of software and how to use it.
In this part of the Voice Acting 101 series, we’ll be covering recording software. There are quite a few options for you to use if you’re looking to record yourself whether it’s for a podcast or voice acting.
What software can I record myself with?
Depending on how in-depth you want to go or how much you have to spend, it will make a difference in the software you choose to go with. There are several different options available.
Audio Software
- Audacity – Cost: Free
- Adobe Audition – Cost: $22.99 a month subscription
Video Software
- HitFilm – Cost: Free
- Adobe Spark – Cost: Free
- Adobe Premiere – Cost: $22.99 a month subscription
GRAPHICS Software
- Canva – Cost: Free w/ Premium Options
- Adobe Spark – Cost: Free
- Adobe Illustrator – Cost: $22.99 a month subscription
NOTE: You can subscribe to specific products, such as Audition and Premiere, or to a package of products through Creative Cloud Complete. Adobe offers a 60% discount to students and teachers. They also offer non-profit discounts. You can get more information here.
Saving Your Recordings
How should I save my recordings? That’s a question that we sometimes hear when recording actors remotely. So what formats or audio quality should I save my audio in?
More than likely for just starting out, you’ll be using Audacity. So for this example, I’ll show you how you should save the files.
- This portion displays your default microphone. If you have more than one for example a dedicated microphone or a webcam, you do not want to use the webcam audio.
- This portion displays your default listening device. You’ll want to be sure it’s not an external speaker or monitor audio and that it’s a set of headphones.
- To save your recording, click File.
- Select the Export option.
- Select, Export as MP3.
- Be sure to type in the file name here. For example I typed the season, episode with a hyphen for the scene number, followed by the character name.
- Click Average.
- Select the quality as 192kbps.
- Click Save in your designated area.
That’s it for now! Stay tuned for the next post where I’ll be discussing screenwriting and script software. Until next time