George The Tech’s Home Studio Tips for Voice Actors
Great voice acting deserves great sound. Here's how to get it.
Think you need a fancy recording booth and thousands of dollars in equipment to become a voice actor? Think again!
My personal home studio superhero, George Whittam (aka George The Tech), recently joined us for Voicelings Legends Live to share his expert advice on building a professional-sounding home studio without breaking the bank.
George has been my go-to audio expert for years, and trust me, good sound matters! You could be the most talented voice actor in the world, but if your auditions don't sound professional, you could be missing out on jobs. From choosing the right recording space to finding the best equipment for your budget, here are George's top tips to help you sound your best.
Your Recording Space Matters More Than Your Microphone
When you're submitting voice acting auditions, sound quality matters! Casting directors need to hear your performance, not background noise, echoes, or distortion. You don't want poor audio standing between you and your next booking.
George explained that your recording space can account for roughly 70% to 85% of your sound quality. Even the fanciest microphone can't fix a room full of echoes. But here's the good news: You don't need a professional recording booth to sound great!
A closet full of clothes, a quiet corner with acoustic blankets, or even a makeshift blanket fort can help absorb sound. George's advice for turning a closet into a voice acting studio? Don't empty it out! Clothing, pillows, and even stuffed animals can help create a better recording environment. As George put it, "Clutter is your friend!"
Know the Difference Between Soundproofing and Acoustic Treatment
Here's something that surprises a lot of beginner voice actors: Making your recording space sound better isn't the same as soundproofing it.
Acoustic treatment helps control how sound behaves inside your recording space. Think blankets, clothing, and acoustic panels that absorb sound and reduce echoes. Soundproofing, on the other hand, keeps outside noise from entering your space.
George explained that even expensive portable recording booths aren't necessarily soundproof. Truly isolating a room from outside noise can require extensive construction and a much bigger investment. For beginners, find the quietest space available and improve its acoustics with affordable materials.
And if you're recording in a closet, don't forget about comfort and ventilation! Your studio should support your performance, not make you feel like you're melting halfway through it!
Create a Consistent Home Recording Setup
Once you've found a good recording space, the next step is making it consistent. George recommended finding a nook, corner, or closet where you can keep your microphone in the same position every time you record.
Why? Consistency! Casting directors and production teams need dependable audio quality, especially when you're recording multiple sessions for the same project.
George also explained the importance of room tone, the subtle background sound of your recording environment when you're not speaking. Engineers use it during editing to create seamless dialogue. If your setup changes between sessions, matching recordings becomes much harder.
Plus, having a ready-to-go home studio means you can respond quickly when an audition or booking comes your way. And in this business, sometimes you need to be ready at a moment's notice!
For more advice, check out my tips on how to be studio-ready to record.
You Don't Need an Expensive Microphone to Get Started
Now, let's talk equipment. When it comes to microphones, price doesn't always equal quality. George explained that a $100 microphone can produce excellent recordings in the right environment. You don't have to spend $3,000 to sound professional!
For voice actors on a budget, he recommended exploring established brands, including:
- Audio-Technica: The AT2020 and AT2035 are affordable options, especially used.
- MXL: Offers microphones at accessible prices.
- AKG: An established brand with budget-friendly options.
George also suggested checking used-equipment marketplaces like Reverb to stretch your budget.
His biggest recommendation? Prioritize your recording environment first, then invest in a quality microphone when you're ready. Remember, my Voicelings, it's your talent that brings a character to life. Your microphone is there to capture that magic!
Learn How to Control Your Microphone Gain
Once you've got your microphone, every aspiring voice actor should understand one technical skill: microphone gain.
Gain controls how much your microphone's signal is amplified. Set it too high, and your audio can distort or clip, especially during louder character performances. The last thing you want is a great audition ruined by distorted audio!
George explained that some USB microphones don't offer easy access to gain controls. For voice actors preparing to work professionally, he emphasized choosing equipment that lets you adjust recording levels. An XLR microphone connected to an audio interface is one option.
Learn to manage your levels so your equipment can keep up with your performance, whether you're whispering, shouting, or bringing an animated character to life!
Get Your Recording Right Before You Start Editing
Wondering how much audio processing to apply to your auditions? George's advice was simple: Start with the cleanest recording possible. A quiet, acoustically treated space means less to fix afterward.
He cautioned against relying too heavily on automated audio-enhancement tools. Some make recordings sound overly processed, masking the natural nuances of your performance. And voice acting is ALL about those nuances!
Professional tools like EQ (equalization), noise reduction, and customized processing presets can help, but they work best with good source audio.
The takeaway? Focus on creating great sound at the source rather than fixing everything in post-production. Your goal is clean, natural audio that lets your performance shine.
Don't Let Perfectionism Stop You From Starting
One of my favorite moments came when a Voicelings student asked how to make his audio sound perfect. And I had to share something I've learned over the years: "Perfect is boring." Seriously!
Whether you're experimenting with your first microphone or building your dream studio, you don't have to get everything right on day one. Your goal is to keep learning, improving, creating, and having FUN.
George reminded everyone that building a professional recording setup is a process. What you need as a beginner isn't necessarily what you'll need when you're booking regular jobs.
Start where you are. Learn what you can. Invest in yourself as you grow.
Your unique voice is what makes you special. Don't let technical challenges or perfectionism keep you from sharing it with the world!
Keep Learning With George The Tech and Voicelings
I can't thank George enough for sharing his expertise with Voicelings! He's helped me navigate tech challenges throughout my career, and I'm so grateful he's sharing that knowledge with the next generation of voice actors.
Ready to take your home studio to the next level? We've got some special resources just for you!
George The Tech's Voicelings Expansion Pack
George has created an Expansion Pack available exclusively through Voicelings to help you improve your home studio setup and recording quality. Whether you're just starting or refining your sound, it's a fantastic opportunity to learn from one of the best!
Sign in to your Voicelings account. Head to the Dashboard. Look for Expansions, and there you go!
Get 20% Off George The Tech's Services
Voicelings students get 20% off George The Tech's professional services, from troubleshooting audio issues to upgrading equipment and getting a professional sound check.
George has also made free resources available to Voicelings students. Just sign in to explore them!
Become a Voiceling
You don't need the perfect studio to start chasing your voice acting dreams!
At Voicelings, you'll learn voice acting from me, Tara Strong, and industry professionals like George through our live events. You'll also get access to past event recordings, including George's session, to keep learning at your own pace.
Ready to find your voice and bring characters to life? Join our Voicelings family!
