How do you record and edit voice-over and narration using Audacity or Pro Tools?

Keep in mind that even microphones within the same category—dynamic or condenser—can exhibit variations in their frequency responses. Experiment with different microphones to discover the one that best complements your unique voice qualities. For instance, if your voice tends to lean towards higher frequencies, consider trying a microphone that accentuates your lower range, and vice versa. Ultimately, you'll know you have the right microphone when you feel confident with the sound of your own voice.

For those with hardwood floors, it's worth considering the addition of a carpet or a thin mat beneath your feet and microphone stand. For a makeshift yet effective setup within your bedroom, follow these steps: Open both doors of your wardrobe to expose the hanging clothes, position yourself with your back to the wardrobe, and place the microphone about a foot away, directed towards your mouth. This arrangement effectively absorbs echoes within the room, contributing to a cleaner sound. Remember, in the realm of voice-over, achieving a dry acoustic environment is crucial. This dryness significantly enhances the clarity of your words for the audience's better understanding.

Mark down that a proper level of recording , is around the -18dbfs . So , when you’re in the gain staging , adjust your preamp level so that you reach around -18dbfs as an average and peaks up to -6. The peaks are more important than the average so that you can avoid a distorted signal . Keep the levels within that range and you’re good to go !

In an ideal setup, use a note holder for your script and a separate stand for your laptop, facilitating easy recording control and level monitoring. Lacking stands, opt to sit on the floor or try to use a compact desk. Prioritize controlled recording over loudness, aiming for max peak levels near -6dB. When errors occur, pause briefly, then resume from the interruption point. Editing and comping would come at a later stage in this process for seamless refinement.

While the array of tools and functions might appear overwhelming, rest assured that you need not master them all at once. Begin by familiarizing yourself with essential techniques: cutting, editing, and incorporating fade-ins and fade-outs. As your editing proficiency grows, you'll gain the ability to manipulate speech rhythm and pace. Notably, recurring speech errors become evident, affording the opportunity for enhanced diction and intonation through self-editing.

For video editing, the widely advised audio export settings involve a 48kHz sampling rate and 24-bit resolution—this serves as the baseline standard. Additionally, it's beneficial to establish your preferred frame rate, such as 24 or 25fps, or any other you might be using. When selecting formats, most video editing software favors WAV (Windows) or AIFF (MacOS) file types.