Beginner Voiceover Audio: What You Really Need to Know

Stop Obsessing Over “Perfect” Audio — Here’s What Actually Matters in Voiceover

Let’s get this out of the way: yes, your audio quality matters. You can’t expect to book work if your audio is filled with hiss, hum, or your neighbor’s weed whacker.

BUT…

Most clients aren’t blasting your audition through reference monitors at full volume, searching for microscopic traces of room tone. They’re listening for one thing above all else: Your performance.

Too many new voice actors waste months obsessing over achieving “A-1” audio before they even audition. They fall down the gear rabbit hole or tweak plugins endlessly, thinking that’s the secret. It’s not.

The secret is getting good, clean sound—and then focusing on bringing scripts to life with authentic, compelling reads. So how do you strike the right balance between quality audio and real-world efficiency?

Here’s a solid roadmap:

1. Treat Your Recording Space First

Before you touch a single plugin or think about expensive gear, start by treating your space. Even a $1,200 mic will sound awful in a bad room. Sound panels, moving blankets, Auralex foam—whatever fits your budget, do what you can to create a controlled, quiet environment. A dead room = clean recordings. Period.

2. Once You’ve Got a Clean Sound, THEN Explore Plugins

With a treated space, you’ll be surprised how good even modest gear can sound. That’s when it’s time to fine-tune your audio with a few essential tools: EQ, compression, and limiting. The goal? Make sure your sound is clear, not distorted, and doesn’t come off too boomy or boxy. Boomy means the audio has too much low-end or bass, making your voice sound overly thick, muddy, or exaggerated—like you're talking into a barrel. Boxy refers to a hollow, midrange-heavy sound, usually caused by recording in a small or untreated space, making it feel like your voice is trapped in a cardboard box.

3. Helpful Plugin Settings to Get You Started

Everyone’s voice is different, but here’s a general starting point:

EQ:

Roll off the low end around 80–100 Hz to remove rumble.

Gently cut any muddy frequencies (usually between 200–400 Hz).

Add a slight high shelf around 10 kHz for clarity and air.

Compressor:

Ratio: 3:1 to 4:1

Attack: ~10 ms

Release: ~100 ms

Aim for 3–6 dB of gain reduction while speaking

Limiter:

Threshold: -1 dB {Set it last in your chain to prevent peaks or clipping}

Keep your chain simple and clean. Less is often more.

4. Invest in the Right Gear (But Don’t Go Broke Doing It)

You don’t need to build a $10,000 studio to sound professional.

A good XLR mic and a reliable interface will do the trick. For beginners, I love the Rode NT1 and Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. Affordable, reliable, and excellent when paired with a well-treated space.

Also: Buy real headphones. You need to hear exactly what you’re recording. A $50 pair of noise-canceling cans from Target? Nope. Get something designed for monitoring—Audio-Technica and Beyerdynamic both make great options.

5. Work With a Coach (And Send Them Audio!)

If you're serious about building a voiceover career, get a coach. And once you have a basic setup, send them your audio. They’ll tell you if it’s good enough—or what needs to be fixed. At UVT Coaching, we offer specific sessions that are tailored to helping our students set up their recording space.

And here’s the truth: slight imperfections won’t kill your chances. Most clients won’t even notice, and even if they do, they care way more about how you sound as a performer. Let me be clear: I’m not saying to settle for mediocre audio. I'm saying don't waste months chasing flawless sound when your delivery is what ultimately gets you hired.

Bottom Line?

Clean, professional audio is important—but great performances are what books work.

So treat your space, get solid gear, learn the basics of editing—and then focus on what matters most: Being a damn good voice actor. If you are interested in coaching with us and getting professional demos produced, please visit our VO training course page on this site at https://www.uvtcoaching.com/voiceover-coaching-programs If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. We are always available to help!