{"id":3485,"date":"2019-10-03T21:30:01","date_gmt":"2019-10-04T02:30:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thevoicerealm.com\/blog\/?p=3485"},"modified":"2025-10-27T04:15:19","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T09:15:19","slug":"positioning-guide-for-recording-voice-overs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thevoicerealm.com\/blog\/positioning-guide-for-recording-voice-overs\/","title":{"rendered":"Positioning Guide For Recording Voice Overs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The way you position yourself when you record scripts seems to be a no brainer task and something you would not bother complicating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We aim to inculcate to every voice actor that though you should be really just enjoying doing voice overs, no step should be undervalued. And so shouldn\u2019t be recording positions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The position you record your voice over, particularly ones that are long like audiobooks affects the tone, clarity and consistency. If you are recording for long periods of time, you\u2019ll probably slouch after an hour or two. Slouching not just changes your position, but also diminishes your energy, affecting the overall quality of your voice. Your position when you record voice over is critical as it also plays part in keeping you in character. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Generally, if you place the microphone too close to your mouth, you might get that distorted clipping sound. On the other hand, if you position it too far from you, you pick up more ambient noise with the audio being less discernible. <\/p>\n\n\n

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What\u2019s the safest microphone position?<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

By setting the microphone 6 to 12 inches from you, you\u2019ll get a crisp clear voice. Also, make sure the microphone\u2019s not right next to the computer so it doesn\u2019t pick up the fan noise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, you may either record your voice overs while sitting or standing. There is a lot of debate on whether it is better to sit while recording or to stand. It\u2019s actually case to case basis. Let\u2019s see the pros and cons for both:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sitting Position<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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If your recording equipment<\/a> is extensive, the first choice would be to sit near the microphone for maximum comfort. Here are the the pros and cons of sitting at the mic while recording voice overs:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros:\t<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

You can record for longer period of time. Because of absolute comfort and convenience, recording on a sitting position allows you to create a more intimate atmosphere and record with a soft, gentle voice. You need not to try hard to achieve the quality of voice that you want because of ease, hence, this position gives you a seamless voice acting experience<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cons:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Because you are seated, you have limited freedom for hand gestures. This is especially important because you may need to adjust let\u2019s say the microphone per se or you may need to do something urgent in your computer. Also, your voice overs may lack personality because body language isn\u2019t possible. But this one is achievable. It\u2019s a matter of practice and strategy in  bringing the characters in your script into life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are also some health implications for sitting for too long. Sitting or lying down for too long increases your risk of chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Sitting too long also gives you the inevitable back pain and muscle cramps. To know more about the dangers of sitting for extended periods of time, read on this article from Better Health Channel.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standing Position<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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Your voice over coach may advise you during your vocal exercises<\/a>, \u201cKeep your body in the right posture\u201d. <\/em>This by default, means standing. Many voice actors and especially singers definitely find it appropriate to stand at the microphone while recording their voices. However right, it still depends on the case for voice actors. Let\u2019s look at the pros and cons of recording in this position:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pros:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Because you have more freedom to move, your body language can be \u2018heard\u2019 in your voice. Breathing is of course more comfortable when you\u2019re standing so it brings more energy to the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cons:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

It is needless to say that you should not record a script that contains 6000 words on a standing position. Simply, there are voice over genres<\/a> where standing applies when recording, and the other way around. If you record scripts for literally hours, it is impossible for you to not get tired. Your voice will be drastically affected if you do that. Certain medical conditions (if any) can also get worse if you stand for too long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unquestionably, standing is going to produce better sound and a better voice over. There\u2019s just something about not being hunched over that makes you come across better. In addition, you can be more animated while standing up. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both ways are fine. It is of common sense to decide which fits the type of voiceover that you need to produce. Just make sure to take regular breaks while recording regardless of the recording position. <\/p>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Generally, if you place the microphone too close to your mouth, you might get that distorted clipping sound. On the other hand, if you position it too far from you, you pick up more ambient noise with the audio being less discernible. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3487,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[279,36,95],"tags":[467,202],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevoicerealm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3485"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevoicerealm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevoicerealm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevoicerealm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevoicerealm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3485"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevoicerealm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3485\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4687,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevoicerealm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3485\/revisions\/4687"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevoicerealm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3487"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.thevoicerealm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3485"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevoicerealm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3485"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.thevoicerealm.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3485"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}