What is your process for editing your own voice over recordings?

We can provide you with a general process that voice over professionals often follow when editing their recordings:

1. Review Recordings:
   • Listen to the recorded audio files to identify any mistakes, pauses, breaths, or background noise that need to be addressed.
2. Organize Files:
   • Create a clear and organized folder structure to store the original recordings, edited files, and any additional assets.
3. Remove Background Noise:
   • Use noise reduction tools or plugins to eliminate unwanted background noise, such as room ambiance or electronic hum.
4. Cut Out Mistakes:
   • Identify sections with mistakes, stumbles, or retakes. Use precise editing tools to cut out these portions while maintaining smooth transitions.
5. Adjust Timing:
   • Ensure that the pacing of the recording is consistent and aligned with the script’s intended flow. Make necessary adjustments to timing.
6. Smooth Breaths and Pauses:
   • Edit out excessive breath sounds or extended pauses that disrupt the natural flow of the narration.
7. Normalize Audio Levels:
   • Apply normalization to balance the overall volume of the recording. This helps avoid sudden volume changes between different parts.
8. Equalization (EQ):
   • Use EQ to enhance or adjust the tonal quality of the voice. Address any unwanted frequencies that may be affecting clarity.
9. Compression:
   • Apply light compression to even out the dynamic range of the recording, making soft parts more audible and loud parts less harsh.
10. De-Essing:
    • Use a de-esser to reduce or remove harsh sibilant sounds (such as “s” and “sh” sounds) that can be distracting.
11. Plosive Correction:
    • Address plosive sounds (like “p” and “b” sounds) using a pop filter during recording or by applying corrective measures in editing.
12. Volume Automation:
    • Adjust volume levels within phrases or sentences for a more consistent and natural-sounding delivery.
13. Final Review:
    • Listen to the edited recording in its entirety to ensure all changes are seamless and the narration sounds polished.
14. Export and Save:
    • Export the edited audio file in the required format (e.g., WAV, MP3) and save it in the appropriate location.
15. Backup Files:
    • Create backups of both the original recordings and the edited files to prevent data loss.
16. Deliver Files:
    • If the edited recording is for a client, ensure the file is named appropriately and delivered according to their specifications.

It’s important to note that while many voice over professionals edit their own recordings, some may choose to work with dedicated audio engineers or editors for more complex projects. The editing process may also vary based on the specific requirements of the project and the preferences of the voice actor.