The ideal distance to the diaphragm
When recording a low voice, we encounter a specific phenomenon in the studio: the proximity effect. The closer the speaker is to the microphone, the stronger the low tones are amplified. This can sound very beautiful and intimate, but it can also make the recording muddy and unintelligible.
Our director's tip for the perfect balance is the rule of thumb. Have the voice actor spread their hand, with their thumb against their lips and their little finger against the pop filter of the microphone. This is the ideal basic distance of about fifteen centimetres. This maintains the warm, deep tones of the voice without plosive sounds, such as 'p' and 't', overloading the recording.
How we build up the recording step by step
Recording a voice is a meticulous process that we always approach with a fixed structure. This ensures consistent quality and prevents surprises later.
- Voice warm-up: The voice actor warms up their vocal cords with specific exercises to sharpen articulation.
- Microphone adjustment: We determine the correct distance and angle of the microphone, tailored to the specific sound of the voice.
- Test recording: We record a few test sentences to check the volume and vocal colour in the control room.
- Recording session: We record the text in various takes, varying in pace and emphasis.
- Post-production: We select the best takes, clean up disturbing clicks and breaths, and optimise the sound balance.
Selecting the right voice in practice
On our platform, we work exclusively with professional voice actors selected by our agency. With a selection of 93 publicly available voices, you can find a suitable voice for every project. If you are looking for a specific foreign voice, for example, you might consider Giovanni, whose Italian voice gives a smooth and stylish character to a commercial.
Our clients appreciate this meticulous approach. Joey, for instance, shared his review: "Fast service!" André was also very satisfied and wrote: "Fast delivery. Superb quality! Professional handling. In short, I am completely satisfied and can definitely recommend Voices." Patrick also praised the extra service: "Fast service, a free test recording, and a professionally recorded voicemail message. Very satisfied and warmly recommended!"