In this article, you will find out which voice recording software established professionals use so that you can choose the right one for you.
Purchasing the Right Voice Recording Software for Your Needs
You may be tempted to save some money on your voice over software, and you may also ask yourself: “Should I just use a free software package for recording my audio files instead?”
When software is available for free, some may naturally equate the price (or lack thereof) with “low quality.” However, there are several reliable programs available for no cost or low cost, many of which are easily available to download.
To help you decide if investing in software — or downloading it for free — is a better option for your needs, it’s worth asking yourself a few key questions.
Which Voice Recording Software is Best for You in 2024?
If you want great vocal quality for your professional voice over demos, auditions or even your podcast, there are some considerations to keep in mind as you scope out the best software solution for your situation.
Here are seven questions to ask yourself to determine which voice recording software is the right option for you:
1. Do you identify as a professional voice actor?
With the professional title, there may come an expectation for professional-grade equipment and software. Research what the ‘pros’ use and see if the program is generally available for free or if it tends to be a cost of business. In a survey conducted by Voices, Adobe Audition was found to be the most popular software used, followed by Audacity and Pro Tools with honorable mentions to GarageBand and Logic Pro.
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2. What voice over software might your clients be using?
If you collaborate, will it be compatible with what you have in your studio? Compatibility is important. While it’s impossible to anticipate what every client uses, at least understanding the industry standard can be very helpful in deciding between software options and will help you determine if certain programs are more compatible with a wider range of other software.
3. Is the software user-friendly?
How useful is something if you can’t use it? If the software company provides self-help videos or support to help you with the steep learning curve, then it may just be a matter of sitting down and tinkering with it. If those resources aren’t available or as helpful as you’d expect, it might be time to find one better suited to your needs.
4. Does it allow you to do what you need to do?
A good quality program should have all of the tools you need to do your job. Virtually all recording software will do what you need, but the interfaces themselves can be filled with unique bells and whistles that can either be very helpful for your line of work or clutter the workspace with features you don’t need.
5. Is it compatible with your system and hardware?
Whatever tech you acquire should be compatible not only with your computer’s operating system but with your mic and other hardware as well.
6. How does it sound when you use it?
Quality is key! It’s the key to your decision in choosing a DAW, your success, your productivity and becoming successful in your career. Professionals understand that high-quality audio files are the result of proper recording techniques before the post-production phase, but everyone needs to touch up their audio files to some degree. If the software allows you to edit your files without leaving noticeable artifacts throughout the audio, then it could very well be the one for you!
7. What do reviewers say online?
If the program has a poor rating, it may not be worth your money or your time. This is where ground-floor advice from the voice over community comes into play. There is no input more valuable than from those who use the software day in and day out.
The Best Voice Over Software Is the One That Works for You
By now, it should be clear that the software that is best for your recordings depends more on how you intend to use it.
After exploring the information above, you should now have an understanding of whether it’s worth it for you to invest in software as the best move for your business, or if free software can help you accomplish what you need to.
You may also be interested in recording your voice on the go using a mobile app. Many mobile apps enable voice actors to record high-quality voice over directly onto a phone, so we compiled a list of the best mobile apps that voice actors should download to up their voice acting game.