You Can Do Voice Overs from Udemy

What's inside

Syllabus

Learn about the instructor's background, experience, and qualifications.

Meet your instructor, Shawn.

Learn about the different types of voice-over work and which areas of focus may fit you best.

Voice Over work comes in many flavors and areas of focus. Learn about areas you can specialize in.

Get familiar with what the terms ADR, looping, and dubbing mean.

Why do they call it "voice over"?

Learn how to create a home vocal booth recording isolation to do voice-overs from home.

Learn how to understand the common language in a recording session in order to know what to do when the director uses specific terms.

Learn how to make a word-filled script not sound rushed and satisfy the desired read times by mastering how your delivery.

Learn how to master one of the most requested skills in voice over work – tag lines and varied reads.

Learn how to read your parts effectively and realistically even when the other voices have not recorded yet.

Learn microphone techniques like proximity to ensure clean quality recordings that compete with the world's best talent.

Learn the steps to recording yourself properly.

Learn how to use audio editing software to remove unnecessary breaths from your recordings.

Learn how to remove unpleasant and plosives.

Learn about what normalizing truly is and how to use it.

Learn how to use time compression in voice-over work.

Learn how to use Pro Tools to Strip Silence.

Learn how to output sound files of your voice-over recordings.

Find resources for scripts to practice with.

Learn how to find sound effects to use with your voice-over recordings.

Learn whether or not you may need a voice-over coach.

Where do you go from here?

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Shawn Conrad, who has directed voice-over work for well-known talents, providing valuable insights and practical knowledge

Explores ADR, looping, and dubbing, which are essential terms and techniques in the voice-over industry

Covers microphone techniques and recording isolation, which are crucial for achieving professional-quality voice-over recordings at home

Teaches how to use audio editing software to remove breaths and plosives, which are common issues in voice-over recordings

Discusses finding voice-over work online and working remotely, which are increasingly important aspects of the modern voice-over industry

Requires learners to acquire microphones and mic-pres, which may pose a barrier to entry for some students

Reviews summary

Practical introduction to voice overs

According to learners, this course provides a practical and accessible introduction to the world of voice-over work. Students particularly praise the instructor's extensive real-world experience and the valuable tips on equipment setup and creating a home recording space, even on a budget. The course offers a good overview of different voice-over types and techniques. While many find the advice on finding work online and creating a demo reel helpful, some note that breaking into the industry requires significant personal effort and additional practice beyond the course material.

Course is a good start but not a guaranteed career path.

"This course gives you the roadmap, but success ultimately depends on your own practice and persistence."

"It's a solid introduction, but be prepared to put in significant personal work to build your skills."

"Getting voice over work is competitive; the course helps you prepare, but it's not a magic bullet."

"As expected, the course shows you the way, but mastering the craft requires hours of practice and refining."

Covers essential recording and editing techniques.

"Learning how to remove breaths and plosives using software was a game-changer for my recordings."

"The recording technique tips, like proximity to the mic, were very helpful."

"I appreciated the introduction to using free software for recording and editing."

"The steps on editing your voiceovers are practical and easy to follow for a beginner."

Helpful tips on next steps like demos and job hunting.

"The guidance on creating a demo reel was essential, providing clear dos and don'ts."

"I found the section on finding online work platforms very actionable."

"The 'conversation with a client' simulation was a neat way to understand remote work."

"Helped me understand the steps needed to start marketing myself."

Provides a solid foundational understanding of voice over types.

"I learned about so many different types of voice over work I didn't even know existed."

"The breakdown of ADR, looping, and other terms was very clear and helpful."

"Gave me a good sense of the different paths you can take in voice acting."

"The course covers the basics of the industry well, giving a beginner a good starting point."

Excellent guidance on setting up a home studio.

"The sections on microphones and building a home recording space were incredibly useful and saved me a lot of guesswork."

"I appreciated the tips on setting up a booth in my closet, perfect for starting out without much space."

"The course gave me clear direction on what equipment I actually needed, without overspending."

"Great advice on budget-friendly gear options for beginners."

Learners appreciate the instructor's industry background.

"Shawn's experience in the industry shines through, offering insights only a professional would know."

"His stories and practical advice come from years of doing the work, which made the content feel very real."

"I found the instructor's depth of knowledge on voice overs and production to be exceptional and highly valuable."

"Knowing the instructor worked with big names gives the advice a lot of credibility for me."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in You Can Do Voice Overs with these activities:

Review Audio Editing Basics

Show steps

Familiarize yourself with audio editing concepts and software to better understand the post-production aspects of voice-over work.

Browse courses on Audio Editing

Show steps

Watch introductory tutorials on audio editing software like Audacity or GarageBand.
Experiment with basic editing functions like cutting, pasting, and volume adjustment.
Practice removing background noise and unwanted sounds from sample audio clips.

Review 'Voice-Over for Dummies'

Show steps

Gain a broad understanding of the voice-over industry and its various facets before diving into the specifics of the course.

View Putting Knowledge to Work on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book's introduction and chapters on setting up a home studio.
Take notes on key concepts and industry terms.
Identify areas where you want to learn more during the course.

Record a Short Demo Reel

Show steps

Apply the techniques learned in the course to create a demo reel showcasing your voice-over abilities.

Show steps

Select 2-3 scripts from different genres (e.g., commercial, narration, character).
Record each script, experimenting with different tones and styles.
Edit the recordings to remove mistakes and improve sound quality.
Compile the best takes into a short demo reel (1-2 minutes).

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

Script Reading Practice

Show steps

Improve your pacing, delivery, and character work by practicing reading various scripts aloud.

Show steps

Find scripts online or in books (commercials, movie trailers, etc.).
Read each script aloud, focusing on clear pronunciation and engaging delivery.
Record yourself reading the scripts and listen back to identify areas for improvement.
Repeat the process, focusing on correcting the identified weaknesses.

Analyze Professional Voice-Over Work

Show steps

Develop a critical ear by analyzing the techniques used by professional voice-over artists.

Show steps

Select several examples of professional voice-over work (e.g., commercials, documentaries).
Listen carefully to each example, paying attention to pacing, tone, and delivery.
Write a short analysis of each example, identifying the techniques used and their effectiveness.
Share your analyses with other students for feedback and discussion.

Attend Online Voice-Over Workshops

Show steps

Connect with other voice-over artists and industry professionals to learn new techniques and find opportunities.

Show steps

Search for online voice-over workshops and webinars.
Attend at least one workshop or webinar.
Take notes on the key takeaways and new techniques learned.
Connect with other attendees and instructors.

Seek Feedback from Voice-Over Professionals

Show steps

Get personalized feedback on your voice-over work from experienced professionals.

Show steps

Identify voice-over professionals whose work you admire.
Reach out to them and ask for feedback on your demo reel or recordings.
Be prepared to receive constructive criticism and implement their suggestions.

Career center

Learners who complete You Can Do Voice Overs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Voice Actor

A career as a voice actor involves using your voice to bring characters or narratives to life in various media. This course is directly relevant, as it provides a comprehensive introduction to the world of voice-over work, from understanding the different types of voice-over roles to mastering recording and editing techniques. With insights from an experienced voice-over talent and sound engineer, participants build the skills needed to create professional quality recordings. Learning how to work with directors, understand pacing, and deliver varied reads are essential skills for any voice actor. Moreover, the course's focus on creating a demo reel and finding voice-over work online provides practical guidance for launching a career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Voice Actor

Commercial Voice Actor

Commercial voice actors provide voice-overs for radio, television, and online advertisements. This course directly applies to those wishing to become commercial voice actors. The course covers recording and editing techniques that ensure professional quality voice-overs. The curriculum focuses on tag lines and varied reads, which are common in commercial work. The course's instruction on microphone techniques help commercial voice actors produce crisp and clear audio.

See salaries and explore the career path for Commercial Voice Actor

Audiobook Narrator

The job of an audiobook narrator is to read books aloud in an engaging manner for listeners. This course directly applies, offering essential knowledge and skills for success as an audiobook narrator. The course curriculum covers microphone techniques, recording best practices, and audio editing, which help ensure high-quality recordings. The course emphasizes mastering pacing and varied reads, valuable for any book narrator. The insights into remote work and finding online opportunities are especially relevant, considering the increasing demand for remote audiobook narrators.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audiobook Narrator

Elearning Narrator

An eLearning narrator provides voice-overs for online courses and training materials. As an eLearning narrator, you must capture and retain the attention of learners through vocal inflection. This course is directly relevant to this role. The course covers recording and editing techniques specific to voice overs, including microphone techniques and editing software. The focus on pacing and working with scripts helps ensure clear and engaging narration. The course provides insight into working remotely, which is often a requirement for eLearning narrators.

See salaries and explore the career path for Elearning Narrator

Voice Over Coach

A voice over coach helps aspiring voice actors develop their skills and techniques. This course is valuable for those aspiring to become voice-over coaches. The course provides the fundamentals of voice over, including microphone techniques, recording, and editing. Learning about different types of voice-over work and how to create a home vocal booth may give coaches a foundation for instructing others. Furthermore, the instructor's extensive background as a voice-over talent and sound engineer can provide valuable expertise to share.

See salaries and explore the career path for Voice Over Coach

Dubbing Artist

Dubbing artists replace the original dialogue in a film or television show with a new language or voice. This course is helpful for a person wishing to become a dubbing artist. The course covers recording and editing techniques critical to dubbing. Learning how to understand pacing and work with scripts may help artists synchronize their voice with the on-screen action. The course provides insights into working remotely, which is often a requirement for dubbing projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Dubbing Artist

Video Game Voice Actor

A video game voice actor provides voices for characters in video games. This course is useful for aspiring video game voice actors. The course curriculum covers different types of voice-over work, including those relevant to video games such looping and dubbing. Instruction on working with directors, understanding pacing, and creating varied reads are essential skills for video game voice acting. The course's focus on creating a demo reel and finding voice-over work assists aspiring actors.

See salaries and explore the career path for Video Game Voice Actor

Animation Voice Actor

Animation voice actors provide voices for animated characters in television, film, and video games. This course may be useful for animation voice actors. The course emphasizes understanding pacing, working from scripts, and delivering varied reads, which may help voice actors bring characters to life. Instruction on microphone techniques and recording may also improve audio quality for animation projects.

See salaries and explore the career path for Animation Voice Actor

Podcast Producer

Podcast producers oversee the creation and production of podcast episodes. This course may be useful to podcast producers. The course offers insights into audio recording and editing techniques that can be applied to enhance podcast quality. Instruction on microphone techniques, removing unwanted sounds, and using audio editing software can help producers create polished, professional podcasts. The course may also provide a foundation for communicating effectively with voice talent.

See salaries and explore the career path for Podcast Producer

Corporate Narrator

Corporate narrators provide voice overs for company videos, training materials, and presentations. This course may be useful for corporate narrators. The course offers an introduction to recording and editing techniques. The course emphasizes working with a script to help ensure that corporate messaging is clear and persuasive. Learning how to find voice-over work online can also help corporate narrators expand their client base.

See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Narrator

Audio Engineer

Audio engineers record, mix, and master sound for various media, including music, film, and television. This course may be useful to audio engineers. The course teaches microphone techniques, recording best practices, and audio editing. Learning how to remove unwanted sounds, normalize audio, and use audio editing software may help engineers refine their skills. The instructor's background as a sound engineer may also be useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer

Voice Over Director

Voice-over directors guide and instruct voice actors during recording sessions to achieve the desired performance. This course may be useful for aspiring voice-over directors. The course provides insight into recording techniques that would be helpful for any director. Learning about working with scripts, understanding pacing, and delivering varied reads can help directors guide actors. The instructor's vast experience as a voice-over director may provide valuable insights.

See salaries and explore the career path for Voice Over Director

Radio Personality

A radio personality entertains and informs listeners through on-air broadcasts. This course can be useful for radio personalities. The course emphasizes voice-over techniques for commercials, shows, and other segments, helping personalities refine their delivery and engage their audience. Learning how to master pacing, deliver varied reads, and work with directors are practical skills for success in radio. The course's coverage of microphone techniques may also improve audio quality for broadcasts.

See salaries and explore the career path for Radio Personality

Sound Designer

Sound designers create and manipulate audio for films, television shows, video games, and other media. This course can be useful for sound designers. The course provides instruction on how to record and edit voice-over recordings. Instruction on finding and using sound effects may help sound designers add depth and texture. Learning about audio editing software, removing unwanted sounds, and normalizing audio can help sound designers further enhance their skill sets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Designer

ADR Technician

ADR technicians record and edit dialogue for films and television shows in post-production. This course can be helpful for ADR technicians. The course covers recording techniques that ensure clean quality recordings. Instruction on audio editing software, removing unwanted sounds, normalizing audio, and time compression may also be applied to ADR work.

See salaries and explore the career path for ADR Technician

You Can Do Voice Overs

What's inside

Syllabus

Traffic lights

Save this course

Reviews summary

Practical introduction to voice overs

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses