Can you give us some tips for recording voiceovers on TikTok?

Quick answer guys. 3 keys:

1) No reverb on your recording. For that, you can record in a room with a lot of stuff all over the place so that the sound get trapped, or near blankets.

2) Interpretation: it's important to not over-read what you want to say; that wouldn't sound natural. Try to speak like if you were sending an WhatsApp audio to your friend, and you'll be good to go. 

3) Volume & editing: you can always edit the audio after you record it in order to increase it's power and volume. For that, you can open the audio file on your computer and add some compression, EQ and a maximizer effect.

If you consider those important factors, your VO will sound extremely competitive! Remember, the most important thing is what you communicate, and what people feel when they listen to you.

Cheers! :)

The energy and pace in your vocal delivery are key aspects for short videos. Remember that short form content for TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts is more oriented towards a younger audience.

Like many things though, it's content dependant, so know your niche. A hyped up delivery probably won't suit your relaxing nature videos!

Practise and you'll get better with time. Your first videos won't sound polished and perfect, and in a few months or years, you'll understand that when you look back. Just keep moving and keep learning. Make the next video!

Equipment

As always, using the best microphone, preamp and room treatment that you can afford will give you the best sonic results. You might start off with a USB microphone that doesn't need a preamp. Those mics tend to be lesser quality, but when you have a great idea, the best microphone to use is the one you have right there and then!

EQ Tips

• If you have a nasal voice, you can use a gentle cut around 800 or 1500 Hz.
• If you have a muddy sounding voice, experiment with a gentle cut around 500 Hz.
• Almost everyone sounds better with a slight bass boost around 80 or 100 Hz, but don't go overboard.
• Harsh sounds are generally in the 3000 to 4000 Hz area.
• There are two spikes in most voices where sibilance builds up. For men it's generally 4000 and 7000 Hz. 

Microphone Distance

Experiment with the distance between yourself and the microphone when recording. If you are far away from the microphone, you will capture a lot more room ambience, which is generally not desirable. If you are very close to a high quality large diaphragm condenser microphone, it will give your voice the proximity effect, which has a more intimate sound, making it seem like you are speaking directly to the listener.

So there are a couple options, but if you want good sound for your TikTok or other social media videos, you should look into getting a better microphone than the one on your phone. 

Don't get me wrong, the microphone on your phone is fine if you are in an enclosed space with out a lot of reverb or background noise. Your car is a great place to record. That's why so many people record themselves in their cars. 

However, if you can afford it, look into getting a good lavalier microphone. These are the kind that clip onto your shirt, but you often see people just holding them in their hands as they speak. Alternatively, you can get something called an i-Rig, which would allow you to connect an XLR microphone to your iPhone or iPad and record the sound directly into your phone. 

However you do it, using a better quality microphone will give you better sound which will immensely enhance your videos.

I like to record in my studio using my 416 through my phone on the i-rig.  I-phones do have a great mic but the 416 cuts through the junk.  I have tried the wireless lapels but nothing is as clear as a good shotgun mic. If you are doing interviews, simply hold it in your hand and point it at the person.  They also reduce noise.  Recording in your car is a good place also for a quiet sound. Just avoid the echo as much as you can in open rooms.  It sounds AWFUL.

For TikTok voiceovers, keep it easy but clean. Your phone’s mic can work fine—just find a quiet spot, maybe a small room to kill the echo. Speak clearly and with some energy, but don’t go overboard. If you can, run a quick noise reduction in Audacity or whatever you’ve got. And most importantly, make sure your voice matches the visuals—timing is everything on TikTok!