What does a live-directed session entail?

Many paid voiceover projects require a live session. Rather than going back and forth over email with the actor sending files and the client providing feedback, the client will prefer to get on a call to provide context and direct the actor through the lines in real-time (or work with a voice director to do so). The actor will be expected to record their side of the session and send the file over afterwards.

Who else will be on the call?

A live session for indie or small projects might just consist of the voice actor and the client/project creator. But if you’re working on a professional-level project with a studio, you will likely record with the sound engineer and voice director on the line, possibly with the end clients/producers sitting in for additional guidance.

How is scheduling handled?

In most cases, you will be asked for your availability during the window of days the client plans to record the project. The person coordinating the scheduling will find a day and time when the actor, director and client (or whoever else needs to be on the call) are all available. Sessions can normally be scheduled around your other commitments within reason, but may be outside of regular “business hours” if the client is based in a different time zone.

What program do I need to use for the call?

Zoom is generally the most popular audio conferencing program for live sessions. However, Discord is commonly favored for indie projects. Occasionally you may see outliers such as Google Meet or Microsoft Teams.

If you’re working with a professional studio, they may send you a link for Source Nexus, SessionLink Pro, or ipDTL. These links can be opened in your web browser (Google Chrome or similar is usually required) and do not require downloading a separate program. For higher-level commercial projects, Source Connect Standard/Talent Edition may be requested, but if this is a requirement it’ll be stated in the audition. It’s generally not recommended to purchase a subscription for Source Connect until you’re actively being requested to use it for jobs.

What’s the difference between something like Source Nexus versus just doing the session over Zoom?

Source Nexus (along with similar services mentioned above) allow the studio to receive your audio feed into their DAW in real-time. This allows the engineer to pull selects, play things back for the client or director, and check to see if a file meets length or other technical specifications (such as if dubbing to picture.) Zoom or Discord on the other hand is just a conferencing program that lets you and the client talk to each other so they can listen in on your recording.

How do I record audio on my end?

You can use whatever recording program you prefer, as long as it can export in the format requested by the client (the default standard is 48000 hz 24 bit wav, or 48/24 for short.) A WAV file is almost always requested due to the uncompressed format which allows the team to edit your audio afterwards as needed without losing quality. You generally won’t be expected to do your own editing or line splitting for a live session recording. Do not do any processing on your file afterwards unless requested by the client—if working with an audio engineer, they will need the raw recording.

before your session

Being prepared is extremely important—lots can go wrong during a live session, but by setting things up ahead of time, you can help ensure that everything on your end goes smoothly.

Get everything set up and ready at least 15 minutes prior to any remote session.

There’s nothing like your computer forcing you to install mandatory updates right before you’re set to record, your DAW suddenly not recognizing your audio interface, or forgetting your password or waiting for a two-factor authentication text when trying to log in to Zoom or Discord.

Rather than rushing to get everything set up moments before your session, do a quick test recording to make sure everything’s looking good, and open and log in to any programs (Zoom, Google Chrome, etc) that you need to use to connect with the client. Be sure the correct device (your audio interface) is selected as the default audio input. Make sure any electronic devices you are using, such as a laptop or tablet, are plugged in or fully charged. Refill your water bottle and have whatever else you need (tea, coffee, etc) ready to go. It’s a good idea to join the call 5 minutes prior to your scheduled start time (or 10 if working with a new studio) in case they need to do any sort of test with you prior to the official start of the session.

Remote sessions can already take longer due to lag and technical issues, so you don’t want to waste “on the clock” time (aka, time the client is paying for) by scrambling to find your script file or trying to figure out why Zoom is defaulting to the laptop mic rather than the proper one you paid lots of money for. Many remote sessions are plagued with technical problems and some of this is out of your control, but the client will appreciate you being prepared and ready to go.

Have scripts downloaded and open at session start time.

Many clients will send you a script ahead of time for remote sessions. Make sure to download the script as well as any supplemental materials you need (such as video references) and ensure that you have a program that can properly open and display the script in its correct format. You should easily be able to “ctrl+F” to find your character’s lines or loop numbers without a hassle. This also gives you the chance to take care of any potential missing fonts or formatting errors that can make your script look wonky. Have your script on your screen, ready to go, at the beginning of your session so that you don’t have to waste time looking for it with clients on the line.

Cool down your space ahead of time.

Most AC units and fans are noisy enough that running them during your recording session isn’t an option. But a small booth or closet in the middle of summer can get unbearably hot, which can make it more difficult to concentrate on your work. Run the AC and/or fans with the booth door open 30 minutes or so before your session begins, so that your space is nice and cool when you start. You may wish to turn the AC back on when going on break (just remember to turn it back off before you resume!) Leaving the booth door open during breaks can also help circulate air.

Close windows and doors, and turn off anything else that might make noise.

Make sure everything near your recording space is secured shut before you start your session. Turn off air conditioning, fans, TVs, and other noisy electronics, make sure pets are fed, and don’t forget to silence your cell phone or leave it outside the booth.

Connect via Ethernet, if possible.

Especially if you are using a service such as Source Nexus where the studio receives your audio feed in real-time, a wired connection is more reliable than Wi-Fi, which is why many major studios prefer or even require it for remote sessions. An Ethernet cable is relatively cheap and easy to obtain, and if your router happens to be near your booth, you won’t have to run it very far. It’s best to turn off Wi-Fi entirely to make sure that your computer actually defaults to the hardwired connection.

You can run an online speed test to get an idea of your connection speeds for both upload and download. If your Internet speed is routinely slow or unreliable and you fear it may cause problems for your session, you may wish to call your Internet service provider and see if they can offer you any solutions.

If using Source Nexus, Session Link or other Chrome-based connection on a laptop or slower computer, close any other non-essential programs.

Chrome is a memory hog, and if you’ve got it running alongside your backup recording program and Zoom or Discord, it can potentially cause artifacts in the audio the client receives from you which will result in you having to re-record the line. It can also cause the fan to kick on if you’re recording from a laptop! To minimize this, close any other programs and processes that you aren’t using for your session.

during your session

Record audio on your end (even just as a backup).

Even if the studio is recording you remotely via Source Connect or a similar program, it’s not uncommon for them to ask you to run a backup recording. You can do this in your DAW of choice (Reaper is a great and affordable option).

While it’s generally acceptable to just send one long wav file of all of your audio from the session, actors experienced with remote recording may prefer to set a hot key (such as Enter) to pause/unpause in between takes (make sure to leave a beat of silence before and after doing this so as not to ruin a take). This helps the file size be much smaller and you can also avoid capturing long silences and extra chatter between takes that the client will have to sift through later. If you choose to do this, be sure to always remember to start recording again when it comes time to do an actual take!

By running a backup, they will be able to pull from the raw file if any of the recordings they got on their end had technical glitches. Even if you’re not specifically asked to run a backup, having one can end up being a lifesaver!

(Tip: It’s also a smart idea to make sure they have about 10 seconds of uninterrupted room tone at the end of the file, so that they can reduce/remove this using their own tools in post-production.)

Watch your levels.

If you’re used to recording in-studio, recording at home can require more multitasking because you’ve got to adjust your own gain levels as you go. While the sound engineer will most likely do a level check with you at the start of the session, you’ll need to be ready to turn up your gain on whispered lines and turn down your gain on shouted lines. It may take some practice to know where exactly on your interface to set your dial.

Monitoring your backup recording should give you a good idea of where your levels are sitting; however, don’t be afraid to check in with the engineer if it looks like something clipped on your end and they didn’t catch it. You should have your audio interface in the booth with you in a place where you have easy access to the gain knob.

*Important! If you are the only one recording audio, and using a program such as Zoom or Discord for direction, it will be your responsibility to watch your levels as these programs may distort the audio the client is hearing and they can’t always tell if something peaked. If you catch clipping on your waveform and they don’t, speak up so you can make sure to do a safety take – they’ll appreciate it!

Don’t be afraid to ask for breaks.

Home recording booths get very hot and stuffy, so it’s important to be able to step out for a few minutes here and there. Most directors will offer a break around the top of every hour, but if you’re going a long time and haven’t been given one, it’s always okay to advocate yourself and ask to “take five”. Remember to stay hydrated!

Be patient and understanding.

Just as you’re doing your best, so is the team on the other end of the call. Sometimes unexpected issues come up that may require troubleshooting. Try not to get annoyed if you’re asked for another take due to an audio dropout or if the engineer asks you to adjust your gain and get a safety. As far as technology has come, it’s rare that a remote session can truly go as smoothly as it does in the studio.

general tips

Have your recording specs handy for clients who ask.

If a client or studio normally does in-person sessions but wants to record remotely with you, chances are they will want to know what equipment and space you are working with. Have your specs handy in terms of the model of your microphone, interface, booth, etc.

Many studios will also want to hear a “home studio sample” that is completely raw and unprocessed. If they don’t ask for anything specific, you can have a generic one on hand to send out when requested. Include a small sample of lines at a normal conversational volume, some whispered lines, some shouted lines, and about 10 seconds of room tone.

It’s smart to have a page on your voice actor website that proactively lists your home studio specs and sample!

Be honest about the space and setup you’re working with, as well as your live recording capabilities.

You may think that lying about your home studio might help you book jobs, but it’s actually quite the opposite. If a studio finds out you weren’t truthful when sending over your specs, they may not work with you again. When the recording engineer asks what microphone you’re using, it’s not because they want to disqualify you for not having a Neumann U87; it’s because they want to know what you’re actually working with so they can work with it as well.

If you advertise having Source Connect Standard, make sure it’s actually set up. Some actors claim to have Source Connect Standard with the idea that they’ll simply purchase it last-minute if a session requires it. However, it’s rarely that simple. Source Connect Standard requires a fairly extensive port forwarding process which can be time-consuming to set up, and frustrating if you’re not tech savvy or you don’t have someone to help you with it. It’s not something that’s going to be easy to do right before a session and can require troubleshooting if you’re not careful. Plus, many sessions are booked last minute. If you’re at the point in your career where you’re routinely seeing auditions or jobs that require Source Connect Standard, consider the subscription fee an investment in your business, and get it set up and ready to go when you’re not under a time crunch.

Note specific times of day where things get consistently noisy.

If – for example, your neighbor mows their lawn at 9 am every Friday or their dog barks incessantly when they come home from work at 6 pm, try to schedule your recording sessions outside of these times. While some noise is unavoidable, it can be frustrating for both the actor and the client to constantly have to pause the session for noise, so be aware of consistent noise patterns and have a plan to work around them.

Make your booth a comforting and familiar space.

You’re going to spend a lot of time in there working, so you might as well make it a nice place to be. Decorate your recording space with things that put you in a good mood: for example, fairy lights or other mood lighting, stuffed animals, merchandise of characters you’ve played, or a few sentimental items. Come up with creative ways to incorporate your favorite colors or branding into your space.

Don’t beat yourself up if something does go wrong.

The nature of remote recording sessions means that sometimes, despite your best efforts, something goes wrong. That’s okay! Things happen, and studios and clients generally understand that it can’t go perfectly 100% of the time. The idea behind being prepared is that you can minimize the amount of things that might go wrong, so when something inevitably does happen, it’s not the end of the world.