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operations to ensure the correct audio input device — audio interface (with analog microphone) or USB microphone — is selected and picking up sound. Varela cautions those using laptops to be aware of where the audio is being sourced. "Laptops have built-in microphones that pick up sound, and the order in which you plug in devices might mean the difference in using your nice microphone or the one in your laptop," he said. "You need to explicitly choose the hardware so your computer doesn't make the assumption for you and choose the wrong microphone." In general, get into the practice of checking the audio settings in your software program before every recording. Most importantly, as you get started with voiceover, you may find yourself focusing on the technical aspects of your recording. But remember, your main priority during recording is your performance and delivery. "You're here as actors first and technicians second," said Varela. Do as many takes as needed, but if a mistake is made, don't stop the recording; pause, breathe and keep going, and know that you can edit afterwards. The Power of Editing Speaking of editing, there are some basic techniques that new voiceover performers should learn and utilize when recording: deleting, comping and normalizing. While deleting is a straightforward action used to remove the unwanted parts of a session take, comping or compiling takes things one step further by piecing together parts from different takes to make a newer, smoother and more cohesive recording. Normalizing is a way to change the overall volume of your recorded audio in fixed increments to reach a target level. Normalizing can be advantageous if you are employing either of the aforementioned techniques when submitting voiceover auditions or if your recording is later edited to include dialogue with other performers' voices and matching levels of volume is desired. Fortunately, normalization is a feature that is standard in all recording programs and can be executed with the click of a button. WAV versus MP3 It may seem like a conversation about WAV and MP3 audio files was best had about a decade ago, but, even today, it's important to know the differences and benefits of both formats. WAV stands for "waveform audio file," and it is an uncompressed or "lossless" audio file format that can be edited without affecting the quality of the recording itself. An MP3 ("MPEG audio Layer-3") file is a compressed audio file format that makes it easier to send audio electronically and can shorten upload times due to the compression and smaller size of the audio file. The difference between the two is that while WAV files can be edited at a later time, MP3s are permanent. Said Varela, "You can never gain back [missing or damaged audio] quality on an MP3." Both formats have their strengths and weaknesses, and it's best to save as both a WAV and MP3 to retain high audio quality for both learning and work purposes. VOICEOVER WORK requires the same level of dedication, investment and experience as any other type of acting or work within the industry, and building a studio is an investment in your future. "The idea is that this money that you're spending is not making you poor; it's giving you an opportunity to make more money than you spend," says Farley. "That's how entrepreneurs work, and that's what we all are as actors: We are entrepreneurs." This information is not intended to imply an endorsement of any individual, product or company by SAG-AFTRA. It is given for informational purposes and may not be a suitable substitute for the advice of other industry professionals. You should always use good judgment in these matters and should not act or refrain from acting based solely on information provided here. View the PTEOE presentation Mastering the Basics of Home VO Studios at youtube.com/sagaftra. SAG-AFTRA Foundation Offers FREE Voiceover Classes Due to COVID-19, the SAG-AFTRA Foundation's Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab in Los Angeles and the EIF Voiceover Lab in New York are operating virtually. Many of the Voiceover Labs' classes, programs and services are now being offered online, including online booth sessions (for real-time recording of voiceover with a VO Lab audio engineer), online voiceover consultations (for discussing voiceover-related topics with a VO Lab audio engineer) and more. Visit sagaftra.foundation to create a SAG-AFTRA Foundation user account, complete the VO Lab eligibility process and sign up for classes today! MEMBER PERK! See page 69 for a discount offer on audio recording software. GETTY IMAGES GETTY IMAGES