How to Deliver Clean Voiceover Files: Tips for Editors and Talent

11 May

Introduction

Delivering clean, professional voiceover files isn’t just about good mic technique — it’s about creating a final product that’s ready for broadcast, streaming, or post-production without extra back-and-forth.

Whether you’re a voice artist self-recording from a home setup, or an editor working with raw takes from a session, the expectations around file delivery have never been higher. Poor formatting, sloppy edits, or inconsistent audio can delay a project — or worse, cost you a future booking.

This guide breaks down the essentials for delivering polished VO files, from recording tips to final exports.

Why Clean Voiceover Files Matter

Clients — whether they're ad agencies, film editors, audiobook producers or corporate teams — want ready-to-use audio. That means:

Consistent tone
No clipping or distortion
No excessive breaths or lip noise
Clearly labelled and structured files
Delivered in the right format, sample rate and loudness level

Clean files make life easier for whoever’s handling post — and signal that you’re a pro who knows what they’re doing.

For Voice Artists: Clean Recording Starts at the Mic

1. Control the Environment

Even with great delivery, a noisy room ruins the take. Make sure your space is:

Quiet and isolated
Treated to reduce reflections (blankets, foam, bass traps)
Free from hums, fridges, fans or traffic noise

2. Use Proper Mic Technique

Maintain a consistent distance (15–20cm is typical)
Speak slightly off-axis to reduce plosives
Use a pop shield
Monitor in real-time with headphones if possible

3. Stay Consistent Across Takes

Match tone, volume and delivery from take to take — especially when sessions are split across different days. This makes editing and mastering much easier later on.

For Editors: Clean Editing Is Subtle and Efficient

4. Tighten the Edit Without Overprocessing

You want to clean, not sterilise. Remove:

Mouth clicks, coughs and false starts
Long pauses or filler words
Overly loud breaths (reduce, don’t delete entirely)

But preserve the natural rhythm and pacing. The goal is polished, not robotic.

5. Avoid Over-Compression

Compression helps balance the voice — but too much squashes dynamics and introduces pumping artifacts.

Use settings like:

Ratio: 3:1
Slow attack, medium release
Soft knee
Peak level no higher than -3dBFS

File Delivery Tips That Build Trust

Whether you’re sending raw or final files, delivery is where many sessions fall apart. Avoid that with these steps:

6. Use the Right File Format

Most studios and broadcasters expect:

WAV format, 24-bit / 48kHz
Mono (unless stereo is requested)
No embedded plugins, markers or automation

Avoid compressed formats like MP3 unless specifically asked for.

7. Name Files Clearly

Use a clear, consistent naming convention that includes:

Project or client name
Line or scene number (if applicable)
Version number (v1, v2, etc.)

Examples:
KoreBrand_VO_MainRead_v2.wav
Scene_04_Narration_v1.wav

8. Include Only What’s Needed

If a client hasn’t asked for retakes, don’t include every version. Send your selected takes, or label alts clearly so nothing gets used by mistake.

If you're delivering wild reads, mark the best ones — or include a readme file outlining what’s what.

Optional: Include a Rough Sync or Reference MP3

If you’ve recorded VO to picture or timed it to a bed, consider including:

A reference MP3 or MP4 with rough sync
Notes on timecode or cue alignment
A rough mixdown (for context)

This makes it much easier for post-production teams to confirm that timing and flow work — especially in fast-turnaround campaigns.

How Studios Can Support Clean Delivery

Studios like Kore Sounds offer clean voiceover editing and delivery as part of the session rate — with engineers who:

Track takes in real time
Label and edit files for delivery
Export to multiple formats as needed (e.g. broadcast, online, internal)
Provide optional mixing, mastering, and level matching

This is particularly useful for VO projects that need to go live fast — whether in ads, e-learning, or social content.

Final Thoughts

Delivering clean voiceover files is about more than ticking boxes — it’s about making life easier for your collaborators and showing you understand professional expectations.

If you're a voice artist: learn how to record and export clean takes every time.
If you're an editor: master the balance between precision and pace.
If you're a producer: work with studios that treat file delivery as part of the craft — not an afterthought.