My Favorite (Practical) Voice Over Tools That I Use Every Single Day
As a full time voice actor, I spend a lot of time in my booth and at my desk. These everyday tools are what I use to keep my workflow comfortable and efficient.
And while the recording gear (like microphone, interface, and DAW) definitely matter, these choices are SO personal depending on your space, booth setup, budget, etc so if you’re looking for recommendations on these things, I recommend checking out audio engineer extraordinaire Frank Verderosa: https://www.frankverderosa.com/book-online
So in this post, I’m sharing some of my favorite items that help me stay organized and comfortable while I’m recording voice overs.
(Quick note: Some links below are Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my studio!)
Things That Keep Me Comfortable and Focused
Because when you’re recording or editing all day, comfort isn’t optional - it’s part of the job.
Blue Light Glasses: https://amzn.to/4ifWNJy Looking at screens all day can be taxing on the eyes! These blue light glasses help reduce strain and keep me from feeling “digitally fried” after long recording sessions or editing marathons.
A Comfy Desk Chair: https://amzn.to/4rwiWaE My desk and computer are actually outside my booth in my office. This chair is comfy and ergonomic and I can sit for long periods of time while editing. It has just the right amount of support without feeling stiff. Plus, I’m petite so I needed a chair that wasn’t too big overall. If you spend half your day at your desk, trust me: invest in something that makes your back thank you.
Desktop Whiteboard: https://amzn.to/4i9hIOb I love to jot things down and make lists and this has saved me from having little pieces of paper everywhere! I use it to write down my daily schedule, reminders, or anything else that pops into my brain. Plus it wipes clean instantly and has storage under it which keeps my workspace feeling fresh.
External Hard Drive: https://amzn.to/47QAB5e When you record audio as often as I do, backups are a MUST. I never delete anything since you never know when a client or agent might want something from a few years ago and I use this drive to back up all my voice over files.
Nebulizer: https://myvocalmist.com/10091968 Vocal health is SO important as a voice actor because when my voices is not healthy, I can’t work! I love using this before or after sessions and when I’m feeling tired to help hydrate my vocal cords.
Items I Use in the Booth Every Single Day
As A voice actor, I spend a lot of time in My booth! These things help make my space functional and comfortable.
A Good Water Bottle (That Closes!): https://amzn.to/485DiyC Hydrated vocal cords = happy vocal cords. I love this water bottle because it keeps liquids cold and has a straw rather than an open spout which can accidentally spill and cause a lot of damage! I also love the one handed push button to open so I’m not fiddling with a twist off cap during sessions.
Cooling Towel: https://amzn.to/440QfZm My booth gets hot… especially in the summer! A cooling towel is my secret to getting through long sessions in those months. Drape it around your neck and suddenly your small enclosed booth feels slightly less like a sauna.. And bonus points, it doesn’t make any noise like a fan would!
External Monitor: https://amzn.to/4oM0Wam Since my computer is outside of my booth, I use this external monitor inside my booth to mirror my screen. For me, I didn’t need anything big or fancy and this one gets the job done!
Wireless Keyboard and Mouse: https://amzn.to/4imR9Fw, https://amzn.to/4putTYe I use these so I can operate my DAW, read emails, etc. and not have to jump back and forth my my booth to my desk.
A Booth Stool: https://amzn.to/4iawunZ I stand when I’m recording but find that when I’m in a long session or voice over class, it’s nice to have a spot to sit down and take a break. This stool is small but comfortable and it folds up if I want extra space.
Water Bottle Holder: https://amzn.to/3XAYhEt This clips right on to my mic stand so I can keep my water bottle accessible and close during sessions.
Clip-On Booth Light: https://amzn.to/47OgzIw Since my booth doesn’t have an overhead light, this one does the trick! The light is soft and adjustable and helps make sure I’m not just a floating head during live sessions.
My Script Setup: iPad + Apple Pencil + Notability
This combo has been my steady workhorse for years!
iPad: https://amzn.to/48r7Ivx I use an iPad for all of my scripts. It has saved me so much time, energy, and money and I never have to print scripts out!
Apple Pencil: https://amzn.to/3KaP9U3 If you’re reading scripts on an iPad, the Apple Pencil is a must! Not only is it helpful to markup scripts but it’s great when a client needs to add or change a line during a session and you can just write it right in.
Notability App: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/notability-smarter-ai-notes/id360593530 My favorite script-marking app. It lets me highlight, draw, record, save versions, and organize everything neatly. I upload scripts right into it and get to work.
iPad Holder / Stand: https://amzn.to/4pfOEXF If you don’t have room for a music stand, this is a game changer! It attaches right to your mic stand and clips your iPad in securely so you can read it at eye level.
Final Thoughts…
Even though these items aren’t fancy, they get used every day to make my life easier as a full time voice actor, whether I’m recording a national campaign, teaching a workshop, or editing an explainer video. The gear in your booth (and your booth itself) are definitely important too, so please consider getting a pro to help you find what works best for you and you your space! And, if you try any of these tools, I’d love to hear what you think!