Audio Formats for Voice Acting and Voiceover
Clients want specific formats. Audition platforms have requirements. Studios have standards. As a voice actor, knowing your audio formats saves time and prevents rejected deliveries. This guide covers what the industry expects.
Recording Settings
Record in WAV at 48 kHz, 24-bit, mono. This is the industry standard for voiceover. 48 kHz because most voice work ends up in video (which uses 48 kHz). 24-bit for maximum dynamic range. Mono because a single voice does not need stereo. Some clients request 44.1 kHz — ask before recording. Record to a separate track per take. Keep raw recordings as your masters. Process and export from these masters for each delivery.
Common Delivery Formats
Broadcast and TV: WAV, 48 kHz, 24-bit or 16-bit, mono. E-learning: MP3 at 192 kbps or WAV, depending on the client. Audiobooks: MP3 at 192 kbps, 44.1 kHz, mono. ACX (Audible) has specific requirements — check their current spec sheet. Podcast inserts: MP3 at 128-192 kbps, mono. IVR and phone systems: WAV at 8 kHz, 8-bit, mono (mu-law or a-law encoding). Very specific format — always ask. Corporate video: WAV at 48 kHz, 24-bit, mono.
Audition Requirements
Most casting platforms (Voices.com, Voice123, Bodalgo) accept MP3 uploads. Record your audition in WAV, edit it, then export as MP3 at 192 kbps for upload. Keep the file under 60 seconds unless specified otherwise. Label files clearly: YourName_ProjectName_Take1.mp3. Quick turnaround matters for auditions. Have your conversion workflow ready so you can deliver fast.
Processing Chain
Noise reduction first — remove room tone and background noise. EQ to clean up muddy frequencies (cut below 80 Hz for most voices). Compression to even out volume — ratio of 2:1 to 4:1 works for most voices. De-esser to tame harsh sibilance. Limiter to prevent peaks exceeding -3 dBFS. Normalize to -3 dBFS peak or -16 to -20 LUFS depending on client requirements. Export in the requested format.
File Organization and Delivery
Name files exactly as the client requests. Organize by project, scene, or line number. Deliver via the method specified — cloud drive, FTP, email, or platform upload. For large deliveries, ZIP the WAV files. Always keep your session files and raw recordings — clients come back for pickups and revisions months later. Convert to delivery format as the final step, never before editing.