Ever find yourself second-guessing your sound?
“What’s that weird noise I’m hearing?”
“My recordings don’t quite sound right.”
“Oh no… I’m not hearing anything at all.”
“Is my audio quality ready for this big project?”
If you’re a voice-over artist, you’ve probably asked yourself these questions at least once—and if you haven’t yet, you will. The real question is: When should you audit your signal chain and recording environment?
Let’s start by breaking down what those are.
What’s a Signal Chain?
Your signal chain is simply the path your audio takes from your voice to your ears, including all the gear in between.
A basic voice-over signal chain usually looks like th is:
Voice → Microphone → XLR Cable → Audio Interface (with preamp + ADC) → USB Cable → Computer/DAW → Audio Interface (DAC) → Headphones/Monitors
You might also have or add other gear, like a standalone preamp or in-the-box processing like plugins, but this is your basic home studio setup.
What’s a Recording Environment?
Your recording environment is the space you record in—your “home studio.” Whether it’s a pro booth, a walk-in closet with panels and flannels, or a fortress of moving blankets—if that’s where your mic lives, that’s your recording environment.
When Should You Audit Them?
In short: whenever something changes.
Here are some common triggers:
Physical Changes to Your Space
- You’ve moved to a new recording space
- You’ve repositioned your booth, desk, or mic
- Furniture or gear has shifted around
- You’ve added, removed, or changed acoustic treatment
Equipment or Software Changes
- New microphone
- New interface
- New computer
- Different monitoring setup (headphones or speakers)
- DAW or operating system updates
- Outdated drivers finally catching up with you
When Audio Quality Drops
- Hiss, buzz, or hum appears
- Static, clicks, or pops sneak in
- New reflections show up out of nowhere
- Volume mysteriously drops
- Recordings start sounding muddy, boxy, or hollow
Changes Around Your Space
- Seasonal shifts (HVAC noise, open windows)
- New appliances or electronics
- Construction, activity, or changes in adjoining rooms or outdoors
Before Big Projects
- Before recording a demo
- Before a major client project
- Before a live-directed session
At Regular Intervals
- Quarterly or twice a year
- Acoustic materials can settle or sag, and gear can slowly degrade
- Subtle changes sneak up on you over time, so a routine check keeps you ahead of them
Signal Chain: Your First Stop When Troubleshooting
Is this thing on? (No, don’t tap your mic.)
When something sounds off, it’s e asy to overthink. (“Maybe my interface firmware is haunted!”). Instead, start simple. Check you r signal chain:
- Is phantom power on?
- Are your cables firmly connected?
- Is your interface actually selected in your DAW?
Sometimes the fix is that simple.
As you build your career, it’s smart to keep some “known good” gear handy—like a spare XLR cable or a small travel rig (mic + interface). Swapping pieces out one at a time can help you pinpoint issues fast.
If you’ve run through your checks and are still stuck, don’t be afraid to call in a pro. It can save you time, money, and sanity (not necessarily in that order).
Why It All Matters
The quality of your audio is one of the clearest signs of professionalism. Clients won’t always tell you if your sound isn’t up to par—they’ll just quietly choose someone else. Especially for remote work, clean, consistent audio is often the deciding factor between “almost booked” and “you got the gig.”
Final Tip
Keep a reference recording from when your booth soun ded its best (ideally one that’s been approved by a coach or audio pro). From time to time, record the same script and compare. If something sounds off, you’ll catch it early.
Audit regularly. Sound great. Book more. Your best work deserves the best sound.
P.S. If you haven’t yet taken our introductory voice-over class, where we go over everything one needs to know about getting started in the voice-over industry, sign up here!
P.P.S If you want to learn more from VO experts and grow the knowledge you already have, join our VO Pro group!
