For Lovers of Meditation
How to Record a Guided Meditation
For some people the idea of recording the voiceover for their guided meditation is a bit daunting. In this article I'll pave the way forward for you. I'll briefly discuss what to look out for when selecting a recording studio, I've included some advice on how to narrate your script correctly, and I’ve also included some tips on how to really save on recording costs.
Have you written your guided meditation script?
Are you now ready to record your guided meditation? Great! Let's get started...
Unless you are fortunate enough to have the equipment and technical skills necessary to record your own voice, you might need to organize a trip to a recording studio.
Most recording studios charge by the hour, so it goes without saying that the more organized you are, the less time (and money) you’ll spend on studio fees.
What do I mean when I say "organized"?
Well there are a few things you can do to ensure that the recording process is smooth, efficient and enjoyable...
1. Bring along 2 or 3 copies of your guided meditation script. There is a good chance that the recording engineer will want to read through the script while you are speaking it.
2. If possible, decide on what background music you want to use in your recording BEFORE you visit the studio. If you can present your background music to the engineer on the same day you record your vocals, then there is a good chance that he or she will be able to produce your entire guided meditation for you right then and there. Listening to your music with headphones while you record your voice can also really help you get into the right mood.
3. Rehearse your guided meditation script a few times before you go to the studio, and you’ll feel more relaxed and comfortable about speaking it in front of a microphone.
Tips on choosing a recording studio
Some of the meditation teachers I speak to are fussy about where they record...they don’t want to record a guided meditation in a space that was occupied by a heavy metal band earlier that day!
The internet is the best way for you to research recording studios in your area. Most studios focus on recording bands, but there are studios that also specialize in voiceover recordings. A little online research will steer you in the right direction, but if you are still unsure, don’t hesitate to ask studios if they have any experience recording guided meditations or voiceover productions.
“Mates Rates”...
Letting a friend record your voiceover
More and more people are competent with computers and recording techniques these days, and it’s possible that you have a friend or family member that has a home recording studio. Perhaps you’ve asked them if they can help you, or perhaps they have offered their assistance.
Recording with a friend will probably be more comfortable and cheaper than going to a studio, but if you intend to sell your guided meditation then you must ensure that the person you are working with has a suitable level of technical skill and good quality recording equipment.
Obviously this can be a little hard to asses, but as a rough guideline, the minimum requirements for recording at home include:
1. A (very) quiet recording space.
2. A good quality, large diaphragm condenser microphone.
3. Knowledge of correct vocal recording techniques.
4. The ability to mix your vocals with your music and to produce a properly mastered audio file.
Tactfully ask your friend if they can answer "yes" to these requirements. If they can, then you may well be able to record your guided meditation in the familiar comfort of a home recording studio.
Narrating your voiceover
When narrating your guided meditation, speak in a relaxed tone of voice, and speak at a slightly slower pace than you normally would, but don’t break up your guided meditation with too many long pauses. Keep it flowing and keep the listener engaged.
It might seem like a good idea to allow long breaks in between sentences and paragraphs when reading a guided meditation, and many people mistakenly assume that this encourages deeper relaxation. However, you should avoid pausing for too long, or you will begin to break your bond with the listener and they will start daydreaming, floating away, or falling asleep (of course, if you want your listener to fall asleep, then you can ignore this advice). Occasional pauses of 5 to 15 seconds are generally OK, but regular 20+ second pauses can be counterproductive.
Of course, it’s acceptable to include a few longer periods of silence in the guided meditation if you intend to make space for the listener to experience some “silent time”...a break from the guided portion of the meditation, in which they have time to sit in silence or to reflect upon some aspect of the meditation.
Further help and in-depth articles on recording
Want to record your own voice at home? We highly recommend that you head over to Enlightened Audio to explore some of their awesome articles and get your hands on the free eBook "How to Create Professional Hypnosis & Meditation Recordings".
Record equipment: What you'll need to create your recordings
A concise summary of the equipment you will need to create an audio production that consists of a voiceover blended with music.
Using a microphone correctly – professional narration techniques
Even the best microphones in the world will yield poor quality recordings unless they are used properly.
Choosing a microphone - eBook content
Specific advice for people wishing to purchase a microphone for voiceover recordings is available in this free eBook.
This article is copyright protected, however you may republish it online or in print media provided that you include the following credit, including the active link:
Article by Christopher Lloyd Clarke from www.The-Guided-Meditation-Site.com.
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