The Types of VO Files

Here's a tiny tip that most new people don't know.

The three primary files I get asked for are

1) WAV
2) MP3
3) AIFF

Other's do exist but, these are BY far the top three.

For an audition file, especially if you are auditioning directly to a client. You want to use MP3. And a fairly small quality mp3.  We're talking 192kbps. We do this for 2 reasons. It's lower quality so they can't just plug it into a video and still it (though technically they could). Second, you want to have smaller files to upload.

I put all my auditions in an audition folder. I save them all, because you never know when you are going to need them. If they are mp3 files, you can put thousands in there and not hurt your space. So, to conclude, MP3 for auditions only. (unless specified by client, in which case, ask them the EXACT quality they want)

WAV is my go-to for all jobs unless they ask for AIFF or MP3. It's a higher quality file, pretty much lossless and it's not terribly big. AIFF files are huge. I use Wav files, 44,100 Hz, 16 Bit, mono, PCM. It's mono, because you aren't recording with two separate microphones.

Here's a basic rundown on Wav files. If you record for say 20 minutes, it's about 80-100 megabytes. So, it's big enough to be quality and small enough in size to be able to keep around.

Always keep your jobs on your computer. Don't go deleting good work, you never know when a client might need those files.

AIFF is a special type of file. It's lossless, HUGE, and doesn't sound much different than a wav. Sound engineers want these but they usually say WAV is fine. Basically, if someone really wants a AIFF, offer wav, if not then ask what specific aiff rates are they looking for and be prepared to big files.

I don't pretend to be an expert on this, but I have been an VO artist for around 6 years now, and I've never had a single client come back with questions on quality. So, what I know is solely based on experience.

Have a great day everyone.

Justin