Best Audio Recording practices for Devs & Actors

🔇 Recording Environment

• Record in the quietest space possible (closet or treated room preferred)
• Turn off background noise:
• Fans / AC
• * TVs
• * Computers (or move mic away)
• Close windows and reduce outside noise
• Use soft materials (blankets, clothes, foam) to reduce echo

📊 Recording Levels

• Do NOT clip
• Keep peaks between -12 dBFS and -6 dBFS
• Before recording:
• * Perform your loudest line first
• * Adjust gain while watching your levels

Editing

• Do NOT cut off beginnings or endings of lines
• Leave slight silence before/after takes
• Avoid overly tight edits

📁 File Naming

Ultimately, it is the team's decision on naming conventions that are most reasonable, readable and easy to maintain. But here’s a good example.

Format Example: Name of Project - Episode # - Character - Actor - Scene - RecTake

Series/ProjectName_Ep##_Character_ActorLastName_Sc##_T##

Example: ProjectName_Ep01_Samson_Smith_Sc03_T01.wav

• Use 2-digit numbers (Ep01, Sc03, T01)
• Use underscores only (no spaces/special characters)

Single take: ProjectName_Ep01_Samson_Smith_Sc03.wav

🎧 File Format

• WAV (uncompressed)
• 24-bit / 48kHz
• No MP3 or compressed files

🔁 Takes (If applicable and told to take multiple)

• Multiple takes: leave a short pause between each
• Keep takes in the same file unless told otherwise

🎯 Additional Notes

• Record 5-10 seconds of room tone at the end
• Optional slate at beginning: “Character, Scene, Take”
• Keep setup consistent across session

📩 Delivery Checklist

• No clipping
• Correct file naming
• Clean audio (minimum background noise to your best ability)

EZ guide to professional remote recordings for Dev Teams & Actors