Three ways to add professional voice-overs to go-kart videos
Something we’re keen on at Karting Track Guides is adding a race narration or hot lap voiceover to your karting footage. It can be conversational, like Tom at Mango Motorsport, or expert, like Brad Philpot.
It can also be nerve racking! The first time I did it, I was really self-conscious and worried about what people might think. Then one day, a driver gave me a lovely compliment on a video and I’m now much more confident with the process.
Using an editing software to add karting voice overs
To add a voice over, you’ll need some editing software, like iMovie, Final Cut Pro, or my preference, Adobe Premiere. So you’ll be taking the footage from your camera, importing it into the editing software and adding a voice track that aligns to the race footage.
In the editing software, when I’m 95% with my edit, I do an export and watch the footage on silent while recording my voice using one of the methods below. I then add the voice over and trim out any bits that feel boring. Sometimes I’ll add music to areas of the race where it’s just better to watch.
Voice “track” at the bottom with mistakes or bumbles edited out (as you can see by the gaps)
Slow motion hot laps: slower than you think
If you’re doing a slow motion hot lap, you actually need the footage slower than you think, around 20 - 30% of normal playback speed. This gives you plenty of time to mention the finer points of the racing line, like clipping a drain cover on the apex at Whilton Mill or aiming for a sign on the horizon.
No cost voice over recording: iPhone
iPhone, cheapest way to go.
This is how I did the vast majority of my early videos - like this one at Lydd Karting. You can hold the phone near your mouth or mount it on a fancy arm. I record the voice using the “memo” function and then airdrop the file to my Mac. I then have a secret step, which is to upload the file to Adobe Podcast, which automatically cleans up the audio. Once cleaned, download the file from Adobe Podcast, add it to your video beneath the karting engine audio and adjust the levels. You can either make the entire “engine” track quieter, or just dip the bits when you’re talking.
iPhone pros:
Convenience: You already have a phone!
Integration with editing apps: iPhones can easily transfer audio files to your computer.
Cost-effective: No additional equipment is needed, making it a budget-friendly option.
iPhone cons:
Audio quality: While decent, the audio quality may not match professional standards.
Background noise: iPhones can pick up ambient noise, which might be problematic in non-studio environments.
Low cost voice over recording: AI software
This video uses an AI voice over!
If you’re not comfortable with the sound of your own voice, AI is a good option for you. Google AI “text to voice” and you’ll get a load of options. Some are totally free, while others may cost a few pounds per month to license a good voice. To produce the video above video, I used a text-to-voice software called Murf.
To create your voice over, simply write the text into the software, choose a voice, add some dramatic pauses and export. The timing of the pauses isn’t essential as you can chop up the audio while editing.
AI voice pros:
Instant: No need to warm up your voice and get in the mood.
Consistent quality: Offers uniform voice quality and pacing.
Flexibility in editing: Easy to modify the script and regenerate the voice-over without additional recording.
AI voice cons:
Laborious: Time saved in recording might be paid back while typing and editing.
Less personalisation: AI voices lack the personal touch and nuances of a human voice.
Emotional range: AI-generated voices may not effectively convey the excitement or intensity of karting, especially if you’re building towards a dramatic overtake.
Pro karting voice overs: Using an external microphone
Shure USB external mic - works for me.
If you’re serious about sound, an external microphone is the way to go. The overall quality of recording is higher with more control over background noise. By way of analogy, a bit like editing a photo - the better the original, the more flexibility you have with editing. I also close the windows, draw the curtains and strategically place a few cushions about the place to absorb as much echo as possible.
My mic and recording process
When you start Googling “external microphones” or “podcast microphones,” you’ll find a range or microphones that require a mixing desk of sorts. Not wanting to get a mixing desk, I was able to find a Shure USB microphone which seems to have similar audio quality, but without the need for an external sound card or other gear.
I start by recording the audio track into Garage Band (a Mac software), export as an MP3, then upload into Premiere. In Adobe Premiere Pro Beta, there is an option to “enhance sound” which I imagine is similar to using Adobe Podcast, just with more control over the strength of the effect.
External mic pros:
High-quality audio: External microphones significantly improve the clarity and quality of the voice-over.
More control: External microphones offer control over the sound profile before the edit.
Professional sound: Ideal for achieving a more polished and professional audio output.
External mic cons:
Additional Cost: Good quality microphones can be an investment.
Setup Requirements: May require additional setup time and learning curve for optimal use.
My advice: Just start
Whether you opt for the practicality of an iPhone, the quality of an external microphone, or the efficiency of AI, your voice-over can significantly enhance the storytelling and viewer engagement of your go-karting videos.
If you want to take your karting voice overs to the next level, by all means invest in an external mic, but here’s the thing: The iPhone + Adobe Podcast solution is pretty good, especially when you’re layering a voice over the screaming drum of a 2-stroke Club100 kart.
