How to Record a Voiceover Over Music in Audacity

Recording a voiceover over an existing backing track requires a technique called overdubbing, which allows you to listen to your background audio while simultaneously recording your vocal performance onto a separate track. In this guide, you will learn how to import your audio track, configure Audacity’s recording settings for overdubbing, monitor your input properly, and capture a clean, synchronized voiceover.

Step 1: Connect Your Headphones and Microphone

Before opening Audacity, plug in both your microphone and a pair of headphones. Using headphones is essential when overdubbing because it prevents your microphone from capturing the sound of the backing track playing through your speakers, which causes echo and phase issues. Once plugged in, select your microphone as the Recording Device and your headphones as the Playback Device in the Audio Setup toolbar.

Step 2: Import the Backing Track

  1. Open Audacity.
  2. Go to File > Import > Audio.
  3. Locate and select your backing music or audio file, then click Open. The audio file will appear in the project window as a new stereo or mono track.

Step 3: Enable Overdubbing

Audacity usually enables overdubbing by default, but you should verify the setting before recording:

  1. Go to the top menu and select Transport > Transport Options.
  2. Ensure there is a checkmark next to Hear other tracks while recording (overdub). (Alternatively, you can navigate to Edit > Preferences > Recording and check the box labeled Play other tracks while recording (overdub)).

Step 4: Adjust Playback Levels

Lower the volume slider on the left-hand panel of your backing track (the slider with the minus and plus signs). If the backing track is too loud while you record, it will overpower your voice in your headphones and make it difficult to monitor your speaking volume accurately.

Step 5: Record the Voiceover

  1. Click the Skip to Start button (or press the Home key) to position the playhead at the beginning of the project.
  2. Hold down the Shift key and click the red Record button (or press Shift + R).
  3. Holding Shift tells Audacity to record on a brand-new track rather than appending audio to the end of the existing backing track.
  4. Speak into your microphone while listening to the backing track through your headphones.
  5. When finished, press the Spacebar or click the Stop button.

Step 6: Balance and Export

Listen back to your recording. Use the volume sliders on both track control panels to balance the voiceover level against the backing music so the speech remains clear and prominent. When you are satisfied with the mix, go to File > Export Audio, select your desired format (such as MP3 or WAV), and save your completed project.