How to do Voice Over on Google Slides: A Comprehensive Guide

What is Google Slides?Google Slides is a free, web-based application that allows users to create, edit, and present slideshows. Part of the Google Drive...

What is Google Slides?

Google Slides is a free, web-based application that allows users to create, edit, and present slideshows. Part of the Google Drive suite, it provides a seamless way to share and collaborate on presentations. Its versatility makes it a powerful alternative to traditional software like Microsoft PowerPoint.

What is the Benefit of Voice Over on Google Slides?

Adding voiceover to a Google Slides presentation can elevate the engagement level for your audience. An audio narration adds a personal touch, aiding in explaining complex topics or providing additional context. For educators crafting online courses, a voiceover can mimic a classroom lecture, making the content more relatable.

How can you Add Voice Recordings to Individual Slides in Google Slides?

Step 1: Record your audio using tools like Audacity or Voice Memos on Apple devices. Ensure you’re in a quiet place for a professional voiceover. Step 2: Save the recording in a supported audio format like WAV or MP3. Step 3: Open your Google Slides presentation. On the slide where you want to insert audio, select "Insert" from the toolbar, then choose "Audio" from the drop-down menu. Step 4: From the pop-up, select the audio file from your Google Drive to insert it. A speaker icon will appear on your slide, representing the audio file.

Can you Time the Voiceover to Play Automatically when a Slide Advances?

Yes, in the audio playback settings, you can customize how the audio plays. Choose "Format Options" and under the "Audio Playback" section, select “Automatically” to ensure the audio starts as soon as the slide appears.

What File Formats are Supported for Audio Files in Google Slides?

Google Slides supports common audio formats like WAV and MP3.

How can you Adjust the Volume and Playback Settings of a Voice Over in Google Slides?

Click the speaker icon on your slide. In the toolbar that appears, you can adjust volume, decide when the audio starts, and set it to loop or play continuously.

What are the 4 Ways to do Voice-over Presentations?

1. Directly Insert Audio into Slides: As discussed above.
2. Screen Recording with Voice Over: Use recording software to capture both your slides and voice, then embed this as a video.
3. Professional Voiceover Services: Hire professionals for high-quality, clear narration.
4. Live Voiceover During Presentation: Play your slideshow and speak in real-time, perfect for webinars.

How to do a Voice-over with Screen Recording?

Using tools like OBS or Mac’s inbuilt screen recording, start recording your screen and voice simultaneously while you go through your presentation. Later, this recording can be edited with video editing tools if needed.

Top 9 Google Slides Tools:

1. Google Slides Voice Over Tool

Google Slides' own voice-over tool offers a basic but functional way to add voiceovers directly to your Google Slides presentation. However, it’s more like a workaround where you record audio elsewhere and then insert the audio file into slides. For recording, you could use voice memos on Apple devices, Audacity on Mac and Windows, or any other audio recording software. Once recorded, these audio files can be uploaded to Google Drive and then inserted into the slides.

Top 5 Features

- Insert Audio from Google Drive

- Basic Audio Settings

- Playback from Speaker Icon

- Slide Change Manual Control

- WAV and MP3 Audio Format Options

Cost: Free (Google Slides is free to use)

2. Audacity

Audacity is a free, open-source recording software that's compatible with Google Slides. You can record a professional voiceover, edit it, and then upload it to Google Drive. From there, you can insert the audio file into your Google Slides presentation. Audacity provides detailed tutorials on how to start recording and customize audio settings.

Top 5 Features

- Professional Voiceover Recording

- Extensive Audio Format Options

- High-Quality Audio Playback

- Step-by-Step Tutorial on Audio Recording

- Easy Integration with Google Drive

Cost: Free

3. Camtasia

Camtasia takes your Google Slides presentations to the next level by offering a comprehensive video editing and screen recording solution. You can record voiceovers and synchronize them with slides, insert audio files, and even include on-screen tutorial information. After editing, you can upload the entire presentation as a video directly to Google Drive.

Top 5 Features

- Professional Voiceover

- Screen Recording

- Video Editing

- Upload Audio Files to Google Drive

- Extensive Format Options including PowerPoint Presentations

Cost: Starts at $249.99 one-time fee

4. Screencast-O-Matic

Screencast-O-Matic is an online tool that offers simple steps for screen recording, including Google Slides presentations. You can record a voiceover while going through the slides, and directly upload the recording to Google Drive. Its toolbar makes it easy to start recording and select the audio settings you prefer.

Top 5 Features

- Screen Recording

- Voiceover Recording

- Direct Upload to Google Drive

- Toolbar for Easy Navigation

- How to Add Voiceover Tutorial

Cost: Free version available; Pro version starts at $1.65/month

5. iSpring Free Cam

iSpring Free Cam is another free recording tool that can help you add voiceovers to your Google Slides. This Windows software provides a record button, simple audio settings, and easy steps to record voiceovers. Once the recording is done, you can save it in WAV format and upload it to Google Drive.

Top 5 Features

- Record Button for Voiceover

- WAV Audio Format

- Easy-to-Use Interface

- Voiceover Tutorial

- Customize Audio Settings

Cost: Free

6. PowerPoint for Microsoft 365

If you're more comfortable using Microsoft PowerPoint, you can create your entire presentation there and then upload it to Google Drive. PowerPoint has advanced voiceover and audio editing features that Google Slides doesn't offer. After adding your voiceover, you can save your presentation in a Google Slides-compatible format.

Top 5 Features

- Advanced Voiceover Options

- Upload to Google Drive

- Format Options for Google Slides Compatibility

- High-Quality Audio Playback

- Customizable Speaker Icon

Cost: Part of Microsoft 365 subscription, starting at $69.99/year

7. QuickTime Player (Mac)

For Mac users, QuickTime Player offers everything you need to record a voiceover. Once you've recorded your audio narration, you can save the audio file and upload it to Google Drive. From there, you can insert it into your Google Slides presentation from the drop-down menu in the right corner.

Top 5 Features

- Record Audio Narration

- Save as WAV or MP3

- Audio Playback Features

- Simple Steps for Recording

- Mac Compatibility

Cost: Free (comes pre-installed on Mac)

8. Voice Recorder & Audio Editor (Apple)

This app for Apple devices is a basic voice recording tool that's easy to use. It allows you to record voiceovers in a quiet place with just a few taps. Once done, you can easily upload the audio file to Google Drive and insert it into your Google Slides presentation.

Top 5 Features

- Basic Audio Recording

- Easy Upload to Google Drive

- Apple Device Compatibility

- Quiet Place Recording

- Audio Playback

Cost: Free

9. Nimbus Screenshot & Screen Video Recorder

Nimbus offers browser-based screen and audio recording for Google Slides. It also offers a variety of options to add voiceovers, including external audio files. You can then save these recordings and upload them to Google Drive for inserting into your Google Slides presentation.

Top 5 Features

- Screen and Audio Recording

- Voiceover and External Audio File Support

- Google Drive Integration

- Audio Settings Customization

- Easy-to-Use Interface

Cost: Free version available; Pro version starts at $9.99/month

Each of these tools offers unique features that can help you add audio narration, voiceovers, and other audio elements to your Google Slides presentations. Whether you're preparing for an online course, a business presentation, or an educational tutorial, these tools have you covered.

FAQs:

How to Record Yourself on Google Slides?

While Google Slides doesn't have a direct "record" feature, you can record audio using external tools and insert it.

How to Add Voice to a Slide?

Use the "Insert" option, select "Audio," then choose your desired audio file from Google Drive.

What is the Best Way to Add Voice to a Google Slides Presentation?

The most seamless method is to record your voiceover separately and insert it into individual slides.

How to Record Your Voice on a Google Slides Presentation?

Record your voice using tools like Audacity, save it, and then insert the audio file into your slides.