Stop Losing Roles Over Self-Tape Mistakes: A Casting Director’s Guide: 6 Self-Tape Mistakes Voice Actors Make (and How to Fix Them)

If you know me, you know I love running curated, directed sessions whenever possible. There’s nothing better than working directly with talent to shape a performance. But sometimes — due to scheduling, small roles, or tight turnarounds — I have to rely on self-tapes.

And self-tapes? Well… they come with their own set of challenges. Here’s a quick (and honest!) rundown of what actors often get wrong — and how you can avoid it... in no particular order.

🎧 1. Stereo vs Mono — Get it Right!

About half of the auditions I receive come in as stereo files. But I need them in mono to quickly cut selects together for the client. Every stereo file means extra editing time on my end.

Here’s how to export a mono file:

In Audacity:

• File > Export > Export as WAV or MP3

• In the dialog box, choose “Mono” under “Channel Mode”

In TwistedWave:

• File > Export > Format: Mono

• Choose WAV or MP3

In GarageBand:

• Use the “Share” menu > Export Song to Disk

• Choose “Mono” and select your format

In Adobe Audition:

• Edit > Convert Sample Type > Channels: Mono

• Then export as usual

🎙️ 2. Use High-Quality MP3s

If your MP3 sounds “watery” or muffled, it’s probably because it was exported at a super low bit rate.

Quick tip:

Export your audition as 320 kbps MP3 for the best balance of quality and file size.

Bonus: This saves the casting director’s ears — and your audition from the trash folder.

Get a handle on your audio levels!

🔊 3. Watch Your Levels

From ear-splitting loud to barely audible, I’ve heard it all. Here’s the deal:

• Record at healthy levels (peaking around -6 dB)

• No clipping

• No over-processing — you’re not fooling anyone, and clients expect to hear you, not your plug-ins.

Keep it clean. Keep it real. Further reading about processing here. Not sure about levels? Read more here.

🗂️ 4. File Naming & Following Directions Matter

Look, I get it. Some actors think we’re being “extra” when we ask for specific file names or formats. But it’s not about being picky — it’s about knowing you can follow directions, just like you’ll need to in a live session.

Think of it like Van Halen’s legendary “no green M&Ms” rider. It wasn’t about candy — it was a test to make sure every detail in their complex show was being followed. The M&M ask was placed within the safety precautions for their pyrotechnics needs. If they showed up to a gig and didn't see the green M&Ms, it was a sign that perhaps more important items were ignored. Same goes for auditions.

Examples of what matters:

• Slating when the spec says “no slates” – 🚫

• Blowing past the deadline – ⏰

• Ignoring file naming instructions – ❌

Do these things always disqualify you? Not necessarily. But they are red flags — and they’re 100% avoidable.

📬 5. Keep Emails Brief (or Don’t Send Them at All)

Casting moves fast. I write detailed breakdowns, but not every agent passes those details on. I know — it’s frustrating.

But emailing with “I got this from two agents, what do I do?” or “Can I get an extension?” just slows everything down. If you’re unsure, it might be better to sit it out than submit late or ask for exceptions.

Pro tip: Submitting days after a session has already been recorded? That doesn’t reflect well on you.

🎤 6. Sound Quality Matters — A Lot

One of the perks of directed sessions is that I get ears on your setup. That means I can let clients know whether you’re studio-ready or if we need to book you in-person.

But with self-tapes?

What you send is what I assume we’re getting on the actual session.

So if you’re recording on your phone in a noisy, echoey room because your studio isn’t available… I have no way of knowing that. And honestly? That audition probably isn’t going anywhere.

Quick fix:

Always submit from your best possible setup. If something’s not working, it might be better to skip that audition than send in a rough, unpolished take that sells you short.

🎓 Want to Go Deeper?

I run casting breakdown workshops where we dissect full real-world projects. If you’re curious about the casting process, this is a goldmine of insight. If you're not sure how your sound stacks up- book at 15 minute session to have it checked and adjusted.

👉 Sign up at frankverderosa.com to get updates on the next class.

Final Thought

Self-tapes are your shot to book — don’t blow it with avoidable mistakes. Master the basics and make it easy for casting directors to love your submission!