Your internet connection is just as important as your mic, studio, and demos when it comes to booking and delivering work reliably. A weak or unstable connection could cause dropouts during live sessions, hurting your reputation with clients. Discover why wired Ethernet beats Wi-Fi, how to test your speed, and how to ensure a rock-solid connection for every session, ensuring voice over success.
Is Your Internet Connection Holding You Back?
As a voice actor, you’ve likely invested in high-quality equipment, a treated recording space, and professional coaching to perfect your craft. But what about your internet connection? In today’s industry, a stable and reliable connection is just as important as your microphone and booth.
Your internet is your lifeline to marketing, auditions, client communications, and—most critically—live recording sessions with studios and producers. If your connection is unstable, drops out during a directed session, or struggles to keep up with high-quality audio streaming, it could cost you the gig.
Let’s break down why internet reliability matters for voice actors, common pitfalls of Wi-Fi, and how to optimize your setup for seamless performance.
The Difference Between Wi-Fi and the Internet
Many people assume that Wi-Fi and the internet are the same thing. They’re not.
Wi-Fi is a wireless connection technology that allows devices in your home—like your computer, phone, and smart devices—to communicate with your router.
The internet is the global network of servers, websites, and data that your router connects to via your internet service provider (ISP).
Your Wi-Fi connection might be fast, but it’s also vulnerable to interference, which can lead to inconsistent speeds, dropouts, and latency—all of which spell disaster for live voice over sessions.
Why Wi-Fi Isn’t Ideal for Voice Over
While Wi-Fi has improved dramatically in recent years, it still has performance drawbacks that make it less than ideal for professional voice over work:
Interference – Thick walls, furniture, appliances, and even your neighbor’s Wi-Fi can weaken your signal.
Competing Devices – Phones, smart TVs, tablets, and IoT devices all share bandwidth, making it harder for your voiceover software to get priority.
Latency Issues – Voice over sessions rely on real-time audio transmission. Even a small delay (latency) can disrupt timing and cause issues with client direction.
Connection Dropouts – Wi-Fi is more likely to momentarily disconnect, which might not be noticeable when browsing but will ruin a live recording session.
Many studios require a wired Ethernet connection for Source Connect, ipDTL, and other live recording platforms. A poor connection can make a bad impression and cost you work.
Why Ethernet Is the Best Choice for Voice Over
A wired Ethernet connection offers:
Consistent Speed – No more battling for bandwidth with your smart TV or other household devices.
Lower Latency – Your signal reaches the internet faster and more reliably than Wi-Fi.
No Dropouts – A direct wired connection to your router is much more stable than wireless signals.
Studio-Quality Performance – The best way to ensure seamless live sessions with clients and directors.
How fast should your internet be for voice over?
Download Speed: 50 Mbps or higher is ideal.
Upload Speed: At least 10 Mbps, but higher is better for stable live sessions.
Ping (Latency): Lower is better—aim for 20ms or less for real-time voice sessions.
Test your speed today and make the switch to Ethernet. Your career depends on it!
How to Optimize Your Internet for Voice Over Success
1. Use a Wired Ethernet Connection
The single best upgrade you can make is to connect your studio computer directly to your router with an Ethernet cable.
If your router is in another room, consider:
Running a long Ethernet cable (you can get cables up to 200 feet).
Installing an Ethernet wall jack in your studio.
Using a Powerline Ethernet Adapter, which transmits internet through your electrical wiring.
2. Test Your Internet Speed
Check your speed and latency at Speedtest.net to see if your connection is VO-ready. If speeds are inconsistent, contact your ISP about upgrading your plan or troubleshooting performance issues.
3. Prioritize Your Connection
Make sure your voice over computer gets top priority on your network:
Disable unnecessary devices while recording (smart TVs, tablets, etc.).
Use Quality of Service (QoS) settings on your router to prioritize voice over applications.
Schedule large uploads/downloads outside of work hours.
4. Secure Your Network
Unsecured Wi-Fi networks allow neighbors or hackers to siphon bandwidth, slowing your connection. Make sure to:
Use a strong Wi-Fi password to prevent unauthorized access.
Use WPA2 or WPA3 encryption to secure your network.
Check your router’s admin panel to see what devices are connected—and kick off any freeloaders!
5. Upgrade Your Equipment
If your router is more than 5 years old, it might be slowing you down. Consider upgrading to a modern, high-performance router or investing in a dedicated business-class internet plan.
Don’t Let a Weak Connection Cost You Work
Your internet connection is just as important as your microphone, studio, and skills. By using a wired Ethernet connection, optimizing your network, and testing your speeds, you ensure your voice over sessions run smoothly—and your clients keep coming back.
Thanks for watching - Anne
Work with Anne
Anne Ganguzza is California-based Voice Actor, Voiceover Coach, and award-winning Director & Producer specializing in target-marketed Voiceover Demo Production.
