Typical Mic Chain For Voice Overs

HiRaX · 22nd June 2006

I over the past few years have done many voice overs and can honestly say I am never happy with the results of any of them. Unfortunatly my mic chain is only TLM103---->VintechX73i----->Dbx160X---->192i/o.
I also track all of these in a Whisperroom 4 X 4 booth.
The V/O's a lot of the time sound too big, or I always get some annoying proximity effect.
Do any of you guys have any tips or tricks fo getting clean/clear sounding v/o's?

And yes...I very much realize the importance of good V/O talent, because it isnt exactly just reading off a script. The person has to have the right voice.

Rob King · 22nd June 2006

I have done V.O recording on about 100 video games in the last 12 years, so I am familiar with it. I have gone through tons of gear trying to get that special something and the last year I have fine tuned the chain to this....

BLUE Kiwi ->

Avalon 737sp (w/compressor mod) (Threshold -12, comp 3:1 Attack & Release Fast ->

Teletronix LA-2A (In compression mode 10-15db peak reduction->

Lavry MAD Converters (analog saturation engeaged)->

Protools HD.

I haven't been happier! I am working on a PSP game in 2 weeks and I am going to give the TLM49 a go on the project (Same Chain).

Rob King

HiRaX · 22nd June 2006

Wow, you compress a lot on the way in huh??
Maybe I would too, but this DBX160x is just horrid sounding on the human voice in IMO.
Thanks for the reply. Maybe If we ever get more of a budget I can start buying more gear/mics

.

Rob King · 22nd June 2006

Seriously, your chain needs some improvement. As much as I dislike the TLM103 I think that the Vintech 73i and especially the DBX 160x are not great for dialogue recording. Get a better "cleaner" preamp, Avalon, Millennia, GML, Martech are all great. Then get a better Mic. For starters, just leave the DBX out of the chain...

I hit both compressor pretty lightly..I find that the sound works really well when mixed into a game with 1000 sounds playing all around the dialogue.

Rob

HiRaX · 22nd June 2006

Thanks for the suggestions....

RKrizman · 22nd June 2006

I see people use 103's all the time for VO and I use one as well. Don't get too close to it and don't be afraid to roll off some bottom. Use a clean pre.

-R

danno812 · 23rd June 2006

First off, the DBX is rather harsh. A cleaner, more subtle compressor is the way to go and actually less is really more when it comes to recording VO. I prefer VO talent to not add any compression when recording. This allows me more flexibility when mixing a spot.

The TLM103 is a standard VO microphone, but don't hesitate to try others(based on your budget as well as your vocal quality). Even though mics like the RE20 are broadcast standards, I tend not to like them for commercials.

As far as the WhisperRoom goes...I have found that the foam included doesn't quite go far enough to help the sound of those things. Get 6-8 corner foam pieces and align the ceiling/wall corners. If you have a deeper tone this will really help.

As for the preamp, if you are going to ISDN you don't have to spend big bucks because the ISDN codec will degrade the quality anyhow. Preamps I really like on the lower end of the cost spectrum are JohnHardy, Presonus VXP (no longer made substitute an MP20), Grace101...just to name a few. If you are doing your own productions then you can try these or go with something higher end.

Good luck.

22nd June 2006	#1
HiRaX Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Southern CT Posts: 288 Thread Starter	Typical Mic Chain For Voice Overs I over the past few years have done many voice overs and can honestly say I am never happy with the results of any of them. Unfortunatly my mic chain is only TLM103---->VintechX73i----->Dbx160X---->192i/o. I also track all of these in a Whisperroom 4 X 4 booth. The V/O's a lot of the time sound too big, or I always get some annoying proximity effect. Do any of you guys have any tips or tricks fo getting clean/clear sounding v/o's? And yes...I very much realize the importance of good V/O talent, because it isnt exactly just reading off a script. The person has to have the right voice.

22nd June 2006	#2
Rob King Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Sherman Oaks Posts: 1,082	I have done V.O recording on about 100 video games in the last 12 years, so I am familiar with it. I have gone through tons of gear trying to get that special something and the last year I have fine tuned the chain to this.... BLUE Kiwi -> Avalon 737sp (w/compressor mod) (Threshold -12, comp 3:1 Attack & Release Fast -> Teletronix LA-2A (In compression mode 10-15db peak reduction-> Lavry MAD Converters (analog saturation engeaged)-> Protools HD. I haven't been happier! I am working on a PSP game in 2 weeks and I am going to give the TLM49 a go on the project (Same Chain). Rob King __________________ Rob King Green Street Studios My Production Gear List

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22nd June 2006	#6
RKrizman Lives for gear Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 6,257	I see people use 103's all the time for VO and I use one as well. Don't get too close to it and don't be afraid to roll off some bottom. Use a clean pre. -R

23rd June 2006	#7
danno812 Gear maniac Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Asheville, NC Posts: 216	First off, the DBX is rather harsh. A cleaner, more subtle compressor is the way to go and actually less is really more when it comes to recording VO. I prefer VO talent to not add any compression when recording. This allows me more flexibility when mixing a spot. The TLM103 is a standard VO microphone, but don't hesitate to try others(based on your budget as well as your vocal quality). Even though mics like the RE20 are broadcast standards, I tend not to like them for commercials. As far as the WhisperRoom goes...I have found that the foam included doesn't quite go far enough to help the sound of those things. Get 6-8 corner foam pieces and align the ceiling/wall corners. If you have a deeper tone this will really help. As for the preamp, if you are going to ISDN you don't have to spend big bucks because the ISDN codec will degrade the quality anyhow. Preamps I really like on the lower end of the cost spectrum are JohnHardy, Presonus VXP (no longer made substitute an MP20), Grace101...just to name a few. If you are doing your own productions then you can try these or go with something higher end. Good luck.