2 mics for voiceover: just for show?

[andychamp]

I've seen this on a lot "making of"-DVDs, especially for animation features: there are 2 mics in front of the VO talent. One right in front of them and one a bit further away AND a bit to the side (capsule still aimed at the artist).
This setup doesn't fit any of the known stereo micing techniques, so I wondered: is it just for the cameras?

[danno812]

It produces a more natural distant sound, (i.e.- if a character were to appear outdoors, far away, or even shouting in the accompanying visuals) rather than attempting to create the effect later.

and

It saves time and doesn't break the flow of the session by having the two mics ready to go as opposed to stopping to set up a new mic when that part of the script is reached.

[starcrash13]

This setup doesn't fit any of the known stereo micing techniques, so I wondered: is it just for the cameras?

IF we're talking ADR, then using at least two mics is fundamental. It's not stereo micing as your comment suggests. It's always mono. There is an ADR mixer who is mixing in real time while the talent is performing. Having multiple mic perspectives makes it easier to blend with the production sound.

[santacore]

You have to realize that most of those behind the scene clips are mock recording sessions.

As Pascal said it's common in ADR to use 2 mic's. It gives you options when recording depending on the perspective you're going for. It's not as common in V/O recording but can still be extremely helpful. When recording dialog for video games I often use 2 mic's. I keep the second one further away or with a pad in case there is loud shouts or screaming. It saves a lot of time and keeps the session moving.

[andychamp]

Originally Posted by santacore

You have to realize that most of those behind the scene clips are mock recording sessions.

I often think so, too. Too well lit, for one.

OTOH, the other explanations offered here also do make sense.

So, to answer my own question: a little bit of both.

[Yoda117]

Originally Posted by santacore

You have to realize that most of those behind the scene clips are mock recording sessions.

Pretty much.

Especially so when you realize that many of the VA talents have a pretty wicked sense of humor. I remember seeing a "behind the voice" kinda thing with Johnny Young Bosch, I think. He wasn't expecting any company in the recording area, and as payback for the interruption, proceeded to strip down to his boxers while the camera was rolling just to get them nervous enough to get the hell out of the way.

His cat calls for the cameraman to join in were priceless.

[squidsquad]

Sometimes it can be useful to record ADR with both a lavalier mic and a 'normal' mic.

The scene may have been originally been recorded with both a boom mic and radio mics. Depending on which gave the best result, the editor putting together the production sound track may have used either.

The choice of ADR mics gives the editor or mixer responsible for fitting the ADR into the original track the choice of 'sound' to best fit the track.

[georgia]

we always do ADR with 2 mics. One is a nice studio mic, like a TLM or U87 or something... the other is a shotgun and/or production style mic. We track ADR into protools using a stereo track with each mic on its' own channel. Then we can edit the two tracks as one for ease of editing... Finally, we select the "correct" or "best" match to the production scene and situation on the screen, for proper blending.

cheers
geo

[georgia]

we always do ADR with 2 mics. One is a nice studio mic, like a TLM or U87 or something... the other is a shotgun and/or production style mic. We track ADR into protools using a stereo track with each mic on its' own channel. Then we can edit the two tracks as one for ease of editing... Finally, we split the tracks to two mono tracks and select the "correct" or "best" match from the two tracks to the production scene and situation on the screen, for proper blending.

cheers
geo