Voiceover processing and editing for features and TV

bigsocks · 29th January 2012

Hey guys,
I was wonder how you pros process voiceover in the movie and television industry.
In the music industry you hear a lot about parallel compression and other techniques to get a certain character for a voice, but I was wondering if methods like that are a bit too heavy for voiceover.
Thanks!

Whitecat · 29th January 2012

If it's a good voice well-recorded then I generally don't need to do too much at all.

For web or TV I'll usually put a bit of compression on it (I'll keep it light!) - I like the Softube Tubetech CL-1B a lot lately for this.

I'll EQ if needed but again, will try not do as little as possible.

For film I'll generally do even less, and just mix around the VO instead of treating the VO to stand out, if necessary.

YMMV.

bigsocks · 29th January 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitecat

If it's a good voice well-recorded then I generally don't need to do too much at all.

For web or TV I'll usually put a bit of compression on it (I'll keep it light!) - I like the Softube Tubetech CL-1B a lot lately for this.

I'll EQ if needed but again, will try not do as little as possible.

For film I'll generally do even less, and just mix around the VO instead of treating the VO to stand out, if necessary.

YMMV.

Thanks for that. That's interesting but I can understand why. So will you use compression to just bring down the louder parts slightly then ride the fader to keep a consistent sound?

Whitecat · 29th January 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigsocks

Thanks for that. That's interesting but I can understand why. So will you use compression to just bring down the louder parts slightly then ride the fader to keep a consistent sound?

That's pretty much it. I also like the slight bit of colour the comp adds, in the right context.

SDDP · 30th January 2012

The mic and mic pre is also SUPER important. A fair amount of the big VO talent on the westcoase for film and TV use Avalon Tube pre and the U87 or the 416. Then combination of compression and eq depending on delivery specs. Film you can go higher in volume, WAY hotter. For TV, most if not all have a max -8 for peaks and -10 dB.

Yoda117 · 31st January 2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitecat

If it's a good voice well-recorded then I generally don't need to do too much at all.

QFT, QFE

Quote:

For film I'll generally do even less, and just mix around the VO instead of treating the VO to stand out, if necessary.

YMMV.

For decent talent, this is more the rule than the exception. They'll know how to make what they do stand out when you want it to.

BIGBANGBUZZ · 31st January 2012

My vo chain is on an aux I use two comps one fast attack 10ms one with a slow.. 50ms and a limiter set at -8 i/o. I Use two different comps for colour..
I also use rbass and a desser as well

Mic pre is the RME.
My mic is TLM 103..

Clients like my sound.

Matti · 2nd February 2012

Light compression when recoding and leave it to the mix

Matti

29th January 2012	#1
bigsocks Gear interested Joined: Jan 2012 Posts: 7 Thread Starter	Voiceover processing and editing for features and TV Hey guys, I was wonder how you pros process voiceover in the movie and television industry. In the music industry you hear a lot about parallel compression and other techniques to get a certain character for a voice, but I was wondering if methods like that are a bit too heavy for voiceover. Thanks!

29th January 2012	#2
Whitecat GS Community Manager Joined: Jan 2006 Location: Surrey / London Posts: 6,122 1 Review written	If it's a good voice well-recorded then I generally don't need to do too much at all. For web or TV I'll usually put a bit of compression on it (I'll keep it light!) - I like the Softube Tubetech CL-1B a lot lately for this. I'll EQ if needed but again, will try not do as little as possible. For film I'll generally do even less, and just mix around the VO instead of treating the VO to stand out, if necessary. YMMV. __________________ Scott J. - Gearslutz.com Community Manager my other job: http://www.whitecat.tv - film/web/tv/video/audio post & music Gear for sale! @WhitecatTV

31st January 2012	#7
BIGBANGBUZZ Gear addict Joined: Sep 2008 Location: Melbourne Posts: 369	My vo chain is on an aux I use two comps one fast attack 10ms one with a slow.. 50ms and a limiter set at -8 i/o. I Use two different comps for colour.. I also use rbass and a desser as well Mic pre is the RME. My mic is TLM 103.. Clients like my sound. __________________ ProTools HD Native, C 24 control surface, Mac Pro Intel duo Quad, Decklink Studio 2 and a Coleman VU Microphones, Nuemann Tlm 103, SE GeminII Twin Tube and a H4 Massey De-esser and L2007, Izotope RX2, DMG Audio Equality and Compassion. Waves w43, Dorrough, Rbass, Rcomp plus heaps more.

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30th January 2012	#5
SDDP Gear nut Joined: Nov 2009 Location: Beverly Hills Posts: 141	The mic and mic pre is also SUPER important. A fair amount of the big VO talent on the westcoase for film and TV use Avalon Tube pre and the U87 or the 416. Then combination of compression and eq depending on delivery specs. Film you can go higher in volume, WAY hotter. For TV, most if not all have a max -8 for peaks and -10 dB.

2nd February 2012	#8
Matti Lives for gear Joined: Dec 2004 Location: Finland Posts: 3,756	Light compression when recoding and leave it to the mix Matti