Treating vocals in film at DVinfo.net

Daniel Alexander · September 1st, 2008, 01:03 PM

I've recently started to film some short films and recording dialogue via an Audio Technica AT897 connected straight to my sony ex1. Despite my worries of capturing clean vocals i have managed to record very clear and strong vocals but my problem is them being too errrrm how can i explain this, the vocals kind of sound like ADR, very in your face and almost an unreal presence. Also the proximity sounds like the vocals are too close to the mic yet all my teachings have told me to get the mic as close to the talent as possible. During my recordings there were no clippings at all and the levels were usually around -6db so plenty of space in front of the dreaded red line.

I'm trying to figure out how to get that warm, natural sound as seen in many films, now i know that for such quality i should be using a DAT machine or some other analogue based recorder but being on a budget I'm trying to figure out what i can do to mimic that warmth as much as possible. Im quite efficient with sound editing programs and I'm almost sure the result can be achieved through compressors, EQ etc however after hours of trying i have decided to come here for help. Any ideas?

Brian Drysdale · September 1st, 2008, 01:22 PM

In films you build up your audio tracks: dialogue, FX etc. rather than rely on just one layer. You record room atmosphere and other effects separately and build those behind your dialogue. Having the clean dialogue means you can add reverb and adjust the equalisation to taste during your sound mix without affecting the other tracks.

You should test your microphone for best position, because that can influence how a voice sounds.

Daniel Alexander · September 1st, 2008, 01:37 PM

Thanks Brian, I'm going to spend a few days experimenting, just wanted to check there wasn't something obvious i was missing

September 1st, 2008, 01:03 PM	#1
Daniel Alexander Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Midlands, UK Posts: 320	Treating vocals in film I've recently started to film some short films and recording dialogue via an Audio Technica AT897 connected straight to my sony ex1. Despite my worries of capturing clean vocals i have managed to record very clear and strong vocals but my problem is them being too errrrm how can i explain this, the vocals kind of sound like ADR, very in your face and almost an unreal presence. Also the proximity sounds like the vocals are too close to the mic yet all my teachings have told me to get the mic as close to the talent as possible. During my recordings there were no clippings at all and the levels were usually around -6db so plenty of space in front of the dreaded red line. I'm trying to figure out how to get that warm, natural sound as seen in many films, now i know that for such quality i should be using a DAT machine or some other analogue based recorder but being on a budget I'm trying to figure out what i can do to mimic that warmth as much as possible. Im quite efficient with sound editing programs and I'm almost sure the result can be achieved through compressors, EQ etc however after hours of trying i have decided to come here for help. Any ideas?

September 1st, 2008, 01:22 PM	#2
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	In films you build up your audio tracks: dialogue, FX etc. rather than rely on just one layer. You record room atmosphere and other effects separately and build those behind your dialogue. Having the clean dialogue means you can add reverb and adjust the equalisation to taste during your sound mix without affecting the other tracks. You should test your microphone for best position, because that can influence how a voice sounds.

September 1st, 2008, 01:37 PM	#3
Daniel Alexander Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: West Midlands, UK Posts: 320	Thanks Brian, I'm going to spend a few days experimenting, just wanted to check there wasn't something obvious i was missing