Jump to content

The Big Tips & Tricks List!


Recommended Posts

  • 1 month later...

What do you want to share?

Well James, here's a tip for voice folks that applies whatever software you're using. If you are making a sweeper or a spot with effects and/or music, it can be difficult to tell whether or not each word is clear and not being overpowered by the backing. So I usually play the mix back through headphones, but I put the headphones on the desk in front of me. If I can still hear the vocals cutting through clearly, I know I have got the balance right.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's a pro tip for you with Audition. Everyone likes to use compression, but you get a much better sound by normalizing and hard limiting. Try this:

 

1. Record a dry read. Load the track into Audition.

 

2. Put the track into Edit View, choose Effects, Amplitude, Normalize. Normalize at 0db. Note that it doesn't change the wave form, it just analyzes it for normalization at this stage.

 

3. Now choose Hard Limiting. Hard Limit the track's max amplitude to -3db.

 

4. Now Normalize again at 0db. Watch how the waveforms get fuller and solid.

 

Take a listen, you'll be impressed.

 

5. Add your music bed, stingers and FX. Add all your voice FX in the appropriate places, flange, echo, whatever.

 

6. Take the final mixdown, and repeat steps 2-4. Normalize, hard limit, and normalize again.

 

This is how the pros at places like Monumental Imaging do it. You want a FAT waveform. The sound is three-dimensional. And no compression involved. Always remember, compression is LOSSY, we want MORE sound, not less.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...
Well James, here's a tip for voice folks that applies whatever software you're using. If you are making a sweeper or a spot with effects and/or music, it can be difficult to tell whether or not each word is clear and not being overpowered by the backing. So I usually play the mix back through headphones, but I put the headphones on the desk in front of me. If I can still hear the vocals cutting through clearly, I know I have got the balance right.

 

That is a very good tip. I have heard many cases of people adding effects or music to make it sound catchy, only to overpower the message they were trying to deliver.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...