Voiceovers

Music Tech || MT CA4 - Sound Creation

What is a voiceover?

What is a voiceover?

• A voice-over is like a narration.

• If you can hear a voice, but it is not from a visible character or person, then it will be a voice-over.

• Voice-overs are used in a range of forms of media. They are most commonly used in advertisements and film trailers.

What should you consider when recording a voiceover?

• Background noise level.

• Microphone choice:

  • Microphone type.

  • Frequency response.

  • Polar Pattern.

• Proximity to microphone.

• Plosives.

• Reflectiveness of the room.

Why is background noise a problem when recording?

• The voice is a relatively quiet sound.

• If you are recording in loud environment, you will run into problems when trying to process the voice-over in your DAW.

• It is likely that the background noise could be too loud at certain points.

• The signal to noise ratio will only get worse once compression is added.

How can you minimize background noise when recording?

• Simple solutions:

  • Close windows.

  • Turn off air conditioning/fans.

  • Turn off any unnecessary electrical equipment.

  • Use the null of a polar pattern to reject noise.

• Complex solutions:

  • Soundproof room (room within a room).

  • Isolation booth.