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primo Posts: 16	Posted - Fri Feb 09, 2001 11:23 am  Hello all- I'm wondering (being kind of new to spot production)if there is a general rule to follow as far as average volume levels for final mixes for both AM and FM. For example, I've read that T.V. use a reference level of around -18dBFS. I don't want to use compression or limiting too much if it's going to get squashed by the radio stations on air limiters, etc. Also, does anyone use band limited compression on voiceover? Could I use this to fatten up the low end without emphasizing the sibilance? Any tips regarding compression and EQ techniques for good, solid VO is appreciated. My set-up is fairly modest: AT 4033, dbx 163a, Mackie 1202 Pro, Gina sound card, Cool Edit Pro. (Is there a better editing program, I think not!)
Chris Harris Posts: 16	Posted - Fri Feb 09, 2001 3:08 pm  Hi Primo, I think we've entered on of those do I do this or that type of threads! On compression, it all depends on what you start with, some voices need help with band compression, others need help with full compression. But as a rule of thumb when I produce a voice for promos or a radio station ident, I tend to compress the voice fairly heavily. Mainly using a multiband compressor, this as you say will bring the lows up and not make the voice too sibilant. But another trick I tend to do a lot, is eq the music that the voice is going to sit over. Add top and bottom to the track, leaving the mid range un-touched, this is where the voice sits, so you can have the track louder and still have the voice coming through clearly. By the way if you want to use a multiband compressor in CEP there's a great Direct-x one at: http://www.db-audioware.com/plugins.html Well worth a few quid!
HairWasHere Location: USA Posts: 191	Posted - Wed Sep 25, 2002 1:02 am  Off subject: Primo, does your username come from DJ Premier, the legendary hip hop producer? _________________ www.prorec.com www.r3mix.net
Talkmeup Location: USA Posts: 83	Posted - Wed Oct 02, 2002 1:30 pm  Speaking of MultiBand compressing...anybody got any good scripts they've put together for Compressing? Jus curious...I wanted other peoples input...and I'm a lazy b*stard too... J.D. _________________ I posted on this forum and all I got was this lousy t-shirt... J.D. Soutar Production Director 95 Triple X/WVMT AM 620 Burlington VT.
SteveG Location: United Kingdom Posts: 6695	Posted - Wed Oct 02, 2002 3:21 pm  Quote: I think we've entered on of those do I do this or that type of threads! I think you might be right... In general, if you are going to put a voice over music, too much dynamic range in either is likely to reduce intelligability. So your average DJ likes to have a compressed voice so that records can be voiced over, etc., and voices in trails/promos/imaging tend to be compressed for the same reason. The interesting question really is 'how much lower should the average music level be than the speech?'. And there really isn't a hard and fast answer to that, except to say that as people get older, they find it harder to discriminate between speech and music, and prefer at least a 15dB discrepancy. But the results also vary with the music type, so ultimately, you have to let your ears (or the complaints!) decide. Good solid VO is predominantly dependent on the talent. Yes, you can EQ stuff, but this is a pretty poor compensation for a great voice. Good talent will have what amounts to a 'love affair' with the microphone, and will know exactly what to do to get the best out of it. And the treatment, if any, that you need to give the results will vary widely. Yes, you can thicken up the bottom end with band-limited compression, but I'd rather change the situation with the mic/artiste and get them a little closer together. But I've heard excellent results from AT4033s, so you're in with a good chance of getting a result. Most of the best advice for getting good results actually relates to the recording environment and the talent - once you've got this right, the recordings are relatively easy to make. _________________
Craig Jackman Location: Canada Posts: 909	Posted - Thu Oct 03, 2002 5:44 am  I've never worried about specific reference levels in 18 years. Get your studio set up once, then from there just make sure it sounds good to your ear. Don't worry too much about the processing in the broadcast chain as there is very little you can do about it. Use the compression you need in the studio on the specific elements that need it. If you like to strap a compressor across the final mix because it sounds better to you, then that is fine ... it's not my way of doing things, but I'm not hearing what you are hearing. If you think you are using too much compression, then you probably are. Use less and don't lose any sleep over it. As for band limiting on a VO, again it's not something I'd do, but if you can do it so it sounds good to you then just do it. Personally I like a fairly gentle 3:1 at around -12. But that's just me. As far as multi band compression ... while it is possible in CEP to do it, it is a horrendous pain in the ass. If you want multiband - which I find effective on a final mix used sparingly - go to a plug in. Dave Brown (db audio) makes a cheap one, but the better versions come from Waves (C4 - the BEST), or Ozone (from iZotope - very interesting). The first rule for audio spot production is that there really are no rules. Make it sound good to you then call it a day. The second rule for audio spot production is to refer to the first rule. It really is that easy when you get down to it. _________________ Craig Jackman Production Supervisor CHEZ/CKBY/CIOX/CJET/CIWW Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
BT Location: USA Posts: 10	Posted - Tue Dec 03, 2002 5:33 am  I always try to keep everything at or below -1 dB. Besides being pretty and not "clipping" the top of the waveform at 0dBu, it gives you that extra headroom if you ever need it. I've found that it avoids some bad mixtures of sounds. I make myself watch the meters...and I find all the time that something doesn't SOUND loud enough, but in reality it's clipping. Normally, I just turn UP my headphones, and drag the volume curve on that element DOWN. Less is more -- you can always amplify later. _________________ BT Former Imaging Director in Austin, TX -- now freelancing! Hooray for freelancing.
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