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seiferalmasy63 · Location: United Kingdom

I'm recording a voice over for a games commercial and I want it to be really powerful so I'm going to make the voice really grand. I'm wondering how I would go about getting the voice effect you used to hear on UPN (in just about ever commercial) or in most cinematic trailers.

Thanks for any help.

SteveG · Location: United Kingdom

It's quite easy really - first you need somebody with a really first-rate voice, then you need a sympathetic acoustic environment, and a really good condensor mic, and preamp. And a PC with a soundcard that's not made by Creative Labs - something like a Mia, or an Audiophile 2496. And then you need CEP, and preferrably a decent pair of monitors. Then all you need to do is coax a great performance out of your talent...

Basically, it's not really an 'effect' you're after - it's a performance. You might compress it a bit to reduce the dynamics slightly, but if you get the right performance, you shouldn't have to do too much to it at all. THe moment you start processing the human voice, it shows - human ears are pretty attuned to the sound of it!

If you've got a product that's worth it, then it's also worth promoting it properly. And unless you have the kit, and you know exactly what you are doing, it's not going to sound 'the business', IMHO.

Now, this might sound a bit harsh, and people might tell you all sorts of other things to try, but ultimately, you have to ask yourself - why do the pros do it like this if there's no need? As they say in Yorkshire, 'You don't get owt for nowt'.

So, what kit have you got?

Craig Jackman · Location: Canada

... and the guy that voices most cinematic trailers makes millions and MILLIONS of dollars a year doing it.

The human voice is an instrument. If you can't play your instrument, no amount of tweaking and digital poking is going to make it sound like you can. It's there or it isn't. You want to sound like the movie guy? Smoke 2 or 3 packs a day for 15 or twenty years, unfiltered preferably ... take acting lessons all the time ... learn to be a good writer, then go away and become a great writer ... all this will help you develop an emotional connection to your listener and sympathy and understanding for what you're talking about.

Don't want to do that? That's OK, hire a talent agency to find you someone who has.

seiferalmasy63 · Location: United Kingdom

Wow, I can't belive people can make that kinda low basy almost humming noise with their voice. The thing is I'm on a very tight budget, I'm being paid after all I've got is the digiBeta footage and my Mac to di it on. Anyway thanks, I guess my performance will have to do.