Subject:Adding Depth/Timbre to Narration

Posted by: Brooks

Date:10/30/2008 12:09:33 PM

I'm creating a "Relaxation" CD and I need to add some depth, warmth, and timbre to a voice-narration track (which will eventually have a low-level soothing music bed underneath). I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the new SF9 effects and I wondering if someone might suggest an approach.

[The narration was recorded with an AKG C3000 mic and Zoom H4 Recorder with no pre-effects.)

Subject:RE: Adding Depth/Timbre to Narration

Reply by: Chienworks

Date:10/30/2008 12:25:41 PM

Just my personal suggestion, i'm sure others will have their own opinions ...

1 - Add some bass, maybe in the 100 to 250Hz range, not much, just a touch. Also increase the level slightly in the 600 to 1000Hz range. This will spread the frequency range out a bit rather than being focused on the primary vocal frequencies.

2 - Add a touch of warm reverb. Don't overdo it; less is more. You want to give the feeling of a slightly open space, but not a gym or wind tunnel.

3 - Slow the recording down a bit. Try using effects / pitch bend and drop it maybe 5 to 10%. Do not preserve the frequency. This will result in not only a slower pace, but a mellower and fuller sound.

Subject:RE: Adding Depth/Timbre to Narration

Reply by: Brooks

Date:10/30/2008 4:14:26 PM

Thanks! (Yes, I tried Reverb, but very clumsily.) I'll give these a try.

Subject:RE: Adding Depth/Timbre to Narration

Reply by: drbam

Date:10/31/2008 4:51:58 PM

Be mindful that the music will have the effect of changing the sound of the voice. I would do some adjusting now but prepare for further tweaking once the music is in place at the proper level. Of course if you are not performing the final mix/master, then just get the best sound you can and send it on.

Subject:RE: Adding Depth/Timbre to Narration

Reply by: jumbuk

Date:11/2/2008 2:55:12 AM

One suggestion - for voice over music, you need to compress the voice a bit to ensure it stands out, and doesn't get swallowed by the backing tracks.

Check out my CD here:

http://cdbaby.com/cd/jumbuktu

It was mainly done with Acid. The tracks Get the Word and To the Guru are examples that may be close to what you are aiming at.

I used a string of Waves effects on the voice: C1 compressor/expander; Q10 EQ and Trueverb. No reason why you can't use the equivalent Sony effects. The reverb was generally fairly subtle, depending on the track.

Subject:RE: Adding Depth/Timbre to Narration

Reply by: drbam

Date:11/2/2008 5:36:29 AM

I agree with jumbuk on the use of compression and eq. However, I rarely, if ever, use verb on VO. If I do, its just a hint of ambience, or in a situation where the project requires the voice to be set in a verb space as a special effect.

Subject:RE: Adding Depth/Timbre to Narration

Reply by: jumbuk

Date:11/2/2008 3:35:30 PM

I agree with DRBAM re reverb. Most of the time I was using a "tight room" preset as a starting point, with the occasional bigger space where it was needed. The point is though that close-miking will generally give you a very dry and unnatural voice track - you do need to place it in some kind of space to make it feel right. I think this would be particularly the case with relaxation music. As always, experiment until you find something you like.

Which reminds me, I like to use a "reference recording" to help keep me on track. For Jumbuktu, it was the first track of the Chieftains "Tears of Stone" album that I used as my ideal blend of voice and music, especially at the mastering stage.

Subject:RE: Adding Depth/Timbre to Narration

Reply by: Geoff_Wood

Date:11/3/2008 2:21:51 PM

The C3000 is famous for adding a nasty nasal zing to some sources. Try sweeping the hf around 6 - 10KHz with an EQ boost to identify any offending frequencies, and cut them a little.

And as other have suggested a low-mid boost will add warmth. Also some gentle compression to even things out dynamically.

geoff

Subject:RE: Adding Depth/Timbre to Narration

Reply by: Fredv

Date:11/9/2008 3:21:31 PM

In some of the work I do with narration over video, I'll use Multiband Dynamics.

However, make sure that both the talent, and the microphone used for the talent, can properly record the talent. By this I mean if the talent is recorded on an EV-635, or if the announce is a kid with no baritone range, then I don't think any post EQ will help.

However, if you have a voice that can work a decent mic, you can post the audio to snap out as you want. FWIW, I use Neumann U47, Audio Technica 4070 or 2020s for voice over.

There are a host of tricks as well to posting audio depending on where the final product ends up. For example, spots that I make that go to a digital TV station have a different treatment than those going to an AM radio station.