Recording VO Tip 1: Avoid Using Expansion Or Gates
When recording voice-overs or ADR, do NOT use expansion or a gate (even if you have rumbling air con) - it makes the noise floor variable in level and therefore harder to track when using Cedar DNS One or with iZotope RX3 when mixing.Sort the problem at source - or after the recording, not during.
Recording VO Tip 2: Dealing With Clicky Voices
Does you recording talent have a clicky palette? Give them water with lemon juice or a tart green apple, and the acid will activate their saliva glands and reduce the stickiness (their stomachs will also gurgle less!)
Recording VO Tip 3: Always Name Tracks
Always name your VO recording track with the VO Artist’s name as well as the programme or episode name. When you forget their name (due to session pressure or Alzheimer’s) it enables you to have a look and see. Also, months down the line, when you think “ah yes that’s the voice I would recommend” to one of your other clients, you have a record. It also helps if you suffer from stray files!
Recording VO Tip 4: Fader Etiquette
When voice recording, fade up your DME fader from standing starts - it is much less jarring to the talent to hear the start faded up rather than a hard loud instant start. I learned to this when I was a lad (a long time ago - almost in the era of valves….) when the video desk was master, and the multitrack would slew into lock under synchroniser control (which was very unpleasant to listen to). The Pro tools 11 AVID fade up causes recordings to have fades too - so be careful.
Recording VO Tip 5: Dealing With Pop Blasts
Is the VO a bit poppy? Tried a foam windshield and a “stocking filter”? Then a pencil blu tacked in front of the capsule on an LDC mic can help prevent pops by diverting the airflow. Failing that, try an omni mic pattern rather than cardioid.
Recording VO Tip 6: Use Scripts
Learn a set of annotation: I use the following:
Pr - pronunciation
PF - performance
left arrow - move earlier
right arrow - move later
GM - gap in the middle required
GS - gap at the start required
GE - gap at the end required
T - timing (usually related to picture)
R - retake required
? - listen again
So there’s my tips - what are yours?