Not everybody has entry to an expert sound sales space or recording studio for his or her voice work. However, it’s nonetheless potential to get nice outcomes even when circumstances (like your price range or recording location) place a tough restrict in your choices.
So on this four-part collection, we’ll be how one can produce higher spoken-voice recordings from residence. We’ll begin with a take a look at microphones, then your recording surroundings, after which how you can use Audition to report your vocals earlier than getting ready the file for enhancing.
Let me begin by saying that I’m not an expert voiceover artist. And I’m undoubtedly no audio engineer. However I’ve added my voice to lots of of company and academic movies and I’ve picked up just a few issues on the way in which.
So for those who’re excited about recording a podcast at residence, otherwise you’ve been requested to do a voiceover on your firm’s newest explainer video, there must be one thing in right here price studying.
Working with what you’ve obtained
Working remotely implies that you received’t have the posh of a studio’s microphone locker, so the most effective microphone for the job might need to be the one that you simply’ve obtained.
“The Neumann TLM170i is one among our many fantastic and dependable microphones from Neumann which we acquired in 1983. It has improved frequency vary, further quiet circuitry and could be very fashionable.” – Lester Smith, the custodian of Abbey Highway’s world-famous microphone assortment. pic.twitter.com/12Nyrg2PZh
— Abbey Highway Studios (@AbbeyRoad) August 14, 2018
However if you’re in search of a brand new microphone, I’d supply this recommendation. You will get good outcomes with out spending lots—cash in doesn’t at all times equate to high quality out—however investing in recording tools can get costly.
So until your voice is already pulling within the large bucks, your ought to in all probability audition a selection of rental microphones earlier than you make the leap.
Additionally, there are too many variables concerned to find one thing that matches your wants, so I received’t be waxing lyrical concerning the relative deserves of well-known vocal mics just like the Neumann TLM 49, the ElectroVoice RE20 or the Shure SM7B. Frankly, it’d be a little bit hypocritical on condition that I’m nonetheless working with an sE Z3300a that I’ve had for years. (Don’t decide me, it was ok to kickstart Ed Sheeran’s profession.)
A younger Ed Sheeran working with an SE Electronics z3300a
First issues first
As an alternative, let’s work by means of the microphone fundamentals in order that you recognize what you’ll be working with (or what you need to be in search of). Beginning with the three major varieties of microphone—dynamic, condenser, and ribbon.
Dynamic microphones
Dynamic mics are the most affordable of the bunch, however they’re favored by reside performers as a result of they’re smaller and lots harder than ribbons or condensers.
A very good instance of that is the Shure SM58 which has been the go-to workhorse stage mic for many years. Dynamic mics work by utilizing a diaphragm connected to a coil inside a magnetic subject. When sound waves transfer the diaphragm, the movement generates a small quantity {of electrical} power that correlates to the frequency of the sound wave, turning the acoustic power into {an electrical} sign.
The limitation of this design for voiceover work is that dynamic mics might be slower to answer greater frequencies, making them much less delicate on the prime finish.
Conversely, they don’t want energy to operate, which might make them simpler to hook up with different gadgets like your laptop. They’re additionally actually immune to distortion when uncovered to excessive sound stress ranges, however this isn’t an element for voiceovers however it might be helpful for those who’re doing battle voice performing. Which is a factor.
Ribbon microphones
Ribbon microphones work on an analogous precept to dynamic mics in that they (normally) convert acoustic power into electrical power with out the necessity for exterior energy. However that’s the place the similarities finish.
As a result of they make use of an extraordinarily skinny foil ribbon, these mics are much more fragile and costly than each condenser- and dynamic mics. Additionally they generate a really quiet sign, so that you’ll want so as to add an audio interface with an honest preamp to the full price of possession.
However for those who’re keen to pay the additional money, they’re much more conscious of high-frequency sound than their dynamic counterparts. Additionally they are inclined to have a flatter frequency response—however we’ll get to that half in a second.
Whereas this video isn’t about spoken efficiency, it’s nonetheless filled with nice data.
Condenser microphones
Lastly, condenser mics (generally referred to as capacitor mics) use two electrically-charged plates; one mounted, one floating.
The floating plate does an analogous job to the diaphragm in a dynamic microphone, however as an alternative of changing acoustic power into electrical power, condenser mics measure modifications within the electrical subject (capacitance) between the 2 plates because the diaphragm is moved by sound waves.
As a result of this wants electrical energy to work, condenser microphones should be powered—normally by a 48-volt supply referred to as phantom energy that’s carried from the audio interface or preamp through an XLR cable. So, once more, you’ll want so as to add an audio interface to the price for those who’re connecting one to a pc.
Condenser mics are extra sturdy than ribbons whereas nonetheless being fast to answer all frequencies. They vary from extraordinarily reasonably priced to hyper-expensive. It’s additionally price noting that the dimensions of the diaphragm in a condenser mic can range considerably between fashions. Bigger sizes have a tendency to supply a much less harsh response to greater frequencies at shut vary, which is why they’re the most typical selection for vocal recording.
So for those who’re undecided what you need, a large-diaphragm condenser is your greatest place to begin.
What about USB?
On a facet word, you’ll discover some microphones have a USB interface, permitting them to attach on to your laptop. They obtain this by squeezing the circuitry of an audio interface into the microphone physique. USB mics are virtually at all times large-diaphragm condensers designed for voice work, and I’ve achieved cheap outcomes with mics like this up to now. However they don’t have the most effective status.
That is partly as a result of sign lag that made it inconceivable to observe early fashions whereas recording. And conclusions will also be drawn concerning the internals of a mic that prices half the worth of a typical condenser and exterior USB interface.
That mentioned, many more moderen fashions have headphone outputs constructed immediately into the microphone, which sidesteps the lag difficulty. And there are some fascinating strikes from Shure and Sennheiser (just like the MK4 Digital) that counsel that the USB microphone format is maturing.
Name and response
Now that we’ve obtained a deal with on microphone sorts, it’s time to drill down a little bit into their recording traits as these can range enormously even when the microphone kind is identical. And which means digging out their frequency response graph.
Get-out clause
Earlier than the audio engineers amongst you begin angrily scrolling all the way down to the feedback part, I’m conscious that frequency response is a two-dimensional illustration that doesn’t at all times mirror the off-axis or proximity habits of the {hardware}.
I’m additionally conscious that the noise used to create these curves shouldn’t be the identical because the human voice. There’s no substitute for first-hand expertise.
But when you recognize a greater strategy to assess the essential traits of your microphone (and to match it to others) while you don’t have an anechoic chamber in your basement, I’m all ears. There’s a feedback part on the backside of the web page.
Between the traces
In case you take a look at the examples under, you’ll see frequency response graphs for 3 fashionable microphones from the Australian producer, RØDE. I’m not advocating this producer’s merchandise above others, I simply wanted a set of persistently mapped response curves for comparability.
The tidiness of the graph line signifies that knowledge smoothing is at play right here, however the visible variations are clear. And we will draw some fundamental conclusions about their efficiency.
Studying a frequency response graph
In case you’re undecided what you’re , a frequency response graph is basically a histogram for sound.
The x-axis runs from 20Hz to 20kHz, which is the utmost frequency vary audible to a teen’s ear. The y-axis describes dB re 1V/Pa, or decibels relative to at least one volt per pascal.
In easy phrases, dB re 1V/Pa is the quantity {of electrical} power a microphone generates in response to sound power. To construct a response curve, a microphone is subjected to a particular kind of sound called pink noise at a hard and fast distance in a tightly managed acoustic surroundings and its subsequent electrical output is measured.
Graphing these outcomes as audio frequency (x) in opposition to electrical output (y) offers you an thought of how the microphone responds to particular frequencies, with greater values indicating greater sensitivity. And better sensitivity interprets to a better emphasis on that individual frequency in your recorded audio.
What’s up with the road spacing?
The info is introduced as a logarithmic scale. So on the graphs under, every vertical line between 20-100Hz represents an increment of 10Hz, between 100 and 1000 they’re 100Hz, and between 1,000 and 10,000 the increments are 1,000Hz (1kHz).
RØDE NT1
So with that in thoughts, let’s check out our pattern choice and a number of the conclusions we will draw from their curves.
Beginning with the NT1, which is a large-diaphragm condenser mic that seems to have an impressively flat response. There’s a falloff for frequencies under 30Hz, however this received’t contact your voiceover as a result of it’s under the frequencies in vocal efficiency. (The elemental frequency for voiceovers received’t go decrease than 85Hz, even for those who’re Morgan Freeman.) You may see the raise in the direction of the excessive finish that’s frequent in condenser microphones, on this case from round 4kHz all the way in which to 12kHz.
Based mostly on this, it is best to count on a reasonably correct seize of your spoken vocals. However there’s an emphasis on high-frequency components like sibilance (within the 5-8kHz vary) that may require some consideration in submit.
Emphasis on the excessive finish shouldn’t be essentially a nasty factor. It’s typically described as being vibrant, crisp, or detailed, which helps vocals stand out from music beds and improves intelligibility. Add an excessive amount of, although, and it will get distracting.
RØDE NTR
Evaluate this to the NTR’s graph, we will see that this ribbon microphone emphasizes the decrease finish with a downward slope into the upper frequencies and a dramatic falloff round 5-12kHz that ought to assist to de-emphasize any sibilance. This can be a barely atypical sample for ribbon microphones, however most of them display an analogous low-end raise, leading to recordings which might be typically described as heat, delicate, or darkish.
Actually, if not for the height on the 4kHz mark, and once more at round 18kHz, I’d assume that this microphone may want a little bit brightening in submit. However going by the RØDE advertising and marketing video under, that doesn’t appear to be an issue. (Even for those who’re not swept away by Katie Noonan’s vocals, this can be a masterclass in microphone approach.)
In case you’d wish to know extra concerning the recording setup they used for that video, you’ll discover a BTS here.
RØDE Procaster
And final on the record is the Procaster.
Observe the restricted frequency response that clearly signifies that it’s a dynamic mic. There’s a bump across the 100-200Hz mark that might assist to emphasise low male vocals, however the important raise that occurs from the 1kHz mark upwards may additionally make issues sound overly vibrant. On the plus facet, the sharp fall-off on the low finish will eradicate loads of background rumble.
Having beforehand used this mannequin myself, I discovered it a poor match for my voice, which is already each sibilant and bassy. Your mileage could range.
Up shut and private
To complicate issues additional, some microphones reply in a different way to sound because it will get nearer to the pickup, due to science.
This habits known as the proximity impact and leads to a better emphasis on low-frequency sounds. The nearer you get, the extra bassy and darkish your voice will sound, and vocalists will typically exploit this to get a hotter tone from their recordings.
Relying in your approach, the proximity impact could be a good or dangerous factor, and the reputations of some microphones have been constructed on the presence or absence of this habits. For instance, the NTR featured above has an extremely pronounced low-frequency lift while you get nearer to the pickup.
Sadly, it’s uncommon to discover a producer that publishes frequency response graphs with a number of distances so you may assess the proximity impact. After they do, it seems to be like this.
Additionally, it’s vital to notice that sure varieties of microphones, particularly omnidirectional mics, don’t exhibit the proximity impact. Which brings us to…
Polar/pickup patterns
A fast overview of polar patterns can be so as earlier than we transfer on.
Most producers present graphs for these together with the frequency response, they usually’re created in an analogous method. Solely this time, the outcomes point out how delicate the microphone is to sound approaching the audio pickup from completely different angles, with zero levels used to point the “entrance” of the mic.
The top end result offers you some simply recognizable shapes that point out a mic’s suitability for specific recording duties (some frequent patterns are proven above).
For instance, an omni sample is nice for capturing ambient sound, whereas a hypercardioid is designed to reject facet and rear audio intrusion. A bi-directional (additionally referred to as determine of eight) will seize sound back and front, whereas a cardioid favors the entrance however nonetheless throws a little bit facet ambiance into the combo.
Not as vital as you may suppose
So how a lot do patterns matter?
I’m going to exit on a limb right here and say—for voiceovers particularly—polar patterns aren’t your largest concern. Not less than, not as a lot as different eventualities. Singers will typically “work the mic” by altering their place and angle of assault to use microphone traits, however voiceover work is much less energetic and (normally) delivered in a comparatively static method.
No matter their kind or polar sample, all microphones are most delicate to sound sources near, and immediately in entrance of, the pickup, which is the place voiceover work occurs. Assuming that you simply’re not transferring round an excessive amount of, the power ranges of the audio out of your mouth into the microphone will far exceed that of any off-axis sounds hitting the pickup from different instructions.
So whereas it’s true {that a} bi-directional or omnidirectional mic will choose up extra ambient noise, and cardioids and hypercardioids will reject extra of this sound, the distinction is much much less pronounced while you’re close-micing for a voiceover. Actually, there’s a fantastic instance of this on the backside of Neumann’s article on polar patterns (which is unquestionably price a learn).
Whereas Neumann is utilizing these samples to display proximity response, they had been all recorded in a really full of life acoustic surroundings (generally described as “moist” in audio phrases), so you may hear loads of the audio being mirrored again by the room. The cardioid pattern predictably reveals the best rejection of those sounds at 60cm, however the distinction is much much less pronounced within the close-range samples.
So your microphone’s pickup sample will have an effect on your recordings and the place you place it in a room. However it’s (arguably) much less influential on the top end result than frequency response, until you need to make the most of the proximity impact throughout your recordings. By which case, steer clear of omni mics.
Required studying
When you’ve discovered the response curve and pickup sample on your microphone, you may higher decide what it does properly and the place there is perhaps weak areas it is best to pay attention for in submit.
A very good place to search for microphone response curves is the Recording Hacks microphone database. It’s been some time because the final replace, however it has 1,639 fashions on file, so that you is perhaps fortunate.
Extra not too long ago, an organization referred to as Audio Take a look at Kitchen has been performing some wonderful work with microphone evaluation, and has already constructed up a library of assessments for 300 microphones.
Their web-based app for microphone testing permits you to audition each mic of their database utilizing a set of check tracks, all of which might be break up into particular person stems for vocals and devices. In addition to frequency response graphs, some even have 360-degree views, unboxing movies, and Spotify hyperlinks to tracks which might be recognized to have been recorded utilizing the chosen mannequin.
Sadly, their assessments don’t embody any spoken phrase—which looks like an enormous missed alternative—however there are rap stems and solo vocals that can provide you an thought of their voice recording skills. Definitely price a glance for those who’re mic procuring.
And armed with that data, we will transfer on to part two—your recording environment.