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How to Fix Voiceover Audio That Sounds Flat

Voice-overs can present a challenge when placed over a busy piece of music or sound collage. The information has to be heard, but the excitement or mood of the background is essential for context, and it may be presented in a variety of questionable listening environments. There are techniques that can be used to help repair a voice-over that is getting lost in the mix.

Things You'll Need

  • Multitrack recorder or software
  • Equalizer
  • Compressor with side chain capability
  • Exciter (optional)
  • Pitch correction software or hardware
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Instructions

    • 1

      Use an equalizer to boost the key frequencies of the voice-over. At the same time, cut those frequencies from the mixed track. This can make space for the voice-over by reducing the amounts of sound competing in the same range. Try adjustments around 1000 Hz and 2500 Hz to start, and adjust for your situation. Exciter plug-ins and hardware add artificial overtones, and may add presence to your voice-over also.

    • 2

      Process the voice-over through a compressor to even the dynamics and increase emphasis on speech definition frequencies. Start with a compression ratio of about 5:1, adjust the threshold as necessary for your track, and use short attack and release times. Add level if compression reduces the overall volume of the voice-over.

    • 3

      Process the background track through a compressor, but use the voice-over as a side chain trigger. Adjust the compressor so that it reduces the level of the background track when the voice-over is active. For most natural sound, start with a low compression ratio of 2:1 or 3:1, and slower attack and release times. This process is called "ducking" and it can be approximated by using faders to lower the volume of the backing track manually.

    • 4

      Use pitch correction to change the frequency of the voice-over itself. While "flat" has a connotation in singing that is addressed with very specific pitch changes, raising or lowering the pitch of a voice-over may add excitement or depth.

Recording Music

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