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Pam · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:31 pm Post subject: Pro tools and breath reduction

Apparently I am related to Darth Vader with my breath control. Either that or I'm developing mic-related asthma. Anywho, is there a way I can diminish my breaths in Protools? Some sort of thingymabobber that I can do to keep enough so it sounds normal but not as noticeable?
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Frank F · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:59 pm Post subject:

Not cheap, but Waves DeBreath is really nice. Or, just change the attack angle. proximity, and gain of your microphone.

Toodles

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steveanthony · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 7:22 pm Post subject:

A second nod for Waves De-breath.

todd ellis · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 7:33 pm Post subject:

a second nod for changing your mic technique ... at least as a first step.
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Frank F · Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

What Todd said -- it's cheaper.

Toodles

F2
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davidmonteath · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 4:36 am Post subject:

In Pro Tools there is a handy a Hobo Tounge

called Strip Silence, if you use it judiciously, it will sort out your breath problems.

I fully agree that looking at your mike position is probably the first and best bet, but if that doesn't sort it..........Strip Silence will basically cut out noice below a certain level and will replace it with silence. You will need to set the levels at which strip silence cuts in quite carefully, so that it doesn't jump onto the first and last part of the speech you want to keep.

Take a look.
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Frank F · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 5:45 am Post subject:

Strip Silence is essentially a Noise Gate. You will also likely have to edit your file carefully as not only does it cut-out the noise below a certain level, but it also leaves sound above a certain level. Al breath sounds are not created equal.

Thanks for suggesting that David, I had forgotten about SS in PT.

Toodles

F2
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

If it's not a long narration, just higlight and reduce the levels of your breath sounds by around -8 db. If you remove them completely, it sounds very unnatural. Depends on the project.
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Pam · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 10:19 am Post subject:

ok...so taking into account I am not the smartest when it comes to this stuff, you would suggest I perhaps angle myself a bit off my mic to send the breath across it instead of head on? So it exists on the recording it isn't hitting it full force correct? And as for gain, what is that and how do I adjust it? I know it exists on my audio suite portion of my PT but I never really learned what it does. Thanks!
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Craig · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 10:30 am Post subject:

Pam,

If I'm doing copy that requires a fast, high intensity read, I'll often just record a segment I can do comfortably in one breath, take a long break to oxygenate, then do the next. It's easy in AA (sorry don't use PT, but I assume it's easy there too) to just highlight and delete the break. You must be careful the pause you do leave is natural.

If you fix the sounds in post production Bill and Frank are right on. Turn them down, but not all the way off if you want a natural sound.

Craig
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Eddie Eagle · M&M Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 2393

Yesss.... Another Sith from the Dark Side. I knew there was something about you young Tierney...........The Force is strong within you......

The noise reduction as Frank and Bill suggest is recommended or maybe try a fade in on the breaths? I'm a Sound Forge user so I'm not sure what features you have in PoToos.

Chuck Davis · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 11:36 am Post subject:

Pam. Gain reduction in PT with the audiosuite gain tool is easy. Just select the gain tool from the audiosuite drop down, then highlight the region you want to reduce gain on. Adjust the slider on the tool to reduce the gain of the region by whatever amount you choose (-8db was mentioned earlier) then click process. Make sure that the "use region in playlist" button is selected when you do this so that your actions show up in the file your working on.
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Frank F · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 12:03 pm Post subject:

Actually I was speaking about "microphone gain". Depending on the interface (sound card), microphone, and/or pre-amp. Pam might be able to adjust the input gain as this condition (as described by Pam) sounds like the mic could/might be driven too hard.

Pam, place your microphone at approximately 30 degrees (left or right from your face. Adjust the direction of the diaphragm of the mic toward you mouth as you speak directly to the front of you.

The microphone should be approximately two to three inches ABOVE the top of your nose and approximately three to five inches from your mouth (depending upon the microphone you are using).

Good microphone technique is essential to making things work and some things "go away".

Toodles

F2
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Pam · Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 2:32 pm Post subject:

Fabulous guys! I will work on both suggestions offered. Love this place and all the Jedi masters that dwell within. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Now onto the next problem with matching colors in photoshop and dreamweaver. It's always something isn't it?!
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speakingofdave · Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Posts: 6 Location: Seattle, WA

Pam,
All I know is what I do which is to highlight each breath and then normalize them to .5 or .6. Works for me.
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