VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

ACF Guy · Guest

Hi, everybody.

I'm currently listening to sample tracks being provided by prospective audio editors at our company -- I've asked them to send samples of their editing work: a raw voiceover file and an edited version, so I can get a feel for their editing chops.

I've noticed something I didn't expect. One particularly "wet" read by a voiceover artist --lip smack, saliva noise, etc-- was cleaned up incredibly well by the editor, something I didn't think possible. The edited file had I'd say about an 80% reduction in undesired noise in what was a very gross read.

Since I don't have much experience editing, I'd like to ask how this is done in some programs. Lip-smack is often intertwined with words to such a degree that individual, close-in excision seems impossible. Are there certain filters that are especially good at wiping out wet-mouth sounds?

Thanks!

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:44 pm Post subject:

There's a pop/click reducer in Adobe Audition that I find to be very effective. It's also possible to manually edit them out if you're precise.
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Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638

In Pro Tools you can use the pencil function and write a new wave. Very nice.

bobsouer · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 1:22 pm Post subject:

Dan,

Sound Forge has a similar function. I use both Sound Forge and Pro Tools for different kinds of projects. "The right tool for the job," as my Dad always says. (And yes, I know, some people don't think Pro Tools is ever the right tool for any voiceover job; but there are some jobs for which I really like it.) Wink

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

Diamond Cut also has a good tool for such events.

dhouston67 · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:19 pm Post subject:

Manual click edits are the only reason I liked AA 2.0. The scrub function ("shuttle wheel") made it easier to zero in on them. Still, I prefer 1.5 overall, and manage to clean them up pretty well just by listening.
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melissa eX · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:36 pm Post subject:

bobsouer · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:45 pm Post subject:

Melissa,

When you zoom in far enough, change to the pencil tool and you can re-draw an errant wave form to fix many small glitches. Of course, if there are hundreds of them in a file, it would drive any sane person completely bats to clean them all up with that pencil tool.
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Frank F · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 5:50 pm Post subject:

The "pencil tool" is also available in Adobe Audition, although it works a bit differently than in PT. Zoom in close enough and re-shape the waveform to your liking.

There are also a lot of little tricks for the pops clicks and mouth noise associated with a "wet" read. One of the best is to get your talent to be a bit dryer when reading. Room temperature water should be the only thing for a VO to drink when doing long-form audio. Nor sugary drinks beforehand, no chocolate or milk products within an hour of recording.

But those are just my criteria - they do not mean to be imposed upon others... this is your choice.

Toodles

F2
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

I use Audition also, and usually just manually edit out the mouth noises. It's tedious, but when I think about the analog tape and crayon/razor blades of the old days, it's hard to complain. Kind of like taking out a splinter, but I have learned that you have to pay attention to how you are affecting the shape of the wave form, otherwise the noise you are removing is replaced by a funny sound due to a divot in the waveform.

I have tried the automatic click/pop reducer that Jeffrey mentions, but am still not sure how that function might be affecting the overall sound quality, similar to my slight misgivings about using computerized de-essers and the like....

melissa eX · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:18 pm Post subject:

Ah, I've used the SF pencil tool on occasion - but I was hopeful that there might be something that would take them all out in one fell swoop. When you're toughing it through a really long narration under a deadline and then go back and put the cans on to edit and hear them -- arrrrghh!

Yoda117

TheVoiceOfBob

ACF Guy · Guest

LoL @ "eating a sandwich," Yoda. I think the talent might have been a bit on the older and ... "jowly" side, perhaps. Beautiful voice, though, and a terrific read.

TheVoiceOfBob · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 7:09 am Post subject:

The trouble with apple cider is finding it! That seems to be seasonal. At least where I've been looking.

Maybe I need to go back on my Zyrtec-D.
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