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Re: your country needs you[message #267718]
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Fri, 03 December 2010 14:25
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Peter_Popel |
Messages:4
Registered:December 2010 |
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Hi there!
I quite like the idea of doing some new IMP voices and would like to help. I am an Audio Engineer, so I could perhaps help editing the files to make them sound a bit fuller and better (and get them on a constant level)
What is the most important thing of course is to make sure the files are recorded properly. So I made a small checklist of things you should be aware of while recording:
1. Most important of course is the microphone. I understand that no one will buy a professionell mic just to record some audio files.
For the people willing to invest at least a bit of money, the best thing would be a mic with an USB connection and a build-in preamp, that would be something like this:
Samson Mic or this Behringer Mic
But generally, a simple headset would (or has to be) enough. You just have to be aware of some things while recording. So read on ^^
2. At first, you need some kind of recording software. Your best bet here would be the small and free program Audacity, what you can find here: Click
3. After installing, you need to configure your Input first. Just look up the Audacity help file, i'm sure you will find some good info there.
4. What would be a great thing to have to record human voice is a pop-shield. It will minimize the otherwise hard "P" , "T" and similar sounds, you may have noticed already while talking with your headset over skype or something.
You can of course buy a professionel pop-shield, it isn't really expensive, but there is a way to do a cheap and functional one yourself. Just look here: Click
After building it, just place it 5-10 cm in front of your microphone, but be sure to fix it somehow, so you won't have to hold it in your hands while recording.
5. Another important thing is to get the recording level right. Just be sure to never go over 0 dB while recording (you can see this if the signal meter gets red).
Digital recordings are easy to push in loudness afterwards, so just keep the peaks (the loudest points of your recording) at - 6dB. Watch the level meter at the top of Audacity GUI.
6. Next thing is to place and fix your microphone at some point on your desk, at height of your mouth while recording. The tip of the mic should point directly to your mouth, with the pop-shield between your mouth and the mic.
7. Be sure to keep a constant distance to the mic, 10-15cm should be perfect. Just experiment with the distance and listen where it sounds full and clear.
8. Then it would be a good idea to minimize any noise that is around you. Close the windows and try to damp the noise of your PC somehow. Some heavy blankets and pillows will do the job. Maybe record at night or at another time of the day when it is silent.
Covering the area around the microphone also with some blankets is a good idea to minimize the reflections coming from your walls, resulting in a better recording. If it sounds to dull, try to place the blankets a bit futher away.
Another good option is to place the microphone inside a closet filled with clothing. You might also want to listen to your recording afterwards, and if it sounds dull and liveless, search a better position for your microphone.
9. Now try to fix a paper with the text you will record in front of you, so you won't have to look down to read (resulting in different sound and level)
10. So finally, let's record. As already said, try to keep a constant distance to the mic, and maybe drink some water or tea to make sure your mouth isn't dry.
Ok, that would be the basics to do an acceptable recording!
Following some guidelines how to record the audio:
1. Do one large audiofile, not several small ones with individual sentences. If you say something wrong, no problem, we can cut this out.
Doing one long audiofile has the advantage of simpler editing afterwards and you can do several takes of the sentences you will record.
2. Record in .wav format and NOT in MP3, as no audio information will be lost that way.
3. Best thing would be to say the number of the sentence used in the JA code first, then make a pause of 1-2 seconds and then say your sentence. Just try it several times, with different pronounciation, try to whisper it, to shout it, say it calm or aggressive...just experiment here, we will take the best one afterwards.
Ok, I think that will be all for now, if you have any questions feel free to ask.
If you don't need help doing this, no problem, but if think the guidelines will help anyway.
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Civilian
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Re: your country needs you[message #301017]
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Mon, 05 March 2012 15:19
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Endgegner |
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Messages:2
Registered:February 2012 Location: Gerrmany |
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heya,
i can do some pretty funny STEREOTYPICAL accents in german and english.
started about 25 years ago with Rudi Carell impersonation "dolle schouw";
being a parrot since then.
(meaning I can (and can't stop the the urge to) analyze and reproduce about anything coming from a human mouth)
accents I can do quite convincingly:
-russian german (very good)
-turkish german (very good)
-french german (okay)
-ruhrpott german (native tongue)
-high german (^^)
- heavy german english (Col.Klink-Style), sligh accent, and everything inbetweeen
-russian english (very good)
-french english (okay)
-dr. dre'ish english (not as good as a real MF G, fool)
accents I'm tinkering with:
-bavarian german (quite good)
-east german german (okay)
-rheinland german (okay)
-hessian german (just starting)
-vato loco english (horale, ese!)
-lazy mexican english (oh I'm so sleepy..southpark style)
-hillbilly english (good for a german i guess)
-chinese english (not good yet)
-japanese english (you know, like that honourable samurai voice from nazi zombies)
I can do the accents marked with "very good" in different graduation.
"slight accent" up to "ridiculously stereotypical"
I'm eager to try any of the above for you.
just PM me.
[Updated on: Mon, 05 March 2012 15:22] by Moderator Report message to a moderator
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