Voiceover Quality

edatwilm wrote on 12/27/2002, 9:11 PM

When I add a voiceover, more often than not,the quality is bad,i.e., there is a "scratchiness" underlying the recording. I thought that it was the cheap microphone I was using, so I tried a better quality mic and got the same problem. Is maybe my sound card the problem? I have an AC'97 Driver for Intel(r) 82801 Controller,integrated audio on a Dell computer. Can some of you computer jocks help me? Would a new sound card help?

Comments

the_harper wrote on 12/27/2002, 9:49 PM

Check that the levels of the combined audio are still below clipping. If the voice over plus the other audio (video, music) pushes the levels too high you will get digital distortion and that may sound like crackling. The sounds ae being combined in software, so the sound card shouldn't be an issue - provided that the microphone input level isn't too high. Use volume control on the other audio tracks to make them softer compared to the voice over, and don't push the input level of the voice over too much.

Rob

BillyBoy wrote on 12/29/2002, 10:35 AM

Voiceover quality is effected by the quality of the microphone, ambient noise, recording levels, etc..

For starters get a DECENT microphone. That doesn't mean the $3.95 Radio Shack special. I use a Telex M-60 which is highly directional. So much so, I can do voice overs right at my main computer desk and it totally blocks out all computer noise enough though it is only a few feet away from the mike and around 40dB.

Your use of the term "scrathness" suggests either over modulation, or perhaps not having your software mixer controls set properly. I have a motherboard that has a built-in sound card. If I don't "mute" the mike input on the audio out side it will cause horrible distortion when I record. You must do some trial and error to set the record sensentivity of the microphone. Mine is a powered "mike" taking a couple batteries. I have it set at about 20% from the bottom of its range. At that setting I produce good wave forms in Vegas, not going in the red and the audio is about a clear as you can expect outside of a studio. So clear, it picks up my breathing and swallowing, even a foot or more away from my mouth.

edatwilm wrote on 12/29/2002, 11:47 AM

Thanks. I turned down the volume controls and it sounds good.

safari_tim wrote on 12/30/2002, 3:02 PM

I never found the sound quailty of my computer microphones acceptable for my video. So I ended up getting a small pre-amp made by Shure, and a audiotechnica microphone used by live perfomers. Of course it helps that my cousin is in the sound business. I run the preamp into the line-in on my sound card and I have full adjustment via the pre-amp controls. Works and sounds great.

-Tim

edatwilm wrote on 1/1/2003, 10:32 AM

The problem seems to come and go randomly. I thought that BillyBoy's suggestion was the answer because when I followed his advice the quality was good. Then later on the problem returned and whatever I did in making adjustments didn't help.

BillyBoy wrote on 1/1/2003, 2:06 PM

By chance are you using a power microphone? Some will work with the power switch off but the quality will suffer badly.

Before you go further, rule out anything else on your system. See if you get the same problem using Microsoft's built-in Sound recorder. If that output sounds scratchy or has garbled output it could be it isn't installed correctly and if I remember right Vegas and Video Factory uses one of the drivers.

You have set audio quality high, and not at some lower quality setting, right?

edatwilm wrote on 1/2/2003, 8:40 PM

edatwilm wrote on 1/2/2003, 8:48 PM

Re: BillyBoy
Yes I have a power mic. It doesn't work at all in the "off" position.
I have tried Win Sound Recorder and there is a slight improvement in sound quality but the problem is still noticeable. I have audio quality set high.