|
Post by ronox on Feb 5, 2017 23:43:21 GMT -8
Im not that great at voice acting, but i do try my best, however often i find myself still needing to modify the audio afterwards, so i was wondering what the common methods are. I havent looked into it yet but ive learned of a thing called normalization. Also what im really interested in is the proper ways to do pitch correction for either slightly differentiating two similar sounding voices to make them different without making them seem inhuman, or otherwise just dramatically altering a voice so it is still acceptable for stuff like demons, animals or fantasy creatures.
Ill just be clear, this isnt about being lazy, unless you call trying to voice all my own characters myself lazy, this is about maximizing my options regardless of my level, although i will admit i find it impossible to increase my pitch naturally without my australian accent slipping through.
|
|
|
Post by Rebekah Amber Clark on Feb 6, 2017 7:49:27 GMT -8
I'm not sure what you're using right now, but Audacity (totally free) should be able to handle what I think you're looking for, and more. You can use it to record with directly, as well, which is what I and a lot of other voice actors do. There are other options for programs, and paid options, but I'd definitely at least recommend starting out with Audacity.
Don't worry! Anyone who's done any amount of audio editing would call it anything BUT "lazy". =) Of course it's great to work on expanding the natural range of your voice, but there's a reason why audio editing software like these exist in the first place. =)
|
|
|
Post by ronox on Feb 6, 2017 22:45:25 GMT -8
It might just be how my voice sounds but if i alter it even slightly in audacity, it sounds all electronic and echo-y, or it could be audacity's pitch correction is no good. Adobe audition worked well and i have it in my cs6 master collection, but i feel like there should be something better out there, i mean, i always watch south park wondering how they modify the pitches of their voices so cleanly. I mean, acting and producing a voice meant to be increased or decreased in pitch like that probably plays a big role, but still, i can never seem to pull it off without making something garbly or dodgy, especially in audacity.
|
|
|
Post by Rebekah Amber Clark on Feb 7, 2017 6:01:06 GMT -8
Hmmm... Can you link to a short sound sample of your voice, before and after alterations (maybe one in Audacity, and one in Adobe Audition)?
|
|
duffyweber
Member
Posts: 220
I Am A(n): Professional Voice Actor, Semi-Professional Voice Actor, Audio Engineer
Pronouns: Any OK
|
Post by duffyweber on Feb 7, 2017 11:20:05 GMT -8
I wouldn't be too concerned with pitch correction, unless it's REALLY funny-sounding characters you want, and you might have better luck speaking more slowly and using the "Speed" tool.
If you're simply voicing characters and want them to sound clean after playing with them, digitally, here's the stuff you're going to want to learn:
1. The noise removal feature. (I wrote a nice* how-to on this in the advice section.) It will make the recorded audio sound clean.
2. Your sound setup - WHERE you record can add reverb and unwanted effects. Try to get a quiet, clean, noiseless recording environment with no echo off the walls.
If you START with good clean audio, adding effects makes it garble a lot less.
3. Vocal exercises. If you want to make characters sound different, warm up your vocal cords well, and practice altering your own pitch naturally. If you do this, the amount that you have to adjust them is lessened, and thus, it doesn't pick up that artificial sound. In short: It's easier to turn Rhea Perlman into a coloratura than it is to do the same for Danny DeVito.
Also, Melodyne works pretty well but it's REALLY cashy. And if you're starting with sub-optimal audio or you're trying to shift the pitch too much, you're STILL going to get that metallic sound.
*well, -I- think it's nice. Others are free to disagree. XD
|
|
|
Post by ronox on Feb 8, 2017 16:08:53 GMT -8
yeah, for the most part it really would be just for silly sounding characters when its not for just a very slight change to make two characters sound that extra bit different.
For the past few days though i have gone out looking at different youtube videos to see how other people make new voices, its produced some good results. Ive also found that some people do stuff like applying pressure in specific places to change their voice, which seems like a good way to get into a particular character.
|
|
duffyweber
Member
Posts: 220
I Am A(n): Professional Voice Actor, Semi-Professional Voice Actor, Audio Engineer
Pronouns: Any OK
|
Post by duffyweber on Feb 9, 2017 5:35:21 GMT -8
yeah, for the most part it really would be just for silly sounding characters when its not for just a very slight change to make two characters sound that extra bit different. For the past few days though i have gone out looking at different youtube videos to see how other people make new voices, its produced some good results. Ive also found that some people do stuff like applying pressure in specific places to change their voice, which seems like a good way to get into a particular character. A word about that - it's not that I never have done it, but you have to be very, very VERY careful. The throat is delicate, and you can VERY easily injure yourself. I used to train in martial arts, and in studying practical self-defense, you would not BELIEVE how shockingly easy it is to damage your throat with very minimal pressure. If you MUST mess around, lift gently with no more than two fingers, but I'm still not advocating it. I once pulled a small muscle in my neck, simply by massaging it too much/firmly when it was sore. Being a VA, I had to check with an otolaryngologist to make sure I was clear to work again. The WORST part was not being allowed to do funny voices (or talk much at all) for two weeks. The distant second worst was when they had to *****run the tube up my nose and down my throat to get a good look around. ***** Just something to think about.
|
|
|
Post by ronox on Feb 12, 2017 3:03:06 GMT -8
oh yes for sure, i know that for the same reasons, martial arts training i mean. i meant to help invent a new character, not to do it. Theres voices i find that i cant naturally go for, but then if i apply pressure or do stuff a certain way and get it, then if i try aiming for that i get roughly the same result without applying pressure or doing anything.
|
|