How to use Compression in Voiceover -- Tips from a Pro VO

[@davestune]

Wow, I finally understand after 5 years with my compressor, you taught to use my output wave form on my transmitter and how to properly set up my compressors. Cant thank you enough

[@FreeNeeka]

This has made compression click in a way that all the videos and tutorials I've watched thus far haven't really done. Great explanation. Thank you for making this video and sharing your expertise!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Glad it helped!

[@DGuize]

Thank you for your explanation on how to navigate using a compressor. There is a logical flow and you help shape the meaning and relationship of one feature to another. All the Best!!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

My pleasure! So glad you found it helpful.

[@RaymmanVO]

What a nice voice you have Jay, as to the content ... very helpful, I'm gonna have to watch 'n' play with this one a few times. Thank you.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Glad it’s helpful Ray!

[@EmilyLeporeVoiceovers]

THANK YOU. I have been on the edge of understanding this for over a year now. You are a fantastic teacher (and audio engineer).

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

So happy to hear that! And Thanks for the kind words!

[@johnsmitherson3898]

Extremely helpful! First encounter with compression was in Garageband on my iPhone and I just used it as the "make everything really loud" button. Nice to know how it actually works now that I'm trying to apply it to vo

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Glad it helped!

[@coreyg2177]

Thank you! You’re analogy makes sense to me like no one else has.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

That’s awesome to hear!

[@colinmorrison5119]

I've been really digging into compression lately (and window shopping hardware units!). I've found for voiceover, there's really two (or three) ways to go: a) small ratio, low threshold, e.g. 2:1, -28dB (with or without soft knee) b) large ratio, higher threshold, and maybe a soft knee to bring it in gradually, e.g. 4:1 or more, -12dB, 4-6dB soft knee, so a semi-limiter too. c) both, either in parallel (e.g. using channel pan control to blend the two versions) or series. A lot of it depends on the voice, the performance, and the intended output. E.g. hitting the quite narrow ACX envelope is a real struggle for some dynamic performers, perhaps needing multiple compressors, yet still requiring nuance. Commercials are more in your face (waveform looks like a 'sausage'). I still have to examine compressors with a high pass filter on the sidechain, so than my dominant low end doesn't throw off the detection, instead leveling based on the mids. The creator of the FirComp2 compressor used an extreme version of this, with 7kHz HPF, to turn it into a deesser. I tried it and it works!

[@dr.guyshkolnik_composer]

Great video Jay! Thank you!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Glad you liked it!

[@ryancorley5891]

You are one of the narrators for the “Be Amazed” channel, aren’t you? Love that channel!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Guilty. Glad you like that channel!

[@ryancorley5891]

@@jaymyersvoiceover my 7 year old daughter and I watch it daily! I just started in voice work through ACX and wrapped up my first book. Any pointers?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@ryancorley5891 that’s so lovely to hear! Hearing bits like that are why I still enjoy it. Congrats on the book! Did you have specific ACX questions? Or about the process of finishing up?

[@RosicrucianPerspectives]

Outstanding presentation! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us

[@hobbes5568]

Excellent breakdown, I cannot wait to give it a try.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Let me know how it goes!

[@hobbes5568]

@@jaymyersvoiceover will do

[@hobbes5568]

@@jaymyersvoiceover I have a question for you Jay. Would you be willing to listen to a raw file and let me know whether you think my room is set up well enough to be submitting for jobs? I am a bit in the weeds and would appreciate a professional opinion.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@@hobbes5568 You can send it to me via my website by snagging a “tech support” or “Quick feedback” via the coaching page!

[@hobbes5568]

@@jaymyersvoiceover ok great, thanks Jay

[@UrantiabookfilmsOrg8]

Very helpful and excellent presentation. Thank you!

[@AnuGraphy]

The first two compressors Nacter and CLA2A did mainly peak reductional job. But the Tube compressor of Audition worked on RMS value of the audio. Thats why u got a more even level.

[@CarbonitePlays]

From an afternoon of messing around with the compressor's threshold, following what you advised in this video, I've *finally* worked out that having my threshold set WAY TOO FAR below where my actual common speaking volume is (e.g. I usually see my levels around -19db when I'm talking at a regular volume) was the reason my audio would sometimes sound completely crushed or the loudest parts would be pushed so far down by the compression that it would eliminate any other quieter sounds around it in those instances. I had made the mistake of setting my compressor's threshold as low as -35db when my average peaks were more like -20db to -18db and have been tearing my hair out wondering why sometimes my audio would sound ok (mainly when I was talking at the same slightly lower volume than normal, which I'd unknowingly started doing to compensate for this problem I'd made for myself with the threshold being too low!) but at other times when I'd get overly excited or raising my voice the audio would sound awful🤦‍♂ Thanks to this video I've finally started seting my compressor properly and noticed just how much the other settings like the attack and release also influence the overall volume of my audio too. I think I might finally be beginning to understand how to get the best sound from my mic and audio setup and it's only taken me about 2 years! I wish I'd seen this video when I first started "learning" how to set up my audio device's compressor...it would have saved me a tonne of headaches and infuriation at the sound issues I've had 😆

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Glad to hear it was so helpful for you!

[@ShortFormProductions]

wow this video was amazing thank you so much you are a great teacher and i subscribed!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Glad it was helpful! 😊

[@KINGxDAVID94]

Can you use the make up gain to hit the lufs recommended for example -16 or 18 lufs

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

For sure! I just prefer to use a separate process afterwards for a bit more control.

[@johnsvidz]

REALLY great video. Thank you. May I ask a question though? Is there music playing in the background? My ADD can't handle it.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Glad you enjoyed it! (And yes there is music in the background)

[@jbe1official]

New subscriber here! Thank you for everything! Would you recommend only the UAD plugin for the compressor cos it does look easy or a similar looking compressor from wave. Appreciate the feedback!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Glad to have you! The UAD I like because it’s simple and adds subtle saturation, but if you like wave both are good! Go with your preference in other words 😊

[@jbe1official]

Thank you so much!

[@VELVET462]

at the moment im trying to build a voice over chain with my old neumann tlm 102 bk.. i thought maybe i can get the sound i want but it records every crackle and i struggle because i also lisp a little.. maybe i need to switch to a good dynamic mic.. because i dont record in a booth, its an open studio space, and i also do talking head shots with camera, but i know exactly how i want it to sound but the high frequenzies kill me :D

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Hmmm...yeah my general philosophy is that if a mic is "difficult" to use, in that it's causing more work for me in post, I'll switch to a different mic--even if I like the sound of the first one. Alternatively, I recently started trying out this plug-in from iZotope called VEA. You might give that a try! It's really simple and so far has provided good results for me.

[@VELVET462]

@@jaymyersvoiceover thanks will try the plugin but i already played a lot with RX Suite, Nectar, Neutron, Waves vsts. Needs some time till i get what i want out of it

[@dustytexas2024]

I’ve watched tons of videos on sound recording vo and music. This was the best explanation of compression I’ve ever heard. We need more in depth videos like this. I’m subscribing sir.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Well thank you very much! Glad to have you.

[@barefootaxel4847]

Very useful information, thank you! Only the sibilance is a bit sharp and rough.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

My pleasure! Glad the video was helpful.

[@Mista808]

That microphone sounds pretty fucking glorious! Of course I imagine you have compression on your vocals while talking in this video? But still! What condenser microphone is that sir? I know I've seen that big booty microphone in other studios but have no idea what it is? Looks like a much larger version of my old Shure KSM27 condenser microphone that I used to use for rap vocals.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

It’s a Neumann TLM 103! Yes there’s a bit or processing for the vid but not much.

[@Mista808]

That's a spicy unit! I own an AKG C414 XLII but I'm still dialing in my voice with it. I've been going back and fourth between different compression settings, reverb etc. At first I wasn't enjoying the natural sound of the microphone, but once I got it dialed in a little better with compression etc. I'm starting to enjoy it. @@jaymyersvoiceover

[@4-Da-Boys]

Excellent

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@BrianMarcWhittaker]

What does it look like to do multiple compressors?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

I'll make a video on it!

[@drutgat2]

Many thanks for this.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

You bet!

[@RoldyLoxx]

The beginning of the example clip you keep playing makes you sound like Chris Parnell and I cannot unhear it

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Hahaha 😂 maybe I’ll reach out to his people see if we can work on something

[@macjeffff]

What sound insulation are you using in your booth?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Hey! Studiobricks booths have their own proprietary acoustic treatment. I’m not sure if they sell it on its own. Before that I used a company called Audimute which I highly recommend.

[@macjeffff]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Thanks!

[@ConsumerTeamPete]

Jay....a question for you on software....do you think issues can be caused when 2 DAWs are running on same computer? I love Adobe Audition but want to experiment with Reaper and Presonus Studio One. I'd appreciate your thoughts. by the way, i love the way you approach videos. Very informational, nothing cute or lame attempts at humor. "just the facts"

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Thanks for the kind words! That’s a great question and I’m honestly not 100% sure. In my practical experience, the main issue you might run into would be trying to record at the same time. But I have no issues running both adobe and reaper.

[@ahfimiwonawun]

With acx’s requirements, would I be able to do this?

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

To a degree yes. Lighter compression and or limiting are essentially necessary to meet the ACX requirements. I’ll try to do a video on those soon too.

[@ahfimiwonawun]

@@jaymyersvoiceover , thank you.

[@frankfrederick5158]

I have been doing Voiceover for many years, and the number one rule is to send files - clean. Clean means: no effects. No compression, no EQ, no messing... Yes, I clean the noise from the file, I edit, and sometimes diminsh breaths. Why, you ask? Adding effects prior to sending does not allow the Producer to fix issues they might find. Prior FX makes it real difficult to match IF and when pickups are needed. Clients can add compression, if they desire, when they "post" or do the mix. What a VO talent thinks about his/her sound is NOT likely what the client also desires. If in doubt about adding FX or not - ask!

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Great advice for jobs! When the client has a production team, I send them BOTH unprocessed and lightly 'cleaned'/processed audio.

[@frankfrederick5158]

@@jaymyersvoiceover Well said, and thanks for the added advice. I do the same, but tried to keep the post short for the beginners. Remember this folks, you can't undo the audio after it is finalized unless you ahve the original file to pla with. Three woreds come to mind: Save, save, save.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

@@frankfrederick5158 Couldn't agree more ;)

[@storzbickel4328]

Anyone know if -15 is a normal db for average high vocal points to be at? Mine is about -35db.. Seems to be a big contrast, not positive if my audio will be worse quality because of this. Should i simply record with a higher vocal gain for better quality? Jaaa

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

You can probably increase your gain. Typically you want peaks between -6db to -12db.

[@storzbickel4328]

​@@jaymyersvoiceover You are the man, thanks a bunch. And thanks for the video, crazy how long Ive been recording vocals without knowing any of this.

[@wesamhusain77]

THANKSSSSSSSSSSS 👌

[@njc9911]

Your explanation of ratio isn't quite right. When we set a ratio of 4:1, if the signal goes 4dB above the threshold, assuming a hard knee and fast attack, the compressor only allows the output to go over the threshold by 1dB.

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

It's possible I crossed my wires and inverted some points in my explaining, but what you've laid out is what I intended--so thank you for clarifying! For those looking for a bit more detail, here's a link to an article breaking everything down in more detail. www.uaudio.com/blog/audio-compression-basics/#:~:text=Ratio%20specifies%20the%20amount%20of,down%20by%204%20dB%2C%20etc.

[@derekshetterly9414]

Nice explanation. But a full-screen display would be great; we don't really need to watch you talk....

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

Fair enough! Newer videos do just that more or less. :)

[@michaeldavis6607]

When you speak I hear every little vocal fry and breath. I don’t like that. I prefer a voice that sounds more normal

[@jaymyersvoiceover]

You probably have a preference for certain microphones and a more highly processed sound.