Voice-Over Processing On The Neumann TLM 102

Voice-over artists, content creators, and others who make content by recording their voices come to me for help. I can improve the audio quality of voice recordings captured by a microphone. A voice-over artist from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, approached me looking for help with his home studio. Although his recording quality has been getting him work for the past five years, he wants to see if there is room for improvement. His main concern was that he might require more than one type of processing. He does not get consistent sound when he delivers different kinds of performances. So, he’s asked for my help. I requested an example of his raw voice recording to take a closer look.
The raw voice-over submission was captured on a Neumann TLM 102 microphone, running through a Universal Audio Apollo Twin audio interface, and then to a digital audio workstation on a Macintosh computer. His voice is captured in a 6’X6’X4’ PVC booth covered with acoustic blankets located inside a bedroom.
I reviewed his voice recording submission, and here’s what I found. Although the raw recording was done well, it revealed some small reflection sounds in the upper mid-frequency range. Reflections like these can be caused by hard reflective surfaces in his booth or room that reflect his voice back into the microphone at a slight delay (milliseconds). The interaction of his pure voice with these reflection sounds can create problems, leaving the voice recording sounding less than optimal.
Once I had identified any issues in his recording, I set off to resolve them and address his concern about the lack of consistency in sound. First, I suggested minimizing the reflection sounds I noticed in his recording space by doing one or more of the following. He can rotate his mic position, move (or remove) any reflective surfaces near his mic, like a computer monitor or desk in his recording space, or move his entire PVC blanket booth toward the center of his bedroom (further from any wall or window). These adjustments could help further prevent the microphone from picking up those reflection sounds. In the meantime, I created a custom processing setting for him, including EQ adjustments to even out the frequency balances in his recording.
Finally, I addressed his issue with a lack of consistency in his voice recording sound. I suggested that if he feels his different reads/performances captured on the microphone sound inconsistent, the problem can likely be solved with an appropriate gain level adjustment for each delivery. I explained that unless you are looking for a particular sound effect, the processing is best used to balance the frequencies and dynamics of a voice recording to reveal an accurate, clear representation of your voice.
You can have me diagnose your voice recording and get a free example of what my custom processing can sound like on your voice with your microphone captured in your room. Follow the instructions here to get started. Submit Your For Voice www.lennyb.com...
▬ Training Course Links ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Acoustic Treatment For Voice-Over Training Course
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▬ Equipment Links ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Neumann TLM 102
sweetwater.sjv...
Universal Audio Apollo Twin
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Lenny's microphone used in this video: Roswell Mini k87
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Lenny's Preamp used in this video: Neve 1073spx
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Lenny's Interface used in this video: Apollo X6
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▬ About Lenny B ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
I help content creators make a stronger connection with their audience. Voice-over artists, actors, musicians, and performers worldwide come to me to help improve their production quality, expand their influence, grow their audience, win more auditions, and get more work. Some of the links on this page are links to affiliate websites, and I receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. My affiliates include Sweetwater, Roswell Microphones, Gik Acoustics, Waves, and Amazon.
#audioproduction #voiceover #voiceoverartist #voiceactingadvice #voiceactingadvice #acoustictreatment

[@tallnig5231]

Hey Lenny, great video as always :) But imo the processed audio is a little heavy on the low end. Doesn't sound muffled but very bassy. Depending on the project that can be a good or bad thing but I think mentioning that this particular style of processing is not always the right way to go would be helpful for the youtube audience because many people fall in the trap of always going for that bassy sound even when it isn't "right" for their project. Love your explanations, just wanted to address that :)

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi @tallnig5231, your comment is noted and it's a good point. I always do my best to clarify that the processing I create is my interpretation of what I believe sounds good. However, I am always happy to tweak and modify the sound according to what my clients ask for. Thanks for watching!

[@jakelondon]

This comment about bass in VO makes me think of a cool topic for a video: voice recording with music or other audio behind it. Lenny, would love to get your take on that, how you might approach things differently if you were making a VO preset for that use case and/or how you'd eq/compress/duck/effect the background sounds to blend well with the VO sound. I can imagine it being a little bit like recording an acoustic guitar, where the sound you choose for a solo acoustic performer might be a little bit different than the one you'd use for somebody playing acoustic guitar in the context of a band.

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi @jakelondon, you're right on target. I think I would be a good video subject too. What do you think about sending me your voice? I'll use it to help illustrate how I combine voice and music. Thanks!

[@ekredel]

I have to agree about the bass here. Listening to his voice processed this way for any length of time would be really difficutlt IMHO. If it is a short clip perhaps, but anything over a minute long would not work.

[@jakelondon]

@@HeyLennyB Sorry for the delay in responding. Lemme see what I can do.

[@seanstewart5044]

Excellent video as always

[@garylwadevoiceover]

Great video! I never thought about that your headphones could be picked up through the microphone, great insight Lenny.

[@danmatthews4803]

I got Lenny to EQ the audio for my podcast. Worth. Every. Penny. I wanted a rich sound without sounding over-processed. He sent me two options to choose from, and then helped me install it when I had trouble.

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi @danmatthews4803. I appreciate the mention. 👍

[@ronjfortier]

Hey Lenny, I love the personalized audio preset you created for me using Apple Logic Pro and my Scarlett 2i2. I still can't believe how great it sounds. I am curious if I had an Apollo Twin, could you get me the same quality sound from my existing preset using plugins that are native in the Apollo Twin? I ask as if this is possible, I could get the same incredible sound live on Google Meet and Zoom. There in theory would be any need for a post process. It might not be perfect, but it is likely way better than the $250 Rode mic I use today.

[@HeyLennyB]

Hi @ronjfortier. The UA (real-time) processed sound would be similar but not exactly the same as what I've created using the other plugins. We need to discuss the UA plugins you have, and the one I feel would be necessary to achieve a comparable sound. Shoot me an email and we can discuss details.

[@wstks-fmworldwide5390]

Really enjoy your insights and suggestions in your videos! The Pultec plugins are terrific by the way. Thank you for that particular tip. Kind Regards,

[@babalkp]

Fantastic voice production Mr. Lenny

[@hot247sxm]

Also, add that sometimes that "warm timber" in the voice is not always there, which mislead our ears, and we begin changing our settings.

[@arslanahmed5676]

Great Content! Keep it up. Very few people talk about Voice over and narration. KZbin is abundant with tutorials about music and music vocals and all about that but that's totally different genre and the goals are a lot different. By the way, I want to know your opinion about a plugin from waves called Silk Vocals. That also does somewhat similar as your are doing with F6. So how do you rate that?

[@HeyLennyB]

I recently used Silk Vocals on a project someone sent me. He wanted to EQ his voice, but it was already mixed with music and other voices. Silk Vocals did a good job balancing his voice but not negatively affecting the other elements too much. However, when it comes to getting a balance on a single static voice track, the F6 and my ears do the best job, in my opinion.