The human voice is highly dynamic and care must be taken to make it intelligible over loud background sources. Assuming your station has made the mic choice and pre amp choice for you here’s some tips to help improve the quality of your VO recording without going to the PD for more cash.
If you don’t already have a pop filter you can always fashion one from a nylon stocking (preferably a new one) and a metal coat hanger. Another method in a pinch is to tape a pencil (or two) right over the center of the mic to disperse air around the capsule.
Try and deaden the sound around the mic. Move the mic into a corner of the room that has been deadened with packing blankets. You can also isolate the mic from the rest of the room by using a mic boom stand with blankets hanging over them to reduce reflections from bouncing back into the mic
Don’t over compress during recording, you can always add more during mixdown to get the VO above your mix. Make use of a 60hz high pass filter to remove rumble and reduce any pops that might sneak through. If you need to warm up the sound try adding a bump in the 200-500hz range and to increase intelligibility perhaps a little boost in the 7k area.
It’s always a safe bet to get a good full sound recorded, that way you can take the sound in any direction you want at mixdown. Above all make sure your message is being heard. It may be obvious to you because you know the script. Remember it’s going to go by the listener really fast, when balancing do so at a low level and make sure you can make out the dialog.
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