Dialogue recording for an animated feature

G

Gorilla King

Well-known member
I've learned a good amount about field recording, but now I'm doing something quite different. I'm working on an animated film. I have it in my mind that I ought to use a Schoeps CMC641 mounted on a tripod boom with a pop filter, but is that the case or should I be using a different kind of mic altogether?
 
It depends on what kind of sound you're going for. Since you won't have to match production sound, there's no reason you have to use production-style mics. For voiceover work, I usually go for large diaphragm condensors (Neuman TLM 103 or TLM 170, depending on the talent's voice). However, there's certainly something to be said for the more "production dialogue" sound you would get from a Schoeps CMC641 or a Sennheiser MKH416.

Placement distance will make a big difference. For animation (or radio drama, for that matter), I like to avoid that In-your-face movie trailer voiceover sound, so I'll often set the mic up a foot or more away from the actor's mouth. Deppending on the accoustics in your studio space, a second mic set up a little further away may give you a more natural perspective.

If you're recording multiple actors at once, try to get each of them their own mic and headphones, and set up some baffles between them if their lines will be overlapping.

The mic stand and pop filter will both be neccessary. I'd also add a music stand for the script, and a glass of room temperature water with a slice of lemon.
 
Oh, one thing I forgot to mention: be careful committing yourself to perspective choices during the voiceover session, in case the animation changes before the final version. Animation voiceover is often recorded before the actual animation takes place. Commit to a long perspective, and you may find that the final version is a tighter shot than anticipated. For that reason, you may wish to keep any perspective mics on a sepperate track.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top