Lipsyncing v. Actual Singing for music video

Dillon Novak

Dillon Novak

Well-known member
What would be the best for a music video, having the singer lip sync the music, which i've heard is better so that they don't have to catch their breath and they can get the timing right


or

have them actually sing along with the track, because if they do that, their mouth is actually projecting and moving the right way.
(this is the way i've used before)


Please only people who have produced music videos reply

Thank you!
 
I think actually singing is the best. You get a real sense of exertion.
Sometimes people record with compression to emphasize breaths,
so it's good to have a little gasping. Make the singer work, sweat!
It's way too easy for music videos to become flat.

That said, they still have to memorize the recorded performance
and sync to it.
 
Yeah

Yeah

Actual singing is best, I've never worked with a group that has wanted to lip sync so far, they've all actually done their performances just as if they were performing to a large crowd, which I suppose was somewhat the case as there was always a crew or fans around, etc. So they got into the performances...
 
It depends on several things, like are you doing a Milley Vanilley video? Kidding aside, surroundings would play a big part of whether to go live or canned. If you have a quiet location with power, go live. If you have a crowded location, you don't want to disturb neighbors, or you don't have power for mics and instruments, go with lip syncing. Personally, I prefer live as it is easier to cut, but you might end up recording live, and mixing in some lip synced footage here and there.
 
You absolutely need them to sing along with the track. No Faking. Breath control will not be a problem since they don't have to hit and hold the notes well, they just need to nail the phrasing. Singing involves the whole body, not just the flapping of the mouth. If they pretend to sing it will look like just that, pretend singing... not good.
 
yeah i think i am going to just do them singing, i don't know why you would go live...because then if they're off a little it messes up everything in post.

Thanks guys!
 
Lipsync should be used in small portions, to add to and fill in, but not as the main source. You feel you need a tighter shot of the Lead? Lip sync that as a pick up shot. A short 1 second clip isn't too hard to slip in, 2 minutes is a different story. I have found very few people that are exact from performance to performance.
 
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