Vocal Frequencies?

J

Jofes6

Active member
I am trying to figure out a way to boost just the vocals of my actors to clean it up. The problem is, I don't know how to figure out what the frequencies are. Is there some sort of plug in that reads frequencies? I am currently using FCP 5 for audio editing but I am about to purchase Pro Tools. Any push in the right direction of getting crisp dialogue would be much appreciated.

Peace
 
Talking or singing?

Plain ol' talking is going to run from 300 to 3400 Hz. Roughly. In most cases.

Singing....you could find out the notes, then look up the freqs.

Plus harmonics.

A spectrum analyzer (there are some software ones, too) could help if you just want to look at the signal and see the exact freq range.
 
Just speaking. You say it is from 300 to 3400 Hz? Is there any way to narrow it down? My guess is the deepest voice is around 300 and the highest girl voice is 3400? Your suggestion is a spectrum analyzer? Is this hardware or software? Have you tried it? Am I even going in the right direction of how to clean up dialogue or is there another way to get that crisp sound as opposed to a hollow, mostly high sound? I figured the best way would be to isolate their vocal frequencies and adjust it from there but I am new to audio editing at a professional level.

I appreciate the advice.

Peace
 
There are software spectrumanalyzers as well as hardware (expensive). A Google for audio spectrum analyzer software will bring up a few pages worth. I haven't tried any of them...but it's worth a shot.

That frequency range covers male and female. The overlap is...variable, so you'd be experimenting. But that'll get you started. Cut out the lows, cut down the highs (I wouldn't completely kill them) and see how you like it. The EQ plugins in sound programs and NLEs should be pretty flexible with it.

Of course, when making these adjustments, it really helps to be using good monitors, not crappy PC speakers. There goes another $400+ :)
 
Jofes6 said:
...300 to 3400 Hz? Is there any way to narrow it down?
Click to expand...
Yes, but it will start sounding just that: narrow. Vocals occupy a fairly wide range of frequncies, with 95% of the power concentrated below 1 kHz. However, that other 5% is crucial for articulation and intelligability. You can safely roll off anything below perhaps 120 Hz (therein lies wind, handling noise, and possible Barry White vocals), but caution should be exercised above that. Drop out the lows, and the vocals sound thin and wimpy. Cut the highs, and the vocals start sounding muffled and dull. Do both, and you have yourself a telephone conversation.

EQs, like any processors, work best when used to subtly pollish well-recorded tracks. If, on the other hand, you're hoping to use EQ to remove reverb or to fix off-axis or noisey recordings, you'd better start booking time in an ADR studio. If the problem is constant broadband noise on the vocal tracks, a quick forum search will yield plenty of useful tips and tricks (noise gates, comb filters, notch filters, noise-removal software, etc.)
 
EQ will be of limited value, depending. If you have very clean dialog and you want to make it "crisper", or boomier etc EQ can help you get there but if you have dialog buried in muck and you are trying to get "crisp" clear dialog out your dreaming. You can minimize the muck but it's not going to get crisp and clean.

To answer your question, the range quoted above is good there is somewhere a nice chart that breaks down the spectrum in words that people can relate to like "tubby" etc. If I find it I'll post it but you may be able to find it with google.
SK
 
It's the normal speaking voice frequency range, ignoring harmonics. The phone company (and others) cut out the rest to save bandwidth.
 
The recorded dialogue was at great levels. Barely any outside noise. An audio editors dream. I recently began putting alot more detail in dialogue editing. I am trying to get that, like you said, "boomier" sound. You guys sound like you know alot about the way frequencies and audio works. I know what sounds good but I would also like to know the concept of it. If there is a audio 101 website that I can look into, that would be great. I have dug around and I come across websites that are all about terms that I dont understand and numbers that I do not know the meaning.

I'm also curious if there is a website or if you guys know off hand how professional dialogue editors create such perfect dialogue?

Again, thank you guys for leading me in the right direction, it is much appreciated.

Peace
 
Well then you are polishing and EQ can help, compression is also often used Most of this kind of manipulation is done at the mix on a film that is mixed on a stage. I'm assuming that your mixing in the box. The first book I would reach for is the Yamaha "Sound Reinforcement Handbook". Well written and full of good info and pretty readable. As for websites the CAS (Cinama Audio Society (a mixers association) board and Digidesigns Digi User Conference (post-production section) are very good.
 
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