Thanks my man I certainly needed that video 🙏 Just got a Q: do you ever use de-esser on your vocals? I used it for some time and I think it helped, what do you think?
Excellent video, Joe! I have a couple of follow-up Qs: 1. Do you normalize the audio before applying EQ & Compression? 2. How do you ensure the 2 (or more) VO tracks are consistent in volume relative to each other? Youlean or similar? 3. When you use RX do you apply it destructively or non-destructively? Thanks!
Hi Greg, glad it helped! I don't tend to use normalize tools. I use clip gain to bring up or down a track before starting though, if it's super loud or quiet. So the tracks roughly the same level before they go into the compressor. To ensure both tracks are similar level, I'm mainly just using my ears to balance, like I would any mix, and ensuring the final master is at -16 LUFS integrated. Sometimes a voice will need to be slightly louder (in terms of actual loudness, not perceived) than another if it's been recorded poorly. I use RX destructively. Then undo if I listen back and it's not right. But it's normally on small sections so I can always just roll up the original audio from the previous or subsequent clip. If I'm affecting a whole track I'll duplicate the playlist first so it's easy to go back. With podcast vocals though, it's either fixed or it's not. It's not like mixing sung vocals where I might want to make changes throughout.
If you're recording live or recording into a mixer with a built-in compressor and limiter then I would use it. It'd help to avoid clipping. If not, I wouldn't go and buy a hardware compressor limiter for a podcast, personally.
Grateful for you Joe! I am mixing my first Podcast and am thankful to have some guidance!
Happy to help, thanks Jordan!
Thanks my man I certainly needed that video 🙏
Just got a Q: do you ever use de-esser on your vocals? I used it for some time and I think it helped, what do you think?
Happy to help! Yes I do. This video is focused on getting the EQ and compression right but I use a de-esser on every podcast I mix.
Excellent video, Joe! I have a couple of follow-up Qs:
1. Do you normalize the audio before applying EQ & Compression?
2. How do you ensure the 2 (or more) VO tracks are consistent in volume relative to each other? Youlean or similar?
3. When you use RX do you apply it destructively or non-destructively?
Thanks!
Hi Greg, glad it helped!
I don't tend to use normalize tools. I use clip gain to bring up or down a track before starting though, if it's super loud or quiet. So the tracks roughly the same level before they go into the compressor.
To ensure both tracks are similar level, I'm mainly just using my ears to balance, like I would any mix, and ensuring the final master is at -16 LUFS integrated. Sometimes a voice will need to be slightly louder (in terms of actual loudness, not perceived) than another if it's been recorded poorly.
I use RX destructively. Then undo if I listen back and it's not right. But it's normally on small sections so I can always just roll up the original audio from the previous or subsequent clip. If I'm affecting a whole track I'll duplicate the playlist first so it's easy to go back. With podcast vocals though, it's either fixed or it's not. It's not like mixing sung vocals where I might want to make changes throughout.
Thanks for the response. Much appreciated!
So there's no need for a hardware pre-compressor? What about a limiter? Is that generally for band / stage work then? That keeps it simple!
If you're recording live or recording into a mixer with a built-in compressor and limiter then I would use it. It'd help to avoid clipping. If not, I wouldn't go and buy a hardware compressor limiter for a podcast, personally.
Do you do audio consulting?
Hi there, I offer podcast consulting, covering the audio side of things. What are you looking for support on?
thank you :)
Happy to help!