If you record any type of voiceover, you are familiar with the recording level struggle. Setting a reasonable level is easy for consistent conversational speech. However, setting a good recording level while capturing dynamic performances can be challenging. A recording level that captures soft or quiet speech is not a good setting for loud, blaring speech and vice versa. Several solutions exist to this problem, ranging from studio techniques to special equipment. The following will explore ways to capture ultradynamic speech while retaining the best recording quality.

One solution is to record your performance and try to correct the distorted portions of your audio after you record (postproduction). I don’t suggest this method, but plugins like iZotope’s RX10 De Clip can sometimes work well.

Another way to approach this is to record twice at independent level settings and edit out the lessthanoptimal sections. This is probably the most common option. However, it takes extra time and can disturb your creative performance flow. You can accomplish this by setting your preamp gain first to achieve a proper level for your quiet sections while ignoring the lousy level on your loud sections. Then, rerecord your entire script after resetting your preamp gain to achieve a proper level for your loud sections while ignoring the insufficient level during your quiet sections. Then, you select the takes with the best levels for each section and edit it all together. This is a good option because it doesn’t require any extra equipment. But, the downside is that it requires additional time. And, the worst part is that you can’t correctly capture one cohesive performance.

This method uses “MultiTracking” to capture ultradynamic voice content. Two tracks are captured from a single microphone source using an independent recording level. Track 1 can be ideal for quiet speech, and Track 2 can be for loud speech.

A similar, better approach is to use an additional external microphone preamp and then split the linelevel signal output to separate tracks on your interface. This can be achieved with a simple Ycable to split the linelevel signal (not the mic signal level).

The next best solution might be a passive splitter like the Radial Pro MS2. The onboard highquality transformer delivers great sound, and it’s a great way to accomplish this for less than the cost of a legitimate external preamp.

Options like software loopback patching or physical loopback patching can have some unintended consequences. Your two tracks aren’t truly independent. Using this method, you can experience noise, distortion, or even feedback in some situations. You might ask, “Where does 32bit float fall?” The approach is slightly different if you want to use the 32bit Float format to capture ultradynamic voice recordings. You would first ensure, 100%, that your loudest peak never goes above 0 dB. Then, even though your quiet recording appears much lower, 32Bit FLOAT allows you to use digital gain to raise the softer speech sections without losing any of the resolution. 32bit Float will enable you to retain the dynamic range and resolution even after making substantial digital gain changes after you record.

▬ Training Course Links ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
EQ Fundamentals For Voice
https://www.lennyb.com/https://www.le...

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▬ Custom Processing Link ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Submit your voice here for a free sample of Lenny's processing on your voice. https://www.lennyb.com/getyourvoice...

▬ Equipment Links ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Radial ProMS2 Passive Microphone Splitter
http://sweetwater.sjv.io/AWZz9j

Grace Design m101 Halfrack Microphone Preamp
http://sweetwater.sjv.io/m5Zy1X

Drawmer Kick Box
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/jrbP1b

Lenny's microphone used in this video: Roswell Mini k87
https://roswellproaudio.com/lennyb

Lenny's Preamp used in this video: Neve 1073spx
https://sweetwater.sjv.io/an924j

Lenny's Interface used in this video: Apollo X6
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/deta...

▬ About Lenny B ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
I help content creators make a stronger connection with their audience. Voiceover artists, actors, musicians, and performers worldwide come to me to help improve their production quality, expand their influence, grow their audience, win more auditions, and get more work. Some of the links on this page are links to affiliate websites, and I receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. My affiliates include Sweetwater, Roswell Microphones, Gik Acoustics, Waves, and Amazon.

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