Sound Track: Smooth Talker
Last month, we explored the tools and techniques of recording effective narration. This month, we turn our attention to the editing, processing and polishing of narration tracks. Whether you have a full-blown nonlinear editing rig or a simple audio mixer, here are 13 things you can do to insure your recorded narration is as good as it can be.
The snappiest narration won't accomplish much if your viewers can't hear it over the din of music, natural sound and effects. Keep these elements low when narration is present, and smoothly bring them back up when the narration ends. You may even need to dip the voice-range (middle) frequencies from your background audio with an equalizer to make room for the narration.
Having heard your narration over and over ad nauseum by the time you're done editing, remember that your natural tendency will be to mix narration too low. Compensate by pushing the narration up a little higher than is comfortable. Too loud for you is usually just right for th…
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