Recording stage speech is a difficult but interesting job. Problems may occur more often than when recording musical instruments and vocals. Actors or people performing on stage can even imperceptibly change the pitch of their voice, tonality, volume. A sound engineer should be able to detect any unforeseen changes and record the actor's speech at performances for a large audience with high quality. Our article is devoted to the technology of recording actor's speech. How do I set up microphones? Which Oktava devices are suitable for this task? When is it considered that the recording was successful? How many takes do you need?
To begin with, if one person is speaking, then a unidirectional microphone is used. The main thing is that the device is placed at the level of the actor's face. Most often, sound engineers install a microphone at a distance of 50-70 cm from the performer on a table or on a high stand. When the device is located too close to the actor, all speech nuances, speech defects, extra sighs and swallowing letters will be heard. In addition, when using a microphone with the “eight” polar pattern, the low frequencies of the speaker's voice are emphasized. This spoils the actor's speech, as the timbre of the voice changes, and the recording seems to “mumble". Thus, the microphones of the “eight" should not be placed very close. Preferably at a distance of 80-100 cm from the performer.
Before recording start
It will be easier for the speaker on stage to record if you print the text with paragraphs in advance. It is important that there is one complete thought in each paragraph. If there are short and simple sentences in the text, and the accents in the words are pre-arranged and noticed, then this will also save time and effort. In any case, preliminary preparation for recording will simplify the process and make it comfortable for everyone.
During recording
The actor is offered to try to read the text in order to pick up the intonation, remove all weak points and allow the sound engineer to adjust the equipment. The specialist listens to the prepared monologue through the electroacoustic tract. The sound engineer makes sure that the speaker clearly pronounces the polysyllabic words. Also during the rehearsal, the specialist listens to the recording, corrects the frequencies, sets the required recording level. If the actor made a mistake or said something wrong, do not stop recording and advise the speaker to continue further, making a short pause. A phrase pronounced with a mistake can be said again later. And the bad option is easy to remove, thanks to the pause. It is not necessary to cut out only 1 word, otherwise there is a danger that the phrases inside the sentence are not clearly divided. And we have not yet said this about the different level of intonation, which may not coincide with the sound of the previous words. During installation, there will be difficulties with cutting phrases.
It is also necessary to make sure that clicks do not appear during the recording of the performer's speech. In addition, to avoid noise and rustling of paper with text, ask the actor not to bring the script close to the microphone. Usually they do three takes. The first one is listened to by a sound engineer, an actor and a director. If you don't like the recording, then do a second take, and a third to repeat the success. It is accepted that the final version is taken for installation. Individual fragments can be written to it. This mainly concerns difficult-to-pronounce sentences or phrases.
In terms of volume and pitch, it is usually recommended to record calm, measured speech with a level of 80% of the maximum permissible, and emotionally colored speech with a level of 50-60%.
Which Oktava microphones can handle recording an actor's speech on stage?
MK-207. Stage vocal microphone made of aluminum alloy. The kit includes wind protection. The microphone has a built-in pop filter that effectively smoothes explosive consonant sounds. MK-207 is ideal for recording speech and vocals at rehearsals, in cultural and sports institutions, at live performances and presentations. The device is cardioid with an equivalent noise level of 16 dBA.
Oktava MD-305. Dynamic handheld cardioid microphone.
The device is suitable for recording human speech or vocals at small live performances or large concerts. When using a microphone, vibrations are minimally transmitted from the hands to the MD-305 capsule. The set includes a microphone, a microphone holder and a case.
Oktava novelty is the Oktava OWS-U1200H radio system (on order for legal entities). The wireless vocal system is designed to work with sound in theaters, film studios, lecture halls, concert halls and any other professional venues. Features of the radio system:
• Digital modulation type "π/4 DQPSK"
• "True Diversity" technology for reliable signal reception
• IR synchronization for easy connection
• Transmitter is in an ergonomically shaped metal case