micing aerobics

  • Thread starter Thread starter tc4b
  • Start date Start date
tc4b

tc4b

Yeah I been drinkin, SO!?
I'm recording this lady doing exercise routines, and she can't maintain any consistent distance to the mic or maintain a constant volume level too much either. I'm using compression, eq, and riding the volume slider like a rodeo cowboy... I'm just wondering if there's a mic that might help me out. I pulled out the LDC, as I usually do for vox, then the sm57, not much better. I didn't try the sdc's or the omni's (my room isn't good enough for me to want the ambience)... Is there a headset mic that will do a decent job recording? I have only ever seen them used by lip-synching pop artists. But if I could keep the distance between her mouth and the mic constant, it would be a huge help.
 
a wireless headset mic should do it??

It is not like you are trying to get studio quality vocals or anything....

:D
 
She is just talking right...she isn"t singing a celine dion cover is she??

even if she was singing a celine dion cover she probably wouldn"t do that good of a job while doing aerobics.....

Maybe try an omni mic in the center of the room and see if you can pick her up that way...


:D
 
Back when I was in highschool we had Wireless headset mics made by Shure for our musicals. We'd be dancing all over the place and singing and they worked fairly well. I can't remember the exact model but I'll look into it
 
Acousticles said:
Back when I was in highschool we had Wireless headset mics made by Shure for our musicals. We'd be dancing all over the place and singing and they worked fairly well. I can't remember the exact model but I'll look into it
Click to expand...
Yeah. If it works on 'Broadway...
 
mixsit said:
Yeah. If it works on 'Broadway...
Click to expand...

I know, but I usually use different mics in the studio and on stage, just wondered about that.

Anyhow, instead of buying an expensive toy and inviting her back for more recording, I worked it more or less like this:

- plugin compressor quite a bit more aggresive than I would normally use (after having compressed on the way in)

- duplicate vocal track, giving one of the an upper-mid bump that really stood out from the techno-style accompaniment

- left the original vocal at a constant volume, then added more or less of the 'brightened' track as the backing track got busier, then backed off it when it was more sparse

If the project makes any money, I think next time I'll just deaden the shit out of my smaller room, mic with an ldc and an omni... or maybe just get a headset mic. Consider me a converted member of the church of get-it-right-going-into-the-box-so-you-won't-drive-yourself-nuts-fucking-with-it-later.

I think I just told myself I could fix it later in the box. Dumbass!:mad:
 
Ill just use a lavalier hidden in her clothes, the other option is to use a shotgun mic with a boom like the ones used on films.
 
dualflip said:
Ill just use a lavalier hidden in her clothes, the other option is to use a shotgun mic with a boom like the ones used on films.
Click to expand...

any reccomends on a good lavalier? I have a feeling the cost on the shatgun would kill me
 
Check out the Shure WL93 its smaller than a coin, by nature, lavaliers are not as good as regular condensers, but they do the job quite fine. Also look the Shure WL51B and the Audio Technica AT803b which is omnidirectional, or the cardiod version AT831R or AT898C, there are a lot of them out there, there are also some good AKG lavaliers like the CK55L or full wireless lavalier systems.

Cheers!
 
I probably would have just done some carefully placing of a few LDCs around the room, or even try hanging them from the ceiling, maybe even pan then accordingly for a little fun. :p But that's my 2 cents, a lavaliere sounds pretty good too, it gives the nice cliche aerobics instructor look too!

-Barrett
 
I would keep the levels around -18db coming in, then normalize the track. Then add compression. Make her stay farther away from the microphone. Put a pop filter extended far in front to make a barrier so she wont get closer...

How did you get a gig like this anyway?
 
Erockrazor said:
I would keep the levels around -18db coming in, then normalize the track. Then add compression.
Click to expand...

Thats the worst thing you can do, normalizing should never be done in individual tracks, you are going to bring the noise level up and screw up all your audio just to lower the fader later because the level is to high, i'd say DONT NORMALIZE.
 
Okay, dont normalize? Just pull up the fader and bring up the noise floor anyway?

I thought we were talking digital audio? Not analogs tape hiss.

The noise floor should be way low, dont sweat it.
 
I agree. Although normalize' is generally a completely unnecessary move -in the end a noise level is what it is.

If she's moving around in the room the multiple mics ain't a bad idea. Use only the one with the best s/n at any given time.
 
Erockrazor said:
Okay, dont normalize? Just pull up the fader and bring up the noise floor anyway?

I thought we were talking digital audio? Not analogs tape hiss.

The noise floor should be way low, dont sweat it.
Click to expand...

Man i recommend you reading Bob Katz book Mastering Audio cuz im not saying you are wrong, but youll get a better explanation from what im trying to tell you...
 
dualflip said:
Man i recommend you reading Bob Katz book Mastering Audio cuz im not saying you are wrong, but youll get a better explanation from what im trying to tell you...
Click to expand...


Point well taken.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top