Voice over / voice dubbing software? (and 1 AS question)

SjN · Post by **SjN** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:16 am

Not sure what the software called.

Okay let's say I made a cartoon using anime studio pro, and I recorded myself speak for all characters and made the lipsync work with papagayo, now I wanna hire professional actors and rerecord the voices for all characters in the cartoon.

I know to do this I'd have to open Voice recording software and the Cartoon and press on Play and record at the same time so the voice actors would be able to see what's happening in the movie while recording their voices.

I was wondering if there's 2 in 1 software which can start recording and play the cartoon(which is saved in avi format) at the same time so I won't have to hassle switching between audio/video softwares pressing on play/record.

Have done some research on google, didn't find anything.. maybe I am using the wrong words in the search.

And another quick question...
I was searching for an easier way to draw characters etc. using my tablet, because I understand that drawing in AS is best done using mouse.
I'v also heard of the method where you sketch a character in photoshop and then trace it in AS.. (that would be my last option)...
I'v also heard people complain that whenever they import their artwork from AI it gets all disfigured.
So I was wondering if there's any better way or software besides AI which gives you easier way (using tablet) to draw characters (etc) and important it in AS.

Thanks!

J. Baker · Post by **J. Baker** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:26 am

Actually it's best to write a script first.
Then record voices and/or story board.
Draw, rig characters, props and scenes.
Animate your characters around the voices.

That's a simple way of putting it.

As for your second question. I find it easy to sketch on paper then scan it in to be traced. Or do sketches in ArtRage. Sometimes I just wing it as I already know what I want.

SjN · Post by **SjN** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 5:41 am

J. Baker,

I already made the script, I already recorded voices... I'v done all the things that you listed.

Now I wanna hire professional actors to re-record the voices..

"I was wondering if there's 2 in 1 software which can start recording and play the cartoon(which is saved in avi format) at the same time so I won't have to hassle switching between audio/video softwares pressing on play/record. "

and for the 2nd answer, like I said... I'v heard of sketching and then tracing in AS. I was wondering if there's a vector software besides AI which I can use to draw my artwork and later import it in AS to be animated. As I mentioned in my post, I don't wanna use AI because too many people complain how it doesn't import the artwork correctly.

Thanks.

mkelley · Post by **mkelley** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 1:43 pm

Yes, but what's he saying is that nearly ALL animation (and I mean all) is done by animating TO the prerecorded voices, not the other way around.

So the answer is after your professionals re-record the tracks THEN animate to those tracks. You don't record at the same time your animation is playing (in the industry this is post-dubbing or looping and is an EXTREMELY tedious process involving many many many hours of work of recording one line at a time again and again and again to get it to "match". And even then most loops are done with the actor already having recorded his lines during the filming, so he can actually hear him or herself talking and just overdub that sound.

Now -- if you are saying you've already made the animation, then my advice would be to remake it: if you did it in AS then it's a simple matter to redo the voice sync with Papagayo and put it back into your animation and re-render. The real trick would be any particular movements will have to be adjusted, but this will be FAR easier and better looking than trying to loop the animation, IMHO.

dm · Post by dm » Wed Mar 25, 2009 2:25 pm

If you're on a Mac, you can use Logic, or SouindTrack. Multi-platform, you can also use ProTools, CakeWalk, etc. They allow you to play a quicktime, and punch in recording on separate tracks at will. You can even manage it in Final Cut, Premiere, etc., though it's not particularly elegant (and you may experience some synch issues)

Commonly referred to as "looping", or "ADR" (Automatic Dialog Replacement) in the 'live action world'.

And, I agree, you're doing it the wrong way 'round.

JCook · Post by **JCook** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 4:19 pm

The Illustrator import problem is not a problem with Illustrator, it has to do with the way AS imports the vector file. Probably the best way to do your drawings might be to make pencil sketches, scan them and use them in AS as tracing objects to trace over using AS tools. I draw in AS using my Wacom tablet all the time and have no problems at all. I think drawing with a mouse is not good in any application, so don't be discouraged from using your tablet in AS.

Jack

SjN · Post by **SjN** » Wed Mar 25, 2009 10:25 pm

Thanks guys. Protools and CakeWalk seems like the software I was looking for. except I was looking for something dedicated for ADR...
But I guess as long as protools has the ADR feature I'll look into it.

I guess I'll give Illustrator a try and see how it works out. I think I might end up drawing in photoshop and later importing my art to AS and tracing it with builtin tools.

Thank you so much guys!

If somebody has better suggestion than using Protools for ADR I'd love to hear it.

Thanks again!

toonertime · Post by **toonertime** » Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:35 am

If you do want to record while the cartoon
is playing I use MAGIX Moviemaker
software.

dm · Post by dm » Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:28 am

Uh, ADR software? It's more of a housekeeping thing. Creating and managing cues. Generally available as a plug-in. Are you planning on hiring actors and recording them yourself? Using a studio? ADR is tedious if you're doing the whole show that way. How long is it?

Whatever software you use for audio, it needs to be frame accurate (ie can run at 24/25/29.97, etc FPS). I get the feeling this is beyond your original scope (press play and record at the same time). Protools and Cakewalk come in different versions. The low-end may not do what you need.

Anyway, what you end up doing is recording the audio while they're watching the video. Do it several times on different tracks. Then go back and start slipping the audio about for proper lip synch. Since they have to match your cadence, you can expect a lot of small cuts, and maybe some time processing. I'd suggest you take the audio questions to an audio engineering forum (or maybe DV). ADR is the sort of thing they do regularly, and there will probably be some better suggestions about how to best deal with it.

I'm guessing you're Windows-based. Protools is probably the better way to go.

I use Logic Pro. It's great for film use. CuBase, MOTU Digital Performer, Nuendo, Abelton, SoundForge, Cakewalk, Tracktion, Bias Master Perfection Suite (or Deck even), Reason, Soundtrack Pro. I know there are others, but that's all I could get out of my head.

Here are some links for ADR related stuff (note the prices)

http://www.soundmaster.com/index.html

http://www.synchroarts.com/

http://voiceq.com/

http://www.gallery.co.uk/adr.html

http://www.brainstormtime.com/ Look at the SR 8000-works well for ADR

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InfoCentral · Post by **InfoCentral** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 6:08 pm

Voice alteration and vocal special effects software:

http://www.screamingbee.com/product/Mor ... x?adid=371

mkelley · Post by **mkelley** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 7:50 pm

I actually *hate* that software -- it's the absolute worst interface I've ever used (and after 4 decades that's saying something) and it doesn't work nearly as well as the demos might lead you to believe.

I'd stay away from it (or run away! :>)

InfoCentral · Post by **InfoCentral** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 2:03 am

I thought the demos sound pretty good. My only reservation is that I didn't see anywhere that it contained a self recording feature. It kept saying how it worked within other programs. I think I would try the demo first before laying down the bucks though as it is available to try before you buy.

J. Baker · Post by **J. Baker** » Fri Apr 10, 2009 5:53 pm

You're better off just using an audio editor for recording and effects. The program mentioned above effects sound really cheezy. I would recomend Acoustica, Wavosaur or Audacity, as they support VST plugins. Which you can find many at KVR Audio's website.

InfoCentral · Post by **InfoCentral** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 4:41 pm

This is all vocal snyth stuff?

mkelley · Post by **mkelley** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 9:09 pm

The programs Baker recommends are sound editors -- another good one is Sound Forge (which I use).

Most of the better ones support VST plugins, which can do a huge variety of things (and thanks, Baker, for reminding me about this. I visited that page you mentioned and found half a dozen useful free ones, including ones that do indeed change the voice the way the other software was mentioned).