notes on ADR and Voice overs

1. ADR: what is it and why is it necessary/useful?
Automated dialogue replacement, better known in its abbreviated form as ADR is the process of re-recording dialogue using
the original (or replacement) actor after filming. The purpose of this technique is to improve audio quality and reflect
dialogue changes.
When filming on a set, the audio captured will not always be of the best quality this is due to several factors such as,
unwanted background noise and dialogue being too quiet. To remedy this issue, ADR is used to enhance the sound quality.
Audio recorded in a studio is significantly more clear and distinct, therefore the audience will easily be able to immerse
themselves into the product.
Re-recording dialogue also means it can be edited freely in order to achieve the best possible result, for example the
volume can be manipulated so it is not too quiet.
Another benefit of ADR is that background noises can be removed so, that there aren’t any unintended noises (e.g. the
wind) interfering with the project. This ultimately determines the professionalism of the final product, because exterior
sounds like the wind can distract the audience from the dialogue and be quite tedious at the same time (This will influence
the opinions viewers have on the product).

2. ADR: what equipment is necessary and what is the
process?
There are several pieces of equipment used during the process of re-recording dialogue, the main equipment consists of
microphones, preamplifiers, digital audio workstations, headphones, computers and monitors.
Preamplifiers are electronic amplifiers, they convert weak electrical signals into an output preventing distortion.
Digital audio workstations are the electronic devices and software (e.g Adobe audition, Logic Pro X) used for recording,
editing and producing audio files.
There are several steps to recording ADR, the first is to open the footage onto the recording software being used, you then
need to seperate the original audio from the footage. Once both steps have been completed, the editor then needs to loop
the line(s) that is being re-recorded. The actor now needs to read out the necessary line into their microphone, which is then
added to the footage.

3. ADR: Where has it been used and what are the risks
of using this technique?
ADR is used extensively in most audio-visual media products where dialogue is a factor, this is because of its many
benefits. Examples can be seen in many high-budget films and tv shows like, the Star Wars franchise and Breaking Bad.
There are few risks associated with ADR however, one potentially disastrous risk is that the newly recorded dialogue
doesn’t match up with the footage. If this happens the audience will be able to notice that ADR has been used and it could
jeopardise the overall merit of the audio-visual. In order to amend this issue editors should ensure that they’re matching up
the audio clip in line with the footage and the actor should record their dialogue several times, to find the best fit.

4. Voice Overs - what is the process/equipment needed?
The process
- Preparations
- This includes finding a quiet place to
record with little disruption, choosing a
microphone, finding the right software
for recording/editing and having a
base/finished script
- Test recording
- This is to check audio levels and make
sure the equipment is functioning
properly before the full recording
- Recording the audio
- Restart if needed, or clap to mark a
mistake
- Editing the audio
- This is getting rid of any mistakes, re-
taping any necessary material and
finish the final product.
The equipment needed
- A microphone
- Can be a USB microphone,Dynamic
Broadcast Microphone or a Large
Diaphragm Condenser Microphone. They
each have their positives and negatives
- Headphones
- The VA needs to be able to hear
themselves/other material whilst
recording
- Microphone stand
- To cut down on possible interference
- Shock mount
- To reduce unwanted vibrations
- Pop filters
- To diffuse the plosive sounds that can be
picked up by the mic

5. Voice overs- why it is necessary and what makes it effective
Voice overs: necessity
- Used most often in films for quick
exposition, eg. at the beginning of a film to
explain the situation/background of
characters
- Similar to film, it's also used in
documentaries to provide the viewer
context on what they are seeing
- Its use in news reports are to explain
images being shown to the viewer and
provide further depth.
- It use if often utilised in narration, whether
that be for an advertisement or a public
service announcement
Voice overs: effectiveness
- The effectiveness of a voice over, especially
in advertising, can make or break whether a
consumer engages with the product
- To make an effective voice over, the voice
over should match the message that is
being put forward either by the product of
the visuals.
- There are few cases where just a voice over
alone will prove effective, so to make it
effective utilise music, foley or other actors.
- The quality of the voice over will also play
on its effectiveness. An audience will forgive
bad visuals, but are less forgiving on bad
sound quality.

6. Voice overs- where it can go wrong and good examples
Voice overs- Good examples
- Examples of narration include
- Fight club
- Which includes an unreliable narrator
- Forrest gump
- Examples of animation
- Aladdin
- Specifically robin williams performance
- Although most disney films Voice overs
are effective
- Examples in video games
- Life is strange
- Includes both voice acting and
narration in various moments engaging
the player in the story and motives of
the characters
Voice overs- Gone wrong
- If a piece of audio is not edited correctly,
that can lead to people not taking the
message seriously and discounting it
- In several video games, mistakes in
delivery were kept in along with the
full line
- The delivery of a line must be done with
confidence of what it will sound like
- If not the uncertainty will be read by
the audience
- If the delivery of a line does not match the
atmosphere that is created by the visuals, it
will become known for being bad
- Placing a negative view on those
involved.