Mono/Stereo

Hi,

Please can someone explain if I should record my voiceover for a series of yoga videos on mono or stereo. I want the same recording to be heard in both ears.

And, what DB level should I be aiming for?

Thank you.

Abi

Hi Abi,
A little more info would help like how many sound tracks you have i.e. background music, etc… Is your video, mono, stereo, surround? What type of recording equipment are you using? Are you only using FCPX or are you recording in a DAW and then importing? 16 or 24 bits recording? Is this for DVD's, internet, BlueRay? Sometimes any of these can make a difference in forming a long answer.
Short answer for just a vocal track you can either do mono or stereo. If stereo and you center the track it is essentially the same as mono. I prefer to record stereo as it gives me more flexibility in mixing, especially in multi-track recordings. In truth unless you are using a stereo mic, you are really recording mono anyway.
If you have multiple tracks, say a nice soothing background track, ocean waves, wind through pine trees, pushing this track far right/left or rear in surround, mixed in lower than vocal track, you can create a nice point for focus while allowing the vocal to push through in front centered.
As to db levels, there is the final output master level (mix down) which should be near 0db without ever peaking, and there is recording input levels.
Where you set your input gains (levels) is somewhat dependent on the other parameters above. Using analog equipment, mic, pre-amps, mixing board or just a USB digital mic. Here we get into a bit of controversy. There is the just record as hot as possible but don't peak, (unless recording to analog tape) and the try to record each track around -18dBFS to -20dBFS folks.
Assuming a digital mic, you can safely go either way. Using analog mic and A/D converters and in reality even digital, you are better off recording around -18db for the tracks.
Why, your signal to noise ratio (SNR) will not improve if you record any hotter and might degrade. Here we are talking average. Recording up to -6 to -4 is okay, try to keep above the -24dBFS levels. You then control the mix levels into the master bus and factor in any plug-ins, effects etc….
The European standard has been -18dBFS and U.S. standard has been -20dBFS. Not sure if this has changed, the U.S. just issued some rules on sound levels for broadcasts and commercials.
The absolute main thing with digital sound is not to go over 0db, this will create a pop (clipping) due to the top of the frequency being chopped off into a square wave. You will see a red light indicator, not good
IMHO there is also an art here to work with and experiment with the equipment you have and what type of equipment you think it will be played on, to find the best balance with what you have.
Sorry for the overlong answer, but I hope this helps,
Greg

Record in mono. That way your voiceover will be the same level in both ears. You can also record in stereo, set the Pan Mode to Dialog and then adjust the slider all the way up for perfect mono from a stereo recording.

I'm no audio guy, but I always remember my sound recording lecturer saying that we only have 1 mouth. Voice is mono and should be recorded mono.

Mono, no doubt about that. And if you are not an audio specialist I agree you should keep your peaks around -6 dB and try recording your audio as clean as possible. The less background noise you have the better you will be able to make your voice stand out in your final mix.

- Ronny

I am an experienced sound guy, so here's my two cents.
- When recording VO, practice it a LOT first, and practice speaking without too much fluctuation in loudness. Keep the dynamic range down as much as you physically can. I do VO professionally and this is something we practice purposefully a lot.
- Record as close to -3 as you can without clipping at 0. You want your voice to be louder than any background noise your mic will pick up.
- When you mix, as stated previously, have your voice average about -6. If you get used to using a compressor, AND if it is the main, loudest sound in the mix, mix it closer to -3. But otherwise closer to a -6 average.