Getting that FAT sound for TV

[SRG]

I have been banging ny head against the console for many years trying to get a great full-on sound for TV commercials (which is what I do).

I have never really been happy with the results of compression, as the music always seems to intrude too much on the voiceover, or you get clamping or breathing etc... I've tried cutting midrange channels in the music trax to lay in voice, I've tried using various EQ effects, but I just can't seem to get that "sound"... you know the one that's really loud and full and hits you as soon as you hear it on-air. I think I have all the right pro gear,.. EV and AKG mikes etc, recording to Hard Disk or Digi Betacam

Anyone have any ideas,... maybe where I can get more information from audio pros themselves, books on the subject,... anything,.. It really is frustrating, and I feel that maybe there's a simple secret that I should know, and don't!!

any comments would be much appreciated.

Steve

[Rootsman]

You might want to try the following forum:
http://www.musicplayer.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

You'll find plenty of industry professionals there who can answer this question. I've never attempted what you're trying to get at myself, but you're probably best off ducking the vocals using a compressor side-chain. Unfortunately I don't know the details of how this is done.

Rootsman

[SRG]

Thanks for the tip Rootsman.

I'll give the link a try.

Cheers

[jsm]

srg

No expert I'm afraid but try this. I sometimes try to get what I would call an 'in yer face' feel and 2 things that help me are,,,

small point::: having a lot of non-bpm sensative material goings on

big point::: make the best of stereo imaging. This for me is the biggy, to the extent I now sample EVERYTHING in stereo (includin bass, yep! bass). This allows me to use cep to give all samples their individual stereo imaging. I dont know how or why, but it seems to sound more fuller and bigger.

I wish I could explain more what I mean but suffice to say, I'm pretty damd sure that your answer lies in the stereo imaging of your sounds !!!individually!!!. (I certainly don't mean the final imaging as that, no matter how good or bad that imaging is, it is doing exactly the same, to everything. I also dont mean panning)

p.s. I seriously thought twice about posting this message as I don't really know what I'm trying to say. Hope this helps you a bit anyway M8y...

p.s.2 This is also an issue for me so hopefully the Guru's out there will knowledge us...

Till Next Time...