50 years in broadcast media...most of that time in radio. We always laughed at TV people for how awful their sound was. Then about 22 years ago I started dabbling in video and soon discovered that most video professionals considered audio manipulation to be some kind of sorcery. All I could do was laugh, since I found all the complex matters concerning video to be far more complex than audio, which always came easy to me. Marcus is right here. But I would add one thing: Your ears are going to HEAR things differently from one day to the next, from one month to the next, from one year to the next. Maybe it's the variance in barometric pressure, or just the amount of salt in your diet, I really don't know. But your ears and your brain process sounds differently over time. I've processed my own voice tracks one day and felt like I never could get the sound quite right, and then a week later they sounded fine. Or I processed a voice track until it sounded and felt perfect, and then I come back to it a month later and it sounds shrill and annoying. What I have learned as a voice talent over the years is that whatever "processing chain" I think I need to use to sound my best will be different in six months or a year from now. So I'm constantly tweaking it. So if a client that I'm working with just wants me to record a pick-up line and they intend to splice it into something I recorded last year, I'll tell them I'd rather just re-cut the whole thing, because something I record today may not match up with something I recorded a year ago. Audio tends to be a moving target. And as much as I would like to believe that once I get the perfect sound for my voice, experience tells me that my perception of it will be different later. So just expect to be constantly tweaking and revising your processing chain as time goes by.
If I could add one thing - you accommodate to a sound you work on. Pretty common issue during mixing. Sometimes you need to take a break and "look" on your project with a fresh ear to catch something which you would rather not hear doing all the stuff at once. Doesn't necessary mean you need a year, just a reasonable break. But yeah, the sound you make, change over the years. It's also constant pursuit for doing thing better and better. But our point of view changes as well
Our brains are polluted with an excessive amount of artificial, high-intensity sounds. Two hours in the forest and my hearing gets appropriate perspective, other senses too.
"then I come back to it a month later and it sounds shrill and annoying" Yeah thats why its good practice to take short breaks where you can. To "rest your ears". It sounds counter productive but it helps your ears re-adjust to what you are listening to. make a coffee, walk around for 5 mins, anything that gets you away from over listening to something often helps. But unfortunately if you have a tight deadline, that can be hard to do.
One thing I would add as someone who has worked on major label records for over 20 years. When mixing (post processing) audio it's best to not work on it after a long day because your ears will fatigue and you won't even notice. We never mix a record after spending all day recording (tracking) it. We always star fresh the next day. Work on audio as early after you wake up and monitor at low volumes. Your ears are at their peak performance after a nice rested long sleep. Audio work isn't sorcery it's just finding what works for your voice/sound and years of experimentation.
Your “Learn the basics; do it right” summarizes the whole video. Thanks again for a great video. I’m so glad TH-cam recommended your content - sometimes the algorithm works right.
Confession. I saw a video of yours from ages ago and thought "this dude is too flash/wealthy/coiffured ;) for a simple country boy like me" and I moved on. I'm so glad a came back. I have been setting up a little studio here in New Zealand and all of your latest videos have taught me something valuable I didn't know before. I can see these take a long time to do (maaan, that mic test!) . Thank you.
"Don't depend on technology to save your ass..." Love it! And I totally agree. Tell it like it is, no hold punches. Great series and I'm looking forward to the next video.
Your so right about setup. Audio and video takes time and preparation. I think most of us are lazy with setup myself included. Thanks for the tip on RX7 that seems like a winner for background noise.
As physicist I always say "Get the best raw data possible" and I this is the same for video/audio - your video confirms my basic idea! And thanks a lot for directing me away from "tech" to the "story" ... this is very helpful to reduce wasting time with new stuff but concentrate on stuff I own and learn to handle it properly.
I like your philosophy. Everyone is trying to find some magic presets, patterns and settings, forgetting that every product is unique. And this applies not only to the technical side of production, but also to the creative side. Music and cinema today are full of copycats and clones, stamped like burgers at McDonald's. Everyone wants to create, but few want to be creative.
I've been doing it all wrong, with varying degrees of failure. You completely resolved my roadblocks. I was placing mics wrong, I was using a limiter wrong, compressor wrong etc.! You're the swellest down to earth splainer there ever was. Story: as a kid, I lived around people in the music biz, studios, recording sessions etc. and didn't have the presence of mind to comprehend the value and experience it the right way . Don't get me wrong, I learned and knew, and could hear (like in your content) the difference, learned there was a difference between good and bad devices and good and bad recording practices...been scolded for behaving in a non-conducive manner in the 'environment' ..more than once. Big thanks Markus.
Markus i love how honest you are and tell it straight up Facts! people just want the "Easy Fix" just do this and just do that easy peasy and DONE! nope it just doesn't work that way lol. i love this Channel cannot wait for more from you sir.
Thanks again Markus you ooze the philosophical perspective so many people need to hear instead of obsessing over gear, work with what you have, learn from mistakes and MAKE ART.
0:09 at least 80% of audio is done before processing (no magic) 2:35 audio processing for 95% of people vs audiophiles 3:50 where to start; presets 4:10 built in audio processing, plugins and apps 4:46 auto fix options in apps 5:18 workflow: step 1 clean up background 6:08 record extra background sound 6:30 step 2 limiter, under -3db 8:00 echo and reverb 8:25 compression 10:45 the listener hardware and preferences 12:07 What are your settings Markus? Thanks for the masterclass again Markus! 🙏
I would like to learn more about cleaning up the background. What plugins you like, what you listen for and how you clean up the background. Knowing what you do gives me more information that what I have now.
honestly i hate when people just tell you to do stuff without explaining the reasoning behind it. The philosophy behind the process for doing what your doing I find to be so much more useful than just giving me mindless steps to take.
Agree, everyone wants a pill or procedure to fix what ails them, 10 sec in the microwave, and the easy button for everything. The art of hard work is disappearing. Thanks for teaching us how to fish and not just giving us a fish.
I've been an audio recording engineer forever like back in the days of the Tascam 1/2" 8 track recorder on Ampex 456 tape. Now I do a lot of field recording and eurorack sound designing. People should understand that there are many differences in people and every one hears things differently. It must really be bad in the world of TH-cam if you have to loudly explain and tell everyone to just not ask for the quick solution. With all the knowledge and experience you've gained through trial and error and you weight out the good and the bad before making your decisions and that is key. It's just a shame because you are the king pin and people should listen to every word you have to say for your knowledge is golden and vast. I just don't want to see you get an ulcer or have a heart attack for you are my new go to guy. My weekends are filled with watching as many of your videos posted and I love them all. It's just a sad state of the world if everyone just wants to get to the finish line before they even get out of the gate. Enlightenment is not a place or destination it is the journey to your place of destination. Knowledge is key and people should just listen and take notes for you are a teacher of the highest degree. Please don't stress so much and fly above it all.
Nice lighting setup . I like it when natural reverb disappears when You are intimately close to the lens. Don't read too many comments, relax and make us happy with the new SOUND episode.:) O! and I am an audiophile, instead of listening to crapy compressed youtube audio I rather connect my valve amps to decent analog or digital sources. With average headphones to a soundcard, You sound terrific!
Markus, I teach audio production and post-production and all I got to say is "Amen, brother". You hit the nail on the head with "get your recording right BEFORE post" so you minimize the work you need to do in post-production. Also, if you have a clean recording to start, then you can do MORE in post if you want and be really creative. My mantra in class is "it's easier to dirty up a clean recording than to clean up a dirty recording." Nicely done, and I like your passion in the video. You really convey how important it is to do the work up front.
I wanted a magic button, I felt like the only way I was going to get good audio was with a magic button. But after watching a bunch of other audio videos. I ended up buying a zoom h1n. And that thing has been a lifesaver! Being able to see your levels and add a limiter makes a world of difference. Also I'm one of those hat wearers. And clipping the mic onto the brim of the hat was a fantastic idea and gives me way better sounding audio than clipping it to my shirt. Thanks Markus for all the amazing videos and inspiration ❤️
I once read, Roy Baker (Queen) kept a small transistor radio speaker ontop of his sound mixer. After all the fancy recording and mixing he wanted to hear what it would sound like on the radio. I must admit, listening to Queen in Mono, it's field of depth is incredible... the drums hit you hard, fall back softly, then hit you again! (Radio Gaga)
Excellent tutorial! After narrating 8 audiobooks, I absolutely swear by limiting. Depending on my performance, especially narrating fiction, I like to use -6 db to -12 db, then normalize to -3 db. This makes my voice sound rich and robust, whether I'm speaking in a whisper or screaming!
You're aman after my own heart, Markus. It's as if people want to acquire a skill, much as they might the latest fashion or gaddget. Acquisition of this kind requires actual learning and a willingness to use one's ears. That, in its turn, requires something called effort.
I love what you are saying! So true, so real. I you want to be good at something, there are no shortcuts. Looking forward to every upcoming video from you, Markus!
i Actually worked for 1 year in a production house in their Audio department, Sound Studio. learnt a lot about audio from their and now working as an editor and youtube creator, i use those learnings . My workflow is very similar how u explained. Thanks fr making this video to explain how things actually works.
All these videos about audio have been great and I have learned a lot and have enjoyed each and every one. I think my favorite part, so far, is where to put the mic on a lady. Thanks, Markus!!
Finally a person that is willing to admit that anything that could by great takes planning to get to that level of possible greatness. It does not magically happen
Very nice, very true! The best part of Markus's video is the advice to record a minute of pure background noise so that if you really do have to delete a couple of seconds, you have a patch to stick over the graveyard-like silence you have just created.
Markus, you're absolutely spot on. I work in radio and voice over and everything you said I totally agree with. Also you can listen to something you recorded, for example at night and it sounds great then the next day you go back and it sounds like crap. Regards, Tim in Dublin Ireland 🇮🇪 😊
I never expected a templete from you, really. I kind of knew what this video was going to be like because you are honest and very straight forward. But still, I got lots of great info from it. You're the man!!
OMG I had no idea what the compressor did and never bothered after playing for 5 secs one time and not knowing WTF I was even doing. I just played with the multiband compressor in the studio version of resolve, making my cheap condenser mic sound like a pro boom mic. I recorded it well in the first place, but what a difference playing with the compressor made. I still don't know what I'm doing on a lot of knobs, I just know it sounds much richer and more podcast like and, less tinny. Thank you!
Your are absolutely right...ditto for still images. Everyone is viewing on different devices that "colours" the image away from your original output. You gotta just pick somewhere down the middle.
Great video and advice. An example to your point.... When first in broadcast production in the late 60`s our company had state-of-the-art equipment. We even produced outside production for regional movie trailers, drag strips and such. Us young ones always wanted that big dynamic sound. One day, the chief engineer came in the room to explain why there was a small 3 1/2 inch speaker imbedded in the rack. He said it matched the average size speaker in the average radio/tv of that time. If our production sounded clear and understandable on that speaker, our job was done. Thanks.
I've watched every minute of your entire audio series including this one. Lots of frank and honest information. One thing I feel worth mentioning is matching a microphone to your voice can negate a lot of need for post processing. Oftentimes really high end mics sound "flat" without post processing which is what studios may want but for us normal people what just want to have a big voice for our youtube videos a lot of mics change the EQ a bit, also some react faster than others, some mics may also sound initially better because they're brighter but after listening for 30 minutes can really wear on the audience in a bad way. A basic discussion of limiters, compressors, notch filters and high and low pass roll-offs would behoove us to watch. Sometimes just notching out a bad frequency can really make things sound a lot better, I"ve had to do that with concerts I've recorded where there was a bad resonant sound.
Thank's for complimenting my JBL monitors 😋 I saw a documentary with Robyn (if you recognize the Swedish artist) when she made (makes?) the masters for her music. They brought the laptop into her car, and always checked how it sounded when driving, so not only the speakers. But also with the road noise when driving, as she herself often listened to music in her car, interesting perspective.
I love what you’re saying in this video. Having experience making EDM in the past, there is no magic pre-set for every situation. Having the most expensive equipment doesn’t make you the next Dead Mau5. Start with a preset, then learn how to limit and compress on your own. Whereas I gave up on EDM, looks like I’ll be busting out my subscription to FL Studio and using it to edit my voice recordings.
Hi folks, I'm here to learn about audio. I've always taken the view of 'get it right in camera' - had to, started with black and white roll film ..... in the industry the camera gal/guy is called a 'Lighting Cameraman' - I know, one day it will be gender neutral. As Marcus said, it's the lighting. Same thing with sound, it's the acoustic surroundings. Post processing is the icing on the cake. It's finessing what has already been achieved for both video and audio. Right, enough babble, time to listen. And learn.
Oh man! This was great! I have Cerebral Palsy and my voice sounds pretty odd in my videos. Just playing with some limiters and compression as you were showing it made a HUGE difference! THANK YOU!!!
In a professional recording studio there are always a pair of inexpensive car speakers mounted in boxes. You mix the the album using the $3000 each studio speakers but you mix the single on the car speakers because that is how most people will listen to it.
Some of those Isotope experts are amazing! Got RX7 Standard last year to clean up a series of Zoom meetings with horrendous audio(it was on sale). I improved it by at least 50 % but still couldn’t clear the step-overs(dogs, cell phones, computer notifications etc).
This was great Markus I've almost always managed to get clean audio (on occasions challenges with air-con units that clicked on during shoots, traffic etc) and have mainly just used the software in Premiere and Audition, but that RX7 or RX9 might be just the missing piece. 60% of a video is audio I was always told as you can usually cover up visuals with a cutaway or a second angle without the audience noticing, but bad audio can never be covered up. For years working on various projects with just myself as production crew, I've always had multiple backups for sound and video and I enjoy having a boom mic and lapel mic mixed although occasionally running into issues with phasing. In terms of speakers, I use two sets with a cheap and expensive pair as I know viewers will not be using the same gear as I do, so making it sound good on a cheap pair is essential. It's also why on some videos subtitles are needed as I know it may be listened to in offices where privacy may be an issue.
I record my videos on a GoPro or, more recently, a Samsung NX Mini (I got the idea from you!) I record audio on my Zoom H4n. I use the limiter, a bit of compression, and, maybe, a bit of ambiance or reverb. For me, these simple things work great! I love the simplicity! I can carry my entire studio in a backpack. I have learned a lot from watching your videos and always look forward to the next one! Thank you!
You’re right on Markus. It’s same as fitness, I’ve been curious about fitness since I was a little kid. Fast forward in the future (currently 37 years old) I’ve won a lot of bodybuilding shows (I do drug free shows) and a lot of people will approach you in the gym with good intentions and ask right away “what do you take” or “what can I take to look like you” . Sometime they will ask what workout can I advise them to do. Since it’s not one size fit all , I always ask them, “what is your goal?” From there I slowly build a conversation with them about what is being fit or what it takes to reach their target. Yeah, a lot of people always look for that Magic Bullet😂 they didn’t know it’s more in the kitchen same as having a good starting point when you do your post process for your recordings. Thank you for your videos Markus. Peace!
@@MarkusPix I do as well Markus.. Should have told them to turn it to 11 .. 🐱 .. I started taking photos with a 127 film camera and borrowed a clockwork standard 8 .. everything had to be perfect... In the 80's I got to use a Beta Max 'portacam' Ha! that lot was heavy carrying a video recorder at my side and camera on my shoulder and walking around like someone in a Kung Fu film invariably over rough terrain or simple things like steps backwards.. meanwhile keeping the audio good.. and not pointing the camera into the Sun like an Astronaut did on the Moon, though the Sun is a bit on the bright side there and the soil is highly reflective a mix of silica and iron that hasn't oxidised. Then cameras as you know got smaller and lighter and recording on SD etc.. I have a Nikon L100 which I love.. for photos, bought a ACT74A which has EIS which I rarely use.. and on the list from your recommendation and now is cheaper as it's an older model the V800 and yes it has mic jack's (stereo) just because it will be less work editing.. Cut, Splice, Fade, Done! Though keyframes are fun... but I will do separate audio as well.. and possibly mix them.. I still don't use picture or audio manipulation.. Thanks about the -3.. The main rule is get it the best you can in the can... BTW... Have you thought of getting longer leads for your computer's and putting them where you can't hear them... Thanks for everything.. Mark and Bella 🐈
Hey Markus! Excellent video, in my mind the most important one you've made so far. Not just in this series, but in all the videos of yours that I've watched so far. There is no panacea, silver bullet, magic potion, juju-juice, whatever. Art takes time and effort, and you can only afford a bit of laziness when you've done your bit to get to know the few "shortcuts" in your craft. In order to get to bend the rules, you first need to know them intimately. I really enjoyed this series and the (sometimes brutal) honesty behind your advice. Love it!
PREACH IT BROTHER. It does not matter what it is, what discipline or craft, the best way for good results is to pay attention to the simple basics, from the beginning and at every step along the way. If you pay diligent attention to the simple basics, you probably won't ever need to know the complicated stuff. If you fail to pay attention to the simple basics, it will be hard or impossible, to fix it afterward. Making the effort and being diligent in the simple basics is easier and more efficient AND will save time and effort . Those of us the grew up in the pre-digital age, when good equipment was expensive and even the best equipment did not perform like equipment does now, had no choice, but to pay attention to detail at every step.
You know I am grateful for all of this audio lesson, however the greatest one I learned was in setting up your environment video....now my wife doesn't bug me about the big mess around my desk now that its officially become my diy sound dampening mess. oh what a beautiful mess.. . THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THESE AMAZINGLY INSIGHTFUL VIDEOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111
I've been having some great success making thin/tinny sounding lav mics sound more expensive with EQ/compression. One thing thats really helped is using plugins with no frequency/dynamic visualizing window, and relying purely on hearing changes on the 5-8 knobs to make it sound good.
I have Izotope RX9 and I only mention this because of a feature that was only available in version 9 as far as I know. It's the "Dialogue Isolate" feature that can literally remove all the background noise like cars, sirens, barking dogs, helicopters and reverb along with computer fans or any other background noise. It makes it disappear like magic while leaving only the main vocals behind. It blows my mind every-time I use it. Some of us don't have the luxury of recording in deserted remote locations, some of us, like specifically me, I have non stop barking dogs and traffic to deal with almost every time I press that record button. It sucks and no amount of preparation will fix my environment, it just is what it is. So I let RX9 do what it does and wow, it is impressive stuff! But otherwise, yeah, I'm 100% with ya. From the set up to the post processing. I use FabFilter brand EQ, Compressor, Limiter, etc as my primary tweak and tuning software and the Izotope RX9 as my primary "repair" or "magic bullet". If a more powerful combination exists currently, I am certainly unaware of it. But on those rare occasions when my world is finally quiet, a little preparation equals a whole lot of done! Thanks for doing this whole series. I/we appreciate it. Cheers 🍻
I use Dialog Isolate all the time. It's also in RX7, been there for a couple years. It works great but it's not a magic bullet though. If you listen closely, there are still some background frequencies mixed in the with words, just not between the words. But it does work very well.
@@MarkusPix: I didn't realize RX7 had the isolate feature, something about it is supposed to be special in RX9. Anyway, if the audio is really bad and the program has to work really hard to clean it up, then yes, there are a bunch of artifacts left behind. Not a "magic bullet" or fix all, but it has saved some stuff I though to be totally unusable. I'll take a little noise in the form of artifacts if I can eliminate a lot of noise from dogs and traffic. Thanks again Markus. I/we appreciate what you do. Cheers man 🍻
I love your honesty, Marcus. Whether it's your health channel, or this one, telling people what they need to hear rather than what they want to hear is very rare these days, when feelings are more important than the reality around us. Please keep doing what you are doing, and know that both of your channels have added value to my life. I do still want one of those Schoeps shotguns. I know you can get fantastic audio with less, but man, it sounded spectacular.
Markus, thank you for providing this video! The one complement I always think watching your video’s is how amazing your audio sounds. You always have a no bs way of explaining anything camera, and appreciate the time you spend making content like this.
Used to work with a director whose fa favourite phrase was “we’ll fix it in post”. Do it right on set/location or you will waste a lot of time later. Be a pro.
Markus, Love the video and Im glad you tell it like it is. Im a musician and I have done videos and audio over the years and 100% correct there is no 1 thing! Love the content!
15:08 i know its Two year old video (if people are going to pinpoint on that) and yes i am very happy after hearing every single thing. Thats the reality check people needed to start doing something instead looking for shortcuts. some things that can be solved with some short solution will be presented "in short" but not everything has that " in short " solution ( specially not today, maybe in future but not today), Last part of this video are the filters ( just like audio software filters) to a cloudy perspective.
Whoa I now it’s an audio episode, but then you open with SUPER DOPE multi-cam, camera movement, moody lighting - SHHEEWWWWWWW I know the How-To I want next! 😁
Great info and fun video. Thanks! fyi for the viewer- combining different tracks as pointed out is simply a different way of affecting the overall “eq” of the sound using due to “additive” eq (vs subtractive). Generally the same final result can all be done using just one track, but he has found a system of EQ’ing his voice using multiple tracks (which as he said highlight different frequencies). If something works for you, and you like the end result, do it. (28 years in audio recording and mixing for music, and tv and film post production)
It's more than just EQ. Each track is a mixture of different types of compression and other various effects, each one on their own has its own unique personality just like the many facets of a person, so I choose how much of each I want to use in each video to elicit different emotions and feelings.
@@MarkusPixah, thank you for clarifying. Very cool approach. I’ve watched several of your videos over the past couple days and you produce a great sound!
Having spent 8 years in the noisiest city in SE Asia, it is a real challenge to get decent audio. I have learned a lot, but every project seems to be a new learning experience. I will wholeheartedly agree that -3db is the sweet spot for your dialog track. I've really enjoyed your audio series. I know it was a lot of work, but very worthwhile to watch all of it. Thanks!
I love your channel and really appreciate your transparency. I’m a newb to all of this stuff and getting a late start and your videos have been so helpful. Thanks for sharing your art with the world 🙌🏻
Thank you for your honesty Markus, and thank you for this video. I can see you have been asked to death these same questions over and over. Sound has been my biggest bug bear, and I too was looking for a setting or Magic fix. What microphone what settings and so on. I recently discovered your Chanel and absolutely love it, you have opened my eyes on so many levels from what I have watched so far. I am looking to start my own Art Chanel that will include voiceovers as I paint and create artwork, and would like a good base sound to my voice. Can't believe you haven't more subs, your knowledge is priceless. so glad I found your Chanel. 🙂
The master class i am not ready for🤣 Thank you for the wisdom, these audio videos are saved on my favorites for when im ready to take the jump on this other black hole. For now I am still stuck in the lighting blackhole
Hi Markus, another enjoyable video. Love your integrity and telling it how it is. I'm mostly a stills guy, now intent on learning to be good with video, storytelling and sound. Mostly my post work on still pics is minor, so your notion of getting it 80%+ right when recording makes sense. Still have much to learn, but I learnt a long time ago that it requires a good mix of theory and practice. Neither in isolation will take you far or fast - it's a blend, back and forth, each consolidating the other.
Talk talk talk talk talk talk talk. Some real advice about sound. 1. The closer the microphone is to the source the better. 2. Avoid overmodulating at all costs, but sufficient volume to avoid noise floor. 3. Use a directional microphone when you can to dampen environmental sounds and echos. 4. At least 2:1 compression is needed somewhere in the audio chain for voice, so use it when recording so you have additional headroom to keep from overmodulating. 5. Padding controls on the microphones and recorders is for very loud sound sources (think rock bands) that create too much voltage for the recorder. 6. Use a windscreen foam thingy whenever you record outside. 7. If you use only one adjustment in the sound editor, use Normalize, which is similar to Limiter, but adds less distortion. 8. Add/Subtract EQ bass adjustment to make up for any microphone design limitations and save the listener from any discomfort ( this is especially true with music). 9. The new sound processing technology is amazing. Especially the frequency domain programs like SpectraLayers. But they are very time consuming, and add distortion in the form of artifacts.
Markus, I love your videos and amazing work. I originally found your channel from the "Why I don't shoot RAW or 4K" video and I can't believe that doesn't have over a million views yet! You truly are an inspiration! Keep up the awesome work! That said, I have never used a mic and record all of my youtube videos with my hero 9 and galaxy s9. Maybe time for a change! Although even with the standard audio, my videos do alright. Never had a complaint about the audio.
Content is king. I'm a high-functioning autistic and retired software engineer. My voice is very flat -- I sound more like a Vulcan, than Mr. Spock. During my career, if I spoke to a group, some people would think I was a great speaker and others heard me as horribly boring. Here is the difference -- a motivated listener is tuned into content, where an unmotivated listener expects to be entertained beyond the content. When I say "motivated," I mean they have a personal interest in the information presented. A truly interested audience will listen through the equipment and hear the message. Said another way, audiophiles listen to equipment, while music lovers listen to the music. If people never complain about your audio, then you are providing value to a motivated audience. And remember, your phone microphone and audio processing is optimized for voice communication. A lot of successful content creators use a smart phone and that's it.
I've used an S9 in many of my videos, but most of them really don't turn out that great audio-wise. Most of the mids sound like they're underwater (to me) through the recording, but in-person it sounds great, even with my crude EQ settings. There's no commentary in any of my videos, just purely music played back through various speakers in a couple positionings. Then again I've always used the internal mics and the AGC was never that great in the first place. I just got a Sony xperia 1 III and it seems like it's going to sound much better than the S9.
Ok, just my opinion here... maybe it's just me but when I watch your audio videos and you play the unprocessed audio it never sounds all that great, but then when you reveal what it sounds like when it's 'processed' it sounds phenomenal! Maybe it's my headphones (I do have Sony professionals...ha ha) or speakers, but I don't think you realize how much better your audio sounds with your little compression layering technique and your choice of plugins and even you mentioned using a multiband compressor. I know you like to encourage using presets and fiddle around, (I'd do more of this if I had the time) but still I'd love to see an in depth video walkthrough on your compression technique from the ground up. I know all voices sound different but I think I could learn a lot just judging by how it's affecting your voice. I know you say everything is important (mic, recorder, room, etc) and I agree to an extent but I still contend that your compression techniques (you didn't mention EQ so I guess you don't use it) are 50% of what makes your audio sound so good. All the cheap mics and recorders in your previous videos sounded great once you did your post processing tricks. That's why people on youtube were awaiting this video so much. I don't want a magic setting, I just want a complete understanding of the technique (with examples). So, my take away is that it's the VST plug in compression technique that is really the secret to your great audio more than anything. That's just how I hear it. Oh and thanks for the -3db tip.
This comment is exactly what I was thinking. I want to learn. But we learn from what others do. Your audio is fantastic. I record good audio, but like what your audio sounds like. I also would like an in depth example of how you work with a project. I didn't want a magic one button solution. What I want is to know what you do to process your audio. You don't need to give me the numbers, but explain what the settings do and why you use them. I love your audio series and I understand that it is all the elements that make good audio. But one element you use is post processing. Knowing what plugins you like and your process is a great foundation to build upon. BTW, I listen to your audio on a pair of desktop computer speakers. Thanks.
@@sidestreetvideoproduction7278 One thing I think he is trying to convey is exactly what he said, but it might be stated a little harshly in this video. I have watched like 30 long audio processing videos that go over livestream, podcasts, voiceover, and TH-cam videos and they are ALL DIFFERENT! And they all use totally different brands of microphones, some use usb, some use Xlr with an interface, and they all use microphones with different pickup patterns in totally different rooms and environments. Some are live-streaming them gaming in their bedroom and others are in totally sound treated professional recording booths or rooms. I mean it sounds curt, but what he said is totally true. Each person’s voice sounds totally different, each microphone sounds totally different with each voice, each room, and each project has totally different needs. You EXPECT compression on a TH-cam video and you AVOID compression for voice over work because that’s not your job, and indoors and outdoors and live versus mastering prerecorded tracks are all totally different project to project or voice to voice. So I actually think the philosophy of tinkering he just conveyed IS the secret to good audio. Because he had hundreds of microphones and audio recorders and cameras and cables and EVERY single recording needs a TOTALLY different approach to the audio recording and the post production. Even he makes MULTIPLE mixes from multiple microphones and blends that to get his final tracks. So I actually understand why he said what he said, although I also understand wanting more. But how could he possibly cater a lesson to any particular set up if everyone has different equipment, projects, and voices? He has an artistic style not a technical technique to teach, because he goes by ear. I guess everyone would have to play with their own voice and equipment at different times of day to get their voice and settings locked in, but the next project would still need its own personal attention and a different mix.
Thanks for this video, I was one of the people that asked for it. You're so so good at this stuff - I really appreciate what you do and how well you do it.
Thanks for sharing this. I've been doing something similar already in Final Cut Pro with a noise gate, compressor, level adjust if needed, and also eq. I tend to eq down the wonky sounding frequencies of certain mics.
When dealing with recording audio from mic to cabling to position and post processing the saying "You can't polish a turd" has always been my most used phrase to explain to someone about the proposes. You have to do everything right at all stages or it will be a mess. BTW I am listening to you in my studio on reference speakers and you still sound great so not sure what the audiophiles are say if they think it doesn't sound good.
.. and also audio is something that gets time to learn as u hv to train ur ear 👂. we hv a saying in bengali ‘ kan ta toiri korte hobe’ .. means - “ u hv to train ur ears”
Yep ! That's it ! But a Good Mic and good Headphone can help a lot. Got a DT 797 PV (Bayern Dynamics), and it's changing the game for me. Mic erase many background noises around you, and Headphone is kindy in the Middle range of everything. So when you make your sound good for you, it's gonna be kindy good everywhere, because it's calibrate in the middle of all devices. Chears !
Markus, that's right 👍 our skin is like pure water. When skin oxidized is like water with vinegar. After no matter put suger or salt in it, it'd never be pure water.
50 years in broadcast media...most of that time in radio. We always laughed at TV people for how awful their sound was. Then about 22 years ago I started dabbling in video and soon discovered that most video professionals considered audio manipulation to be some kind of sorcery. All I could do was laugh, since I found all the complex matters concerning video to be far more complex than audio, which always came easy to me. Marcus is right here. But I would add one thing: Your ears are going to HEAR things differently from one day to the next, from one month to the next, from one year to the next. Maybe it's the variance in barometric pressure, or just the amount of salt in your diet, I really don't know. But your ears and your brain process sounds differently over time. I've processed my own voice tracks one day and felt like I never could get the sound quite right, and then a week later they sounded fine. Or I processed a voice track until it sounded and felt perfect, and then I come back to it a month later and it sounds shrill and annoying. What I have learned as a voice talent over the years is that whatever "processing chain" I think I need to use to sound my best will be different in six months or a year from now. So I'm constantly tweaking it. So if a client that I'm working with just wants me to record a pick-up line and they intend to splice it into something I recorded last year, I'll tell them I'd rather just re-cut the whole thing, because something I record today may not match up with something I recorded a year ago. Audio tends to be a moving target. And as much as I would like to believe that once I get the perfect sound for my voice, experience tells me that my perception of it will be different later. So just expect to be constantly tweaking and revising your processing chain as time goes by.
I totally think that my diet impacts my hearing , it is crazy !
If I could add one thing - you accommodate to a sound you work on. Pretty common issue during mixing. Sometimes you need to take a break and "look" on your project with a fresh ear to catch something which you would rather not hear doing all the stuff at once. Doesn't necessary mean you need a year, just a reasonable break. But yeah, the sound you make, change over the years. It's also constant pursuit for doing thing better and better. But our point of view changes as well
Our brains are polluted with an excessive amount of artificial, high-intensity sounds. Two hours in the forest and my hearing gets appropriate perspective, other senses too.
"then I come back to it a month later and it sounds shrill and annoying" Yeah thats why its good practice to take short breaks where you can. To "rest your ears". It sounds counter productive but it helps your ears re-adjust to what you are listening to. make a coffee, walk around for 5 mins, anything that gets you away from over listening to something often helps. But unfortunately if you have a tight deadline, that can be hard to do.
You only need ear cleaning every 6 months.
One thing I would add as someone who has worked on major label records for over 20 years. When mixing (post processing) audio it's best to not work on it after a long day because your ears will fatigue and you won't even notice. We never mix a record after spending all day recording (tracking) it. We always star fresh the next day. Work on audio as early after you wake up and monitor at low volumes. Your ears are at their peak performance after a nice rested long sleep. Audio work isn't sorcery it's just finding what works for your voice/sound and years of experimentation.
Your “Learn the basics; do it right” summarizes the whole video. Thanks again for a great video. I’m so glad TH-cam recommended your content - sometimes the algorithm works right.
Confession. I saw a video of yours from ages ago and thought "this dude is too flash/wealthy/coiffured ;) for a simple country boy like me" and I moved on.
I'm so glad a came back. I have been setting up a little studio here in New Zealand and all of your latest videos have taught me something valuable I didn't know before.
I can see these take a long time to do (maaan, that mic test!) . Thank you.
"Don't depend on technology to save your ass..." Love it! And I totally agree. Tell it like it is, no hold punches. Great series and I'm looking forward to the next video.
Absolutely, do it right in the first place. There are NO shortcuts. I live by this rule. Learn and do it right. Appreciate your vibrant sharing.
I love how you are a "No BS" type of content creator.🔥
Thanks for the rant in the beginning! As an audio producer I can shout AMEN at that! 🙏
Your so right about setup. Audio and video takes time and preparation. I think most of us are lazy with setup myself included. Thanks for the tip on RX7 that seems like a winner for background noise.
As physicist I always say "Get the best raw data possible" and I this is the same for video/audio - your video confirms my basic idea!
And thanks a lot for directing me away from "tech" to the "story" ... this is very helpful to reduce wasting time with new stuff but concentrate on stuff I own and learn to handle it properly.
I like your philosophy. Everyone is trying to find some magic presets, patterns and settings, forgetting that every product is unique. And this applies not only to the technical side of production, but also to the creative side. Music and cinema today are full of copycats and clones, stamped like burgers at McDonald's. Everyone wants to create, but few want to be creative.
Human beings tend not to put in the effort and do the work , thank you Markus for your continued contributions to our betterment.
I've been doing it all wrong, with varying degrees of failure. You completely resolved my roadblocks. I was placing mics wrong, I was using a limiter wrong, compressor wrong etc.! You're the swellest down to earth splainer there ever was. Story: as a kid, I lived around people in the music biz, studios, recording sessions etc. and didn't have the presence of mind to comprehend the value and experience it the right way . Don't get me wrong, I learned and knew, and could hear (like in your content) the difference, learned there was a difference between good and bad devices and good and bad recording practices...been scolded for behaving in a non-conducive manner in the 'environment' ..more than once. Big thanks Markus.
I like to splain 😊
Markus i love how honest you are and tell it straight up Facts! people just want the "Easy Fix" just do this and just do that easy peasy and DONE! nope it just doesn't work that way lol. i love this Channel cannot wait for more from you sir.
Thanks again Markus you ooze the philosophical perspective so many people need to hear instead of obsessing over gear, work with what you have, learn from mistakes and MAKE ART.
0:09 at least 80% of audio is done before processing (no magic)
2:35 audio processing for 95% of people vs audiophiles
3:50 where to start; presets
4:10 built in audio processing, plugins and apps
4:46 auto fix options in apps
5:18 workflow: step 1 clean up background
6:08 record extra background sound
6:30 step 2 limiter, under -3db
8:00 echo and reverb
8:25 compression
10:45 the listener hardware and preferences
12:07 What are your settings Markus?
Thanks for the masterclass again Markus! 🙏
I would like to learn more about cleaning up the background. What plugins you like, what you listen for and how you clean up the background. Knowing what you do gives me more information that what I have now.
honestly i hate when people just tell you to do stuff without explaining the reasoning behind it. The philosophy behind the process for doing what your doing I find to be so much more useful than just giving me mindless steps to take.
Agree, everyone wants a pill or procedure to fix what ails them, 10 sec in the microwave, and the easy button for everything. The art of hard work is disappearing. Thanks for teaching us how to fish and not just giving us a fish.
I've been an audio recording engineer forever like back in the days of the Tascam 1/2" 8 track recorder on Ampex 456 tape. Now I do a lot of field recording and eurorack sound designing. People should understand that there are many differences in people and every one hears things differently.
It must really be bad in the world of TH-cam if you have to loudly explain and tell everyone to just not ask for the quick solution. With all the knowledge and experience you've gained through trial and error and you weight out the good and the bad before making your decisions and that is key. It's just a shame because you are the king pin and people should listen to every word you have to say for your knowledge is golden and vast. I just don't want to see you get an ulcer or have a heart attack for you are my new go to guy. My weekends are filled with watching as many of your videos posted and I love them all. It's just a sad state of the world if everyone just wants to get to the finish line before they even get out of the gate. Enlightenment is not a place or destination it is the journey to your place of destination. Knowledge is key and people should just listen and take notes for you are a teacher of the highest degree. Please don't stress so much and fly above it all.
Nice lighting setup . I like it when natural reverb disappears when You are intimately close to the lens. Don't read too many comments, relax and make us happy with the new SOUND episode.:) O! and I am an audiophile, instead of listening to crapy compressed youtube audio I rather connect my valve amps to decent analog or digital sources. With average headphones to a soundcard, You sound terrific!
Markus, I teach audio production and post-production and all I got to say is "Amen, brother". You hit the nail on the head with "get your recording right BEFORE post" so you minimize the work you need to do in post-production. Also, if you have a clean recording to start, then you can do MORE in post if you want and be really creative. My mantra in class is "it's easier to dirty up a clean recording than to clean up a dirty recording." Nicely done, and I like your passion in the video. You really convey how important it is to do the work up front.
I wanted a magic button, I felt like the only way I was going to get good audio was with a magic button. But after watching a bunch of other audio videos. I ended up buying a zoom h1n. And that thing has been a lifesaver! Being able to see your levels and add a limiter makes a world of difference. Also I'm one of those hat wearers. And clipping the mic onto the brim of the hat was a fantastic idea and gives me way better sounding audio than clipping it to my shirt. Thanks Markus for all the amazing videos and inspiration ❤️
I once read, Roy Baker (Queen) kept a small transistor radio speaker ontop of his sound mixer. After all the fancy recording and mixing he wanted to hear what it would sound like on the radio. I must admit, listening to Queen in Mono, it's field of depth is incredible... the drums hit you hard, fall back softly, then hit you again! (Radio Gaga)
Excellent tutorial! After narrating 8 audiobooks, I absolutely swear by limiting. Depending on my performance, especially narrating fiction, I like to use -6 db to -12 db, then normalize to -3 db. This makes my voice sound rich and robust, whether I'm speaking in a whisper or screaming!
You're aman after my own heart, Markus. It's as if people want to acquire a skill, much as they might the latest fashion or gaddget. Acquisition of this kind requires actual learning and a willingness to use one's ears. That, in its turn, requires something called effort.
I love what you are saying! So true, so real. I you want to be good at something, there are no shortcuts. Looking forward to every upcoming video from you, Markus!
i Actually worked for 1 year in a production house in their Audio department, Sound Studio. learnt a lot about audio from their and now working as an editor and youtube creator, i use those learnings . My workflow is very similar how u explained. Thanks fr making this video to explain how things actually works.
All these videos about audio have been great and I have learned a lot and have enjoyed each and every one. I think my favorite part, so far, is where to put the mic on a lady. Thanks, Markus!!
Finally a person that is willing to admit that anything that could by great takes planning to get to that level of possible greatness. It does not magically happen
Very nice, very true! The best part of Markus's video is the advice to record a minute of pure background noise so that if you really do have to delete a couple of seconds, you have a patch to stick over the graveyard-like silence you have just created.
Markus, you're absolutely spot on. I work in radio and voice over and everything you said I totally agree with. Also you can listen to something you recorded, for example at night and it sounds great then the next day you go back and it sounds like crap.
Regards, Tim in Dublin Ireland 🇮🇪 😊
I never expected a templete from you, really. I kind of knew what this video was going to be like because you are honest and very straight forward. But still, I got lots of great info from it. You're the man!!
OMG I had no idea what the compressor did and never bothered after playing for 5 secs one time and not knowing WTF I was even doing. I just played with the multiband compressor in the studio version of resolve, making my cheap condenser mic sound like a pro boom mic. I recorded it well in the first place, but what a difference playing with the compressor made. I still don't know what I'm doing on a lot of knobs, I just know it sounds much richer and more podcast like and, less tinny.
Thank you!
Markus, another fantastic video. Thank you for your dedication to us, your viewers to share all your experience and explains in just a clear way.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Your are absolutely right...ditto for still images. Everyone is viewing on different devices that "colours" the image away from your original output. You gotta just pick somewhere down the middle.
Great video and advice. An example to your point.... When first in broadcast production in the late 60`s our company had state-of-the-art equipment. We even produced outside production for regional movie trailers, drag strips and such. Us young ones always wanted that big dynamic sound. One day, the chief engineer came in the room to explain why there was a small 3 1/2 inch speaker imbedded in the rack. He said it matched the average size speaker in the average radio/tv of that time. If our production sounded clear and understandable on that speaker, our job was done. Thanks.
I've watched every minute of your entire audio series including this one. Lots of frank and honest information. One thing I feel worth mentioning is matching a microphone to your voice can negate a lot of need for post processing. Oftentimes really high end mics sound "flat" without post processing which is what studios may want but for us normal people what just want to have a big voice for our youtube videos a lot of mics change the EQ a bit, also some react faster than others, some mics may also sound initially better because they're brighter but after listening for 30 minutes can really wear on the audience in a bad way. A basic discussion of limiters, compressors, notch filters and high and low pass roll-offs would behoove us to watch. Sometimes just notching out a bad frequency can really make things sound a lot better, I"ve had to do that with concerts I've recorded where there was a bad resonant sound.
Thank's for complimenting my JBL monitors 😋
I saw a documentary with Robyn (if you recognize the Swedish artist) when she made (makes?) the masters for her music.
They brought the laptop into her car, and always checked how it sounded when driving, so not only the speakers.
But also with the road noise when driving, as she herself often listened to music in her car, interesting perspective.
I love what you’re saying in this video. Having experience making EDM in the past, there is no magic pre-set for every situation. Having the most expensive equipment doesn’t make you the next Dead Mau5. Start with a preset, then learn how to limit and compress on your own. Whereas I gave up on EDM, looks like I’ll be busting out my subscription to FL Studio and using it to edit my voice recordings.
Hi folks, I'm here to learn about audio. I've always taken the view of 'get it right in camera' - had to, started with black and white roll film ..... in the industry the camera gal/guy is called a 'Lighting Cameraman' - I know, one day it will be gender neutral. As Marcus said, it's the lighting. Same thing with sound, it's the acoustic surroundings. Post processing is the icing on the cake. It's finessing what has already been achieved for both video and audio. Right, enough babble, time to listen. And learn.
The best part of this video, for me, is seeing the sheer chaos of icons that is Markus's computer desktop.
Great tips for any beginner Marcus. If you start out practicing the basics you'll end up sounding like a pro.
I really like how you are brutally honest. You have to put in the work.......You can't train experience.
Congratulation, now your voice has first priority. Clear and no disturbing low frequencies. Very good!
Oh man! This was great! I have Cerebral Palsy and my voice sounds pretty odd in my videos. Just playing with some limiters and compression as you were showing it made a HUGE difference! THANK YOU!!!
In a professional recording studio there are always a pair of inexpensive car speakers mounted in boxes. You mix the the album using the $3000 each studio speakers but you mix the single on the car speakers because that is how most people will listen to it.
Some of those Isotope experts are amazing! Got RX7 Standard last year to clean up a series of Zoom meetings with horrendous audio(it was on sale). I improved it by at least 50 % but still couldn’t clear the step-overs(dogs, cell phones, computer notifications etc).
That intro is priceless ! No one is ready for the truth, haha ! Massive thanks for sharing your knowledge !!
I feel like you yelled at me like my eighth grade teacher at St. Luke’s in Lakewood Ohio. And I loved every minute of it.
th-cam.com/video/XB7R0ZxNgC4/w-d-xo.html
@@MarkusPix lol
This was great Markus I've almost always managed to get clean audio (on occasions challenges with air-con units that clicked on during shoots, traffic etc) and have mainly just used the software in Premiere and Audition, but that RX7 or RX9 might be just the missing piece. 60% of a video is audio I was always told as you can usually cover up visuals with a cutaway or a second angle without the audience noticing, but bad audio can never be covered up. For years working on various projects with just myself as production crew, I've always had multiple backups for sound and video and I enjoy having a boom mic and lapel mic mixed although occasionally running into issues with phasing. In terms of speakers, I use two sets with a cheap and expensive pair as I know viewers will not be using the same gear as I do, so making it sound good on a cheap pair is essential. It's also why on some videos subtitles are needed as I know it may be listened to in offices where privacy may be an issue.
Nothing beats good old fashioned craftsmanship.
I record my videos on a GoPro or, more recently, a Samsung NX Mini (I got the idea from you!) I record audio on my Zoom H4n. I use the limiter, a bit of compression, and, maybe, a bit of ambiance or reverb. For me, these simple things work great! I love the simplicity! I can carry my entire studio in a backpack. I have learned a lot from watching your videos and always look forward to the next one! Thank you!
I've jalsp ust ordered a used nx mini and I bought a zoom q2n4k after watching!
I am using Zoom H5 with its Y mic for years now - great sound + it has 2x XLR inputs.
My favorite time of the week ..to listen to Markus
You’re right on Markus. It’s same as fitness, I’ve been curious about fitness since I was a little kid. Fast forward in the future (currently 37 years old) I’ve won a lot of bodybuilding shows (I do drug free shows) and a lot of people will approach you in the gym with good intentions and ask right away “what do you take” or “what can I take to look like you” . Sometime they will ask what workout can I advise them to do. Since it’s not one size fit all , I always ask them, “what is your goal?” From there I slowly build a conversation with them about what is being fit or what it takes to reach their target. Yeah, a lot of people always look for that Magic Bullet😂 they didn’t know it’s more in the kitchen same as having a good starting point when you do your post process for your recordings. Thank you for your videos Markus. Peace!
I'm glad someone understands :-)
@@MarkusPix yes Markus, from the very beginning of this video I want to put my comment right away but I waited till the end. Peace to you Markus!
@@MarkusPix
I do as well Markus..
Should have told them to turn it to 11 .. 🐱 ..
I started taking photos with a 127 film camera and borrowed a clockwork standard 8 .. everything had to be perfect...
In the 80's I got to use a Beta Max 'portacam' Ha! that lot was heavy carrying a video recorder at my side and camera on my shoulder and walking around like someone in a Kung Fu film invariably over rough terrain or simple things like steps backwards.. meanwhile keeping the audio good.. and not pointing the camera into the Sun like an Astronaut did on the Moon, though the Sun is a bit on the bright side there and the soil is highly reflective a mix of silica and iron that hasn't oxidised.
Then cameras as you know got smaller and lighter and recording on SD etc..
I have a Nikon L100 which I love.. for photos, bought a ACT74A which has EIS which I rarely use..
and on the list from your recommendation and now is cheaper as it's an older model the V800 and yes it has mic jack's (stereo) just because it will be less work editing..
Cut, Splice, Fade, Done!
Though keyframes are fun...
but I will do separate audio as well..
and possibly mix them..
I still don't use picture or audio manipulation..
Thanks about the -3..
The main rule is get it the best you can in the can...
BTW... Have you thought of getting longer leads for your computer's and putting them where you can't hear them...
Thanks for everything..
Mark and Bella 🐈
you can tell this series of videos has really brought up his energy.
Hey Markus! Excellent video, in my mind the most important one you've made so far. Not just in this series, but in all the videos of yours that I've watched so far. There is no panacea, silver bullet, magic potion, juju-juice, whatever. Art takes time and effort, and you can only afford a bit of laziness when you've done your bit to get to know the few "shortcuts" in your craft. In order to get to bend the rules, you first need to know them intimately. I really enjoyed this series and the (sometimes brutal) honesty behind your advice. Love it!
On the other hand, they already made perfectly good audio recordings 90 to 100 years ago.
Not even 4:00 into this and I feel like I could have already clicked the like button 100x.
Markus you told them the truth and you can't do it on just one button LOLOL....so right ON....looking forward to your next video.
PREACH IT BROTHER.
It does not matter what it is, what discipline or craft, the best way for good results is to pay attention to the simple basics, from the beginning and at every step along the way.
If you pay diligent attention to the simple basics, you probably won't ever need to know the complicated stuff.
If you fail to pay attention to the simple basics, it will be hard or impossible, to fix it afterward.
Making the effort and being diligent in the simple basics is easier and more efficient AND will save time and effort
.
Those of us the grew up in the pre-digital age, when good equipment was expensive and even the best equipment did not perform like equipment does now, had no choice, but to pay attention to detail at every step.
Thank you for telling it straight!
You know I am grateful for all of this audio lesson, however the greatest one I learned was in setting up your environment video....now my wife doesn't bug me about the big mess around my desk now that its officially become my diy sound dampening mess. oh what a beautiful mess.. . THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THESE AMAZINGLY INSIGHTFUL VIDEOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11111
I've been having some great success making thin/tinny sounding lav mics sound more expensive with EQ/compression. One thing thats really helped is using plugins with no frequency/dynamic visualizing window, and relying purely on hearing changes on the 5-8 knobs to make it sound good.
Absolute best teacher/motivational talker on creating & maintaining.
Yes I agree to! You can’t fix a bad recording! Yes you can bring up the levels if too low but if it’s too hot, nothing can fix it!
I have Izotope RX9 and I only mention this because of a feature that was only available in version 9 as far as I know. It's the "Dialogue Isolate" feature that can literally remove all the background noise like cars, sirens, barking dogs, helicopters and reverb along with computer fans or any other background noise. It makes it disappear like magic while leaving only the main vocals behind. It blows my mind every-time I use it.
Some of us don't have the luxury of recording in deserted remote locations, some of us, like specifically me, I have non stop barking dogs and traffic to deal with almost every time I press that record button. It sucks and no amount of preparation will fix my environment, it just is what it is. So I let RX9 do what it does and wow, it is impressive stuff!
But otherwise, yeah, I'm 100% with ya. From the set up to the post processing. I use FabFilter brand EQ, Compressor, Limiter, etc as my primary tweak and tuning software and the Izotope RX9 as my primary "repair" or "magic bullet". If a more powerful combination exists currently, I am certainly unaware of it. But on those rare occasions when my world is finally quiet, a little preparation equals a whole lot of done!
Thanks for doing this whole series. I/we appreciate it. Cheers 🍻
I use Dialog Isolate all the time. It's also in RX7, been there for a couple years. It works great but it's not a magic bullet though. If you listen closely, there are still some background frequencies mixed in the with words, just not between the words. But it does work very well.
@@MarkusPix:
I didn't realize RX7 had the isolate feature, something about it is supposed to be special in RX9. Anyway, if the audio is really bad and the program has to work really hard to clean it up, then yes, there are a bunch of artifacts left behind. Not a "magic bullet" or fix all, but it has saved some stuff I though to be totally unusable. I'll take a little noise in the form of artifacts if I can eliminate a lot of noise from dogs and traffic. Thanks again Markus. I/we appreciate what you do. Cheers man 🍻
th-cam.com/video/Gs6Yh1TfU20/w-d-xo.html
Create your own sound, do it your own way, make some art. This is important stuff to counter the TH-cam amateur lemming effect. Thank you so much!
This reality check was WAY more helpful than a "preset Video" Thank you Markrus
Great to hear!
I love your honesty, Marcus. Whether it's your health channel, or this one, telling people what they need to hear rather than what they want to hear is very rare these days, when feelings are more important than the reality around us.
Please keep doing what you are doing, and know that both of your channels have added value to my life.
I do still want one of those Schoeps shotguns. I know you can get fantastic audio with less, but man, it sounded spectacular.
Thank you
Markus, thank you for providing this video! The one complement I always think watching your video’s is how amazing your audio sounds. You always have a no bs way of explaining anything camera, and appreciate the time you spend making content like this.
Thanks Muddy
well said Markus!
You are the greatest Markus. So generous with your knowledge. Appreciated bro.
Used to work with a director whose fa favourite phrase was “we’ll fix it in post”. Do it right on set/location or you will waste a lot of time later. Be a pro.
totally agree,need to understand what light does to the receiving medium - best photos
Markus, Love the video and Im glad you tell it like it is. Im a musician and I have done videos and audio over the years and 100% correct there is no 1 thing! Love the content!
15:08 i know its Two year old video (if people are going to pinpoint on that) and yes i am very happy after hearing every single thing. Thats the reality check people needed to start doing something instead looking for shortcuts. some things that can be solved with some short solution will be presented "in short" but not everything has that " in short " solution ( specially not today, maybe in future but not today), Last part of this video are the filters ( just like audio software filters) to a cloudy perspective.
I am glad you said this. I agree 100%. One of the things that I have learned from you, is that.
Whoa I now it’s an audio episode, but then you open with SUPER DOPE multi-cam, camera movement, moody lighting - SHHEEWWWWWWW I know the How-To I want next! 😁
Great info and fun video. Thanks!
fyi for the viewer-
combining different tracks as pointed out is simply a different way of affecting the overall “eq” of the sound using due to “additive” eq (vs subtractive). Generally the same final result can all be done using just one track, but he has found a system of EQ’ing his voice using multiple tracks (which as he said highlight different frequencies).
If something works for you, and you like the end result, do it.
(28 years in audio recording and mixing for music, and tv and film post production)
It's more than just EQ. Each track is a mixture of different types of compression and other various effects, each one on their own has its own unique personality just like the many facets of a person, so I choose how much of each I want to use in each video to elicit different emotions and feelings.
@@MarkusPixah, thank you for clarifying. Very cool approach. I’ve watched several of your videos over the past couple days and you produce a great sound!
I've hit LIKE immediatley during the intro. (chuckling)
Having spent 8 years in the noisiest city in SE Asia, it is a real challenge to get decent audio. I have learned a lot, but every project seems to be a new learning experience. I will wholeheartedly agree that -3db is the sweet spot for your dialog track. I've really enjoyed your audio series. I know it was a lot of work, but very worthwhile to watch all of it. Thanks!
I love your channel and really appreciate your transparency. I’m a newb to all of this stuff and getting a late start and your videos have been so helpful. Thanks for sharing your art with the world 🙌🏻
I know now how to use a limiter! You're fantastic for the community . Thanks
Nice teaching Mr. Markus, I'm loving learning so much about audio and all because of you!
Kind regards from Portugal!
Portugal? Do you know Liz Baun? 😎
@@weedeeohguy if you mean Lisboa or Lisbon, yes, I do. I live 20 min from it.
Thank you for your honesty Markus, and thank you for this video. I can see you have been asked to death these same questions over and over. Sound has been my biggest bug bear, and I too was looking for a setting or Magic fix. What microphone what settings and so on. I recently discovered your Chanel and absolutely love it, you have opened my eyes on so many levels from what I have watched so far. I am looking to start my own Art Chanel that will include voiceovers as I paint and create artwork, and would like a good base sound to my voice. Can't believe you haven't more subs, your knowledge is priceless. so glad I found your Chanel. 🙂
Amen! If you want something done right do it during production and not in Post.
The master class i am not ready for🤣 Thank you for the wisdom, these audio videos are saved on my favorites for when im ready to take the jump on this other black hole. For now I am still stuck in the lighting blackhole
these talk did remenber me the great pictures that i was take with my cheap old huawei phone...
Hi Markus, another enjoyable video. Love your integrity and telling it how it is. I'm mostly a stills guy, now intent on learning to be good with video, storytelling and sound.
Mostly my post work on still pics is minor, so your notion of getting it 80%+ right when recording makes sense. Still have much to learn, but I learnt a long time ago that it requires a good mix of theory and practice. Neither in isolation will take you far or fast - it's a blend, back and forth, each consolidating the other.
Talk talk talk talk talk talk talk. Some real advice about sound. 1. The closer the microphone is to the source the better. 2. Avoid overmodulating at all costs, but sufficient volume to avoid noise floor. 3. Use a directional microphone when you can to dampen environmental sounds and echos. 4. At least 2:1 compression is needed somewhere in the audio chain for voice, so use it when recording so you have additional headroom to keep from overmodulating. 5. Padding controls on the microphones and recorders is for very loud sound sources (think rock bands) that create too much voltage for the recorder. 6. Use a windscreen foam thingy whenever you record outside. 7. If you use only one adjustment in the sound editor, use Normalize, which is similar to Limiter, but adds less distortion. 8. Add/Subtract EQ bass adjustment to make up for any microphone design limitations and save the listener from any discomfort ( this is especially true with music). 9. The new sound processing technology is amazing. Especially the frequency domain programs like SpectraLayers. But they are very time consuming, and add distortion in the form of artifacts.
Markus, I love your videos and amazing work. I originally found your channel from the "Why I don't shoot RAW or 4K" video and I can't believe that doesn't have over a million views yet! You truly are an inspiration! Keep up the awesome work! That said, I have never used a mic and record all of my youtube videos with my hero 9 and galaxy s9. Maybe time for a change! Although even with the standard audio, my videos do alright. Never had a complaint about the audio.
Lol same 😂😂😂
Content is king. I'm a high-functioning autistic and retired software engineer. My voice is very flat -- I sound more like a Vulcan, than Mr. Spock. During my career, if I spoke to a group, some people would think I was a great speaker and others heard me as horribly boring. Here is the difference -- a motivated listener is tuned into content, where an unmotivated listener expects to be entertained beyond the content. When I say "motivated," I mean they have a personal interest in the information presented. A truly interested audience will listen through the equipment and hear the message. Said another way, audiophiles listen to equipment, while music lovers listen to the music. If people never complain about your audio, then you are providing value to a motivated audience. And remember, your phone microphone and audio processing is optimized for voice communication. A lot of successful content creators use a smart phone and that's it.
I've used an S9 in many of my videos, but most of them really don't turn out that great audio-wise. Most of the mids sound like they're underwater (to me) through the recording, but in-person it sounds great, even with my crude EQ settings. There's no commentary in any of my videos, just purely music played back through various speakers in a couple positionings.
Then again I've always used the internal mics and the AGC was never that great in the first place. I just got a Sony xperia 1 III and it seems like it's going to sound much better than the S9.
Thing is though, most people won’t complain about the audio if it’s terrible, they’ll just stop watching.
Ok, just my opinion here... maybe it's just me but when I watch your audio videos and you play the unprocessed audio it never sounds all that great, but then when you reveal what it sounds like when it's 'processed' it sounds phenomenal! Maybe it's my headphones (I do have Sony professionals...ha ha) or speakers, but I don't think you realize how much better your audio sounds with your little compression layering technique and your choice of plugins and even you mentioned using a multiband compressor. I know you like to encourage using presets and fiddle around, (I'd do more of this if I had the time) but still I'd love to see an in depth video walkthrough on your compression technique from the ground up. I know all voices sound different but I think I could learn a lot just judging by how it's affecting your voice. I know you say everything is important (mic, recorder, room, etc) and I agree to an extent but I still contend that your compression techniques (you didn't mention EQ so I guess you don't use it) are 50% of what makes your audio sound so good. All the cheap mics and recorders in your previous videos sounded great once you did your post processing tricks. That's why people on youtube were awaiting this video so much. I don't want a magic setting, I just want a complete understanding of the technique (with examples). So, my take away is that it's the VST plug in compression technique that is really the secret to your great audio more than anything. That's just how I hear it. Oh and thanks for the -3db tip.
This comment is exactly what I was thinking. I want to learn. But we learn from what others do. Your audio is fantastic. I record good audio, but like what your audio sounds like. I also would like an in depth example of how you work with a project. I didn't want a magic one button solution. What I want is to know what you do to process your audio. You don't need to give me the numbers, but explain what the settings do and why you use them. I love your audio series and I understand that it is all the elements that make good audio. But one element you use is post processing. Knowing what plugins you like and your process is a great foundation to build upon. BTW, I listen to your audio on a pair of desktop computer speakers. Thanks.
@@sidestreetvideoproduction7278 One thing I think he is trying to convey is exactly what he said, but it might be stated a little harshly in this video.
I have watched like 30 long audio processing videos that go over livestream, podcasts, voiceover, and TH-cam videos and they are ALL DIFFERENT!
And they all use totally different brands of microphones, some use usb, some use Xlr with an interface, and they all use microphones with different pickup patterns in totally different rooms and environments. Some are live-streaming them gaming in their bedroom and others are in totally sound treated professional recording booths or rooms.
I mean it sounds curt, but what he said is totally true. Each person’s voice sounds totally different, each microphone sounds totally different with each voice, each room, and each project has totally different needs.
You EXPECT compression on a TH-cam video and you AVOID compression for voice over work because that’s not your job, and indoors and outdoors and live versus mastering prerecorded tracks are all totally different project to project or voice to voice.
So I actually think the philosophy of tinkering he just conveyed IS the secret to good audio. Because he had hundreds of microphones and audio recorders and cameras and cables and EVERY single recording needs a TOTALLY different approach to the audio recording and the post production. Even he makes MULTIPLE mixes from multiple microphones and blends that to get his final tracks.
So I actually understand why he said what he said, although I also understand wanting more. But how could he possibly cater a lesson to any particular set up if everyone has different equipment, projects, and voices? He has an artistic style not a technical technique to teach, because he goes by ear. I guess everyone would have to play with their own voice and equipment at different times of day to get their voice and settings locked in, but the next project would still need its own personal attention and a different mix.
Well put. Thank you. 👃
Thanks for this video, I was one of the people that asked for it.
You're so so good at this stuff - I really appreciate what you do and how well you do it.
Thanks for sharing this. I've been doing something similar already in Final Cut Pro with a noise gate, compressor, level adjust if needed, and also eq. I tend to eq down the wonky sounding frequencies of certain mics.
When dealing with recording audio from mic to cabling to position and post processing the saying "You can't polish a turd" has always been my most used phrase to explain to someone about the proposes. You have to do everything right at all stages or it will be a mess. BTW I am listening to you in my studio on reference speakers and you still sound great so not sure what the audiophiles are say if they think it doesn't sound good.
Great advice as usual Markus. The tip of recording the background sounds will no doubt come in very handy. Thanks.
I look forward to your next video.
.. and also audio is something that gets time to learn as u hv to train ur ear 👂. we hv a saying in bengali ‘ kan ta toiri korte hobe’ .. means - “ u hv to train ur ears”
Yep ! That's it ! But a Good Mic and good Headphone can help a lot.
Got a DT 797 PV (Bayern Dynamics), and it's changing the game for me.
Mic erase many background noises around you, and Headphone is kindy in the Middle range of everything.
So when you make your sound good for you, it's gonna be kindy good everywhere, because it's calibrate in the middle of all devices.
Chears !
Down to Earth message, GIGO. Thanks for the emphasis.
Markus, that's right 👍 our skin is like pure water. When skin oxidized is like water with vinegar. After no matter put suger or salt in it, it'd never be pure water.
I have only watched the first 5 minutes or so and I am laughing my ass off. Your delivery is great! (and your advice is good, too!!)
The best filming channel