Booth Basics: A Bit About Plug-Ins – Tuesday VO Studio Tech Tip

Last week, I shared three quick tweaks to make Twisted Wave work even more seamlessly in your home voiceover studio. In that resource, I mentioned how third-party effects (often referred to as “plug-ins”) help to make this versatile recording and editing app “even more powerful” by augmenting those effects that come with the computer. However, unlike Apple computers, Windows does not include any useful, pro-level audio effects with the system. Unless the recording software itself supplies plug-ins, Windows users won’t have any. Twisted Wave has basic controls such as Amplify and Normalize, but anything beyond that will need to be added.

This lack of system-provided audio tools can keep Windows users stuck with certain software. For example, Audacity includes a number of “native” effects when installed. While some are quite usable, many are not adequate for our needs. The most effective tools usually come from companies specializing in solving specific audio challenges, such as Waves Clarity Vx noise reduction or Izotope RX’s Mouth DeClick. Though you will find similar tools in Audacity, they simply do not work as effectively as some of these third-party effects.  Voiceover, narration, and podcast recording demand precise tools.

One issue is that VO recording remains a narrow niche of home recording. As voice actors and storytellers, we have different requirements than someone who is trying to create as a singer/songwriter or record multiple instruments with their band. Many tools used for music creation actually add a characteristic sound or “colorize” the tone. These sounds – such as distortion on guitars – were originally failures of equipment. But, they became a signature sound for specific types of music. It’s now part of the aesthetic.

In the home voiceover and podcast studio, we don’t want noticeable distortion in our recordings. When a plug-in manufacturer uses words like “classic”, “warm”, “crunchy”, or “analog,” those are typically marketing-speak for something that adds a noticeable amount of tonal coloration. We seek “transparent” effects that fix problems, but do not fundamentally change the sound quality of our audio. The same is true for our recording hardware as well, something I explored in my resource on audio interfaces. Though a client may mutate our voices later, best practice is to deliver audio that sounds like us. We strive for accuracy and consistency.

MacOS Audio Units plug-ins included with every Apple Macintosh computer are very neutral. (Ok… there is a “Distortion” plug-in, but the name should be a clue!). There is a useful High Pass filter, a good Parametric EQ, their versatile Dynamics Processor (which can handle a lot of compression, downward expansion, and even Limiter-like tasks), and a Peak Limiter. It’s nice to have those at hand when needed.

With Twisted Wave now available for Windows users, I’ve had a lot more clients looking for a basic set of effects. These are good options that are either free (usually simplified versions of a paid version) or donationware. Also in this list is a useful noise reduction tool. All of the effects listed below will work on both Windows and MacOS systems and can be used with recording software that supports industry standard plug-in formats (VST and AU being the most common for everything other than Pro Tools, which uses the AAX format). You may find in some cases that the free version does a better job than other highly-touted options.

Nova EQ from Tokyo Dawn Records – free download

This presents as a simple 4 point Parametric EQ with easy to adjust controls. But it has the ability to be used dynamically – setting thresholds the way you might with a Limiter or Compressor. When you start digging into the details of this plug-in, it has an amazing array of tricks. It can react when certain frequencies occur, allowing it to be used as an effective DeEsser as well. I continue to find useful ways to apply this effect.
https://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-nova/

Loudmax Limiter – free download

To control Peaks and adjust RMS in your audio, you’ll want a Limiter with a neutral tone that provides clean, transparent sound. Loudmax lets you set a Threshold to boost Loudness, while giving you direct control over the Peaks. I prefer this to the native Apple Peak Limiter as it allows you to specify maximum Peak values. 
https://loudmax.blogspot.com/

Bertrom DeNoiser Classic – free download / donationware

Depending upon the environmental noise issues, there are all manner of specialty tools which achieve near-miracles – Acon Extract Dialogue, Clarity Vx, Izotope’s RX, etc. – But time and again, I’ve solved annoying background noise issues with this donationware* tool. In certain situations, it has worked better than any of the marquee tools.
https://www.bertomaudio.com/denoiser-classic.html

*If you haven’t encountered the term “donationware” before, it’s a software app which is obstensibly free, but is set up to accept donation payments, if the software has assisted you. It’s a good way to test software and support those small developers who deliver quality.

Effect Bundles Worth Considering – free downloads (upgradeable)

Melda Productions – Free FX Bundle

This bundle has a very good Compressor and Equalizer (EQ). There’s also a Loudness Analyzer which can be helpful if you don’t want to use Twisted Wave’s Analyze function.
https://meldaproduction.com/MFreeFXBundle

Venn Audio – Free Suite

Includes a transparent Compressor, useful EQ, Loudness Meter, and a Gain tool.
https://www.vennaudio.com/free-suite/

Once in place, you can implement these plug-ins directly on your audio, aggregate them into processing Stacks to simplify individual file delivery, or use them in Twisted Wave’s robust Batch Processor when you need to apply processing to a large number of separate files. This lets you refine a workflow that makes sense to you and delivers high quality audio for your clients and auditions.

Wondering if your audio quality meets professional standards? For a free review of your vocal recordings, please use the upload tool on my Audio Review page.

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