As a voice actor, one of the technical aspects you'll inevitably come across is the concept of frequency ranges. Understanding how these ranges work and how they influence the quality of your voice over recordings can dramatically improve your audio output.
In audio, frequency refers to the speed of vibration of a sound wave, and it's measured in Hertz (Hz). It determines the pitch of the sound — low-frequency sounds (e.g., 20 Hz - 250 Hz) are low-pitched (bass), while high-frequency sounds (e.g., 2 kHz - 20 kHz) are high-pitched (treble).
The frequency range, therefore, is the spectrum of frequencies that an audio system can reproduce, from the lowest bass frequency to the highest treble frequency. In voice over, a comprehensive understanding of these ranges can help voice actors and audio engineers optimize recordings for clarity, depth, and warmth.
Different frequency ranges play specific roles in the audio spectrum. Here's a brief overview of what these ranges represent:
Sub-bass (20 - 60 Hz): This is the very lowest range, felt more as a physical vibration than a sound we hear. While not directly applicable to voice overs, it's crucial for sound effects and music production.
Bass (60 - 250 Hz): This range contains the low-end richness and warmth of the voice. It's where the fundamental frequencies of most male voices lie.
Low Mids (250 - 500 Hz): This range often contributes to the body of the voice but can lead to muddiness if overemphasized.
Midrange (500 Hz - 2 kHz): This is where the fundamental frequencies of most female voices lie, and it's crucial for speech intelligibility.
Upper Mids (2 kHz - 4 kHz): This range is essential for clarity and presence in the voice.
Presence (4 kHz - 6 kHz): The 'presence' range helps a voice stand out and can add a sense of proximity and immediacy to the voice.
Brilliance (6 kHz - 20 kHz): This is the highest frequency range. While it doesn't typically contain fundamental vocal frequencies, it can add airiness and sparkle to the voice.
In voice over, understanding these ranges can help optimize recordings for clarity, depth, and warmth.
The human voice falls within a specific frequency range. Most adult males have a fundamental frequency between 85 to 180 Hz, while most adult females fall between 165 to 255 Hz. Children's voices tend to have higher frequencies due to their smaller vocal cords.
However, the fundamental frequency is only a part of the story. Our voices also produce harmonic frequencies - multiples of the fundamental frequency - which add timbre and character to our voices. That's why two people speaking the same note can still sound different.
Understanding frequency ranges can empower voice actors to produce high-quality recordings. Here's how:
1. Microphone Choice: Different microphones capture different frequency ranges and respond differently to various frequencies. For instance, some microphones may emphasize the bass frequencies, making them ideal for voice actors with higher-pitched voices who want to add some warmth to their recordings. Others might be more sensitive to treble frequencies, offering clarity and precision for those with lower-pitched voices.
2. Acoustic Treatment: Different frequencies behave differently in a physical space. Lower frequencies are harder to control and can create a boomy sound if the room isn't well treated. Knowing this, voice actors can invest in proper acoustic treatment (like bass traps) to ensure a clean, neutral sound.
3. Equalization (EQ): During the post-production process, understanding frequency ranges can help in using EQ effectively. If a recording sounds too 'nasal' (which often happens around 1 kHz), using an equalizer to slightly decrease this frequency can solve the problem.
Each voice is unique, and knowing your voice's fundamental and harmonic frequencies can help you understand how to best capture and enhance it in recordings. You can find these frequencies by recording your voice and analyzing the recording with a spectrum analyzer, which is a feature available in many digital audio workstations (DAWs).
A deep understanding of frequency ranges and their influence on voice over recordings is a powerful tool for voice actors. It offers ways to enhance the richness and clarity of your voice, allowing you to deliver high-quality voice over services to your clients. With practice and experience, manipulating frequency ranges will become second nature in your voice over career.
Voice Actor