In the context of our on going effort to shed light on various aspects related to Sound Engineering, today we are sharing tips on film dubbing.

As you are already aware, dubbing is done in post production stage and it is being done in the comfort of a recording studio. Moreover it is a time consuming job as well, which requires trained hands to deliver quality output.

What is dubbing?

Basically it is the process of furnishing a film or tape with a new sound track and for getting a noise free dialogue track we follow the process for dubbing.

In the process of shooting there will be lot of disturbances and noise distortions and the chances are high that the dialogues which is being rendered by the actor / actress might not get captured during the process.

During dubbing, the artist who played the role in the film or any other dubbing artist whose voice resembles the same as the artist repeats the dialogue in the studio. The dialogues are being repeated while having a look at the movie sequence with lip sync, added with pertinent feelings and felicitous expressions.

The dubbing is being done relatively in dry studios wherein the artist will hear the pilot track or the location sound via a headphone in adding life to the character .

Here are some basic tips which you can be followed by dubbing artists or sound recordists

1. Microphone should be very sensitive and must have good gain, preferably use cardioid microphones
2. Headphone leakage is not at all allowed
   The artist should wear the headphone properly or use a quality over-ear headphone otherwise pilot track leakage can occur which might get recorded with the voice of the dubbing artist.
3. Avoid any type of disturbances during the dubbing process such as rustling of dress, body movements, poping(blow) etc.
4. One Project One Studio.
   If a dubbing project has started in one particular studio the it is better to continue and finish it in the same to keep the acoustic continuity. There are chances that when ambience of the studio or equipment or even the recordist change there will be a changes in the recording pattern and the output. It is better to continue with the same acoustics otherwise you will loose the continuing of dubbing.
5. Don’t correct the script.
   Script correction is the not the job sound recordist. As a sound recordist you are supposed to record what the dubbing artist speaks over the microphone and maintain the quality of it. It is not the recordist job to correct the script.
6. Confirm it with director
   As a sound recordist you are only a part of the movie if you have any doubt regarding the dialogue or the way in which the dubbing artist has rendered it, do confirm it with the director, because he is the creative force behind the movie, controlling its artistic and dramatic aspects as well as visualizes the script.
7. Artist maximum efficiency is around 4 hours
   Keep in mind that dubbing artists needs voice rest and it is quite natural that their dubbing efficiency lasts only up-to 4 hours. After 4 hours of work, there are chances that their voice may dwindle and might not be unable to provide quality output. Offer them adequate rest and only hot water to drink.
8. For quality dubbing output, acoustic continuity, system continuity, monitor continuity has to be maintained.