0524 – How To Get The ‘Barry White’ Effect

2022.06.08 – 0524 – How To Get The ‘Barry White’ Effect

VOICE BOX

Moving the mic slightly towards or away from you raises other issues to do with what’s called The Proximity effect.

This is a phenomenon that leads to an increase in low frequency response, the shorter the distance is between mic and mouth. This can create problems, but at the same time it opens up ways to shape the sound.

Close mic work – the pros

·        Your voice (especially those which are naturally lower to start with) can sound bigger, fatter and ‘sexier’. Late night radio presenters use the close-mike technique to make their voices sound as sexy and intimate as someone whispering sweet nothings into your ear. Where a voice is naturally lacking in richness, close mic work can sometimes help compensate.

·        Close mic work may encourage you to talk more softly

Close mic work – the cons

·        Your voice can sound thick, muddy and muffled if you get too close or misuse the ‘Effect’

·        It has little change on voices of a naturally higher pitch

·        Close mic technique may make it more likely that your breaths and mouth clicks are picked up

·        It’s more likely that ‘plosives’ – the short burst of air heard ion words that start with ‘b’ and ‘p’ sounds – are exaggerated

·        There’s a greater chance of distorted recordings (‘overmodding’), so make sure you turn down the recording level when you get closer to the mic.

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