The following is a technical guide for recording and creating the delivery session for an animation project for Netflix.
Dubbed Dialogue Deliverable in Pro Tools Session (If using another DAW, deliverable must be converted to Pro Tools or AAF)
- Record discrete audio - one character per track, following specified track order by character
- Tracks that have the most dialogue to be placed from the top of the Pro Tools Session in hierarchical order
- Name tracks per character, including pick up tracks
- Walla or Group tracks at the bottom of the session
- Separated Futz tracks are welcome, but must have frame accurate edits
- No plug-ins on any delivered tracks
- No automation in the delivered session
- Avoid processing recorded dialogue - no Broadband Noise reduction
- Light De-clicking is welcome - carefully avoid artifacts from digital processing
- Avoid artifacting from Timestreaching clips for synchronization
- Clips should be delivered clean and edited with fades and in sync - extraneous movements or breathing and mouth related noises should be removed
- Record at a nominal level - Recording at low levels causes noisy recordings. Too high, clipping is at risk on peaks. If a clip has distortion, lowering clip gain will not fix it.
- No need for alternate takes - commit your best and if a pickup is needed, it will be communicated
- When submitting pickups, place on a new track named or marked with Pickup and Character name
- Characters that have a Voiceover can be placed on a separated VO track or their own
- If relying on the Optionals tracks from the M&E delivery, map the areas you intend to use by muting sections you are not intending to be in the final mix. This indicates a preference for using the dubbed performance or an area from the Optionals tracks to complete the dialogue coverage.
- If recording remotely, please refer to this guide Recording Dubbed Dialogue In A Home Environment - This guide aids in recording efforts taking place during lockdowns related to the Coronavirus Pandemic. The guide suggests some home remedies and options for capturing dialogue in a home setting.
SPECS
- 24 fps Timecode - or same as provided Proxy
- 24 bit depth / 48.000 kHz sample rate
- Netflix program starts at 00:00:00:00 or match proxy
MICROPHONES
- Primary Mic: Neumann U87, U87ai
- Neumann U87, U87ai - must have Voice-less pop-screen (Popper Stopper or Stedman, not Foam Ball)
- Neumann TLM 170 also suitable - similar pop screens
- Microphone placement: 30-50cm away from the talent
* If the microphones above are not available, please specify which one you will use
MIC PREAMPS
- Focusrite Red 7 or ISA
- Neve 1073
- BAE 1028
- Avalon 737
- Millennia HV-3
- Grace Design
- Great River
- John Hardy
- Sound Devices
* If the preamps above are not available, please specify which preamp you will use
Avoid using dynamic compression or equalization (EQ) during recording. Light Peak limiting is acceptable to avoid clipping. A Gentle High Pass filter can be suitable for rumble, only when needed.
PLEASE NOTE
- The recording area should be well dampened from room reflections, hard surfaces, ventilation and resonating metallic vibrations from script stands and other supporting items.
- In the recordings, the booth space should not be audible. If the booth sounds like a booth, that is the first challenge to address. This is especially important for an outdoor scene
- Minimize reflective surfaces using various materials.
- Position absorption panels to isolate resonances.
- Experiment recording in various locations within the booth to achieve the desired sound
- The recording space should be approximately at least 7’ X 10’ to allow for proper mic-ing with minimal reflections and resonances.
- In the event that a character is to be recorded in multiple studios, special care to match microphones, preamps, mic placement, and overall tonality should be observed. Additionally, if just one character is recorded entirely in a different studio than the other characters in the production, special care should be taken to match the recording chain as closely as possible. Differences in the tonality of recordings can manifest in unacceptable variations between recordings that may result in Netflix rejecting the content.
Thank you for your best work. We appreciate it!