Tips for audio recorded skits, y/y?

By Icarus. 29/06/09, 04:35 pm

I've seen a couple of the (very) cool audio recorded skits every year during judging and such,
and I just wanted to hear a bit on the topic, like...

when you guys play it on stage, is it recorded on a CD?
And what sort of programs did you use to mix up the skits?
Anything special with the background noises/music?
What device did you use during judging to play the skit? Any technical problems you wanna give the heads up for?

Just anything to share the knowledge around~~

By **JVCA**. 29/06/09, 04:48 pm

Good idea for a topic. Very Happy

When we've done it before, I've always put the audio onto my iPod and used my iPod speakers. Tips for that -- make sure batteries of both iPod and speakers are full! (We nearly had a disaster with that at wellygeddon hahah, coz I forgot to charge my iPod before leaving auckland and didn't bring a charger with me. Thankfully, the battery lasted long enough...) Having an easy to carry speaker set up is advantageous too - makes it much easier for the poor judges to hold the speakers and the mic for you while you're performing!

I personally use iMovie to edit the audio together because it's very user friendly - I believe Jen does it in Sony Vegas, though I could be wrong.

One thing I personally recommend is that even if it's just a plain speaking skit (not singing or dancing or whatever), put in background music. It adds to the mood so much and makes the skit that much more effective. Sound effects help as well, but make sure that your dialogue is still clear even with background sound. Use a singstar mic (or other external mic) for recording, because usually computer mics aren't very good quality. If you're doing a song rewrite, make sure you include the backing track for the music - otherwise it loses so much effect.

Another tip I've picked up recently - obviously you want the characters to sound LIKE the characters - but if you can't get the voices right yourselves, go to a voice acting forum like http://voiceacting.proboards.com/index.cgi? or something and get people to audition on there. C:

By Icarus. 29/06/09, 04:54 pm

Oooo, very nice tips~!!

When you did the skit on stage (Rosso's accent was the perfect touch XD), was that on CD or connected to the ipod?

By **JVCA**. 29/06/09, 05:00 pm

Heheheh, thank you. >w< I spent many months perfecting that hilariously awful beast of an accent. 8D That was on my iPod. Previously there was no cd player at the judging, so we assumed that CD wouldn't be a viable option. However, IMO it'd be amazing if the audio could be played via CD over the main sound system - the audio quality would end up being much better.

By neimhaille. 30/06/09, 05:33 am

The main problem is never knowing if the tech crew will be able to play the cds with the system as it is. Wellington this year was full of long pregnant pauses and wrong pieces played.

In the big overseas comps there is a full tech crew (who know how to best work with the format) and they have a chance to test equipment etc beforehand.

I am going to email Bill again about it. And I will also be clarifying that there will be no contestant going directly to tech crew as that caused quite a lot of difficulty.

Otherwise iPods work the best (own power supplied) and those portable speakers too. And it really is best to record the whole thing.

By Narya. 01/11/09, 08:12 am

Oh I have another question relating to this... Next Armageddon I want to crossplay - I haven't decided if I'm doing a skit yet but I can't do a manly voice - so is it ok if I recorded someone else talking? Or does it actually have to be me?

By **seraphik**. 01/11/09, 08:23 am

another couple of great (free) soundediting programs perfect for skit production are audacity (which is the one i usually use) and wavosaur. wavosaur is particularly good for song parodies, as it can edit out the vocal track. (: hope this is of some help~

By **JVCA**. 01/11/09, 10:09 am

@Narya: I think as long as you write the script then it should be fine (though I can't say that as 100% sure 'coz I'm just speculating) - if you're looking for someone to do a voice for you, check out the Voice Acting Alliance forums and make a post there. Very Happy

By Hat-&-Clogs-Stoned*. 07/11/09, 08:02 am

What if it would be slightly hard for our group to put it onto an ipod/cd, would we be able to bring our own clip-on mics?

By **Admin**. 07/11/09, 08:09 am

I think the judges have decided that they'll only accept pre-recorded skits on a CD. :3

By Hat-&-Clogs-Stoned*. 07/11/09, 08:21 am

kk Fair enough Thnx!

By Ryans-cupcake. 09/11/09, 04:31 pm

best tip. Make sure your ipod isn't on repeat. That was embarassing when the skit started playing again...

By Pyro. 10/11/09, 08:42 am

When recording using an external mic; try to use some kind of cover to decrease the random popping-clicking noises when you're speaking. I personally stick a lot of socks on, but that's just me being cheap. =D

I recommend Audacity for mixing audio, too. <3

By **JVCA**. 10/11/09, 09:15 am

Damn, the socks thing is a good idea! *makes a mental note*

By Retro Scifi. 11/11/09, 11:50 pm

Socks FTW!

It was a real hassle getting techie details out of people before Auckgeddon this year with the venue change.

I'm still not 100% sure if they plugged the ipod into the sound system or just played the speaker into a mic.

My advice would be to take it on an MP3 player AND have it on CD - that way you're covered for all eventualities.

Also make sure you've charged things up before hand - including your speakers.

By Retro Scifi. 11/11/09, 11:59 pm

Oh, and if you put it on a CD - make sure it's the ONLY track on there, and that the track is the skit, the whole skit, and nothing but the skit.

On an ipod - make sure its on a clearly labelled playlist, and yes, not on repeat is a great tip.

The sound guy/girl will have a lot of other stuff to do and the easier you can make it for them, the better it'll go for you.

I had fun with one track I was playing at the games that ran on longer than it should and had a load of out-takes after the main stuff. Luckily I rehearsed it beforehand and remembered when to hit 'stop' in a hurry, but for skits on stage for a cosplay judging there won't be time to do that and you - the guys on stage - will be the ones who end up looking silly, even if you then put a hit out on the poor, hard working sound person.

Another tip - give yourself a bit of a lead-in on your skit track. Especially if you're doing actions to go with it. A bit of intro music or whatever. Long enough for you to realise when you're supposed to be doing your thang, but not so long as to bore the audience. Remember - it's not you who's going to be pushing 'play'.

By **JVCA**. 12/11/09, 01:11 am

...Kevin? :O *thwaps you on the wrist with a ruler* Bad manager! No double posting! *points to the edit button* Razz

By Retro Scifi. 12/11/09, 01:16 am

Oh good. I'm glad you pointed that out Jess. Now I can end my dilemma as to how to point something else out but not wanting to triple-post...

I can't help it - I'm excited!

By **JVCA**. 12/11/09, 01:35 am

What can I say, CNZ is an exciting place... 8D

By Li-Bai. 13/11/09, 02:24 am

JVCA wrote:: Another tip I've picked up recently - obviously you want the characters to sound LIKE the characters - but if you can't get the voices right yourselves, go to a voice acting forum like http://voiceacting.proboards.com/index.cgi? or something and get people to audition on there. C:

D-d-d-don't forget Voice Acting Alliance! ;D

//plug

By angellsnz. 19/11/09, 02:51 am

Hi,

In regards to the tech stuff at Auckland Armageddon this year. I made up 3 lists, one for the person helping with the mic's on stage and one for the tech guys down the back and one for me.

List included who was not doing a skit, who was doing a skit (how many microphones needed) and who was doing a pre-recorded skit, and what method had been used.

The different methods that we had this year....

MP3 player
PSP
iPOD
CD

All were played through the mainstage system. The tech guys were awesome this year, and were able to deal with everything.

In saying that, it was a real pain having to switch systems all the time, for us in the judging room and for the tech guys at the mainstage.

This is why we have decided that pre-recorded skits only, and on an Audio CD.

We will then make sure with Bill that the Christchurch, Wellington, and Dunedin venues are able to cope with this format. As we already know that Auckland and Melbourne are able to do this.

angellsnz

By **JVCA**. 19/11/09, 04:09 am

It's great to see some kind of cohesive format for skits now. :) I think it'll make everyone's lives easier.

By Li-Bai. 27/11/09, 01:37 pm

The thing I'm most terrified of is having the CD skip >.>

By Retro Scifi. 29/11/09, 11:11 pm

Test it beforehand, and keep it in a hard case on the day and you'll be sweet.

By **JVCA**. 30/11/09, 03:54 am

...and maybe have a second copy for back up. If you're as paranoid as I am... sweatdrop

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