Dialog Compression: Using the MJUC JR. Compressor Pt.2

^{[ Hear audio example in blue box ]}

From the last post, we learned how important leveling is, but how do you do it and what can you use?

Today I'll show you how to use a simple, beautiful sounding compressor that will easily accomplish the leveling you need for your spoken word recordings.

Oh, and on top of all that, it's completely FREE!

If you'd like to learn what on earth leveling is and why it's so important for your dialogue audio, check out the previous post (Part 1).

Now let's jump in to learn to use the wonderful Klanghelm MJUC JR. compressor.

What It Does

I'm using the MJUC jr. compressor to even out the highs and lows in my dialogue recording for a YouTube video.

In short, that means I'm using the compressor to level my dialogue audio.

Along with the leveling, the MJUC jr. also enhances the sound or quality of my spoken words with some pleasant tube emulation.

^{[ Klanghhelm's MJUC JR. Compressing Dialogue ]}

So let's have a listen to this little compressor in action on a portion of my dialogue recording for video:

Listen to the audio example (at top of page in blue box) to hear my dialogue BEFORE and AFTER using the compressor: 

• the audio examples are volume matched to each other for an accurate comparison (i.e. you won't be fooled by louder audio sounding better)
  
  
• you'll hear 16 seconds of dialogue BEFORE compression and 16 seconds of dialogue AFTER compression (this sequence will repeat 1 time)
  
  
• are there any differences you notice between the 2 examples?
  
  
• ***the differences will be subtle, so try to use your best headphones or speakers***
  
  

If you listen carefully you should be able to hear a slight difference in the tone or quality of the dialogue examples.

If you're having trouble hearing a difference, listen for a clearer and more enriched sound in the AFTER audio (compared to a dullness in the BEFORE audio).

This is the coloration or enhancement that this particular compressor lends to your dialogue audio.

You typically want to limit coloration while compressing dialogue, but why?

This is because you're aiming for clear sounding spoken words as you work through the editing and mastering process.

However, this coloration might work well for you, especially if your recorded words are a bit dull to start with or are a little too sterile sounding.

In fact, it worked well on my dialogue you heard above.

I liked how it enlivened the upper mid-range of my words while it brought down the peaks of my recording (to make processing more manageable down the line).

But it's up to your taste - you decide!

Potential Problems

Another difference you probably noticed between the audio examples was an increase in background noise.

The AFTER audio, which is compressed with the MJUC jr., is definitely more noisy.

And you guessed it - this is one of the problems that you'll encounter when compressing your dialogue for videos, podcasts and audiobooks.

The compression process brings up the noise floor (and any background noise) as it makes quiet spots louder and loud spots more quiet.

Thankfully there are lots of good options to deal with the problem of background noise and we've talked through many of them here on Bryan Hurt Audio.

Some of those options are:

• using the FREE Bertom denoiser plug-in...
  
  
• or the powerful spectral denoiser in iZotope RX...
  
  
• or you could try using a noise gate instead (there are FREE options here as well).

If you'd like to go more in depth on learning to deal with background noise in your spoken word recordings, check out the entire series here.

Finally, another simple and powerful option that I've started testing is the Supertone Clear plug-in.

This one removes both background noise and excess room reverb from your dialogue recording with just the twist of a few knobs.

I haven't tested it extensively, but the initial results have been very good on a few of my spoken word recordings.

It's definitely worth a look if you don't absolutely have to have a free option for the noise problem.

How to Use It

"OK, it sounds like a great little box", you might say, "...but how the heck do I set it up on my podcast or voice-over for video?"

"Show me how to level my dialogue with it!"

I'm glad you asked and here you go:

1. Once the plug-in is powered on, set "Time Constants" in the lower middle part of the compressor to "Fast".


2. Now drag the "Compress" knob clockwise away from the number "0" to start compressing (drag it to the 12 o'clock or "24" position to start).


3. You'll see the meter in the middle of the compressor starting to register how much gain reduction you're doing with your "Compress" setting...

4. Now adjust the "Compress" knob to achieve roughly around -2 to -5 dB of gain reduction on the meter, BUT use your ears to set this as well.


-- if you start to hear distortion or a hyper-compressed, unnatural sound, USE LESS COMPRESSION

-- we're going for a natural sound here that gently levels out your dialogue recording

-- you can see that I brought the compression down to somewhere around "18" for my dialogue

5. Next, turn the plug-in off and on using the power button or by clicking the meter area and listen carefully to set the "Make-Up" knob...

6. Turn the "Make-Up" knob clockwise above "0" until your audio sounds roughly the same volume whether the plug-in is powered on or off - try closing your eyes as you listen to truly set this with only your ears.


7. Finally, your compressor is volume matched and now you can accurately hear what it's doing to the sound of your dialogue!

-- Do you like the sound? Just adjust the amount of compression to your taste and needs.

Summary

Because the Klanghelm MJUC JR. compressor is simple to use, sounds great and is absolutely FREE, grabbing it for your dialogue recordings is really a no-brainer.

Remember, you can use it primarily to even out the loud and quiet spots in your podcast, voice-over for video or audiobook after you've recorded.

Next, one of the problems compression can create is making background noise more prominent, but there are many good ways to deal with the noise.

Finally, follow the steps above to quickly set up the compressor for gentle leveling on your dialogue.

Have YOU used the MJUC JR. on a recent dialogue recording?

Is there another plug-in that worked well for you?

Would love to hear your thoughts in a comment below!

Cheers, Bryan
Your Dialogue Editing Mentor