Lights and Sound: Getting Rid of the 'ssss'

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Getting Rid of the 'ssss'

Printed From: Community Theater Green Room
Category: Producing Theater
Forum Name: Lights and Sound
Forum Discription: Technical discussion
URL: http://www.communitytheater.org/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=5250
Printed Date: 5/11/25 at 4:24pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 8.05 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: Getting Rid of the 'ssss'

Posted By: colugino
Subject: Getting Rid of the 'ssss'
Date Posted: 1/20/12 at 8:31pm

Hi all,

So my current item I am trying to tackle is I have a very heavy lisp because of a small gap in my front teeth. I do all of the announcements as well as a lot of male voice sound effects (voice of God). Is there any recommendation as to what I can do to help block this? Ive tried using a windscreen over the mic but that only helped a little. I try to pre-record what I can and through the audio through filters in sound editing software but gets to be quite tedious when recording several tracks.

Replies:

Posted By: museav
Date Posted: 1/23/12 at 1:25pm

The response of your microphone and your relation to it can effect sibilance. With most cardioid microphones, getting closer to the microphone will increase proximity effect and provide a natural boost in the low end. And moving a little bit more off or on axis may change the frequency response. So you might want to try some different mic techniques. Of course different mics also have different responses and a mic with a response that naturally increases the level at the frequencies where your sibilance is occurring will make things worse, so if it is an option then trying some different microphones might also be beneficial.

As far as other options, some digital mixers make de-essing, equalization, gating, compression, etc. available for each channel, great for not only addressing sibilance but also for creating various vocal effects. If your mixer does not have any of that then you could spend anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to several thousand dollars on a 'channel strip' or vocal processor that provides similar processing. Of course, if it is all you have available to you then some judicious channel equalization may help.

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Brad W.

Posted By: TimmyP1955
Date Posted: 2/20/12 at 1:52am

When making announcements or voice overs, cover the gap with chewing gum.

Posted By: colugino
Date Posted: 11/04/12 at 11:50pm

Thanks for the suggestions! Will give them a try.

Timmy - Never even thought of trying gum :-)