Frankenbites 102

We've tackled the foundational techniques of frankenbiting, but what about those stubborn edits where even the basics can't seem to salvage them?  

Fret not, we'll dive deeper into advanced strategies to breathe life into even the most challenging of frankenbites.

Thinking Outside the AAF: Replacing Words for a Better Flow

Don't feel chained to the dialogue provided in the AAF.  

You have the freedom to search for replacement words or syllables elsewhere in the show. Look within your dialogue handles (the extra audio captured before and after your selected audio clip) or browse through the entire show for potential matches (and the handles of those other clips too).

This approach is particularly useful for common connecting words like "and," "because," "but," "so," "when," and so on.

Remember, the picture editor might prioritize convenience over perfect continuity when assembling interview snippets. Don't hesitate to find a better fit from another part of the film shoot.

Utilize the Power of Assistant Editors

Let's say the dialogue handles within your project aren't yielding many viable alternatives. Don't be afraid to leverage the expertise of your assistant editor!  

They have access to a wider pool of options from the sound dailies, which are unedited recordings of the entire interview or shoot day.  

Put this resource to good use and request a few alternate takes for the problematic word or phrase.

Formant Shifting: The Secret Weapon Before Pitch Shifting

For situations where the speaker's inflection jumps between vocal registers within a single sentence, consider formant shifting before resorting to pitch shifting.  

This technique is particularly helpful in Izotope RX's Dialogue Contour.

Here's the key concept: when adjusting the pitch offset, you'll want to use the opposite value for the formant scaling.  

For example, if you're trying to blend a higher-pitched voice down to match a lower one, select the phrase, set the pitch offset to -1.3, and the formant scaling to +1.3.  

These values don't have to be exact, but mirroring the adjustments often yields a more natural-sounding result. I find that having the formant is just a couple notches below the pitch offset.

Formant shifting helps prevent the robotic or chipmunk effects that can occur with basic pitch shifting. Just remember, moderation is key!  

Anything more than a shift of 2 values in either direction can start to sound unnatural.

Crucially, after making any Dialogue Contour pitch offset edits, be sure to reset the pitch offset and formant scaling to avoid unintended consequences on the overall pitch inflection.

This is just a taste of the advanced frankenbiting toolbox!  

Stay tuned for another article drop with even more tips and tricks to elevate your dialogue editing skills.

Til then, follow along beside me at Post Audio Pro to see my problem-solving of these pesky frankenbites in action!