ADR - Automated Dialog Replacement

Many new comers to the film industry ask, what is ADR? The answer is simple the abbreviation ADR means automated dialog replacement. ADR usually comes toward the end of the Post Production process.

There are several reasons that a film or television project might need to do ADR.

They include bad sound track, translation into a foreign language, script etcetera. Some people will refer to ADR as dubbing but it is not entirely true.

Anyone can do dubbing but ADR is more complex. Dubbing is when the film or TV series has done voice over without changing dialog or footage.
With ADR a director, editor or Post production producer guides the process with the help of a Sound supervisor or ADR supervisor. The director will look at footage and adapt the show by using voice actors.
ADR writers are appointed to rewrite the script accordingly.

Translators are used if the ADR needs to be done in a foreign language.
After preparation of the revised scripts and footage the actors are brought in one at a time to redo the voice recording.
The reason actors are brought in individually is to fast track the process.

Scheduling major actors or series regulars can be a difficult process on its own. Getting actors to work as a group can be difficult due to the fact that they run on different schedules. It is also a problem sometimes; because, when recording the actor can not follow and hear the other actor who they are required to exchange dialog with. In unskilled hands the performance can be different and can affect the final result. The Director or Post Producer will signify which are selected and alternate takes for each line.

The ADR editor will screen through the audio bites and decides which audio bites to use for the final mix.
The final cut is sent by the producer to post-production.

The edited ADR recordings are taken by the ADR engineers to mix with the sound effects and music and dialog.

After post-production compiles the data a revised version of the series is launched.
ADR is not only used to adapt a Film or TV series to a foreign language it can be used to correct poor sound recording quality when originally recorded by the Production audio mixer. The goal of ADR is to create a realistic, believable seen without people realizing that dialog replacement occurred. The automated dialogue replacement requires a studio.
An actor will usually need to view the portion of show in which they are replacing dialog, so that they can ensure that their dialog is in sync with their lips.

The film industry uses advance technology to ensure good quality sound. They use digital audio workstations to do the ADR, usually some Pro Tools system or Pro Tools mixer controller.

The main factor to remember is that it takes a special ear to be able to match ADR in such a manner that the outcome is as good or better than the original film/series.
Sometimes it is not possible to record ADR in a professional facility, such as when shooting on location or an actor is on a remote location.
There are a few things to consider before you start implementing ADR in your post production process in such an instance.

• Look for a music recording studio first.

They make good substitutes in a pinch. But they often don't have synchronization gear.
Check before you go to the facility and see if something can be rigged to accommodate the session.

• The room that you are recording the ADR in must be sound proof and quiet. • When using computers remember they are not silent.

Place the computer outside the sound proof room. • You need to find a way to convert the microphone signal to the computer which is a digital waveform. • Use a good quality microphone.