What is ADR in Film? A Beginner’s Guide for Directors and Editors
When you’re in the thick of post-production, locked picture might feel like the finish line. But for many directors and editors, one final process can transform a rough cut into a polished, professional release: ADR.
Short for Automated Dialogue Replacement, ADR is the post-production process where actors re-record dialogue in a controlled studio setting to replace or enhance lines captured on set. Whether you're battling noisy location audio or revising performances in edit, ADR is a key tool for ensuring clarity, continuity, and creative control.
Why Is ADR Used?
Even with the best on-set audio crew, things happen:
- Dialogue is obscured by wind, traffic, or clothing rustle
- The actor’s delivery doesn’t hit emotionally
- The director wants to revise or add lines
- A line was mumbled, missed, or distorted
Instead of compromising, ADR gives filmmakers a clean second chance to capture a performance — one that sounds seamless in the final mix.
What Happens in an ADR Session?
At Sonatune, ADR is recorded in our purpose-built ADR & voiceover studio in Nottingham. Here’s how a typical session runs:
- Pre-Session Prep: We receive a cue sheet with timecoded dialogue requiring replacement, prepared by your editorial team.
- Cueing: We use EdiPrompt to provide on-screen visual cues — streamers, wipes, and audio beeps — to help the actor deliver the line in perfect sync with the picture.
- Recording: Performances are captured using Pro Tools Ultimate, the industry-standard DAW for film post-production. Its frame-accurate timeline and punch-recording tools ensure dialogue sits perfectly in place.
- Remote Direction (Optional): If you can’t be onsite, we support remote ADR via Source-Connect or Zoom — allowing directors or editors to guide the performance in real time.
- Editing & Delivery: The best takes are selected, cleaned, and delivered as isolated stems or integrated into your final sound mix.
Our ADR & Voiceover Recording service also includes dialogue editing, file naming, and post-session exports formatted to your workflow.
Why Remote ADR Is Here to Stay
We regularly work with directors and editors from London, Manchester, and internationally — connecting with talent around the world using Source-Connect, fibre internet, and live cueing tools. The result? Real-time ADR that feels like you're in the same room, even when you're not.
Final Thoughts
Whether you're producing a short film or a streaming series, ADR ensures that your characters’ voices cut through with clarity and emotional weight. And with the right studio and team behind you, it’s a seamless, stress-free process.
Contact us to book a session or learn more about our ADR services.