How can I render dialog unintelligible while making it still sound like someone is talking? I am looking for a postproduction solution.

Duplicate track, pitch them apart from each other.
Use a gapper/snipper
use a reversed version mixed with original version
tweak EQ and remove all mid, add verb, blend with pitched original version.
Remove all top end, mid range, and leave only very low mids, kill anything below 150Hz, this will give dialog through wall type of feel.

Lots of ways, but these above are a few of the methods I've used.

You could also use a vocoder, but use something really garbled as the replacement fundamental frequency. It would form vocal modulations, but be very warped.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vocoder

Or you could use a trombone and plunger mute for the Charlie Brown's teacher effect. ;)

In what context is this going to be used?

Sometimes I have to mimic a backgroung radio announcer without making the voice intelligible, but more of a mumbling effect. I use distortion/compression and remove a lot of highs and mids in the process and add some white noise along.

I want to have someone on the other end of a telephone, but I don't want the viewers to know or pay attention to what he is saying.

In that case, roll off the highs and lows big time (the pass band should be no more than 500Hz to 3000Hz), compress, distort and add noise. AND, mix it low enough that it's notional.

In addition, cut the audio into segments and resequence them so they are out of context and make no sense. Or script nonsense audio.

Or script nonsense audio.That's a great suggestion! If the brain doesn't correlate the words, it quickly gives up and stops actively listening. For instance, sometimes I don't correlate the words that my wife says. ;)

BTW Glenn, I miss Nevada City. I worked for Grass Valley Group from 1987 to 1996. Is the Magic Theater still there? Ross, the proprietor, was a wonderful host and promoter of independent films.

Magic theater is still there. I moved here the year you left.

I read a recent study that found that males mentally process the male voice like language and the female voice as if it were music. My wife and I have fun with that.

Wife: "Honey, the screen door is broken. (pause) HONEY!""

Husband: "What, Huh?. Weren't you just singing Evita?"



Don't Cry For Me Argentina...

Don't Cry For Me Argentina... :) :) :)

She could sing on Broadway - or, at least, Broad Street! :)

-JF