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FRUSTRATED - Audition Feedback

  • Angela Serrano #830202147
      1

    Hi Joni!

    Thank you for coming up here with that situation. Would you mind sharing with us the file you submitted this last time? You can share a Google Drive, Dropbox or other cloud service link. I'd like to check what happened there!

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  • Joni #1154166844
      1

    Hi Angela,

    I appreciate your response.  I had already accepted the project when I realized I needed to change to a different computer.  I did notice a big change in the recording levels when I switched to my husbands MacBook Air.  I listened again and I don't hear any noises and there are no mistakes in the script.  The noise floor reads ok.  I was a bit in a flurry to re-record and make my deadline to Voice Bunny and I'm also on a really close deadline for the audio book I'm trying to finish.  I'm sorry if I sounded curt. 

    I'd like to know what Array meant with the comment:

    Array Hi - the quality of your submission does not meet our standards at this time.
    As a VoiceBunny Pro, you must record using professional equipment in an acoustically treated space. Your performance needs to sound engaging and conversational. We also expect the recording to be properly edited, unprocessed, and ready-to-use.
    Here are the issues found in your application:
    - the deliverable has editing issues.

    Here is the sharable link:  https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B_UFAN-aBaXeVXJhbWhTckUwUHM

    Can you please tell me if I'll be able to submit again?  If not, I'll just move on to other platforms and throw all I have into that.  I'm very determined to make this my new career.

    Thank you again for your response, it is much appreciated.

    Best,

    Joni Silva

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  • Angela Serrano #830202147
      1

    Hi Joni

    Thank you for sharing this with us. Let me point out the issues I notice.

    1. There's an electrical noise in the recording. I wouldn't be sure as to where it's coming from as it depends a lot on the setup you're using, how you're locating your equipment and other variables regarding the connections of your equipment. 

    2. The noise from your computer's fan and the echo from your room are very present. You can clearly pick them up in the lower frequency spectrum which diminishes the quality of your recording importantly. This can be easily fixed by positioning your microphone far away from your computer and treating the room you're recording in acoustically to make sure no undesired noises are getting picked up. We have an article on basic acoustic treatment you can take as reference: https://goo.gl/eeCpwH 

    If you'd like to learn even more about acoustic treatment, we hosted a webinar to go deeper on the matter. You may find some useful insights there as well. https://goo.gl/c57yex 

    3. The editing issues are, indeed, noticeable as well. For example, there's a clip in "Hard to get". There's another noise in the second "In a world" that sounds as if you hit the microphone. Same in "Stronger than ever".

    4. Some breaths are also not edited correctly and the edits sound harsh or not faded correctly. This is especially noticeable right before "We've included you". There are also other breaths that should've been edited out because they're too loud and distracting. For example, right before "We've started a revolution" and "Step by Step". Same between "We came" and "We changed the world".

    Lastly, I would like to mention that the performance sounds a little bit robotic. The intonation, flow, and emphasis of words in the read are quite flat and don't convey the message intended in the script very well. All the reads submitted should sound natural and conversational to ensure there's a certain degree of credibility in the read. If you're still new, this may mean that you need to rehearse a script before recording. We hosted a webinar on how to approach a read and nail it every time with our of our most seasoned Pros, Tommy Griffiths. You may want to check it out to get some tips on that regard. You can find it here: https://goo.gl/gSVTdD

    Hope this helped! Sorry for the lengthy response!

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  • Joni #1154166844
      1

    Thank you for the criticism.  I'll look into all of it.

    Could you also answer whether I am able to submit again?

     

    Joni

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  • Juan Santiago Mendoza #1067143947
      1

    Hello Joni,

    Thank you for sharing your case.

    I agree with Angela. In general terms it seems the noise floor is too high. Try recording some seconds of room tone and then look for the peak level of the recording. 

    Out of curiosity, what editing software are you using?

    Also, as Angela mentioned, I suggest you practice the script and be really conscious of the tone, rhythm, intonation, your breathing. This exercise will help you improve your performance. Remember that  voice-acting is about sounding believable, sounding real!

    Let me know what you think!

    Best,

    Juan.

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  • Joni #1154166844
      1

    Hi Juan,

    I have had training in voice over in New York with Edge Studio and I'm learning to be a good producer, although I am not used to having to send in un-mastered recordings.  I disagree with Angela and you about the read but that is subjective and in a situation with a client, if they don't like it, they won't choose me as their voice actor.  I, as most actors never stop "taking class" and learning to improve. 

    A few comments about Angela's criticism of my file. 

    Firstly, I admit, I was anxious because I really wanted to begin work with Voice Bunny and had put myself in a tight spot by accepting the assignment which gave me only five hours to complete.  It took me a great part of that time with the sound engineer to hunt down the hiss mentioned from my first audition, which uncovered the fact that my own computer was the culprit.  I then headed home from the studio to re-record on my husbands Mac which I'm not familiar with and with very little time to re-record and get it in on time.  I rushed it and in retrospect, I should have just cancelled while I regrouped.  I had waited a long time for the invitation to try again so I didn't want to "go to the back of the line".  This was an, "if it can go wrong it did go wrong" situation.

    My Mac computer/laptop doesn't have a fan.  I don't record in an open room but in a treated booth.  My laptop is not located in this booth.  I think the sound may have come from a neighbors air conditioner unit located outside my home.  It's a challenge, even with the booth. I'm working on it.

    I haven't checked on the editing issues she mentioned because I'm in the last throes of a deadline for a book I'm narrating.  But, with the hurry I was in, they are probably correct.  I do ALWAYS rehearse a script before performing it and would never just throw out a read I hadn't properly prepared for.  I thought it sounded pretty good but I'm glad to have the comments on it.

    My equipment is as follows:

    Macbook Air

    Daw:  Audacity

    Mic: Audio Technica 2035 Cardioid Condenser Microphone

    Interface:  Focusrite Scarlett 2i2

    All that said, I was thankful for more words and explanation than just "editing issues".

    My question about whether I can apply again remains unanswered.  Is there a set number of times someone can apply to Voice Bunny?

    Thank you for your attention, it's appreciated.

    Best,

    Joni Silva

     

     

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  • Juan Santiago Mendoza #1067143947
      1

    Hi Joni!

    Well, I personally don't like Audacity. I find it really hard to edit a sound file, but that could be because I've been working with ProTools for more than a decade so it could be me... :P But in your audio you can hear some editing issues, like at 0:27. Adding fade in/out at the start and end of very audio region is a good practice to get rid of any pops and clicks.

    Regarding the noise, yes it sounds like a fan. See what you can help to get away from the noise source as  far as possible.

     

    The applicants have three opportunities to present the application process. The next application project can take anywhere from 7 to 31 days. You'll get an email with the project.

     

    I hope this helps.

    Best,

    Juan

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  • Angela Serrano #830202147
      0

    Hi Joni!

    As Juan Santiago mentioned, once you request the new application it will take from 7 to 31 days to hit your account. It takes a bit longer than the first application because we get many requests of this sort. As we add you to the queue of reconsiderations, the project will be sent once it's your turn. 

    Now, about the editing issues, I do agree with Juan Santiago that Audacity is quite limited as to what you can do in editing. However, I know there are various Pros from VoiceBunny that use Audacity and they do a great job! I wish I could have that much control :P I'm also used to Pro Tools and switching is a nightmare!

    For the noise, have you tried adding a vocal booth to your microphone? If the issue is that the fan is very loud, an extra layer of noise reduction may help you get rid of it as much as possible. I recommend you try the Kaotica Eyeball out. It gives awesome results!

    Hope this helped.

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