Project failed QA and was therefore rejected
Hi,
My submission was rejected because the audio levels on the file were too low. This has now been corrected by the studio and I'm ready to re-submit. Before doing so, I would appreciate your views on the recording. Angela Serrano, Head of Talent Management suggested posting a link to the recording here.
Here's a link to the file addressing all of Angela's suggestions:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/w0cp5v24loc3f5f/VoiceBunny%20Revised.wav?dl=0
Thank you, and I look forward to reading your comments.
Steve
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Hi Steve!
I was trying to open the file but it was asking me to open an account and, then, it wouldn't open. Can you please share it again?
Thanks!
Hi Angela,
So here's that link again. I have checked that I can access it from multiple devices, so it should work now:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/u7gnd488pxu08wg/VOICEBUNNY%202.wav?dl=0
I guess I should repost that question with the link in it?
Thanks again,
Steve
Hi Steve!
Thanks for sharing. I'm listening to the file and I notice the following things:
1. There's hiss in your recording. You can clearly notice it during the line "Seamless, professional and fun". You can clearly pick it up in the spaces between the words. You'll be able to understand a bit more about hiss and pinpoint where it's coming from by taking a look at the webinar we hosted on the matter here: https://goo.gl/nlaCvU I believe this sounds more like an electrical hiss over an environmental one but let's see what other users think!
2. The edits are quite strong. The edits sound harsher because of the difference between the hiss background and the digital silence. There are also areas where the fades are too short making the edit clip a bit.
3. Also, the voice sounds a bit too bright and crisp. If you're using an EQ, you may want to take a look at the settings and tone down the higher frequency spectrum a bit. The 's' and 't' sound are particularly high and sharp which can be unpleasant to the ear.
I'm sure that once the EQ and hiss noise problems are resolved, we'll be able to approve your recording right away!
Hi Angela,
Thank you, these are very helpful comments.
I will investigate the "hiss". It was recorded in a professional studio, by the way, so I'm disappointed that hiss can be heard.
Interestingly, if you can't hear it during "digital silence" - I added that to mute the breathing - then it does rather suggest that it's sourced in the studio, which is a sealed room without any equipment or fans, so it must be coming from the mixer or the microphone. Other than adding the digital silence, I made no edits - timing was natural. Are you referring to edits into and out of the digital silence?
No EQ was used (at least I asked for it to be 'flat', and I was assured that it was).
Thanks for listening. I will put the file back up once I have addressed your concerns.
Steve
Hi Angela,
I've had a good listen to this file and, although it's very difficult for me to hear the "hiss", I must agree that there is a difference in the background 'noise' behind the voice and in the 'digital silence'. Please take a listen again. I think you'll find this has now improved.The 'brightness' (and, maybe, a hint of sibilance?) may be down to the microphone, but I'm pretty sure I've dealt with that too, so I'd be keen to have your expert ear across it again.
I've posted the link to this within the body of the original question, and also below for your convenience:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/nsnm8kgwbxkdn8x/VOICEBUNNY%203.wav?dl=0
I look forward to your comments.
Thanks again,
Steve
Hi Steve!
I heard the new file and it's much better! The hiss is still present and the edits (cuts) are still too harsh. Both issues can be easily picked on the line "Besides, our pool of voice over artists has thousands of options for you in many languages, styles and prices to match!" The hiss is very noticeable and there are some clips due to the harsh, unfaded, edits of that area.
I feel that now the file sounds a bit dull, but it's just a matter of putting a few high frequencies back. You did a great job filtering them, but maybe you went a bit overboard.
This file is much better!
Hi Angela,
I've gone back to basics (so to speak) and got hold of the original file again, which has allowed me to address the hard edits, which I've now softened. I have shared the link to the revised file again on my original comment, but for your convenience, here it is again: https://www.dropbox.com/s/w0cp5v24loc3f5f/VoiceBunny%20Revised.wav?dl=0
Please let me know what you think.
Many thanks,
Steve
Hi Steve!
The file still sounds quite hissy and with some sibilance, but I'd like to compare it to the previous file. Dropbox says the file doesn't exist anymore. Can you review that and let me know if you can upload it again so I can review them and give a more precise feedback?
The hiss is still quite present and you can pick it up easily right at the end of the recording but I would like to compare them to let you know if it's much better from the previous one.
Hi Angela,
I had removed the original submission from my dropbox, so here it is again:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/s5xfbwnvfohl5hj/VOICEBUNNY%202.wav?dl=0
And here's the new 'revised' version for comparison:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/w0cp5v24loc3f5f/VoiceBunny%20Revised.wav?dl=0
I look forward to receiving your comments.
Many thanks,
Steve
Thanks for sharing, Steve!
The quality of the revised is way better! There are some harsh edits and as I mentioned there's a bit of sibilance, but the recording is definitely much better. Try to smooth the fade outs and ins by making them a bit longer and, if you can, try to add a bit of EQ to control the mid-high frequencies.
The new recording definitely sounds much better! Well done!
Hi Angela,
I've had another try at this, using some EQ as suggested, and adjusting the edit points identified as 'sharp'.
Here's the new link:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/95dztkrptiispjx/VoiceBunny%20Revised2.wav?dl=0
Many thanks,
Steve
Hi Stephen
This actually sounds worse EQ wise. The sibilance was highlighted a lot, way worse than it was before and it sounds as if you were using a telephone effect. If you're not sure as to how to use EQ properly, it's better to stay away from it. We usually recommend you to stay 100% away from any processing unless you have a degree in audio engineering and understand how to use the processes. It's much better to try to tackle the issues I mentioned via other means.
Maybe the issue is that this microphone is not fit for your voice tone and it would be recommended for you try another one. We have some articles on microphones you may want to take a look at that so you can make an informed decision. Here's our quick guide: https://help.bunnyinc.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/218024227-Tip-2-Choose-a-microphone-that-fits-with-your-voice-tone- and here's our Microphone 101 recap: https://help.bunnyinc.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/205414030-Microphone-101