Feedback Please :)
Hey,
I would love some feedback on how to improve the quality of my voicework. I'm not sure exactly how to link my samples here, I'm hoping you can still see them on my profile.
FYI to record I use: a Sony ECM-XM1 Shotgun Microphone, connected to my Macbook Pro with a RME Babyface Pro. I edit the recordings with REAPER Audio.
Thanks, Hannah
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Hi Hannah!
We can totally help :) Can you please share a Soundcloud or Google Drive link with the files? I would suggest Soundcloud as it keeps the quality better and it's easier to share more than 1 sample.
Thanks!
Sure! Here's a recent job of mine: https://soundcloud.com/hannielobb/fleming-antibotics/s-CLtjz
Hi Hannah,
Thanks for sharing your audios in our community.
There are some quality imperfections. Firstly, there is a lot of room echo. Your voice sounds distant and if you listen on headphones, you'll see how the voice sounds inside a room. That effect is not desired. This happens because you are recording a space that is too live, meaning the sound bounces many times before fading away. Try to improve the acoustics of your recording space to get rid of the reflections. Your voice will then sound up front and crystal clear.
There is also a considerable amount of hiss, which covers your voice throughout the recording. You need to lower the noise floor to achieve a cleaner recording.
I hope this helps!
Best,
Juan.
Hi Juan!
Thank you for your response. I use REAPER audio plugins to lower the noise floor, so I asked my partner to listen and give his feedback too.
He said that he thinks the problem is the microphone, as he gets the same audio quality (or lack of) when he records his videos.
Do you have any recommendations for microphone, and for a portable voice booth? As I would also like to upgrade that too.
Thanks, Hannah
Hi Hannah!
I agree with Juan, too. It could be from the microphone but I'm sure there's also an important component coming from the space. Sometimes, the hiss can come from fans, A/C systems, even water pipes so I would suggest you review the space and, then, review getting a new mic.
We hosted a webinar on acoustic treatment and also have an article on easy ways to treat a space acoustically that may be very helpful for you! Acoustic treatment can be super expensive, but there are many nice alternatives out there that you can try out.
You can find the webinar recap by clicking here and the acoustic treatment article by clicking here.
We do have some articles where we help you choose a mic. We hosted a webinar on microphones and we also have this article giving you some recommendations. What I would say is the most important thing to take into consideration when buying a new mic, is to review its frequency response and compare it to your voice. There are many different mics and each one will react completely different to your timber. I would suggest you try a variety of mics before purchasing them to make sure you choose the one that gives you the best tone.
You can find the webinar recap if you click here and the microphone tips and advice post if you click here.
Hope this helps, Hannah!
Hello!
Thanks so much for all your advice. I've been working on improving my recording space, and also purchased a new microphone.
Here is a recent job I did - do you think this is up to standard? https://soundcloud.com/hannielobb/properlynz/s-I8h7t
Hannah
Hello Hannah!
Thanks for sharing your audio. A couple of notes. There's still room echo, which makes your voice sound distant and it's picking up a bit of background noise. Sounds like the computer fan. Also, the frequency response is in general too bright. There's sibilance issues that are too aggressive on the ear.
Check out some of the material we have, like the webinars and articles to help you solve these issues.
Best,
Juan.
Hi Juan,
Thanks for your response. I am not sure how to better acoustically treat the space as I literally recorded that under the covers in my bed, as a friend of mine who also does voicework recommends that.
What do you think about that?
I will read up on the community content - thanks!
Hi Hannah!
Depending on how your space is made, you may need to organize the covers and everything differently. More likely, your friend's space reacts differently and is more isolated from noises. Keep in mind everything influences on how the sound will bound on and off the space. From the material of the walls, to how many windows you have in the room and even the shape ad size of the room.
You may want to find a space where you know exactly what you have to work with and try to experiment with different materials. Closets are usually my go to space to record from home or spaces where I know I don't have a specialized acoustic treatmet. You already have a lot of clothes there that will absorb a lot and you can put a carpet below you for extra control. You could try that, too!
Nonetheless, read the articles we have. You may find a lot of info that could be relevant to what you already have!
Thanks Angela!
I took your advice of using a closet and worked on de-essing my voice, and this is the result: https://soundcloud.com/hannielobb/auditionakl/s-8dnmS
Let me know what you think! I find it difficult to reduce my mouth noises :/
Hi Hannah,
Thank you for your audio! The room echo is solved! That's great. Now, as you mention there are a lot of loud mouth clicks that distract from your performance. Try re positioning the mic to capture less noises. It can also help you with plosives (0:17).
Best,
Juan
Yay! Thanks Juan. Would a pop filter help with my mouth noises? I don't have one yet.
Hi Hannah
Totally! A Pop filter is the very best solution for these problems. Try one out! They're really good and I'm sure it would help you a lot!
Hi Hannah!
Definitely, a pop filter is a great tool to help reduce plosives and even sibilance.
Best,
Juan.