I need feedback too... I wanna be a bunny again
OK I have several samples to be inspected for quality... but how do I upload the files? I cannot see any upload button.... I only see a place to add a link.
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Hi Ian!
Can you please share a Google Drive, Soundcloud or Dropbox link so we can review it?
Thanks!
got it... Right, I have a few Demo Reels I'd like to get feedback on and a few lines so I can get back into bunny kingdom again...
Demo Reel - Commercial - https://soundcloud.com/ian-king-599897975/ian-king-commercial-reel?in=ian-king-599897975/sets/nz-voice-actor-demos
Demo Reel - Gaming - https://soundcloud.com/ian-king-599897975/gaming-reel?in=ian-king-599897975/sets/nz-voice-actor-demos
Demo Reel - Dramatic - https://soundcloud.com/ian-king-599897975/dramatic-reel?in=ian-king-599897975/sets/nz-voice-actor-demos
And I have others but this is probably plenty to give me some feed back on. Thanks :)
Hi Ian!
Listening to your audio, I notice that in general the audio is too bright. There are almost no low frequencies, so your voice sounds filtered. There's also loud levels of hiss. What mic are you using?
Best,
Juan.
I use Shure SM58 and I've taken out the range below 120 htz to get rid of inaudible frequencies and noise. Which Spectrogram plugins do you use? Can you recommend one that I could use with my Traction 6 DAW? This may help me sort out my issues.
Hi Ian!
Ok, so that's a good mic, especially for live events. In studio, the frequency response and sensitivity may not be the best choice. However, we can make it work for now. I don't recommend to cut down from 120Hz, those are definitively audible frequencies! Humans can perceive from 20Hz to 20Khz, so maybe cutting from 50Hz or even 80Hz should work.
You may want to watch out for plosives.
I do invite you to try a condenser mic and listen to how the frequency response and color of your voice changes and let us know how the experiment goes!
Best,
Juan
Cheers Juan, OK I've taken on board what you've already said and have ordered a condenser mic (I still haven't received it yet) and reduced the filter from 120 htz to 81 htz. Now, here is another sample with NO other SFX and the only post production work I've done is to apply a High Pass filter (to 81 HTZ) and a little compression, I'm still on the SHURE mic as mentioned before. It's hopefully going to be my AUDIOBOOK REEL. Please let me know how this will fair out there in the big bad wolf land''... As attached...
https://soundcloud.com/ian-king-599897975/audiobook-reel?in=ian-king-599897975/sets/nz-voice-actor-demos
Cheers
Hi again, Ian!
It sounds better! Still, there is a bit of noise and room echo in the recording. There are multiple mouth clicks that distract from the performance that could be edited out, but in general you may want to re-position the mic to capture a cleaner sound and get rid of those noises on the recording stage.
Is the room acoustically treated?
Best,
Juan.
Yes, my space is acoustically treated and the computer is positioned outside of the space. Is there a likely possibility that being a 'dynamic' mic, there will be slight noise compared to a condenser mic (which I'm still waiting for)?
Same question as previously asked.... Which Spectrogram plugins do you use, or recommend?
Hey Ian!
Maybe the noise could be coming from adding too much gain to the mic to make it work. Keep in mind that Dynamic mics are not noisier, but do require more gain which could be adding the extra noises. I read you're using a Shure mic. If you have the SM7B I wouldn't change but get a signal lifter like the SS-1 from Simply Sound Co. or the CL-1, or Cloudlifter, from Cloud Microphones. This should do the trick at reducing the noise in case you're not using one already.
As per the spectogram, I really like iZotope's! It's expensive, I know, but it's sooo worth it taking into consideration all the things you can do with it! The RX series is fantastic.
Hey Ian!
Well, that depends. Each mic works differently. Dynamic mics are great mics, and you can get great recordings with the correct amplification. Condenser mics are more sensitive as they run with voltage (48V phantom power) so they provide a different frequency response. Due to that sensitivity, dynamic mics are preferred in live applications because they have less leak from the outside. However, condenser mics can provide a clarity and sharpness that the dynamic can't. That's why in studio they are favorited! So, if your computer fan is too loud, the condenser mic will be even more sensitive than the dynamic.
Anyway, I think it's great, and I'm glad you went for it. Share with us a recording of the new baby! What mic did you buy?
In regards to spectogram plugins, I use the PAZ analyzer from Waves.
Best,
Juan.
Yay! I've finally got my new Condenser Mic and re-done this audiobook demo... Please let me know what you think... Can I be a voice bunny again??https://soundcloud.com/ian-king-599897975/audiobook-reel-1?in=ian-king-599897975/sets/nz-voice-actor-demos
Hi Ian!
Thanks for sharing the new recording. I have to say it sounds so much better! Your voice sounds very crisp and defined. It does a great job in handling your voice tone! Which mic did you get?
Hoowever, as condensers are much more sensitive, it's now picking up some room echo. I suggest you change the positioning in your space and try to add some layers of absorptive materials. You can try with clothes, blankets and even a carpet below the mic to ensure you have the mic well surrounded. This helps while you are able to pinpoint where the reflections are mainly coming from and get a professional acoustic material.
I'd also suggest you make sure all the surfaces you have around the microphone are covered. For example, tables, your computer, doors, etc.
Oh, also, the hiss is 100% gone!
That's great news! Yay! There is hope. I have got an Alctron MC410, which isn't the flashest mic in the world, but as you said it has made a massive difference, so I am happy with that.
Right, well I'll put some more acoustic materials around my booth to deal with that echo. I am pleased to hear that I've made some significant progress. I have also been doing a lot of voice acting training with GFTB (about 60 hours), and that has been helping me too. Sooooo.... can I be a bunny again?
FYI, I'll be re-doing my demo samples asap, to demonstrate where I am now, in the VO world performers. Keep your bunny ears posted!
Hey Ian!
That's great news! :D
Juan.
Wow, Ian! That sounds really great.
Let's listen to how the new setup sounds with the acoustic material and mic. Once that happens, we'll let you know if we can reinstate the account! :)
Ok, here is my latest, replacement demo example. This is my gaming reel sample. I'll upload two which will be identical, except for the fact that one will have SFX added and the other won't.
See how these are. I'm confident I will now qualify to be a bunny again!! Please let me know how I'm getting on :)
No SFX... https://soundcloud.com/ian-king-599897975/ian-king-gaming-reel-no-sfx
With SFX... https://soundcloud.com/ian-king-599897975/ian-king-gaming-reel-incl-sfx
Hello Ian!
I liked the sample with FXs :)
In general terms the quality is much better. The only thing that I can say is that your voices still sounds filtered. It sounds a bit thin and distant. So I suggest you try to achieve a recording with a broader frequency response, specially in the low end.
The improvement is astonishing! Congratulations and welcome back! :D
Looking at your profile I see your account was disabled because of quality issues with your samples. So, I suggest you delete the old samples and upload new ones. Take this opportunity to upload max 20 different samples, that illustrate the versatility of your voice in different purposes. Make sure the samples convey a complete idea, so they must be at least 10 seconds long, where you display all your skills, and mark them with the correct attributes (age, gender, language, accent, and purpose).
Best,
Juan
Yay! Actually, I've already deleted and uploaded some new voice samples. The only difficulty I find, is that there is not the facility to name samples in a broader sense, e.g., I can only choose two types of accents and two character ages so, it's difficult to name all the samples appropriately.
I have no idea why my voice sounds thin, as I haven't added any post recording filters. Except a high pass (at around 70 htz), that's it.
I'm pleased to hear there is a great improvement to my work. That makes it all worth while.
Cheers
Ian
Hey Ian!
The thin sound might be due to the equipment you are using. Perhaps the mic, preamplification and AD/DA conversion is not top notch, so the end result is a soft and 'weak' signal.
Best,
Juan.