New Samples for reactivation of Profile
These new samples were recorded in my two (different) studios. Both have Shure SM7B microphones.
Here is a dropbox link to approve them so I may be reactivated (Profile #E9NV9A4)
I appreciate your feedback. Thank You!
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/yfuja7y0z6df2vv/AAAXgQjzvVQmnKCsnhbqcK-ra?dl=0
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Hi Eleni
Thank you for sharing
I was checking the samples and I can pick up the following issues.
1. Excessive Boominess. This can be caused by many factors, however, usually the most common one is recording in a space that is not adequately treated acoustically. I suggest you change the positioning of the microphone in the space to see if the capsule reacts differently to the waves being reflected in the space. Keep in mind that lower frequencies are much longer than higher ones so they remain in the space more and have the tendency to be boosted in spaces that are too small or absorbent.
2. Hiss noise. Keep in mind the Shure SM7B requires a lot of gain to work so maybe you're having to add too much gain to the mic from your interface. Can you please let me know how you're plugging it in and how's you're chain built?
Thank you!
The studios are professionally built 7'x7' with acoustic foam cones (on the upper half of the walls) and double threshold door. The Shure sm7b mic is plugged into a Grace m101 amp known for it's cleaniless--at a level 9 out of 12. From there it goes into a Universal Audio Apollo Twin USB Audio Interface (gain is at zero) and into the PC via USB.
Hi Eleni!
Thanks for your samples. I agree with Angela, there's loud hiss throughout the recordings. You may want to try reducing the gain of the preamp and then raising the volume in the DAW.
Some samples do have a slight room echo, like demo eLearn 02. It'd be great if you could reduce some of the reflections in the booth to achieve consistent quality on your deliverables.
Eleni, have you tried recording with another mic? Although I love the SM7B, I think it's not the right fit for your voice, I think it sounds too opaque. You may want to try with a condenser mic to give a more balanced frequency response. At the moment, some parts sound very nasal, as if you had a flu. So a more sensitive mic will help bring more clarity to your voice.
Let me know what you think!
Best,
Juan.
Thank you very much for your feedback.
I'm open to trying another mic. Do you have any suggestions for a low-toned female voice like mine?
Thanks for your input,
Eleni
Hi Eleni!
I love Blue's microphones because of their sound and their price ranges. You can find amazing mics on their brand that are super affordable yet sound really amazing.
My favorite is the Spark. It's a cardiod microphone which is quite ideal for vocal recordings due to the rejection of extra sounds at the back. I believe it retails at $200 and I personally love it. If you would like to invest more, the Baby Bottle is $400 and is really an upgraded versio of the Spark. It's super crispy, the capsule is a tad bigger and really gives a very balanced and nice sound to vocals.
I would go with the Baby Bottle as you have a pretty good interface. I wouldn't personally use the preamp on this one as UAD's preamps work very nice with condenser mics.
Good! Thanks for the advice. I'll contact my engineer right now and get the process moving.
Also, in the interim, I went ahead and ordered another mic. I should get that in this week and get it hooked up.
Thanks again,
Eleni
I just uploaded a new sample using my new microphone set up. I also replaced the cables with premium microphone cables and added a power conditioner. The hiss/noise level has dropped by a good -10db.
Please take a listen. I am eager to get back to work for Voice Bunny.
Here is a link to the demo:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y14z875vq1a02tr/VB%20tlm%20103%20test%20e%202%2001-07-18.mp3?dl=0
Thank you,
Eleni
Hi Eleni
Thanks for sharing!
First of all, the takes do sound indeed, better. The hiss noise is almost not there anymore which is great!
What I would say is that you're recording too near to the microphone and the gain is a bit too high. Please try to record a bit farther away and using a pop filter to reduce the plosives and mouth noises which are quite present and distracting here. Also, there's still some hiss but I believe it's coming from the excessive gain you're adding.
If you're adding a compressor/limiter, please bypass it and record with healthy levels. You can, then, normalize the take to -3dB instead of adding any other processes.
Hi Angela,
I took a recording of the noise floor of my studio. It's roughly -20db quieter than you mentioned required (-60db) here: https://help.bunnyinc.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/203418064-Recording-Problems-Hiss-Noise
I am using the Neumann TLM103 mic. You can only hear "the hiss" with headphones full blast. Using Mogami Gold cables all the way around. Universal Audio Twin USB interface along with Grace m101 Amp. The Twin USB gain is set at 0. The Grace is set at level 1 of 12.
Here is the noise floor sample.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/m1t956qw73m7a5q/twin%200%20grace%201%20noise%20floor.wav?dl=0
What are your thoughts?
Eleni
Angela,
Ok...I played around with some of the configurations, levels, equipment, etc. It seems to me that with my new mic, this combo has improved the noise floor and hiss. Please take a listen: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zzjp2ro76pj6y6m/VB%20new%20sample%20grace%205%20Id4.wav?dl=0
Thank you and have a nice weekend.
Eleni
Hi Eleni
I was listening to the last file you shared and it sounds as if it was bounced at 8kHz. It sounds as if it was filtered like a telephone. Can you please check the file and re-bounce it?
Yes...you are right. Sorry about that. I do a lot of telephony recordings and just forgot to save it back to regular settings. Here is the link. https://www.dropbox.com/s/zzjp2ro76pj6y6m/VB%20new%20sample%20grace%205%20Id4.wav?dl=0
Thanks,
Eleni
Hi Eleni!
Thanks for sharing your sample!
I have two comments. There's a tail of background noise at the very end, someone speaking at the back. It's a good practice to add short fade in/out on every region to remove all undesired material and cut right where you want. That will help you avoid unnecessary leakage.
And, I suggest you try adding a de-esser. Like at 0:08, the 's' is a little bit harsh. That can help you control that energy.
Best,
Juan
Juan & Angela,
I was simply providing the sample for VoiceBunny to evaluate if the studio is good to go to get back on. I would never send it with the audio at the end...that was just for you & Angela to evaluate the sound quality as that was the issue. I didn't clean it up (remove breathes as such). Here is the link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/zzjp2ro76pj6y6m/VB%20new%20sample%20grace%205%20Id4.wav?dl=0
I did add a desser to the same file posted here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/0vie076oe8ixh7g/VB%20new%20sample%20grace%205%20Id4%20Desser.wav?dl=0
I've done everything VoiceBunny has asked....eager to get back to work.
Please advise.
Eleni
Checking in to see if you've had a chance to review the last posts from nearly a week ago?
Eager to get back to work with VB.
Sincerely,
Eleni
Hi Eleni!
Sorry it took as a while to get to this message. The community is growing fast! :)
I'm really happy with the de-esser. I think it works great to control the sibilance.
Welcome back, your account has been re activated.
Best,
Juan
Excellent! Thank you!
Congratulations Eleni!
Juan,
Could I please get you to look a my re-activation request? I've been trying to get back in since the 3rd.
https://help.bunnyinc.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/115000768524-My-profile-page-is-disabled?page=1#community_comment_360000017630
I appreciate your attention.
Congrats again Eleni!
Thanks,
Adam
Hi Adam!
Just got back to you on your thread. I'm sorry for not getting back to you earlier. I was out of office :)