Rejected for "boxiness" - never before a problem - would love feedback!

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February 23, 2021 23:41

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My audition was rejected for "boxiness", indicative of "recording in small space." My recording space isn't too small and is sound treated. I stepped back from the mic to let more ambient sound in, and it was rejected once more for the same reason. If I step back to let in more ambient sound, I'll get an echo. This has never been a problem for me before with any client or casting director, so I'd love some feedback. I did no post editing (other than breath removal) on the file, as requested. I'm starting to think I'm crazy, so I'd love to hear with someone else thinks. Thanks in advance! AUDITION CLIP LINK

Aaron Miller #370077092440

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February 24, 2021 07:31
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Howdy! 👋😊
Ok, so first of all I just want to say that your audition sounds really great! I enjoyed listening to your sample, excellent work!

Secondly, I am just another narrator- but I do have many projects with BunnyStudio (like 1000+) under my belt and although I used to occasionally get rejected for this exact reason, I haven't gotten it for a long time and I think I eventually figured out that for me, it could have been for a few different reasons!

Next- I am also not in a "small space" like you, so I think I may have some alternative things for you to try (if you haven't already!)
- OK, so first- triple-check for things that might have a unique "echo" coming from them, when you speak. I found that I needed to cover or mute weird things like air vents, the drum set on the other side of the room, the acoustic guitar sitting on a stand, a metal sculpture on a shelf- all of these things, (as weird as it sounds) can reflect my voice in extra funky ways. While I actually don't think this is your main problem, I do hear something in the background right around the 28-second mark (right in the word "changed") that sounds like a slightly "bassy vibration" - at least, to me!
- The next thing I noticed- is that there is a slightly noticeable "hiss" that seems to be only present when you are actually speaking, as it is mostly undetectable. However, a good spot you may be able to catch it on your recording is right around the 19-second mark, between the words "...industry..." and "...into..." - at least, to me! Perhaps turning down the input gain just slightly during recording will help alleviate this? I know on my interface I only use a maximum of about 70% on the input volume knob, even with a high-end interface!
- The final thing I heard- happens more on a "tubular" level. This may help with the "boxiness" or "small recording space". To me, it almost comes across in a "tubular" way in your recording, for some reason. My guess is that you are in a room that has some flat, parallel walls? (Like almost every other room in existence? haha..) My theory is that this "boxiness" effect can sometimes happen from a phasing effect that can occur from too many parallel walls interacting with the mic in just the right way. Long story short: try "altering angles" in any possible way! This could be something like changing the angle of your microphone to point at a different corner of the room, a different angle in front of your body, or even your whole body direction to be catercorner, or even adding "diffuser" type acoustic treatments if you haven't already!
And, if you are still having trouble hearing any of these observations, try listening on other headphones or speakers if you can! Sometimes even just a backup pair of regular old earbuds can save the day!

I would be super eager to see if any Bunny Help Team members have anything to say about all of this???

Either way though, if you are still looking for additional assistance I would love to help you with anything that I can, if it may help get you where you need to be!

Lastly, in the meantime, just for fun - here is the most recent project I just finished up!

Feel free to post another sample link here if you want to and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
The bottom line is ~ You got this!
🙌
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Shaina Vencel #378035716819

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February 24, 2021 19:04
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Wow...THANK YOU SO MUCH. This is far more help than I expected to receive and I am so grateful! Thank you so much for taking the time to listen and give me such detailed and specific feedback. And encouragement! I TRULY appreciate it as this gives me so much to play around with, think about, and fix! You're awesome.
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Aaron Miller #370077092440

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February 25, 2021 13:56
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Wow, Hiro, this is so enlightening!
🙌
Thanks for adding so quickly to this and clarifying things, especially those details about sibilance! I am excited that now I have some things I need to try out as well!
I personally use the AKG K240s open-back headphones for reference!
I wonder if these different headphones cause different results in the final editing stage? (I am guessing that they probably do!)

Anyway, I can't wait to pick up a pair of the Sony MDR7506 and find ways to improve my own sound even more!

I have always wondered about your techniques Hiro, as your ears seem to be able to find things that most cannot! 👍

To that end, I just want to quickly say thank you, because you have definitely been a major factor in my improved audio quality since I first joined the Bunny Studio voice acting pool! I haven't ever had the chance to say -
thanks for all that you do!

I am so excited to be a lot more active in the community section of Bunny Studio moving forward!

Can't wait for learning and growing even more together!!!✌️

Until then, take care!
-Aaron M.
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Shaina Vencel #378035716819

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February 25, 2021 17:41
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Hiro -

Thank you so much! Both you and Aaron have given me more that I expected, and I'm so grateful! I've written down everything you (and Aaron) have said and am going to spend some serious time in my studio today playing around with everything. I can't tell you enough how much I appreciate you taking the time to listen and give me such detailed, specific feedback. This is exactly what I needed, and honestly, I can't believe I'm getting it for free.

Quick question for you - since the instructions for the audition said to not do any post editing (I forget the actual terminology used) but I took this to mean "do not use any plug-ins whatsoever." Normally, I would use a De-Esser, but I didn't think this was allowed. (By the way, I really appreciate you giving me the threshold/range/frequencies to focus in on.) Sometimes I'd even use a an EQ that cuts sibilance...or really, anything that just cleans the audio up a little bit. Once I reconfigure my studio situation and submit another application, do you think it's actually okay to use some of these plug-ins for unwanted sounds? I didn't want to cheat, so I left everything but breaths in.

One last question - I'm using Bose Quiet Comfort 35 (II, I think) headphones...plugged in, of course, not using Bluetooth. Do you have an opinion on using those in the studio? I thought they were pretty good, and they're quite pricey...but they were purchased for entertainment purposes, so if I have to go in on a better pair for studio work, I will. Thoughts?

Again, thank you so very much. I am so enormously appreciative for this feedback!
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Shaina Vencel #378035716819

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February 25, 2021 21:43
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EDIT: After listening back to the problems areas, I see that while my Bose headphones may be great while recording, they are terrible for editing. After some research, I've got a pair of Sennheiser HD 280's coming my way!
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