How to solve boxiness?
Hello! I'm Felipe, a voice over artist from Brazil and this is my first post at this community.
I've submitted a voice over project but it was rejected due to boxiness. Indeed, I do record in a small booth and, unfortunely, I can't have a bigger space at the moment. I'm using an AKG P220 and my booth is treated and insulated (foam and rockwool). I've been getting good audio feedbacks from my clients, but as I was told not to apply any plugin for this project, this issue came up.
I've checked Angela's tips about acoustic issues and I'd like to ask anyone who could help: do you think that a reflection filter would solve my boxiness problem? Here's a link to my rejected audio, as well as the project link, in case it's best for the support team.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CeBlCSIH5FB-G1fQMsoQmrMqATphWQJp/view?usp=drivesdk
https://bunnystudio.com/voice/projects/316D08B4873B0C7D3779
Thank you very much!
Felipe
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Hi Felipe,
Thank you for reaching out to us here!
It certainly sounds like your voice is bouncing off hard surfaces, and mixed with your lovely bassey voice, it's making it sound boxy.
We generally suggest to voice actors not to use plug-ins mainly as we have found that some use them too much which affects their overall quality of audio. However, if you know what you are doing, some corrective QCing is not out of the question. :)
Back to the boxiness issue, it does sound like some hard surfaces are present in your recording space. Perhaps a computer, or laptop nearby?
Can you provide us with some images of your recording space? This is so we can get a better understanding of your environment and we can help provide some feedback or suggestions.
Best wishes,
Samantha
Samantha, thank you very much for your analysis and kind words. The only hard surface nearby is a monitor. Would it be a good idea to place myself in a different angle? It's a tiny booth and the walls aren't fully covered with foam because I was told it could cut off some good frequencies. Here are some pictures. Apart from the acoustic foam there are 2 rockwool panels covered with cloth. Any piece of advice would be very helpful. Thank you!
Hi Felipe,
Apologises for the late reply.
Yes certainly, try recording from a different angle (repositioning your mic if possible), and tilting your head on an axis also would be beneficial, and could help prevent some reverb from being picked up. The screen will be reflecting sounds due to its size, and reflective surface, but understandably this is crucial for you since you will be using it for reading scripts, etc.
What I noticed particularly in your recording space is that the corners were not treated with acoustic materials. It would be beneficial for you to look into, invest in, or replicate, bass traps since your recordings are suffering the most from the boost of low frequencies, and corners of recording spaces are notorious for causing these issues.
It would be wise to add further acoustic treatment to your space and play around with what works. A cheap way to help, and show what materials are the best sound absorption, can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/pABvTWSxOes
If you want to send test recordings of your mic positioned differently, head tilted on an axis, etc. Feel free to send a link on here and we can review them together. :)
You have a great voice!! Just at present, the low frequencies are being boosted, once this issue is fixed you will certainly be good to go!
Hope you have a great week.
Samantha
Samantha, thank you very much for your feedback!
I've considered your suggestions and I just recorded 2 new versions. For both of them I moved my microphone so I wouldn't speak in the direction of the screen and tilted my head a little. For the last one, I added homemade bass traps considering the tips from the video you shared. I'd be very pleased to hear your thoughts on both audios, wheter they brought significant changes or not.
Version 3 (tilted head and shifted microphone)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qXlyjPxwn-G4OYu-W3ME80M7TcNtzVm7/view?usp=sharing
Version 4 (changes in v3 + homemade basstraps)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/17NGqfzmIn98OA81yZ8eq4oOjy3a3Ub8G/view?usp=sharing
Thank you very much for your attention!
Felipe
Hi Felipe,
Version 4 is much better compared to your original audio posted! However, there are still reflections heard in your audio, particularly the low frequencies sounding boosted. It would be worth implementing more acoustic treatment to your recording space. There is also some white noise heard, but since this wasn't an issue in your original version, I'm guessing you already know how to correct this. :)
I understand that you were told that leaving gaps might cut off good frequencies - but if you could do a tester of covering them gaps between your acoustic treatment, with more thick materials, and record an example for me to hear that would be great. As I feel this could be the main cause for why these low-frequency reflections are being heard.
I know this may sound taxing, but from the changes you have already implement, you can certainly hear a difference. It's really getting there!
All the very best,
Samantha
Hello, Samantha! How have you been? This is Felipe taking back to this thread from over 3 months ago : )
During this time, I had some improvements, like a better audio interface, as well as more acoustic treatment: corner bass traps and covering the gaps in my walls with acoustic foam. I've recorded a new version of my project and I would like to know wheter it's OK to post it directly here at the forum. In case I need to submit it again, please let me know. Otherwise, here is the link for my new recording. I'm looking forward to hear from you!
Version 5
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XE44cFuRoha2htkhk71BpQVic1DW7WuA/view?usp=sharing
Felipe
Hello Felipe,
Lovely to hear from you again. :)
Hope you have been keeping well?
You sound like you certainly have been busy working on your recording space!
This version sounds SO much better! There is some white noise present, but listening to your first recording, I'm sure you are aware of how to fix this.
With your new acoustic treatment adjustments to your recording, you've fixed this boxiness issue!
You should be able to apply for reconsideration to join our platform, a new application will be arriving in your emails within the next 30 days. If this doesn't happen, let me know and I'll reach out to the team for you.
Looking forward to hearing you around Bunny Studios.
If you need help with anything else or have any questions, I'm always happy to lend an ear and offer some guidance.
Wishing you all the very best,
Samantha
Hi, Samantha! I'm extremely grateful for your feedback along this time! It's very rewarding to know that the adjustments took effect as desired. Thank you for letting your magical ears at disposal. I can't wait to get inside the platform.
Thank you very much!
ps.: about the white noise, I've already mapped those points and it's all good now.
Felipe
You are most welcome!
Looking forward to hearing you!
Wishing you the very best,
Samantha
p.s - Regarding the white noise issues; glad to hear it and I knew you would! :D
Hi, Samantha! This is Felipe again, just to let you know that I've received a reconsideration invite from Bunny Studio.I've just uploaded the same audio you assessed for the last time. I just wanted to let you know about it. Looking forward to what's next!
Felipe
Hi, Samantha! Felipe again...
After re-submitting the audio, I've got a reply pointing to these new issues:
My average level is at 0dB mark. When I normalize the audio to -3dB, peak levels range from 6 to 12dB and background noise goes up to -40dB (not using any plugin), which is even higher than what they already considered loud noise. I thought that boxiness was the only issue. Now I don't know what else I can do. Should I try increasing my gain level? I only have 1 day left to submit a revision. In case you read this today (15th) and should you still have any suggestions, that would be highly appreciated.
Thank you!
Felipe
Hi Felipe!
Sorry about this situation!
I've just investigated and since your case was from some time ago, some of my fellow QC agents were not completely aware of the process we were going through here.
Please send it again since we have reviewed it and we all agree that it would be great to have your voice on our platform!
All the best,
Samantha
It's done. Thank you very much!