Reduced processing - is this better for more likely acceptance?
Good day!
I was recently advised that a couple of my submissions sounded over-processed. It has been the same minimal processing I've used for the last several months with the same microphone setup etc and 95%+ of my submissions have been accepted using that same processing setting. Of course, I'm always striving to improve and make sure the vast majority of submissions are accepted, so I'm wondering if removing the processing altogether moving forward will improve the acceptance rate, and/or if there is anything else that I need to address in these recordings that is making it sound over-processed.
The project in question that was flagged as over-processed is the first link to audio below.
Processed - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L-uViF685JnyzZtHKJJMQ2PCx3QHUpie/view?usp=sharing
The link below is a more recent project where I removed the processing altogether and submitted - which was accepted. Is this the better setting to use moving forward, and is there anything else you could see being necessary to improve acceptance?
Unprocessed - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HSBhEvzbUIpp2jG0lN4gDR2_aXi1f60K/view?usp=sharing
Thank you!
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Hi - I just wanted to update this with another clip. I identified a further issue with the pop filter I was using - and have switched to a different filter which I believe allows for a more clear sound. This is a selection of the newer audio. Thank you!
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y2rcckhO5_8BqHiKa5UJJl0kCsoNFFTK/view?usp=sharing
Hello Shaun,
Thanks for sending in these samples!
I gave them a listen and what I noticed is that there was a noticeable change in quality and tone at 0:19 in the processed file. This may be the reason for the rejection reason that you received.
For the unprocessed files, the second version sounded much better and clearer. There's still a little bit of plosives but I believe it is passable. I'll go ahead and send these to the rest of the QC team for a more detailed answer. :)
Oh, and I know you probably know this already but just a friendly reminder that the quality, processing, and overall mix of all deliverables should always be consistent. If ever there are any special effects requested by the client, they will be fulfilled by our post-production team.
However, if there are tonal or performance-related requests regarding the voiceover delivery, it should be done by the voiceover artist while making sure that the mix and overall quality are consistent.
Best,
Hiroshi
Hello Shaun,
I just received the teams' feedback and they all agreed that the unprocessed files sound better. One of our post-producers mentioned that he's hearing some mouth clicks and a little bit of boominess and it would be a lot better and easier to mix for post-producers if these issues are addressed.
They also recommend the us of a good professional condenser microphone instead of a dynamic one if possible.
I hope this helps!
Best,
Hiroshi
Hi Hiroshi,
Thank you for the feedback. So, I am and have always been using a professional condenser microphone. All of the above samples are recorded on a Warm Audio WA-87R2. Between the first recordings and the very last recording, in addition to reducing some of the processing, I did change out the pop filter from a foam style to a higher quality solid mesh screen. I believe that has helped with some of the muffled sound I was getting before. If you could elaborate on where the QC team member was hearing the boominess (which sample and approximate time?) so I can listen for it? Thank you!
Hello Shaun
Thank you for clarifying!
Our post-producer did not specify the instances where they hear the boominess. I honestly cannot hear the boominess myself. I also believe that the quality of your latest sample sounds good and it shouldn't have any issues passing QC standards. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1y2rcckhO5_8BqHiKa5UJJl0kCsoNFFTK/view?usp=sharing
Best,
Hiroshi