Please be BRUTALLY Honest
Hi Gang,
My application demo was rejected for:
- Room echo, you can hear it clearly throughout your application.
- Background electrical hum, you can hear it clearly throughout your application.
- Also, the volume of your recording is too low.
Fair enough - I can work on that. But here is my question to you, dear community... Was Mr. Bunny just being nice? Perhaps he was just too kind to tell me that my voice is so abrasive, I am better suited for a career as an arms dealer?
I am willing to spend the money on good equipment and acoustics... but hardware won't overcome a tragic lack of natural ability. Before I commit to such an expense, I need to know if I have a real shot. (Sorry Mom - your opinion doesn't count). So my friends, have a listen and tell me what you think. I will be forever in your debt.
https://soundcloud.com/j-lerner-448870074/demo-1
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Hi Jeanmarie,
I agree with Mr. Bunny's assessment of your audio sample. You've got some technical issues to work out.
As to your natural ability... you've got nothing to worry about.
You have a touch of south eastern american accent, lingering around som words, but your voice itself is quite nice.
With practice and dedication, you will do well in VO.
First though, clean up your audio. Treat your space and learn a bit more about your gear. you'll be fine :-)
Ripley!!
Last night I watched your "Voice Bunny Secrets" webinar on youtube... and here you are in my inbox this morning! How cool is that??
Thank you so much for taking the time to give me some feedback. Truly, it means alot to me. You've inspired me to take the plunge, and do this right.
I'm looking forward to your next video!
Many thanks, J
I've actually been inspired by this process of VoiceBunny upgrading their standards, and am working on a webinar to teach audio basics, sound treatment, and studio setup.
I think it will be in the spring.
In the meantime, you can find me on the message boards here at VB.
Hi Jeanmarie!
Indeed you audio has the quality issues mentioned by the QC team. Check out all the stuff (webinars, articles) we have in the community that address those situations. That should help you start.
I also agree with Ripley that it's not a 0 or 1 situation. If voice acting is important for you, and you're willing to put effort into it, you'll be fine. Keep practicing! :)
Hope to hear back from you soon!
Juan
Concur with previous technical comments. Aside from that you have a nice voice. I'd say keep working on the technical fixes and room acoustics.
Hi Gang,
Thank you all for your encouraging words and insightful feedback!! In response, here are the changes I have made so far:
While I continue to struggle with the hum, I wanted to thank you all for your support, and share my progress thus far:
My chain is: Blue Spark Mic / Scarlett Solo (gain set to half way mark) / the worlds loudest Windows 10 desktop / Edit in Reaper. Clearly I will have to move the computer to another room... or turn it off completely and get a zoom h5.
Anyway...I still have much work to do! Thank you all for sharing your knowledge and expertise with a newbie. I would be most grateful for any thoughts you have to share on my latest recording.
PS - Am considering trading the Spark for a Rode NT1a... it generates less self noise than the spark (5 db instead of 16db). Would love to hear your opinions !
Jeanmarie,
Don't worry about the Mic right now. I use a relative inexpensive Audio Technica and have no problems with it. The noise issues are something else. Probably a gain stage issue somewhere. But I have not heard your computer. Does it have a fan? You may need to soundproof the CPU itself. (Doubt you need it in separate room.) Can you put the cpu tower under the desk or work platform an isolate it with baffles?
Do you have fluorescent lighting nearby?
Those can cause noise. Also try a ground lift adapter on your a.c. connections.
Once you solve the noise issues you'll get work. Your voice is great.
Thank you, Joe! You made my day... and gave me some hope for a solution :)
Hi Jeanmarie!
Let me give you my perception.
Comparing with your previous file, I do have to say that the quality is definitely very much better! Really, the sound changed a lot. Your voice sounds clearer than with the USB microphone and the noise is lower, though not removed yet.
As Joe was mentioning, let's track the source of the noise before deciding if you should change the mic. For example, I personally use the Spark and have never had noise issues so I believe it should be coming from other area in your chain. There's a bouncy sound in the high frequencies that sound as if the voice was bouncing at a surface right before hitting your mic. It's present all over when you speak and it's quite distracting. I suggest you try to change the positioning of the mic in the space and try to cover any surfaces in the near vicinity of the file. Also, try to record a bit farther away just in case it's because the pop filter's border bouncing on and off when you speak.
The hiss noise sounds digital to me. I suggest you review your cables and connections to see if it could be coming from those. I'd check connections first and switch USB ports. USB 3.0 are better than USB 2.0 for these.
Now, review as well the gain you're adding on your preamplifier. I also agree with Joe that it could be too high and that can be increasing the noise floor. I also suggest you check your channel's settings in the Solo's control window. Make sure there's no pad or filter activated to avoid any extra processing.
Last but not least, I don't recommend the use of noise reduction. Let's try to fix the recordings 100% raw :)
Thank you, Angela - you're the best!! I appreciate your feedback ... I will post again once I have made these changes.
Meantime, have a great weekend ;)
No problem at all, Jeanmarie!
Looking forward to your recording when you can. Take your time though, no pressure!
Well, after much hard work and dedication.... I have actually made things even worse!
Here are the changes I made in attempt to address the hiss that plagued my previous recordings :
The results are beyond disappointing....I believe the hiss is actually worse! I can't get a noise floor below -45.
https://soundcloud.com/j-lerner-448870074/muchworsewav
This was just a super quick read, done for the purpose of testing the new set up (no editing, other than normalizing at -3).
Could it be a faulty mic? My Blue Spark is the only thing that I have not changed... Other than the mic, I don't know what else to do. Ideas anyone?
Many thanks for your continued support - this has been quite an education!!
PS - I also retired my noisy Windows machine, and now work exclusively on a solid state Mac Air Book which was far away from the recording area.
Hi Jeanmarie,
With the gear you have, your recordings should be a lot quieter. Why did you use the Zoom instead of the Scarlet Solo and your new Mac Air by the way? I think that would give you better results.
Your issue is still, I believe, a gain stage issue. From the top of the chain:
1] The Blue Spark has two switches on it: bass rolloff and a -20db pad. Make sure that pad is OFF.
2] Zoom (if you record on it) make sure the input switch is set to MIC and not LINE and the phantom power switch is on (if it has one. Sry - not that familiar with the Zoom.
3] Also make sure the pad on the Zoom is turned off. (I think it has one)
4] When using the Focusrite Scarlet Solo, make sure 48v power switch is on. Set your level using the level meters in your software, not just an arbitrary number. I suspect this is where the problem is occurring. You have to set the level for your voice so the peaks are not clipping, but also so they are not too low.
5] What daw software are you using btw?
Can you post a photo of your setup here? Or is there a studio near you with someone you could ask who is right there with the gear? I'm 95% sure this is just a level setting issue, or a pad on when it shouldn't be.
Best to you!
Joe Brown
Hi Jeanmarie!
Thank you for your post. Don't worry, we'll find what's going on. :)
Wow, yes, there's a lot of noise. It sounds as if there was a fan in the back. There are a lot of mouth clicks, too.
I think the noise may be generating in the amplification stage. As Joe mentions, I suggest we try again with the Scarlett. The preamp around 2 - 3 o clock should work well to amplify the signal without adding excessive noise. Then you can raise the volume in the DAW through gain or normalization.
Let's see how that sounds and keep working from there.
Best,
Juan.
Hi Everyone,
As always - thank you all for your thoughtful observations! We had a death in the family last week, but I am back in town and ready to attack this problem again.
To Joe's question: Last time I used the battery operated zoom h5 to rule out ground loop and RF interference. I have since switched back to a scarlett. (so much easier!) . I am still working it out, but wanted to post an update.
The chain:
Even after employing all your suggestions, the noise remains unacceptably high - so I downloaded a couple of apps to get exact readings inside the booth:
My "booth" is a closet stuffed with every blanket, pillow, and dense foam I could find. I also built a PVC frame to hold up to moving blankets behind me. Even with all that, I can still hear the echo of distant traffic outside. Perhaps the insulation in this 60 year old house has crumbled away to nothing...
Since I cannot buy a proper soundbooth just yet, here is my plan = go for sound absorption rather than sound proofing:
I am hoping that will help absorb the outside noise. Any thoughts you have on the subject would be most appreciated!! Once again, thank you all so much for sharing your expertise with a struggling novice :)
PS - I have uploaded a few (embarrassing) photos ... it is indeed, a very humble beginning.
This is the sound/decibel level I get when I am inside:
Inside the "booth" - all the dense, fluffy material I could find (pillows, blankets, foam, et....)
Outside the booth - heavy moving blankets on a pvc frame. Hard surfaces are covered by rugs. The heating duct in the lower right is not a problem, as radiant heat makes no noise.
Yup - it's small. the closet is 2 x 3 / the pvc frame is 2 x 2, oriented in a "V" shape behind me. So sad... it looks like I am having a yard sale!!
Jeanmarie,
Wow, you have certainly done your due diligence. your sound absorption is better than mine I might add. The Corning batts are a great addition. One thing I did about outside sound coming in at an old studio right by a street: I had new insulation blown into the walls on the street side. It helped quite a bit. However it was so long ago I cannot remember the cost.
I presume you are using the USB connector from the Scarlett 2i2 rather than the audio out, correct? That would be the cleanest way into your Macbook air.
You mentioned using Audacity. I have not used it, but so many people do I can't imagine the problem is there.
Did the Focusrite Scarlett come with its own software? If so have you tried it?
I confess, I am stumped for now. Your recordings ought to be really quiet.
Best,
Joe
The Scarlett is "plug & play" on a Mac... no drivers needed, and yes, using a USB to connect.
Regarding Audacity - I also downloaded a trial copy of Adobe Audition, and a copy of Reaper... The results were identical in all 3 DAWs - Tons of noise around the 100 hz range.
An interesting side note: The pursuit of silence has changed the way I listen to the world... there are so many sounds I never noticed before. How amazing.
Many thanks Joe - I truly appreciate the fact you take time to help a newbie.
Have a great weekend!
Hello Jeanmarie!
Great conversation taking place here with Joe. :)
I'm sorry about the loud background noise in your area. Finding a quiet spot is not easy. Where is the sound coming from? You might want to add layers in between to help you reduce the external noise. Do the windows shut good enough? You can add a thick curtain to help you absorb energy at that point. If I'm correct, the mic's back is facing the closet? Either way, try recording inside the closet with the mic's capsule facing the outside of the closet. So you're in the closet speaking to the outside.
Besides that, hiss is generating somewhere else. I'm not that familiar with Audacity, what do you mean by
" Audacity - Mic input level set high, so I don't have to max out the scarlett." ?
Are you able to hear the noise if you connect your headphones to the interface?
Best,
Juan!
Hi Juan - In response to your question: I do not hear a hiss in my headphones while recording... it shows up later, after I normalize the track. Even when I set the preamp gain to 2 or 3 o'clock, I get a weak signal that requires a boost though normalizing... perhaps my voice is too quiet.
That said, after treating my space more aggressively (see new photo below), I tried you suggestion and got inside the closet...Voila! The hiss is gone! (spectrum analyzer shows a noise floor of -65). You are a genius!
I still have much to learn - but hopefully, at least hiss and reflection are no longer a problem. Here is a link to the latest effort: https://soundcloud.com/j-lerner-448870074/glengoolie-bluespark
Many thanks for your ongoing support - I truly appreciate your time and expertise. - J
--------------------------------------------------
New booth treatment: The mic capsule turned outward when recording. Goodwill was happy to get my old coats.
Hi Jeanmarie
I still hear the hiss very loudly here. I'm checking also the setup and I don't see the microphone connected to the interface. Is this, by any chance, a USB Blue Spark or is it the XLR version?
Hi Angela - It is the XLR version, connected to a Scarlett 2i2 (which covered by a piece of foam, next to the top right corner of the MAC.
PS - it was unplugged when I took this photo.
Thank you for letting me know. Maybe you're adding a bit too much gain on your interface. I can also pick up a lot of plosives and a nasal sound that could be fixed by recording with a pop filter, a bit further and off axis of the microphone. Would you mind lowering the gain on the preamp? You could also try changing the preamp of your interface in case the one you're using now could be creating the extra hiss.
Hi Angela,
I made some changes that helped mitigate the hiss:
As you suggested, I moved away from the microphone and recorded off axis. Noise floor is about -72 now.
Here is my latest attempt: https://www.dropbox.com/s/a7xtgzeskh85n8y/BowlOfLove4.wav?dl=0
This journey has been a real education! Many thanks for all your support :)
Hi J! I answered on your other post so I believe it's better to keep the conversation centralized there :)