New work to try and get back in.
Hey all, so I've been doing some more work after trying to treat my studio for some of the issues, and hopefully those editing things that seem to keep plaguing me. Here's some of my latest things for you guys to listen to...
https://soundcloud.com/the-yellow-va/elijahaud
https://soundcloud.com/the-yellow-va/workeraud
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Hi Mark!
Thanks for sharing. Let me go ahead and share some of the comments I have on this.
First of all, the recording sounds quite boxy and has some slapback echo that makes the recording sound far away from the mic and a bit damp. This is usually caused by inadequate or insufficient acoustic treatment of a space that may be a bit too small.
Also, the recordings sounds a bit nasal which may be caused by the microphone's capsule itself. Can you please let us know which equipment you're using?
Of course, I'm using a Blue Baby Bottle that is connected for a Focusrite Scarlett Solo. I have the mic a bit off center from my mouth to try and avoid as much of the plosives as possible, in a room probably 6' x 2' with sound dampening treatment (ignore the mic, that's since been upgraded. I also put in a table that I covered with a towel, as well as hanging a towel in front of the window to help in case that was causing issues).
https://scontent.fbos1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18056941_169073340283792_478943119002343299_n.jpg?oh=44a5932dd35163eb9a3e7904fe7afe91&oe=5AF1B4D6
Hi Mark,
I think we may be hearing some close order reflections off a nearby surface or wall. Did you say the room is only 2 feet wide? Is your microphone in the center or the room? In any case sounds like you have a wall no more than a foot away.
How are the walls treated acoustically?
Cheap solution to close order reflections: Roxul
https://www.acoustimac.com/roxul-rb6-2in?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIv46oz83p2AIViDqBCh2nIQr8EAQYASABEgJ6ofD_BwE
I have the mic in the center of the room yes, but it is skewed in such a way that it might be picking up sound from one of the walls. The walls are treated with something similar to, if not the same stuff you linked in your post.
EDIT: So I just measured the room, and it is 6'x3', with the mic centered in the room.
I'm trying a different layout now, does it sound like I am going in at least the right direction?
https://soundcloud.com/the-yellow-va/aud
Hi Mark,
I'm not a manager. Just another Bunny Pro riding the boards until I can get re-activated.
I gave your sample a listen and thought I'd share my thoughts...
There seems to be a little echo still, try adjusting your distance to the mic. Are you using any processing in your edit? If so, then stop. You need to be able to submit a sample using only normalize to -3 and editing out breaths and mouth noises. You can achieve this by finding the sweet spot for your mic in the space, your distance to the mic and the correct balance of gain on your pre-amp and computer.
Hope this helps,
Good luck,
Adam
Thanks for the notes Adam. No, when I do anything for Mr. Bunny, I do no editing, save for background noise reduction and normalizing.
Here is my latest attempt to try and get over this hurdle. I put up a baffle behind the mic, and adjusted the levels on Audacity.
https://soundcloud.com/the-yellow-va/test2
I think it sounds good. But it's not up to me. Good luck. It seems to be taking for ever to get a manager review.
Hi Marc,
This sounds much better acoustically. I thought I heard a tick of the mic pre being over-driven in the Minnesota accent piece. Everything else sounded very quiet to me over speakers (did not use headphones).
Heard no plosives at all.
One question/comment on material: Are you going for character voices - such as for video games? Might be a good idea to mix it up a little with some straight copy for real products. They each help set the other apart. Plus the straight copy makes you seem more serious. That's just my opinion, but after 40+ years in the biz.
Suggestion: Listen to a lot of demos on the VB website and others - in the categories you'd like to perform - to see what others are doing.
Again, the studio is sounding much better! Good luck.
Thanks Joe! The samples I put up here are mostly for character work, as that is more my strength. As of now, I'm just trying to get the booth to sound right, then after that it will be filling up my portfolio with as many samples as I can get. I do intend to get straight reads done, right now I just need to get this booth working for me.
Hi Mark!
Sorry it took as while to get to your audio. Our community is growing quite fast! :D
So, listening to your last audio https://soundcloud.com/the-yellow-va/test2, the voice sounds distant from the mic and there is room echo. If you listen to the audio with headphones, you'll be able to hear how the voice sounds inside a small room. This happens because there are reflections in your recording space. The foams you have can only absorb certain amount of energy, and there's still a good amount of reflections going back to the mic. You’ll find tips on acoustic treatment on our Community page: https://goo.gl/vGqUIW .
You may want to try repositioning the mic to a spot that's away from the center and has less reflections. As Adam mentions above, having the mic in the center may not be the best practice.
What equipment are you using?
Best,
Juan
Best
Of course, I'm using a Blue Baby Bottle that is connected for a Focusrite Scarlett Solo.