Crap! I was too far from the mic and my sound floor sucks! Will they give me another chance?
Well, my title pretty much says it all. I was super nervous and I was worried about breathing weird into the mic so I sat too far back allowing too much room noise into the mic. Only after I submitted was I able to run stats and my sound floor BLOWS! I wish I could get ahead of this. I feel like an idiot and I don't want one of the managers to think this is the garbage work I do. Am I done? I've been told it's a one and one sort of thing and even though Voice Bunny has an option to request a second chance, they never do. Should I just move on?
I've included the link to where I uploaded it to Sound Cloud. https://soundcloud.com/user-275563095/voice-bunny-audition-james-dolciamore
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Hi James
Indeed the file has a very, very high level of hiss noise and background noise. I don't believe this is just generated because you recorded a bit too far. It sounds to be as well that there's a component of the noise coming from your equipment. Would you mind letting us know how you're recording? Which mic, interface, and any other piece of equipment you have will be useful.
I also feel that, contrary to the post, the recording sounds as if you were recording a bit too near as there are several plosives and some areas sound quite distorted. I suggest you actually record a bit farther away and add a pop filter to your chain. Also, please reduce your preamplifier's gain as it's really quite loud.
In regards to another application, you can have another chance. I see we've already sent you 2 projects, so keep in mind you have only one more chance to go. I suggest you try to address the issues with us here and then request a new one when we confirm we would be able to approve your application. Does that sound OK?
Angela,
I am using a USB mic nestled within an isolation booth and my recording space is well insulated with sound deadening material. I also use a desktop monitor connected to my computer via a 10' HDMI cable in my booth. I know that my tech isn't the best at this point (I need to replace my last mic) but I am an audiobook narrator and the book I am working on right now consistently has a noise floor of between -68 to -73. Perhaps I did something foolish in the processing of the audio because of my worry that I would run out of time (the website was about to go down for maintenance and I was a lot more nervous than I thought I would be). I believe, looking back, the only thing I needed to do was normalize my audio ensuring no peaks higher than -3 db. I got dinged for overcompression and I'm not sure what I did in Sound Forge to get that rejection.
Hi James
Thanks for letting me know. Keep in mind that USB microphones are not designed for professional audio recording. This is because USB microphones usually have low-quality preamplifiers and AD/DA converters to keep the mics in the lower price range. This is not ideal for professional voice overs as the AD/DA conversion is one of the most important parts of the recording process and where usually the highest amount of hiss is introduced when recording with low-grade components. These microphones can have really good capsules, but the rest of the components are not good for professional applications due to being very noisy.
We hosted a webinar about microphones where we went over the topic in more detail. There's no video of it, but you can read all the topics we covered in it.
I highly suggest you look for alternatives to update your setup. I suggest you get an interface and an XLR microphone. This will ensure both pieces of equipment are completely designed for their purpose and the level of noise they produce are reduce to a minimum. Keep in mind there is no such thing as a 100% noise free piece of equipment, but the higher quality the equipment, the least perceptive the noise is.
Hope this explained it!
Angela, this is great. I have already been planning on upgrading. I am going to invest in a Shure SM27 and a Presonus or Audient interface (I like the iD22). How do I request another shot after I upgrade my gear because overcompression and noise floor were the only reasons I was rejected.
That's great, James!
I suggest you check various reviews and gear shootouts online before making the purchase. I assure you that will help a lot in the decision.
Now, you can request a new project by going to your dashboard an click on "Click here to continue it". This will send a request to our system so you can be sent a new project within 7 - 31 days after having clicked.
Hope this helps!
Angela,
Thank you for all of your help with this. I have just submitted my third and last attempt with Voice Bunny. My last audition, as noted in this string, was rejected for a high noise floor and over compression. This time, I was far more careful. No post except normalization of the audio to bring it to a reasonable volume - no compression at all! And I checked my stats and I had a noise floor of -81.40 db so... I'm hopeful it will be a pass. I don't see any reason for me to be rejected since the only changes I made were a more careful post processing (only normalizing) and better acoustic dampening to lower my noise floor. Well, I guess fingers and toes crossed now as I wait. I definitely want this for me and for the gentleman who recommended I audition for Voice Bunny (he is family and a veteran, award winning Hollywood writer and director of 30+ years!). Thanks again!
Hi James
I see the application was rejected. I am sorry for the inconveniences.
I checked the recording and I have to agree the hiss noise is very loud. As I mentioned previously, the noise present in your recording is coming from your microphone. Improving your room acoustics may help you with your room echo and any extra noises, but will not reduce the hiss that the microphone is generating. I really suggest you review your gear and make an update as we discussed before you request your last application project. As you have already applied 3 times, keep in mind you have 1 last chance to apply.
Angela,
I guess the frustration is that I wasn’t dinged for hiss and then I was. I have a Rode NT-1 mic installed now and a Focusrite Scarlett preamp. It seems as though I’ve worked through every other issue so I guess I will give it another go. I’m just worried that some other issue, not previously reported, will cause me to be rejected.
Hi James
Before applying again, please share a recording with us here. Keep in mind the errors can change especially when you change gear so it's important to test it before moving forward.
Please record a test and share it here with us. We'll let you know if it would pass our filters.
Angela, I will make sure to do that. I now have my preamp and Rode NT-1 installed and I built a framed-in recording booth lined with acoustic foam. All noise making stuff (e.g. laptop) is located outside the booth. Inside, all I have is the mic, wireless mouse and keyboard, monitor, and headphones. I’m confident this will solve all of the issues but I will definitely share a sample here first.
Angela,
Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to share an audio file before I was contacted again from Voice Bunny. The audition is still pending (and I have about 2 hours) but here is a sample to share. The Rode NT 1 and Focusrite Scarlett preamp are now installed. The audio is much better although it sounds a little boxy - is that an issue? I could probably resolve that with a bit more foam. At this point, I don't know. I just feel like no matter what I do, I'll be rejected for something. Here is the file:
https://soundcloud.com/user-275563095/voice-bunny-audition-final-attempt
Hi James
I am checking and Soundcloud says the Track was not found. Can you confirm it's public so we can take a listen?
Thanks!
Angela,
Here is the file:
https://soundcloud.com/user-275563095/voice-bunny-audition-final
I guess the Rode mic introduced some other challenges. I spent a couple hours with a professional engineer who has helped me with other sound issues. This one worked out pretty good. There is a faint hum in the background - it was described as laptop noise but it isn’t. It is probably a ground loop but easy to resolve with a rolloff on the eq curve.
Hi James
The recording is extremely boomy. Aside from the hum which is also very prominent, the recording has a critical level of low frequencies that are muddying your voice and leaving it without any mid-high to high frequencies. I suggest you review why the acoustic treatment you're giving your space is dampening so many high frequencies. It could also be an effect caused by your microphone. Keep in mind not all microphones work for all voices, so this one could have a tendency to boost low frequencies.
There are also many plosives in the recording that are even more prominent due to the boominess of the file. You may need to get a pop filter and record a bit further from the mic.
Also, aside from the hum, I can also listen to what it seems like a fan so I do believe this is coming from an equipment in your space that is adding the noise.
To my perception, the main issue is with the acoustic treatment you're giving your space. I believe it's inadequate for professional recordings. My suggestion is to review it and make sure you are treating it appropriately as per the size, shape and, materials it's made of to make sure the treatment and mic technique you use works for your environment.
Angela,
I'm kind of screwed as far as Voice Bunny is concerned - I'm pretty sure I've blown all of my chances. I think I've worked out all of the issues in my audio though. Here is an audition I submitted for an audiobook that I won. What do you think?
https://soundcloud.com/user-275563095/red-wizard-of-atlantis
Anyway, thank you for all of your time, trying to help me with my auditions. I would've loved to work with Voice Bunny but, fortunately, I am still generating work through several other sites.
Hi James
The recording sounds quite processed. Are you using an equalizer and/or noise reduction plugin? It does sound as if it was being processed and some areas sound quite degraded.
Keep in mind you have 3 chances to complete the application process. How many times have you applied? If you haven't sent 3, you're still good to try another time.