Feedback on Sample
https://soundcloud.com/james-goins-1/james-goins-voice-bunny-sample
So the feedback I got on this from the application process was
"Background hiss, you can hear it clearly throughout your recording especially just before and after a phrase.
As a VoiceBunny Pro, you must record using professional equipment in an acoustically treated space. Your performance needs to sound engaging and conversational. We also expect the recording to be properly edited, unprocessed, and ready-to-use."
I personally found this insane as when I listen to this I hear no "background hiss" whatsoever and have listened to it on multiple devices. I record using fairly decent equipment (Samson C01U with popfilter + acoustic sound shield) and in a very quite insulated area as well.
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Hi James,
When you say that you listened to it on multiple devices, were one of those devices professional studio headphones?
You can clearly hear background noise or a high gain buzz. It's clear that you faded the sound out between phrases.
Don't fight the criticism, accept it and learn from it.
Good luck,
Adam
Yeah, I'm using headphones and no I do not "fade" sound out between anything, I don't even know what you mean by that.
I don't hear what you're "hearing". Also, not fighting anything, so please don't put words in peoples mouths.
What type of headphones are you using?
Sony MDR-7506 Professional Headphones
Same as mine. I don't know hat else to tell you, but there's definitely a white noise type of sound that fades in an out with your phrasing. Try laying down another track. This time don't do anything to the sound file but normalize to -3.
Hi James
I definitely have to agree with Adam on this one. The sound has a terribly high hiss noise in the background that is very distracting.
Also, I would be 90% confident to say the hiss is coming from the microphone. USB microphones like the Samson C01U you have are not ideal for professional recording. These mics are built for streaming and podcasting where low latency is required but the AD/DA conversion doesn't have to he high fidelity. However, for professional voice overs, we need higher fidelity both in the preamplifying and conversion stages.
I highly encourage you to review the possibility of getting an XLR microphone and a one-channel high quality interface.
Yet I still don't hear this "hiss". Do you have your headphones set to blow your ears your honestly?
as for XLR, have any recommendations on that?
Hi James
I have my headphones at a healthy level precisely to avoid adding any unnecessary hiss from my interface. I used 2 different sets of headphones and also shared the recording with some of the audio engineers from our team and we can all pick up the hiss. I would suggest you to try some closed-back headphones as these are better designed to review these type of recordings. I personally am using the Shure MDR7506 and the AudioTechnica ATH-M50x
In regards to the XLR microphones we have an article where we give you some tips on how to choose one for your voice. As our voices may be quite different in regards to frequency response, it's better to give some mics a shoot out and decide from there. You can read the article here: https://help.bunnyinc.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/218024227-Tip-2-Choose-a-microphone-that-fits-with-your-voice-tone-
Some mics that I've seen fit any voice are the Neumann TLM103 and the AKG C414 XLS. These are very expensive, but you can't go wrong there. I've also used the Blue Baby Bottle and I also think it's great!
Also, keep in mind that the interface is equally important as the microphone. You can have a $10,000 mic but if you have a $50 interface, your voice will sound thin and/or very noisy. I personally use the MOTU Track 16 and it's amazing.
Well, I looked into various XLR mics and interfaces, went with the Sterling ST151 and Scarlett 2i2.
I can hear the difference now
https://soundcloud.com/james-goins-1/sterlingst151recording
Hi James
The voice sounds so much better now! The difference is very, very clear.
I can, however, pickup a lot of room echo and several plosives. No noise though! How are you treating the space you're recording in? You may want to change the positioning of your mic in the space and get a pop filter to reduce the plosives. There are many solutions you can try to improve the absorptive properties of your space using cheap solutions. You can find some of our most recommended ones here: https://help.bunnyinc.com/hc/en-us/community/posts/203461624-Tip-5-Basic-acoustic-treatment-is-not-rocket-science
I do have a Popfilter, might not have had it in a good position when I tried that out as I was moving this around and all to get the new mic set up. Also use an sE Electronics Reflexion Filter X to help with some of the noise.
After reading that page though gave me some good things to note since I never knew recording near windows wasn't good.
Hi James!
Thanks for letting me know about this. Pop filters can be quite tricky depending on how they're placed. I usually put them around 2 inches away from the mic's capsule and position myself at least 2 inches away from the pop filter. This is the basic distance that has helped me, so you may want to try that!
Also, yeah, windows are made of glass which is one of the most reflective materials in the market. Same with mirrors or other glass surfaces. Transparent plastic and even plywood can also be quite reflective so I'd also suggest you try to keep an eye on those, too.
For example, the floor of my home is plywood, so I always locate a thick, cotton carpet below me when I record. I record inside of my close, so I take advantage of my clothes to absorb the reflections that come from the wooden doors. I also have the Reflection Filter X for extra padding alongside my Kaotica Eyeball and while it's not my cup of tea, it does help!
Hope this helps! I look forward to a new recording when you've made some extra changes in your positioning.
I did this after moving things around a bit.
https://soundcloud.com/james-goins-1/jamesgoins-clearvoice
Can't get away from the window 100% though because of my setup. Am in a room full of carpeting though so the floor at least has never been an issue.
Hi James!
Thank you for sharing.
The recording has a lot of hiss and the room echo is still there. I can also pick up some boominess and some plosives along a bit of a nasal sound. I suggest you try to record a bit off-axis from the mic's capsule and try to reposition the mic a bit better. Would it be impossible to cover the window maybe with a curtain or a blanket?
https://soundcloud.com/james-goins-1/james-goins-clear-voice-2
I tried repositioning the mic a bit as well as have a blanket around the outside of the stand and shield around to maybe change that sound of the room. Could find a way to put one over the window as well.
Hi James
Thank you for sharing. Unfortunately, the recording still has background noise and some echo. I do believe you would need to make further adjustments to your acoustic treatment as there are still some flaws in it. I'm sorry!
I think you're being overly critical cause it sounds great to me :)
Hey James!
Thanks for sharing! A couple of thoughts. l feel the voice sounds a bit boomy. What mic are you using? There is a boost in the low frequencies which is affecting the clarity of the voice. Maybe you can try recording a bit farther from the mic to reduce the proximity effect. Also, there's a slight room echo that would be nice to reduce too.
Let us know what you think!
Best,
Juan
Not sure what you mean by "a bit boomy." as that was also part of the Application that had come back the last time.
I use a Sterling ST151.
Hey James!
Boomy is when there is a boost in the low-mid frequencies. Are you applying any EQ or processing?
Juan
Nope. That's all just the raw audio.