Double Checking Quality
Hey Fellow VB Pros!
I just built an A/V editing machine and want to make sure I'm not missing any noises. This is dry audio using my modified Rode NT1 ---> MOTU Ultralite mk3 Hybrid interface ---> Cubase 8.5. I'm recording in a 3x3 space with 2" wedge foam covering the wall in front and behind the mic. The other two surfaces have 2" wedge foam in a single line and the foam is sitting on axis to give the enclosure some "breathe". And I'll take any suggestions on my delivery as well.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/i6afzgnuijq94ja/VB_New_System_Read_TreyC.wav?dl=0
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Hey Trey!
Thanks for sharing! I think the performance is great. It sounds confident and it has a nice rhythm. Qualitywise, there is undesirable room echo in your recording. The booth's foam is not absorbing enough energy that's bouncing back into the mic and that's creating that boxiness effect. You may want to try re positioning the mic inside the booth, probably better closer to a side than to the center.
The recording is a bit noisy too. Maybe you can try lowering the gain of your preamp and then raising the volume in the DAW through gain or normalization. Maybe that can help us lower the noise floor.
Best,
Juan.
Hi Trey
First of all, I really liked your performance! Your voice flows really well and I definitely like how you enunciate the words.
Quality wise, I feel the recording sounds a bit filtered. Are you using any type of processing like noise reduction or de-breathing? If you're not using it, maybe it's due to the mic's capsule that is a bit too nasal. Do you have another mic you can try?
Juan and Angela -
Thank you both for your feedback and compliments!
Juan - The mic is positioned next to the wall. Unfortunately, the space I record in is about 3 feet by 3 feet. I say unfortunately because I know using such a small space is not the best for recording because it can have an undesirable bass response, but it’s the only space that I could claim. I will lower the gain and boost it in my DAW and repost.
Angela -
This recording is without any processing whatsoever or EQ so when I say it’s dry I mean it is D-RYYY ;)
I, however, did try a new position with my mic. Normally, it’s at a 0 angle (straight up and down) but I tried tilting it on a 30-40 degree angle. I will position the mic to where it used to be and record a new script and repost the results. And yes I do have another mic I can try and will those results as well.
Trey C
Okay, I've repositioned the mic back to a 90-degree angle. Again, there are no effects or processing on this file,
https://www.dropbox.com/s/oxwx60axmenrn74/NYU_SPS_TreyCaron_VO.mp3?dl=0
Trey C
And here is a test of my other mic...I like them both for very different reasons. They have completely different sounds.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sdt3ngh1uq91skw/AKGC214_VO_Test_BASS_ROLLOFF.mp3?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wv9qndtx0r32qhl/AKGC214_VO_Test_NO_BASS_ROLLOFF.mp3?dl=0
Hi Trey!
Thanks for detailed explanation and both examples. I'll listen to them right away and give you my feedback separately for the NYU and a comparison between the Bass vs No bass ones.
1. NYU_SPS_TreyCaron_VO.mp3: This recording sounds quite well but still sounds to be a bit filtered. However, I trust that it doesn't have any filtering so it could be that it's a surface that could be bouncing some bright frequencies. At the end the reflection seems to be much more noticeable. In the whole last section starting at 0:23. Do you have any surfaces nearby that could be creating this effect? It could be a metallic one.
2. Bass vs No Bass: There's a huge difference between the 2 as you mentioned. However, I believe the No Bass one has the cut frequency a bit too high. I suggest you move it to somewhere between 60 Hz and 80 Hz and see how it goes!
Hi Trey!
Wow, I definitively like take 2 (no bass roll off) best. The first one is cutting too much.
Still, I agree with Angela, there's a slapback (a really short but strong reflection) that's causing some phase issues. As Angela mentions, maybe there's a reflective surface near the mic that may be causing trouble? It's always a good idea to cover any table or mic stand near the mic with a blanket.
Best,
Juan.
Angela and Juan -
Okay well, I feel we may be getting closer. So here is the space that I use to record. The floor is carpeted with premium residential carpeting and pad. The only thing that is not in the picture is my mic which is attached to a standard mic stand with a dual mic attachment and single pop filter. I originally had the back wall covered entirely with foam, however, to me at least it made the voice feel like it was in a vacuum. There was no depth/life to it at all. One thing that did just occur to me is that the door to this space is a builder grade hollow core door. I wonder if that is causing the resonant slapback or do you think I should cover the back wall surface with foam or producer blanket?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/d21syzn38t7uebw/IMG_0832.JPG?dl=0
As for the bass roll-off take, I don't have a choice in the frequency it cuts...it's a simple on/off option. I go back and forth with these mics. The NT1A (which has been modified) has a broader pickup pattern. It also catches more of the low frequency of my voice. The AKG has a super tight sweet spot which doesn't allow for a lot of movement and that can be a bit of a bummer if I'm working on an animated script. The flipside though is I feel that it gives a better representation of my voice. Oh, the joy of options!
Hey Trey!
Thanks for sharing the picture. I do feel there's no need to cover the wall. As the space looks quite small, it may create a boxy and boomy effect which is even less desirable!
What about if you record facing that wall instead? Both mics you have there are cardioid mics so, if the reflections are coming from there, it will pick up less of them. It's an option worth trying! Also, try not to place the mic right in the middle of the space as that usually is the space where the reflections will be at their peak. If this doesn't help, you can try hanging a light blanket on top and see how it goes. You can try it out with one of your bed sheets just for the experiment (that's what I do sometimes when I want to run experiments without spending money!) If you see it improves, you can then think about similar options that could be permanent.
Hope this helps!