Overcompression but didn't use a compressor
Hello I'm just a newbie and I'm trying to understand the QC results regarding my VoiceBunny audition sample submission for joining.
I've seen a few other posts of people staying true to the directions laid out to basically submit raw recordings, no EQ or filters or plugins, and I attempted the same and hope I can get some feedback on what I can do to better my next attempt.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E7RJ_TwBhBt3iW76i9EccFeYgJ6gSFf1/view
Overcompression, you can hear it clearly throughout your recording.
Background hiss, you can hear it clearly throughout your recording.
I'll start with the easy hiss. First off between words the silence bounces between -57db and -60db so I thought that was in range with the instructions, but it's sounding like QC wants it eradicated completely? I listen to samples from already approved voice actor samples and they have dead silence.
Now the perplexing, I did not use a compressor or adjusted my voice, it's a raw take, so what features about it does QC identify that equate it to being overcompressed? I'd like to nip this in the bud.
My setup, I was getting close to the microphone to improve signal to noise so about 2 inches from the pop filter which itself was about 2 - 3 inches from the mic. I'm in a 6'x8' room. I'm using Audacity 2.2.1 with recording volume up to the max of 1.0 and a Neewer mic. I chose 1.0 because ambient noise was settling below -58db at that point.
I look at the waveform and I see plenty of peaks and valleys, nothing that would resemble the brick form of overcompression that I've been trying to research on. The only thing that comes to mind is maybe the low frequencies coming through louder because of being so close to the pop-filter/mic? I could try to equalize, or I could increase mic distance but that would increase the noise ratio.
Thanks for any help.
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I'm having the exact same issue minus the background hiss. I've been told my sample was overcompressed but I haven't applied any compression, filters, or anything of the sort. I'm using a Focusrite preamp that eliminates any equipment self noise.
Hi Chuck
Thank you for sharing.
Listening to the sample, the voice has a very loud level of hiss. I believe this is created by some piece of your equipment. Is your mic a USB microphone? If you are, please keep in mind that these mics are not ideal for professional recording as they have a higher noise floor and low quality AD/DA converters.
Also, the compression feeling could've come by the fact that the file sounds with an excessive gain, many plosives and too upfront. This is more likely caused by recording way too near to the microphone and with too much gain on your preamplifier.
Can you please let me know which equipment you're using? I also suggest you record with less gain!