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  • Juan Santiago Mendoza #1067143947
      2

    Hi Elisabeth!

    Thanks for your audio. I think you have a great and engaging voice :).

    There are a couple of quality issues. In general, the audio sounds compressed. There is also a constant background noise, like a fan or something, that's masking your voice. In regards to performance, I feel it could sound more natural and conversational at parts. Maybe a variation in rhythm and intonation can make it more lively and engaging.

    What processing are you applying?

    Best,

    Juan.

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  • Elisabeth Hunter #621320163
      1

    Thanks for getting back to me, Juan!

    I used a light gate only. I did not use any compression. My computer thankfully does not have a fan and my noise floor was reading in at well below -60db, which is industry standard.

    What would you recommend I try? Could this be a mic technique issue?

    I'd love to send you a sample of where my audio used to be before I re-treated my recording space, just to compare how far the audio has come.

    Let me know if you'd like to hear the comparison.

    Thank you!

    Elisabeth

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  • Elisabeth Hunter #621320163
      1

    For your consideration here is what my audio used to sound like... 

    http://secure15.com/OTk1ODkw/NjQ4MTA

    And here is the new sound...

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/d786oyxnl20ac8f/Sample%20for%20Voicebunny.wav?dl=0

     

    Could we get Angela's opinion of this as well?

    Thanks!

    Elisabeth

     

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  • Angela Serrano #830202147
      2

    Hi Elisabeth!

    Thanks for sharing both recordings. I agree with Juan Santiago in what he said. If you're not compressing it, maybe you're adding a bit too much gain and recording too near to the mic.

    I believe it's caused because you're recording too near. This is made a bit more evident because the recording sounds very nasal and even filtered. There are even some areas that sound as if the pop filter was resonating which is a reaction to recording very near. I suggest you to position yourself a bit farther away from the mic and locating your a bit off axis of the mic. What I usually do, is to have my nose outside of the capsule's main direction. This way, the sound coming from my mouth will be picked up much better. I try to make sure my nose is a bit on the upper hand side. 

    What about we try that? :) 

     

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  • Elisabeth Hunter #621320163
      0

    Thank you SO much for your fast response and helpful, specific feedback! Truly appreciated!

    I have applied the given notes: I changed my mic positioning by sitting farther from the mic and being a bit off axis. I also lowered the gain.

    Here is the new sample with the applied adjustments for you to listen to and critique...

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/o8tdtnvcw2qsbrx/Sample%20for%20VB%20Take2.wav?dl=0

    Please let me know your thoughts and if my account can be reactivated! Fingers crossed!

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  • Juan Santiago Mendoza #1067143947
      0

    Hi Elisabeth!

    Unfortunately the sound is not there, yet. It sounds filtered, the frequency spectrum is unbalanced, there are no clear low-mid frequencies. 

    What mic, preamp, interface are you using? 

     

    Best,

    Juan.

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  • Elisabeth Hunter #621320163
      0

    Dang it!

    Ok, any suggestions on how to fix this?

    Im using a Rode Broadcaster Mic, Focusrite Scarlett preamp and interface. 

    Angela, would love to get your take on this too :-)

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  • Angela Serrano #830202147
      1

    Hi Elisabeth

    Thank you for letting us know. I do have to agree with Juan Santiago with what he mentions. 

    I was checking this microphone's details and I see that it's designed for broadcasting and not for high-fidelity studio recording. Broadcasting requires a microphone that will not clash and/or pop when you record for which they usually are built to cut low frequencies to avoid any type of masking with other voices. I found a graph that shows the frequency response is not very flat which does make a big difference. I'm attaching the picture here (I took it from Amazon): If you see on the right, the frequency response is more designed for broadcasting and to give the protagonism to mid-high frequencies. I am also reading here and it also says this is exclusive for broadcasting which is quite different from in-studio professional recording.

    Do you have by any chance a different microphone you can try? I believe this mic is cutting a lot of frequencies which is not ideal for this type of applications.

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  • Elisabeth Hunter #621320163
      1

    Hey Angela, 

    Thanks again for getting back to me with specific feedback!

    I just bought the SE Electronics sE2200a II C Microphone that Voicebunny recommends. Hopefully this will be the answer! 

    Fingers crossed and thanks, 

    Elisabeth 

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  • Angela Serrano #830202147
      1

    Hi Elisabeth

    I haven't personally tried this microphone but I have read many great reviews about it. Our blog article was written by a team member that is very knowledgeable so let's hope it works really great for your voice! 

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  • Elisabeth Hunter #621320163
      1

    Hey Angela and Juan, 

    Finally was able to record a new sample using the brand new mic I bought (SE Electronics sE2200a II C Microphone).

    Please give it a listen and let me know if my account can be reactivated! Fingers crossed and thank you!

    https://www.dropbox.com/s/vaibhqbwp8ueq0b/Sample%20for%20VB%20Take3.wav?dl=0

     

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  • Angela Serrano #830202147
      0

    Hi Elisabeth!!

    This sounds so much better in my opinion. The voice sounds a bit nasal and sibilant though, so what about you try recording with your nose outside of the cone and a bit off axis from the mic? I usually record with my nose on the upper corner of my pop filter and slightly to the right of the main cone. 

    I believe that with this, it's all going to be great! :) 

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  • Elisabeth Hunter #621320163
      0

    Yay! Thank you for your advice! You've been so helpful!

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