False sibilance from the Sony MDR-7506 Headphones
Lots of us are getting rejections lately for sibilance issues or other mid/high frequency range issues where none have previously existed.
Is it because the QC department is using the Sony MDR-7506 headphones to screen our work?
That model used to be the industry standard... but the industry has since moved on, and moreover, Sony has changed the quality of the headphones without changing the model number.
Here is a recent review of the headphones in question that will explain what I'm talking about in better detail.
"...After 2Khz is where the real trouble starts. Severe peaking starts in this region right up to 10KHz where a gradual peak up to +10dB makes these sound very harsh and at times sibilant. We can see this might be useful in live applications, like when you need to quickly check for some hissing or noise in some channels. Also you will get extra lows and mids from the PA (and room) whilst wearing these, so for live applications this peaking could actually make sense, but not for making critical mixing decisions. In studio environment the high frequencies will be very disorienting. Most music simply sounds harsh on these cans. The hihats and cymbals will just be too much to bear. Also the de-essing can not be properly done, just like on the M50x. Your mixes most probably will sound quite dull on other systems. All in all these would be rather good headphones if it wasn’t for the over hyped highs. ..."
You can read the entire review HERE
https://sonarworks.com/blog/studio-headphone-review-sony-mdr-7506/
In the meantime, what can we do about sibilance that may or may not actually be there?
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VB should not be monitoring on sony's MDR 7506's. If they are this explains a lot about the reduction in quality and consistency from the managers lately. They are not dedicated editing cans rather recording cans. Monitoring and editing should be done on dedicated monitors in a dedicated control room. My guess is VB is not doing this, cutting corners which is having a negative impact on the clients. By clients I mean voiceover artists, as it is us who pays vb to act as agency in this circumstance, not the customers.
Hey guys!
So there are two elements to this discussion.
First, we are aware that there have been more revisions and rejections regarding sibilance and overcompression. As we grow as a company our clients have become more demanding in terms of quality. This has pushed us to continue improving our QC standards but sometimes there are discrepancies on what should be approved.
I assure you we are working on aligning the QC team so these inconsistencies happen less often. This, in turn, means you should see less of these types of revisions in the future.
Second, in response to the headphones, everyone in the QC team is aware that these headphones exacerbate sibilance. But they also make it easier to point out editing clicks, hiss, and noises which are not as easily audible in studio monitors. It's not cutting corners but making sure everyone is listening on the same equipment to reduce inconsistencies.
Hope that clears your concerns!
-Seb
That is encouraging, Sebastian. Thanks!
- Chuck
That’s great Sebastian that VB is taking these concerns seriously. Good to know. It’s also good to hear there is consistency in the editorial approach, that everyone monitors on at least the same equipment. As you say it means the standardisation approach is more easily aligned.
However, it is simply not true to say that monitoring on cans ($100 cans at that) is better at hearing clicks, hiss and noises etc than on professional grade studio monitors. There isn’t even an argument to be had there its just plain false. 7506’s are a great workhorse for many. I own 3 pairs myself in our studios for the talent to monitor themselves on, but in no way do they compare to professional grade monitor speakers. On extreme occasion I have monitored on them when travelling (hotel pillow fort territory!) and even then prefer my beyerdynamic dt770 pros, but that is always a last resort.
Good to hear the feedback though, and that these conversations are happening behind the scenes. As you say as VB grows all we all want is for everyone to turn out the most awesome work they can!
Hey Seb -
Thanks for getting back to us on this issue as it has been the subject of MUCH discussion with my BunnyPros Facebook group.
Try to understand that it's very frustrating and confusing for us to have our work accepted by professional recording studios and agencies and every other VO site in the industry; to be told that our work is top quality and then be told that we have terrible audio by VoiceBunny.
What makes it even worse from our point of view is when we have repeat clients who have previously been very happy with our sound quality not be the ones to decide if the sound quality is up to their standards.
Most of the BunnyPros in my group (including myself) are ignoring all of the contests and speedys that come into our available projects box because we feel it's not worth the effort to try and audition if there's a 50/50 chance the audition will be rejected due to arbitrary and subjective sibilance issues. Getting rejected by BunnyQC is a big hit on your stats, and now there's a really good chance that you could be rejected for sibilance you can't even hear on your own recording.
Many of us have hired audio professionals to help us with our sound issues. We've done our homework and hired audio consultants that come highly recommended by casting directors, producers, and VO industry veterans. To spend upwards of $500 to get our audio quality good enough for the top studios and then be told that it's now even good enough to be paid $23 for a 250 word job is just infuriating.
We are at our wits end as to what to do next.
When we upgrade all of our equipment, upgrade the soundproofing and sound treatment in our recording space, hire industry professionals to analyze and improve our audio quality and it's STILL being rejected for sibilance what is the next step?
I have full confidence that we can find a solution if we work together, but you have to get better at explaining what it is that you want from us. Believe me when I tell you that we are eager to do what needs to be done to get past this and improve the VB experience for everyone.
Thanks for your time and attention.
Hey Ripley where are tthe Facebook pages? Can’t find any at all. I’m guessing they’re private. Could you add me please? Feel free to email me at info@thevoiceoverchap.com if you want to communicate away from these pages cheers!