Submission rejected for overcompression...why?
I am a moderately experienced voice talent who works in the audiobook industry. I frequently work through ACX and edit my own audio. Not a single person has ever had a problem with my audio,and ACX has some strict requirements for samples.
I followed the requirements set forth by the application to a T, and my application was rejected due to "overcompression."
The details from the application never mentioned a compression requirement, I've never had this problem before, and judging from other samples I've seen rejected, I think it's rather vague just what constitutes a "good sample", as many of these samples either had no discernable problem, or had such minor problems that a simple mention of the issue at hand would correct it.
Here is my sample, judge for yourself: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1POASKuibBf2t_D5ksmVN__9v066-MAga
Guess I was wrong in applying here. I should just return to ACX, where they actually post ALL their requirements and explain in great detail what they expect from their userbase, without forcing them to complain on a separate forum and hope someone cares enough to explain more clearly.
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Hi Conner
Thank you for sharing your file. I apologize for the confusion this situation could've caused!
Now, in regards to our audio requirements, please know these are all listed in our article VoiceBunny Quality Control Requirements. Here you will see exactly what we're looking for in every recording and project depending on the case!
Now, checking your file I find several problems in it. Let me go ahead and list them.
1. There's a lot hiss noise in the background. The hiss is quite constant, so I believe this is coming from a piece of equipment you're using. Can you let us know what you're using to record?
2. The recording sounds very processed as if you were using a noise reduction/denoiser/noise gate. You can pick up the filtering all over the recording, but especially during the breath areas which sound quite digital and as if they were computer generated. The voice, overall, has a digital aura which is caused by the excess filtering. I suggest you toss out any processing you're adding and treat the noises by reviewing your equipment or, if possible, your space's acoustic treatment.
3. The recording sounds sibilant and bright. I hint this is because of the filtering added. As the process could be trying to filter out noises and/or echo, it takes out some key frequencies that are necessary to keep the file's balance. When these are gone, other frequencies will become prevalent which I believe is the case here. Again, I would highly suggest you take any processing out of your recording.
I sort of wish the requirements were listed on the actual job description- if I'd known that audio processing wasn't needed as much as, say, Audible, I would have recorded this and left it mostly raw save for normalization, manual de-breathing, and just a touch of compression. I had no idea that you had a separate list of audio requirements on a different page somewhere else on the site...perhaps more than 2 percent of people who apply would be accepted if you made it a bit more accessible/easy to understand.
Regardless, your help is appreciated. Now that I know precisely what was unwanted about my audio, I'll go ahead and request another test job and record the lines according to your full list of requirements.
Hi Conner
Thank you for your feedback on the process there. Hopefully, we'll be working on reviewing the application process by the end of this year so I'll make sure we review that area and make sure these requirements are much more visible.
We look forward to your new recording!