Feedback please
I have been asked to seek feedback in this forum for my typical recording.
Please give me feedback on the following audio.
https://soundcloud.com/user746657729/01-chapter-1-the-book-of-the-distress-of-arjuna
Regards
Jothi
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Hi Jothi,
The audio sounds slightly filtered as if some noise reduction was applied. High frequencies aren’t as clear as they could be.
Also, there’s some distortion, for example at 0:50 when you say ‘All mounted…’
Try lowering the mic’s gain to solve this issue. Make sure loud parts aren’t clipping.
Hope that helps,
-Seb
Thanks Sen.
Sorry about the typo. I meant Seb.
Hi Seb,
Is there anything wrong in applying noise reduction as long as you get an undistorted output? Some amount of processing in the form of noise reduction, compressor, or normalizations need to be applied to get the desired effect the client wants. Most clients do not like room noise. Home recording setups need to be tuned over time to get the best using these tools.
Is there a suggestion from your side there should be no processing at all?
If there can be processing, what are the ones you would consider acceptable?
Often clients cannot tell what processing you have applied but they can tell if the output is effective for their requirements.
I find that some of my clients sonetimes preferred copies that are effective even though they are processed. Many Don't mind some extra gain. They Don't know there is extra gain. They sometimes feel it sounds more forceful.
Wkat do you Think Seb?
Regards
Jothi
Hi Jothi,
The trouble is that while some clients might be fine with that, some aren't so that's why we ask talents to provide files that are raw or as close to raw as possible. Slight compression and low-cut EQ might be acceptable as it may not be as noticeable but aside from that, we prefer it when talents abstain from using noise reduction software as it degrades/smears high frequencies.
Also, nowadays, professional audio equipment has relatively low self-noise, so that should be easier to solve.
Hi Seb,
Thanks for your explanation.
I just recorded something raw without any processing.
It's here: https://soundcloud.com/user746657729/whatsvoicebunny
Please give me your feedback on this.
Regards
Jothi
Hi Seb,
Here is another raw recording.
https://soundcloud.com/user746657729/peethiproperties
Please give me your feedback.
Regards
Jothi
Hi Seb,
Here is the same file for which I sent you the link earlier after I did some processing:
https://soundcloud.com/user746657729/peethiproperties-processed
I did the following processing:
To me, it sounds better after processing.
What is your view?
Regards
Jothi
Hi Jothi,
There is a lot of background noise/hiss, and there's even a car beep at 0:22. There is also audible room echo (reverberation) impacting your recording. Please ensure you record in an acoustically treated space. If you already have acoustic treatment, it may not be adequate.
You’ll find tips on acoustic treatment on our community page: https://goo.gl/vGqUIW.
Hi Sebastian,
I couldn't hear the car beep. Perhaps I need more sensitive earphones.
Are you referring to the first of the three recordings or the latter two?
Here is the third sample after applying noise reduction. Do you find the level acceptable?
I do have a treated room (whisper room) in another location. I will send you a recording from there in a few days if I may?
Regards
Jothi
Hi Sebastian,
I hope I am not bothering you too much.
I am a voice-over artist who gets work regularly and would like to understand your requirements so that I can get work through your portal as well and you can also benefit through commisions.
Here is a sample of a portion of the work I executed successfully yesterday.
It is a clip of about 1m.14s.; half the clip is the completely unprocessed recording done in my WisperRoom setup and the other half is the same recording I delivered to the client after processing. The client was very happy with the recording.
I would very much like to know your expert feedback, if VoiceBunny will clear such samples for submitting to clients, and also whether I can be listed in VoiceBunny as an Indian English & Tamil voice over talent based on what you can infer from this recording output.
Here is the link: https://soundcloud.com/user746657729/sample-rawfollowedbyprocessed
Regards
Jothi
Hi Jothi,
Unfortunately, the sample is distorted. This can be caused by processing or by recording with too much gain. If there's no processing try reducing the gain on your mic.
While some clients may approve it, our job is to provide them with the best possible quality.
-Seb
I think this is a case of technically perfect vs. artistically good.
Sir, I am not a newbie and perhaps have as much experience in the field as you do. Therefore, I say this from experience, not ignorance. A technically perfect unprocessed copy often makes a bland output.
Contrary to your judgment, the sample I sent (https://soundcloud.com/user746657729/sample-rawfollowedbyprocessed) in which half the copy was unprocessed did not have distortion in the unprocessed section, the other half had distortion from your point of view but enhancement from mine. My client loved the enhanced copy and would have found the technically perfect (according to you) unprocessed bit ineffective.
Well, you are the last word on your website but I beg to differ and say that you are not right. You are simply narrowing choices for your clients. Thankfully, there are many people who agree with me and I will take my business there.
Hi Jothi
I have to agree with Seb on this one. The recording does sound distorted. In both cases I believe it's caused by recording way too near to the microphone and with excessive gain. The first one sounds better than the second one, as the second part sounds way too processed and filtered.
Unfortunately, I do believe that you are recording with a bit too much gain which is causing your recording to be not approvable as per our quality standards. I, however, do believe this is easily fixed by ensuring your space is acoustically treated to reduce the chances of having background noise, recording at an appropriate distance from the microphone and always resetting your gain before recording.
Hi Angela,
Nice to communicate with you again.
Let me recall my points again.
Angela, it is your prerogative to accept more business or not but I think your evaluations are off the mark with respect to market expectations and your quality control is skewed and needs to shape up. A know all attitude and a talk down approach does not always help. I am sorry I have to say this because, while you are entitled to your opinions, I cannot let cavalier narrow-context comments on my work samples pass without my clarifications and response.
Regards
Jothi