reinstatement request
Please evaluate, provide feedback and Reinstate my account if appropriate:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7icrpy0v8w3meq1/AABZ-AsdGYY2u-U6Hk4Lbe7sa?dl=0
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Please evaluate, provide feedback and Reinstate my account if appropriate:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7icrpy0v8w3meq1/AABZ-AsdGYY2u-U6Hk4Lbe7sa?dl=0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Hi James,
There's a bit of distortion in some parts of the audio, it seems it's been compressed or limited which could be causing it. For example when you say 'screened by our quality control team', it sounds a bit clipped.
Also, the ending of some words sounds cut off, for example 'back' or 'help'. This could be due to an improperly set noise gate.
In this case, I'd say less processing would actually help improving audio quality.
Please send us a new sample with less processing so we can check it out.
-Seb
Thank you Seb, I adjusted settings, here is a new sample:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7icrpy0v8w3meq1/AABZ-AsdGYY2u-U6Hk4Lbe7sa?dl=0
-James
Hi James
The editing still sounds quite rough here. There's also some reflections that make certain areas sound quite metallic. There's a reflection that gives me the impression as if there was kind of like a can nearby. Are you using processing? Can you please provide a 100% raw recording?
Here is a raw file:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7icrpy0v8w3meq1/AABZ-AsdGYY2u-U6Hk4Lbe7sa?dl=0
Hi James
This sample sounds much more processed than the other. Are you sure you aren't adding any type of processing? Gates, compressors, noise reductions, noise gates, etc.? This recording sounds quite muffled and cut in certain areas as if it was being filtered.
If this is not the case, maybe your microphone is not the appropriate for you. Can you let us know how you're recording?
Angela,
Sorry this is so long, but I continue to be concerned about VB. More than ever since I read some reviews, copy of one below. I am not arguing with you just concerned and thinking there may be a larger issue than my recording...
The info I am getting from you is not very helpful.... what does "much more processed" mean?
1. This is a raw file no compression no enhancer, no de-esser, no gate.
2. No editing, no noise reduction, no processing.
3. My sound floor in this recording is -69 db (My understanding is -60 db is broadcast quality)
4. The recording peaks between -9 and -12 db when recorded and was normalized to -3db (again industry standard)
5. I am recording in a professionally treated sound booth with quality equipment:
Microphones Sennheiser 416 Shotgun or Warm WA-87 (have used both for you) All quality components in my sound chain, there is no hiss noise in my sound chain and my computer is located outside my sound-booth.
I have worked diligently to provide recordings that are professional quality. My coaches have reviewed my clips and find my sound good ( BTW Two of the highest paid most professional coaches in the country - Bill DeWees and Anthony Reece) Also I moved to a professional sound both.
My most troubling concern is your vague feedback that has no sound engineering information. I can't understand why you are not happy with my sound when I have so many happy customers on other platforms.
So in a final attempt to confirm that my sound is good I have hired probably the country's best and most well know sound engineer - George Whittam to consult with me, review my sound chain, my settings, and evaluate the recordings I have sent to you. My appointment with him is next Tuesday, So I will be in touch with another sample next Wednesday which will be my final attempt with you.
I am becoming concerned that your platform is not as professional as some of the other VO Casting sites I have been working on, so I googled your company for reviews and find tons of your customers and former customers stating the issues I am having with your platform are pretty typical... even with very experienced and talented VO actors. Here is one of the postings I saw that concerns me and seems to mention you by name:
I am a vo professional with experience in both acting and vo audio engineering; I have many satisfied clients. I can't tell you how many times the auditions I submitted to voicebunny were rejected because, as they claimed, they were "overcompressed throughout." They'll then give you a short, polite little lecture about using pro gear (I guess my Sennheiser 416 isn't pro enough). Meanwhile, I *never* use compression, eq, or any other effects while recording. For editing, I might do a tiny bit of noise reduction, if needed, and then I simply normalize to -4.00, but quite literally nothing more. I complained to them about this and Ang*l* S allegedly took the spot in question to the "QC" (a joke) "team." She then said my spot had hiss throughout and was, in fact, compressed. You see? Their goal is to simply be right, not correct. Meanwhile, there were a few spots I had previously slipped through with a bit of compression, no problem. As an experiment, I signed up as a new talent under two different pseudonyms and auditioned, using no eq, compression, or any other kind of tweaking whatsoever. Guess what? Both were rejected for...say it with me...being "overcompressed throughout." Under the one pseudonym, I was finally invited to reaudition, which I did with a raw voice recording that was simply normalized. It was rejected for being, unbelievably, as they claimed "overcompressed throughout." "QC" there is an absolute joke, and if you complain you will be argued with that you did applied something (viz, compression) you know damn well you did not. These people have no ability to be consistent, and are, frankly, for the absolute pittance they pay, simply not worth anyone's time - even newbies. Stay away.
Thanks for your consideration and I will be in touch on Wednesday.
Hi James,
Ideally please share with us a .wav file as converting to mp3 will always degrade audio quality and could be partly causing what we're hearing. There are some noises in between words which sound filtered. I've chopped a part where this is noticeable and raised the volume (like a client would). Listen to the ending: https://wetransfer.com/downloads/bcd18768bf76075d6361906446fcf60820180521170803/c8fbe6069a5270a24b3810ac31636ad520180521170805/b10d65
This type of noise is normally caused by the recording interface. Of course all audio interfaces have inherent noise but this one is a bit noticeable.
Could you share with us your complete recording chain? Mics are only one part of the equation. A 416 or a WA-87 are great mics but the rest of the recording chain/software could be the culprit.
Do share with us any new samples you produce.
Hello everybody! :)
Here's my opinion on your last audio file, James.
Listening to the audio, I hear some sort of frequency cancellation, probably due to the mic you are using and the acoustics of the recording space. There is a slight room echo, and as you mention that this is a raw recording, then there must be reflections affecting the quality of the recording. The sound doesn't come across clean enough.
The recording has also a constant electric noise in the back that affects the quality, too.
At 0:31 for example, on 'give you your money back', the 'back' is incomplete, I can only hear 'ba'. Perhaps you faded out to quickly?
I hope this helps!
Best,
Juan.
OK I hired probably the best sound engineer in the country - George Whittam ( www.GeorgeTheTech.com ) to review my sound chain. He reports that there is no distortion, no cancellation, no hiss, no electrical interference, no echo. He reviewed settings on each component of my sound chain and tweaked a couple of minor settings. He confirmed that my mic's are great and producing great sound both on the Warm 87 and on the Diety Shotgun. He confirmed that my noise floor coming in in the high -70's db is great. He confirmed my 4x6x9 - fully (100%) treated with aura-lux foam and bass traps floor to ceiling sound booth is great with no audible reflections. He reviewed my DAW and also confirmed all is set correctly and recording levels are optimized. With all that done here is a new sample for your review.
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/7icrpy0v8w3meq1/AABZ-AsdGYY2u-U6Hk4Lbe7sa?dl=0
Thank you for your review and please re-instate my account.
-James
Hi James
After further reviewing your recordings, we won't be able to reactivate the account. The sound is still off up to our standards. The recording still has hiss noise and the recording sounds quite boomy and with has a slapback echo. This slapback makes the recording sound quite boxy as well.
I'm really sorry for the inconveniences.
Wow Angela, I'm shocked.... I have to say I completely don't understand your sound requirements. At first I thought it was maybe an issue in my sound chain or gear or something (inspite of doing many jobs on other sites with lots of compliments) but then when I hired a sound engineer and he confirmed for me that what you said above is not correct. That there is no hiss or other issues with the sound. That my booth has no echo that my settings are GREAT on all my gear.
I realized that what the other VO Artists are saying in other forums must be true! It is a VB issue. There is a reason why other experienced VO artists are sharing on-line the stories I listed above. I provide you this feedback because I would want to know if I were you. At this point, thank you, I don't want to be re-instated and I wont't take any more of your time - I'm done!
In closing I will tell you that I will not be recommending VoiceBunny to anyone, to the contrary - I will share my experiences with your platform.
Sincerely, a dissatisfied VO talent that is successfully competing on Fiverr, Voices123, Voices.com, and Bodalgo. But I guess Voice Bunny is not for me.
-James
Hi, James - I agree with Angela's assessment. There are some audible room reflections in the recording. Some of our clients especifically request for no room reflections/echo. Also, there are some noises when you say "our production management team will jump in".
I believe with a bit of work, your booth could give you better results.
I'm sorry to hear your dissatisfaction, but as our clients' quality requirements evolve, so do we.
-Sebastian
Sebastian,
I don't know what more I could do in my booth. I am in a super quiet location, inside an outer office I have a custom built 4X6X9' Audio Booth treated 100% floor to ceiling and ceiling with Auralex acoustic foam with Bass Traps in all corners floor to ceiling with sound checks by George Whittam. But thank you for your feedback. But I'm not just some guy that bought a USB mic and started recording in their closet. I have a quality studio, gear and some pretty good experience and I have to rely on several considerations in making my decisions:
1. The Sound Engineer I hired (One of the best in the country).
2. Two highly respected VO coaches and their review of my raw audio (and in source connect sessions).
3. Also I Posted samples on Voice Over Insider Connect and received great reviews from other talent as to audio quaility.
4. The feedback on Voice Bunny that I referenced above from other talent, hearing more negative stuff every day.
5. My history of winning jobs every day on other platforms (no insult - but more substantial than VB) with never a complaint about audio quality - to the contrary many compliments.
Your team is, of course, free to evaluate, approve or deny talent as you wish - it's your platform. I just note I could never replicate your complaints with anyone - anyone else including my own ear. On careful examination in Adobe Audition, in review with coaches other talent and a respected Software Engineer, so I don't know what else I could have done to make you and your team happy with my audio sample? Particularly with the vague and un-quantifiable feedback I received.
I only share this with you, because as a successful businessman in this and other endeavors, one of the things I most wanted to hear and evaluate is the views of my dissatisfied customers and I owe you the same courtesy.
I accept Angela's decision and I will move on to spend my time on other marketing platforms that I find easier to work with and more accommodating to talent and I hope my honest feedback is of some value to your Company.
Sincerely - James