"Audible room echo"
I have a rejection on a project that says:
There is 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.
I'm recording for the first time since January, but using the same recording space and equipment I've been using for years. The audio sounds exactly the same to me as my previous work in this space. I seem to recall seeing something in the last few months about reviewing samples to adhere to stricter standards, but I never got any of my samples kicked out either. And this is a repeat customer coming back to me for an update to their phone system. If they were happy with the work before, why would VB reject it now and not let them have the opportunity to get what they wanted?
Link to audio:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/00hwnp5ii7zygfs/Tingo.wav?raw=1
Previous work for this client actually sounds a little WORSE to me:
https://voicebunny.com/projects/1-tingo-menu
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Hi Brian,
Thanks for sharing this case with us. I find there are some minor room reflections which are audible throughout, but they're not too distracting. This is the type of case that could go either way in terms of approval. To avoid this, I'd add a bit more acoustic treatment to your room, or play around with mic positioning just to tame those reflections a bit more.
We are always striving to deliver better quality to our clients so naturally this results in more revision requests for Bunny Pros.
It doesn't mean we are outright rejecting your audio but that we've found something that could be improved upon.
Your previous submission sounds perhaps a bit 'stuffier' but has less room reflections. It was probably recorded closer to the mic. I prefer the tone and overall balance of the more recent submission, and without any echoes it would be great quality work.
Hope that helps,
-Seb
Thanks a lot for the feedback. I can try re-recording tonight. I can't hear the difference at all though.
"It doesn't mean we are outright rejecting your audio but that we've found something that could be improved upon."
Does that mean that if I can't get it "improved" then it may still be deemed acceptable?
Well it's a borderline case, so it could be sent back again. Ideally, it'd be better to try to fix it. Just re-recording a tiny bit closer and some more acoustic treatment will get you there.
I did the best I could. I don't hear the difference, but clearly you've got better ears/cans than me.
Any idea how i can provide the client with the alternate audio file format they requested?
No worries, we do provide clients with the option to download files in the most common IVR format (u-law, 8khz, 8bit), so nothing to do on your end. If the client requests a format we don't provide automatically, we can always convert it for them.
Hi Brian!
I believe Seb covered the problems in your audio really well! Your voice is so great that I'm sure if you take care of your acoustics, you'll have a really perfect quality to offer both us at VoiceBunny and clients outside!
If you'd like, would you mind sharing a few pictures of your space? I would like to see what areas may need some treatment and how your mic positioning is right now. We could give you some tips you can try to improve your acoustics and achieve that perfect sound. it would also help if you can let us know which mic and interface you're using.
Thanks! I have a video I recorded a while back of my space.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwjE73WKAOk
I use a Rhode NT1 and Scarlet Solo connected to a laptop in my closet. The one thing I think I could reasonably improve is that I had tiled my bedroom and closet earlier this year. I might need to throw a rug/carpet down while I record. For my revision, I used a blanket, got a little closer, and turned the gain down just a hair.
Hi Brian
Thanks for sharing! I believe the problem is indeed the flooring. A fluffy rug right below you and the microphone should do the trick. I'd also recommend recording with the mic a bit more at an angle from your mouth as the voice sounds a tiny bit too nasal. If it's possible as well to put the microphone a bit farther from the computer and nearer the corner it could help.
Let me know if you try these tricks!