Sample rejected after 3 years
I have a raw sample on my profile that has been favourited a number of times by clients. It is normalised to -3Db and has no processing on it whatsoever.
It is a sample that was favourited once again two days ago by a Voicebunny client.
However I received an email today advising me that the sample fails the Voicebunny standard as a result of being over-processed and to remove it.
Instead of being able to communicate with Voicebunny via email I am advised to come here to a community forum.
I would like Voicebunny to check the sample again please as there is no way it can be over processed because it is a straight recording without any processing applied.
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Hi Pauline
Can you please share the file with us here so we can review it? I'd like to give you all my feedback.
Thank you!
Hi Angela - Thanks for yours. Here is the link to the file in question: https://voicebunny.com/samples/98893
I look forward to your feedback.
cheers
Px
Hi Pauline
Thanks for sharing.
I checked it and it has a very high level of gain. This can give the impression that the file is compressed as it does sound very loud to the point of distortion in some areas. The recording also does sound quite imbalanced in terms of frequency for which it could give the impression it's being processed by a noise reduction plugin, however, I believe this imbalance is being caused by an inappropriate acoustic treatment. This because there's quite a high level of room echo in the file and the recording also sounds quite boxy.
Keep in mind that we're strengthening our quality control standards for which what could be approved before, may not be approved now. In this case, the sample no longer matches our current standards as the file has some key problems that impact the quality of the voice over too much.
If you're recording under the same conditions, I'd highly recommend you to review your acoustic treatment. I believe the space could use some adjustments to ensure it's clean and you can take the best advantage of your microphone. Would you mind sharing a recent recording with us?
Hi Angela
Thanks for the feedback. Yes - that recording was in a different space than the one I am in currently.
Yes indeed I am all for improving the quality of the products we provide, so most certainly I would love some feedback on what I am currently supplying to clients.
I am also now using a different microphone and would love to hear what you think is the preferred sound.
So the attached link is a sample I recorded today. Sample rate of 44100 and a bit rate of 16. The setup is a Dawbox booth with a Sennheiser MKH416 plus Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 interface straight into the mac and using Adobe Audition:
https://soundcloud.com/pauline-constantine/pauline-constantine-voicebunnysoundcheck1/s-zvCgU
This is the same piece with the same setup and normalised to -3Db:
https://soundcloud.com/pauline-constantine/pauline-constantine-voicebunnysoundcheck2wav/s-Clmr8
The same piece but the Rode NT1000 microphone:
https://soundcloud.com/pauline-constantine/pauline-constantine-voicebunny-soundcheck-2/s-9kxGL
I appreciate that you are super busy at the moment and look forward to your feedback at your convenience.
Cheers
Pauline x
Hi Pauline
Thanks for sharing the recordings.
I listened to the 3 of them and, it sounds really well! The acoustics are really, really nice and your voice sound very clean. The only problem I find is that on all takes there's some hiss noise in the background. I believe this is caused by adding a bit too much gain on your preamp. Try to lower it a couple of dBs so when you normalize, the noise is not made more prominent.
Now, in terms of sound, both microphones sound really well! I personally like the MKH416 better as the low frequencies are not as boosted as they are in the NT1000. However, the choice of mic you make will depend more on your personal taste. I would use the NT1000 for more of a deep, intimate sound while I'd use the MKH416 for commercials and high-pitched voices!
Hi Angela - THANK YOU!!!
Such fantastic advice. I have applied your suggestions and my recordings are sounding soooooo much better. For ages I have manually knocked out the slight hiss you mentioned. And as you can imagine that sort of treatment takes forever. Now I am just taking out a couple of clicks and breaths. So I feel that your picking up my sample for a check has been an absolute blessing. Thanks again!!
Px
Hi Pauline
Thank you very much for letting me know it was helpful! That's what we're here for and I'm happy by feedback was of use for you.
Please know I'll be here anytime for you so don't hesitate on sharing your recordings here. Glad to help anytime!