Feedback needed on audio quality
I'd like my audio quality assessed, as my profile was automatically deactivated due to sample rejections. Thank you.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8dzfhyluglb73fz/TTEC-sample.wav?dl=0
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Hi J
Thanks for sharing. Unfortunately, the recording has some problems.
1. The recording has too much gain to the level of distortion. This could be caused by recording with too much gain on your preamplifiers, or because it's been compressed too much. In any case, please make sure your preamp is giving you healthy levels, you're recording at an appropriate distance from the mic and you're not adding any type of processing to your recording.
2. The recording sound over processed. The recording sounds as if it was processed with the use of a noise reduction or noise gate plugin that is filtering out a lot of the important frequencies of the file. This is not ideal as the recording sounds quite degraded. If you're using any type of filtering to reduce noises, please remove them. It's always better to take care of the problems in a recording by tackling them by the source and ensuring the recording is as clean as possible from the start.
3. The edits are too harsh and are creating digital clips. When you edit, please make sure you are leaving enough space once the sound ends to avoid this from happening. Also, make sure you add fades, in and out, to ensure the transitioning between parts is smooth.
Would you mind letting us know how you're recording? If you can share with us your equipment and, maybe, some pictures of your space it would be much appreciated!
1. It's interesting you mention distortion, I've attached a screenshot of the waveform in audacity. No compressors have been used. Max amplitude is -3db.
2. No noise gate filters have been used in this clip. There are times that I manually go in between words to fade in/out, so that may be what you're picking up. I may have been too aggressive with it in this clip.
3. I did exactly that at the beginning and end of every phrase. Fade in and out. I even checked each beginning and end by temporarily amplifying the sound, to make sure there were no clips hiding (I edit>undo this amplification immediately after checking, the amplification never remains in the clip).
I'm recording with a Rode NT1-A and a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2. I record at home, in a smaller room (not a tiny room, but on the smaller side, couldn't give you the exact dimensions) in a "booth" of thick blankets. Not exactly a professional foam booth, but in the last 7 years, I've never had complaints from any clients outside of VoiceBunny.
Thank you for the feedback. I've created a clip without fades between words, and more fades between phrases. Again, there is no compression in this clip, so I'm not sure where the distortion is coming in.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/z0r7ss24gjtfybw/TTEC-sample2.mp3?dl=0
Hi J
I believe, then, that the issue is coming from the preamp and the distance from the mic. When you record too near and with too much gain, this effect could be caused even if the waveform doesn't show it. I recommend stepping a little farther from the mic and lowering the gain a bit more. I usually suggest always having it at 12-o-clock on the knob at most.
In regards to the fades, then it would be important to make the fades longer. The last recording you shared sounds much better in terms of editing. I'd recommend tailoring the fades for each cut differently variating the length and starting point.
Now, in my experience, the Rode NT1-A doesn't have a very good frequency response. The majority of the recordings I've heard using this mic are quite middy and lack both low and high frequencies which, considering a space's acoustic treatment, can result in a filtered sound. Even though no filtering is added, it's the capsules reaction to the space that can result in this sound. However, just to be sure, I'd review the acoustic treatment and ensure it's as clean as possible. There are still some reflections in the audio from reflective surfaces.
Regarding the gain, the first clip you listened to had a lower gain than the second clip I sent you. In the first clip, the gain was set to about the 11-o-clock point. In the second clip, it was set at about the 2-o-clock point. Both were recorded the same distance away from the mic, roughly a foot away. So I'm still unclear how to proceed about the distortion, when the instruction you gave me produced the distorted effect you heard.
I will make the fades longer, and vary their length, thank you for the input.
Good to know about the mic, however I will not be changing it anytime soon. I will do what I can to improve the space I record in.
Hi J
I apologize if my comment implied the need for adding more gain. I believe I recommended actually lowering the gain but, considering I also recommended keeping an appropriate distance from it, could've been confusing. Keep in mind you should keep a good distance from your mic while having healthy levels on your preamp.
Hopefully, improving the space helps with the response!
Did you notice more distortion in the first or second clip? This will be helpful in figuring out how exactly I should fix my audio. I noticed you didn't comment on the distortion of the second clip, so I'm lead to believe the first clip had more prominent distortion.
This third clip has a lower gain than the first clip, which I mentioned had been set at an 11-o-clock position. This one had it set to about a 9-o-clock position. Plus, I took a step back. I had to amplify the audio quite a bit to meet VB's volume standards.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ic4zb1ro6qh1k7/TTEC-sample3.mp3?dl=0
In my own opinion, this audio sounds much worse than the second clip, the reverb is incredibly noticeable, and I don't hear any more or less distortion. What it seemed to do was boost the noise floor when I amplified the audio. Please advise.
I've recorded another sample, this time adjusting my space a bit, hoping this dampens the echo we've been hearing.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/moc0dvbrkrnfoll/TTEC-sample4.mp3?dl=0
Still unsure how to deal with the distortion. I cannot hear it, neither can any voiceover peer I've shared samples with for second opinions. (to be clear - I recorded a separate sample unrelated to any VB project to share with them, recorded in the exact way the second clip was) Nor was I very fond of the audio clip where I lowered the gain and stepped farther back than normal, due to the amplified noise floor. I'd also like to repeat that the very first clip I sent had a lower gain than the level you recommended, recorded about a foot away from the mic.
Hi,
I've listened to your latest sample and it sounds better than the first one you shared, although there's still a bit of room echo at times. For example when you say "and the programs" the echo is a bit more noticeable. It's a tough one because it's barely noticeable at the start of the recording, not sure if you moved a little bit for that last line. You might wanna try moving the mic around and checking if those room reflections can be reduced. Also, adding a bit of acoustic treatment if there are any uncovered reflective surfaces.
5th try
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3jbmcsug49vhomw/TTEC-sample5.mp3?dl=0
More adjustments to my space were made to try and minimize room echo further.
Hi J
I agree with Seb's comments here! The gain is healthier and sounds much better in terms of dynamics.
The echo, I believe, is the main problem on this recording. Please review the acoustic treatment of your room to ensure the reflective surfaces are covered. Keep in mind there are materials that are more reflective than others so it's important as well to consider which surfaces may need a thicker padding or a different treatment than the one you're using at this moment. If you have your computer in the same space as your mic, I'd suggest keeping it the farthest away possible and to locate it facing the opposite direction from the microphone. This way, the screen will not bounce that much.
Now, there are also some plosives around the recording. Are you recording with a mesh pop filter? I've found that metallic pop filters are not as food as mesh ones so it could be a good idea to use one in case you're not using it. Also, some mics come with windshields that are helpful but should always be used alongside a pop filter.
Glad to hear the sound has improved. I am using a mesh filter. I also made additional adjustments to my acoustic treatment.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/gk0g14lt94h9l4x/TTEC-sample6.mp3?dl=0
This one sounds better out of all of them. There's still a small issue with room reflections, so keep an eye on that. I'll reactivate your account now. Make sure to delete all the rejected samples and remember to upload only the best ones to the platform.