Quality Control
Hi, my audition was rejected because there was a background whine and the mic had echo. I bought an electricity conditioner and it seems to have eliminated the noise. I'm also now using a large diaphragm condenser mic. Will you please tell me if this meets your standards?
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Thank you for taking the time to share your work, Carol.
I can notice several problems in the recording:
1. There's hiss/white noise present throughout the audio. Here, the microphone, as well as the interface/preamp and cables you're using, how much gain your giving when recording, the electrical outlets you're connecting your devices to, and many other factors can be producing that hiss. You'll have to start checking where it might be coming from.
2. It sounds muffled and overprocessed. Did you apply any compressor/limiter to the file? Do you mind telling us what microphone you're using?
3. There are lots of plosives. By using a pop filter and placing yourself at a distant that works for your voice and your setup, you'll be able to reduce this to a minimum.
4. Editing is not quite there yet. The endings and beginnings of the sentences sound quite harsh. You can use fadings to create a more natural flow.
Best,
Oscar
Hi Oscar,
Thanks for your help with this! Really appreciate it. I used an FET ST55 mic and a Behringer UMC22 interface. I changed the mic to a large diaphragm Nady Mic for the sample below. I also made sure there was no compression or reverb when recording. I was too close to the mic because I couldn't get any volume and that caused a slew of problems. When I turned the compression totally off, the volume increased. I used fade (cool feature) on a couple of hot spots - maybe could have done more. Is the hiss gone? If not, I'll swap out the other chord. I bought a power conditioner, so that shouldn't be the problem.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/11mpkjodhvphlul/nady%20voicebunny.wav?dl=0
Here's my studio setup. https://www.dropbox.com/s/9sp4utsqiacazzk/studio%20setup.jpg?dl=0
I welcome all input and suggestions. :)
Carol
Thank you, Carol.
Unfortunately, I'm still able to pick up that hiss underneath your voice (Listen carefully right at the beginning of the audio to clearly notice what I'm talking about). Perhaps swapping the chord can help.
Another thing is that the recording does not sound natural; when you read it, put your character to the words you're saying, in order to avoid a flat speech. Also, be careful with the editing because it makes you sound robotic (e.g. secs 08-09)
Hope this helps!
Thanks for the feedback. I swapped out the chord and don't hear any noise - or see the volume light up on Audacity. I think I hear what you mean about the monotone. Is this better? If not, I'll keep trying.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3bil4xjrbjxm4vr/news%20at%206.wav?dl=0
Here's a more animated voice:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/37pdt9z9qhftfkd/Elda.wav?dl=0
Thanks,
Carol
Thank you, Carol.
I'm still hearing background noise. This time, it sounds as if there was a spaceship starting out :) It's quite noticeable at the beginning of the file. That's an electrical noise and must be coming from your gear or an appliance nearby.
Is the chord you're using an XLR? A balanced chord must definitely be used when recording.
Plug everything you're using into the same power strip, as this can help reduce the hum.
Don't forget to clean the audio (i.e. cut out breaths and other unwanted noises in between phrases)
Hope it helps!
Thanks again, Oscar.
I bought a Focusright Scarlet Solo power interface and it made a huge difference. I see no noise on Audacity. Sure hope there's no noise on your end this time. :) You guys must have extremely high tech equipment!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/kv8ppqmt5r7h2zc/Homeless.wav?dl=0
I can definitely notice the improvement, Carol!
Nonetheless, I'm hearing some reflections, perhaps because the room is not adequately treated.
Also, the endings and beginnings of the sentences are not correctly edited; there are loud breaths, and the transitions are too harsh, which makes it sound unnatural.
Could you try to clean up the audio? This will help you have an appropriate flow throughout the file.
Thanks Oscar,
I made the visual line as big as I could and saw where there were still breaths. Hope I got them all. I also reduced the volume on the beginning of lines. Is this better?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/56ivjlncvh3yel7/Homeless2.wav?dl=0
Thanks,
Carol
Thank you, Carol.
Those breaths are much better. Nonetheless, there are still parts in which your voice sounds robotic because of the editing (Secs 11-13) that you will not be able to easily fix without recording it again.
There's a signal peak at sec 24 "VIsit".
Also, the reflections that are affecting the audio quality have not disappeared. This is definitely because of some nearby objects which surfaces reflects the sound waves, or because the space, in general, is not adequately treated for recording purposes.
Let me know your thoughts on this.
Best,
Oscar
I did hear that robotic sound and tried to fix it, but couldn't. It helps to know it wasn't just me, but that anyone would have to do the audio over again. I can't find the script so I recorded a different one.
My system did a restart and restored some default settings in Audacity. Room size was 20. I went through and made sure everything was off. If there's still some echo, then the only place that isn't conditioned is the ceiling. Will you please let me know? I tried to edit out any sound spikes.
Really appreciate your help. :)
Carol
https://www.dropbox.com/s/a482n72iku0ajrh/melissa.wav?dl=0
Hi Carol,
There are some minor issues with this audio. At 0:26 there's a plosive in 'pristine'. There are also editing issues, where the editing point can be heard. For example in between the first and second sentences and in between the second and third sentences.
Overall, in terms of performance, the read sounds a bit flat, but this could be also because of the script.
Hi Sebastian, I fixed the plosive (at least I hope I did). Don't really know what you mean by hearing an editing point but I made sure there was no sound between those two sentences.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/a482n72iku0ajrh/melissa.wav?dl=0
Here's another file that is more animated.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/pm14vjgk3gcojh7/orca.bunny.wav?dl=0
Thanks for your help!
Carol
Thank you, Carol.
There's still that plosive sound in Pristine, at sec 26. The best way to address the issue is to re-record the audio and make sure your pop filter is properly adjusted and set.
The second audio sounds indeed more animated, however, I am able to pick up hiss noise underneath your voice. Let me invite you to take a look at an article we write on the topic: Recording problems- Hiss noise It might be useful.
Hi Carol
I agree with Oscar.
Your audio has some hiss noise underneath your voice. You can pick it up easily on the silent spaces but it's present all over the recording.
I also notice some room reflections which denotes you may be recording in a space that is lacking appropriate acoustic treatment. I suggest you review your space and how you're treating it as the reflections are quite noticeable. The recording also sounds quite boxy which is another indication of a faulty acoustic space.
Would you mind sharing which equipment you're using?
I was using a Nady SCM 1000 microphone and a Scarlett Solo audio interface on this last recording. I turned the gain up to 3/4 because I couldn't get enough volume without getting real close to the mic. Below is a new recording using a Sennheiser mic, looks like an e614 but there's no model number on it (it was given to me). The gain is only slightly over half way on this one. From what I've read, it might be the microphone - already swapped out the audio interface and bought a power conditioner. If these two mics aren't working, can you suggest one that will work?
I also took every metal thing I could find out of my studio (bedroom). There was a receiver, a metal lamp. I even covered the metal clip that I read script from.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/03uevs6bi6kubng/pizza.bunny.wav?dl=0
Thanks so much for your help. :)
Hi Carol,
I find this latest sample much better in terms of background noise and room echo!
However, there are still some slight plosives, especially in 'p' sounds. Make sure you use a professional pop-filter to prevent this issue.
Also, perhaps it's due to the positioning of the mic but it seems the mic is picking up more of a nasal sound on this one. Not a biggie, just a question of trying different positions and testing what works best.
I went to your webpage on mics that you recommend. It's true, if I'm serious, I need good equipment. I learned that in my long career in music. I didn't have the money when I first started out, but I had to make my voice sound the best it could if I wanted to get good gigs, so I made payments to the music store. You could do that way back when. :)
I'm thinking the Rode NT1-A Vocal Condenser Mic. Having heard my recordings, do you think that would be a good fit? I can go as high as $300 if you think another one would be better for me. I really appreciate the help you give us struggling voice-over artists. I've learned a lot already, and hope to get as clean and dynamic a sound as possible.
Hello again, Carol.
Although I've not personally used the Rode NT1 I've heard the work from other Pros that are using it and it sounds great.
Is there any way you could try it before buying it? Some stores have rental gear that you can get for one or two days, to get an idea of how your voice would sound on one of those.
Thanks for getting back to me, Oscar! I can go to Guitar Center. They have a 45 day return policy. I might do that today. I've swapped out everything else, hopefully the mic will solve the rest of the problems. With the mics I have now, I have to turn the gain up too high, and from what I've read, that causes hiss to increase. I have taken out anything metal in the room as well.
That's perfect, Carol.
Given that you have that return policy available, why don't you try to get the Shure SM7B instead (a bit above $300) and the MXL 770 (below $100 on amazon). They are at completely opposite sides of the price spectrum but remember that expensive not always equals great.
Hope that helps!
Thanks Oscar, Guitar Center didn't have any of the mics you or the Voicebunny website suggested. The SM7B was $400 and that's over what I can spend so I ordered the Rode NT1-A from Amazon and it's due to arrive tomorrow. I'll at least see if it makes a significant difference!
Hi Oscar,
This is a low-key meditation piece using the new microphone. I had intermittent sound coming through but it stopped - not like a steady hiss. Don't know what that was about. Will you please let me know how it sounds? If there's no discernible difference, I'll return it. The gain is up to a little more than half way and I'm about six inches from the microphone. I notice the vocal line looks more full on Audacity. I'm wondering if that means the mic is picking up a wider frequency range.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/srp28rc0wve6upz/sleep%20VB.wav?dl=0
Thanks!
Carol
Hello Carol.
In my humble opinion, there's no hiss affecting this recording.
If I may, one piece of advice I would give you is to remember to hydrate yourself properly, as there are some mouth noises around (e.g. sec 14-16).
Also, don't forget to utilize the fading tool whenever you're ending and beginning a sentence, as I was able to hear some breaths.
Apart from that, I believe you've done a good job here.
Best,
Oscar
Thanks Oscar! Your critiques are easily fixed. :) I really appreciate your help in getting my set-up clear and noise free. I think this mic gives a better quality representation of my voice as well. Guess I'll keep it.
Is there a chance VoiceBunny will accept me now? Can I re-audition?
Best,
Carol
Absolutely, Carol!
You can send us a Reconsideration request any time you want, and you can expect to receive a new test project anywhere between 7 and 31 days afterward.
Here's the link: https://voicebunny.com/talents/perform_test_again
Or you can just log into your account, go to your projects and then click on "(...) application process. Click here to continue"
Best of luck and we look forward to receiving your new test project.
Regards,
Oscar
I just sent in the request. I studied acting at the best theater company in the West, acted in quite a few plays, and have been a working vocalist for many years. The one thing I didn't have was voice-over editing technique and set-up knowledge. Thank you SO much for your patience. I don't know that I could have received this one-on-one training anywhere else. :)
You're welcome, Carol!
Thank you for listening and for being willing to work on your craft.
We look forward to getting your test project.
Best of luck with your application!