Sample For Review
Hello
After having my VoiceBunny profile deactivated, I have made some improvements to my overall recording space and equipment. I'm hoping to have my VoiceBunny profile re activated and have attached a sample for review.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/zbn2hz0kvqvf6p6/Eco%20World%20-%20Female%20Option.mp3?dl=0
Thanks for your assistance and any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Tracy
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Hi Tracy,
There's a bit of room echo/room reflections in your recording. I'd suggest adding more acoustic treatment to your room. Make sure to check out this post on room acoustics: https://goo.gl/vGqUIW. I'd also try moving the mic around and playing with recording distances to check if this problem can be solved that way.
Hello, Tracy.
I must agree with Sebastian's comments.
There's reverberation throughout the recording that's caused by the type of space you're recording in.
You can even try using blankets and coats in the meantime, in case you don't have foam/acoustic panels.
Best,
Oscar
Hi Sebastion and Oscar
Thanks very much for your replies and feedback. I've added some blankets and have moved the mic position around and tried some different settings. I have re recorded the same script and attached a sample link for review.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dmohwwxhjnuvgqz/Eco%20World%20-%20Female%20Option%202.wav?dl=0
I'm currently recording in a small room with acoustic panels, blankets, cushions, rugs, thick curtains and an RF-X Reflexion Filter. I'm also considering purchasing an Alctron PF8 microphone Foam Shield. Unfortunately recording in a closet isn't an option for me and purchasing a Katica Eyeball is a little out of my budget at the moment.
Obviously I want to achieve the best possible recording quality but most importantly, I wish to have my VoiceBunny profile re activated. I did quite a lot of work for VoiceBunny last year and would like to continue to do so. I'd really appreciate any further input and advice you can give me.
Kindest Regards,
Tracy
Hi Tracy,
It sounds better in terms of acoustics. There's still a few audible reflections but in my opinion, they are not too distracting. However, comparing it to the first one it sounds as if a bit of noise reduction was applied. High frequencies don't sound as clear as the first one, they sound slightly smeared. I'd reduce the use of noise reduction and then I think you'd be set.
Hi Sebastian.
Thanks for your reply which seems a little more promising!
I had applied noise reduction for 'de-breathing' but have obviously applied too much.
I have a attached the same sample link with all the noise reduction removed.
If you could have a listen and let me know what you think, that would be great.
Hopefully it will sound a little better!!
Thanks again for your assistance, it's greatly appreciated.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/h7leztz8sj21tsk/Eco%20World%20-%20Female%20Option%202%20%28Tracy%20Kingman%29.wav?dl=0
Tracy
Hello, Tracy.
In my opinion, the audio sounds much better. I'd try and clean it up a little bit from loud breaths that can be distracting.
Do you happen to use compression? I heard a noticeable change in amplitude from secs 12 to 13 and I wouldn't be too sure where it came from.
Best,
Oscar
Hi Oscar
Thanks for your reply, I feel like I'm slowly making some improvements now.
Re the breathing, I usually do clean it up but wanted send Sebation a sample with all the noise reduction removed.
Re compression, I have used some. Is that something I should avoid?
I also have a question about volume. I know that VoiceBunny require all files to be sent at around -3db. If you don’t record at that volume naturally, I'm just wondering what the best way is to increase or decrease the track vokume without affecting the overall audio quality? I use Audacity to record but I'm not sure if I should use 'Gain' or 'Amplify'. I don’t like using 'Normalize' as it seems to increase any echo that may already be present. Can you suggest the best way to approach this issue?
Thanks again for your assistance, the feedback I am receiving is incredibly helpful and will hopefully put me on the right track to having my VoiceBunny profile reactivated.
Kindest Regards,
Tracy
Hi Tracy,
Regarding normalization, in Audacity those 3 essentially do the same thing, albeit a bit differently. Normalization is just raising the volume until the loudest peak reaches the specified threshold (in this case -3dB). Gain can be a bit dangerous as you can't see how it's affecting the waveform but it also just raising the volume. Amplify on the other hand "scales" the size of the waveform.
I'd suggest using normalization, and avoid using Audacity's noise reduction as it's not the best in terms of quality. I'd just manually edit out those breaths/noises. With time it becomes quick to do and yields better results.
Hope that helps!
Hi Oscar and Sebastian
Thanks for your valuable feedback and apologies for the late reply.
I have followed your advice and attached a new sample link for you to review.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/sbwvxs54t0vo17p/WASA%20-%20Tracy%20Kingman.wav?dl=0
Hopefully you will hear some improvement and I am able to have my VoiceBunny profile reactivated!
Thanks and I look forward to receiving your further feedback.
Kindest Regards,
Tracy
Thank you, Tracy.
The levels in your recording seem to be fine.
I only have one remark:
Could you please try to choose a different mic position? I've noticed a lot of sibilance in the recording, and that might be corrected playing a little bit with the mic technique (or EQing that frequency without harming the sound).
Best,
Oscar
Hi Oscar
Thanks for your reply. I've attached a sample link of another job I was working last night. Hopefully you can hear some difference regarding the sibilance issues that were on the last track.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ckagzgdjkxshem1/Call%20Centre%20Guidelines.wav?dl=0
Thanks again and I look forward to hearing your feedback
Kindest Regards,
Tracy
Hello, Tracy.
In my opinion, the sibilance is not quite as strong anymore. However, I've picked up some sound reflections throughout the file that would be awesome to get rid of. Do you happen to know if there might be any object close to the mic, which surface can be reflecting your voice?
Warm regards,
Oscar
Hi Oscar & Sebastian
Apologies for the late reply. I've been making some improvements to the acoustic treatment in my recording space and have also purchased a Alktron PF8 Foam Microphone Shield. I believe it has made quite a difference to the overall quality and have attached a new sample link for you to review.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/k66qnxe6wg72jum/Corporate%20Property%20Video.wav?dl=0
Thanks very much and I look forward to receiving your feedback.
Kindest Regards,
Tracy
Thank you, Tracy.
I think the reflections are less noticeable, although still present in different parts of the recording (e.g. 0:01 "HAppiness"; 0:21 "HELPing you...")
By the way, are you using any type of noise reduction, compression, or similar? It's just that I've perceived the audio a bit processed so I'd like to confirm first, as it is something that you might want to avoid because applying just a little too much can be detrimental to the recording.
I'll make sure Sebastian takes a listen to this last sample so we can know what he thinks.
Best,
Oscar
Hi Tracy,
I agree with Oscar, in terms of acoustics it sounds a bit better, but there are still places where I hear an echo, for example in "make plans" (at 0:29). This recording also has a more nasal sound compared to the other samples you provided. This could be due to the angle of the mic, make sure it's not pointing at your nose to avoid this.
I've now reactivated your account but make sure to continue working on the acoustics of your room.
Hi Oscar and Sebastian
Thanks very much for reviewing my latest sample, reactivating my account and for the invaluable feedback you have given me. Unfortunately I think the 'nasal' sound may have been due to having allergies and I will be very careful to only apply noise reduction to breathing and not clip the audio. I will certainly continue to work on improving the acoustics in my recording space and try to achieve the best possible overall quality. Hopefully I will be able to continue submitting many jobs for VoiceBunny at the highest possible standard.
Much appreciated,
Tracy
Thank you, Tracy, for taking our observations into account.
Best,
Oscar