Did I fix the problems?
My first audition was rejected with advice to improve the acoustic treatment for the recording space and to use better recording gear. I get it.
The treatment was improved a lot with acoustic foam squares and felt drapes. The equipment upgraded to a Sennheiser 421 and a Tascam mixer. I performed no post-prod other than normalization to -1db.
Have my upgrades adequately addressed the quality of the recording?
Please advise, and thanks!...F
https://drive.google.com/open?id=108-C342hmSi2ZRNjBrMSDx7bSLd3p_j-
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Hello Fred!
Thanks a lot for reaching out. I was checking your audio but I've noticed the following issues:
1. There is a high level of white noise/hiss impacting your recording that is adversely affecting the quality of the deliverable. Did you have the chance to review the following webinar on how to manage this situation? https://bit.ly/2ZixGeI
This is the major issue of your recording so that is really important to work on it.
2. Please make sure to edit your sample properly. You can delete the beginning where there is an evident breath noise and you said "lets try it one more time" and you can also delete the last part where you said "okay" and then there are some evident background noises.
3. Finally, one can notice some mouth/tongue click and noises. For example at: 0:04, 0:21, 0:23, 0:32, 0:42.
There are some useful tips in order to avoid this kind of noises, you can check them here: https://bit.ly/2NjTyUK.
Also, you can try using fades, EQ and volume automation in some cases to make it work. However, on the link above there is more information that will help you to prevent them so you don't have to edit your audio each time you do a recording.
Please let me know if you have any further questions and I will assist you.
Enjoy your weekend :).
Best,
Gabriel
(QC Agent Bunny Studio)
Hello Gabriel;
Thanks so much for your response. I apologize for not editing the sample properly, I won't make that mistake again.
Your other observations are similarly helpful and very much appreciated. I'm looking for what could account for the white noise/hissing, including the recording gear, and what I can do to fix it. I've replaced the Tascam mixer with a Focusrite pre-amp as it's more suitable for VO than a mixer. When using either of those the signal from the mic is weak, scratching my head over that, and am considering a different mic too.
I read the link you provided to address mouth noises, also helpful. I hadn't considered apples before although an acting coach once recommended having a little honey before recording.
I'll make adjustments and re-record. If you would be so kind I'd appreciate if you would advise me further.
Please, and thanks!...Fred
Hi Fred!!
It's okay, not a problem at all :).
Could you please specify the reference of your Focusrite Pre-amp? I have a Focusrite Scarlett myself which sounds great so I think that the pre-amp should be just fine. For your recordings, you should lower the gain level on your recording equipment (preamp/interface): and use it at a level that prints a signal of -9 to -6 dB maximum while recording, to achieve safe levels that can be later brought up to standard through normalization. You can try this and see the results when normalizing. If you still experiment the hiss, I would suggest you to try with a different cable instead of changing the microphone. If the noise problem persists, then you could try with a different mic. You can test if your microphone is the source of the problem doing the following:
-Without plug-in the mic, raise the volume of the channel where you are usually connecting it to your pre-amp and doing the recordings. If this hiss/white noise still sounds through your monitors or headphones, then the cause shouldn't be the mic at all. But if the noise is not present, then I would suggest the source of the noise is the mic and you should try using a different one.
Please let me know how this goes :).
Best!
Gabriel
Hi Gabriel!
I got the Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd gen. It seems perfectly suited to my situation and appears to be working very well with a different cable [the problem wasn't the mic!]. The Scarlett's gain is set where the knob starts glowing green and Pro Tools mixer showing peaks in the range you suggested. I re-recorded the audition script, normalized the track to -3db, and exported it at 44.1kHz with 24 bit depth. I think those are the standard settings, yes?
https://drive.google.com/open?id=11PUOwCNXfHbi_JuWU1zDRfcik0M9uncy
Can you help me with this?
Please, and thanks!...Fred
Hi Fred!
Thanks a lot for submitting again your audio.
Yes that one should work perfect. I was checking your audio but I'm afraid the sample you uploaded in not normalized to -3dB. Can you please explain me the process you are following to do this? I was analyzing your audio and it might be useful also to try to control the peaks in your voice with automation or a little bit of compression in order to avoid any normalization issues.
For example, on the audio you submitted, there is a huge peak at 0:28:91 that can me controlled with volume automation or compression as I mentioned before and this will help you to bring optimal results when you normalize your audio. Please make sure not to over process your audios.
Finally, I still listen a little bit of hiss but it is a lot less than the first audition you submitted. You can experiment and try to control this issue using a noise gate or a noise reduction plug-in but please make sure to experiment with little adjustments in order to avoid damaging the quality of your audio.
I think we are almost there!! Please keep me updated.
Stay safe :)
Gabriel
Hi Gabriel!
I swapped out the dynamic mic for a condenser and am getting a stronger input signal. I rerecorded the audition script and uploaded the new version here: https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ddsMDYmIXPQvfy6TUMKnW5Ep5216t1z9
Making progress I think. Your input is very much appreciated.
Please, and thanks!...Fred
Hi Fred!!
How are you? Thanks a lot for your new submission.
That's great that you changed the mic! Condenser mics are great for voice overs. I was checking your audios and I think there are some issues that are related to the space you are recording. May I ask if the space you are using is acoustically treated? If you don't mind, you can upload a picture here so we can see the treatment that it has and figure out what tips can we give you for that space.
I can notice a lot of background noise on your recording. Maybe thats a consequence of the new mic that is more receptive and captures more sound, including the background noise. It is really important that you treat acoustically your space in order to avoid this type of problems.
Also, I'm noticing some mouth clicks and noises (for example at 0:21) that should be avoided or completely removed with audio edition. Please try to drink some hot tea before recording as that may help. Also, try using different distances from your mouth to the mic in order to experiment a bit and see which distance yields the best results. The most important thing is that at the end, you do not notice any kind of mouth clicks or sounds of salivation.
Please let me know how this goes and I'll be waiting your new audios.
Stay safe!
Gabriel
Hi Gabriel
Hoping this finds you safe and sane, all things considered ;-)
Here are pics of my recording space. It's like a cocoon with 2 inch foam tiles in front, felt blankets behind, rug below. I'm in a separate building with no fans or motors [refrigerator or otherwise]. The mic is a Rode NT1 with a Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd gen pre-amp. I took additional steps to muffle the PCs fan.
Here's the latest recording with minimal post-prod: normalized to -3db, trimmed the front and back ends.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=12qMiWWNCWAraxuhs4nz7WN7u0l9wpy8e
Getting closer all the time with your help.
Thanks!...Fred
Hi Fred!
How are you doing? Hope you are safe during this time :).
Thank you very much for your new submission. I was checking your audio and I have the following remarks:
1. First of all, please make sure you are controlling or properly editing all the breath and mouth noises from your recording. I can imagine that by this time you already checked the community page where there is useful information about this topic, so I encourage you to keep on trying to managing these issues accordingly :). You can notice what I'm talking about by listening to these undesired noises at 0:09, 0:17, 0:20, 0:24, 0:36, 0:43, 0:45.
2. I also noticed that there is some background noise (like birds or something similar) that is present on your recording. It is really evident from 0:13 to 0:15 and at 0:48 or 0:53. I was taking a look of your space and I think that the acoustic isolation maybe is not enough in order to prevent these noises coming from the background. I can't see on those pictures if that space is inside a room or it is at an open space but I will suggest you to try to isolate that walls and windows of the space where you will be recording as much as possible in order to avoid these background noises.
Let me know how it goes this time! Again we really appreciate your efforts and enthusiasm to improve the quality of your recording and hopefully we will be working together soon :).
All the best and have a wonderful week!
Gabriel
Hello Gabriel!
Apologies for the delayed response, the pandemic disrupts everything and everyone. Hoping this message finds you well and safe.
I very much appreciate your observations and recommendations, they are most helpful
You may very well be right about bird noises. Where there are trees there usually are birds. With that in mind this current recording was done after dark when those flying rascals are nested for the night. The recording *booth* is within a room, isolating background noise is a challenge but can be improved [e.g.: recording at night when background noise is limited]. I paid more attention to reducing breath noise too.
Again, your comments on my efforts in this are very welcome.
Please, and thanks!...Fred
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1FQo6BKIgNgPatR-jWVHk1K9PIRL5eNhk
Hello Gabriel;
A question if you would be so kind: You mentioned that you use a Focusrite Scarlett pre-amp like mine. There is the switch-able *Air mode* that Focusrite says gives recordings a "brighter and more open sound". I hesitate to over-process recordings but I'm curious about this feature. Should I use that option in future recordings?
Please, and thanks!...Fred
Hey Fred!! How are you?
Hope this message finds you well too :).
Thanks a lot for your new recording. It is sounding good!! The breath noises and the background noise has been improved. You could please apply through our platform in order to be able to process your formal application.
Just keep in mind the following:
- When you make some pauses between the lines ( to take air or just rest), make sure to edit and remove any pauses that are not stated on the script in order to make the read fluent and natural.
- I could notice some really mild mouth noises. Nothing distracting at all. But in order to avoid future problems, try drinking hot tea or eating a green apple before recording. Also, trying a distance a little bit further away from your mouth to the mic could yield better results. Just keep and eye on it and experiment in order to know what works best for you.
On regards your question about the Scarlett, I have a Scarlett Octo Pre pre-amp so I'm not sure about the option you are talking me about. I'll do my research and let you know if I find something. Also, you could try doing two recordings with exactly the same conditions and experiment a little bit in order to see if this improves the quality of your audio. At the moment the quality is sounding good as per our QC standards :).
Thanks a lot for all your patience and dedication.
Enjoy your week and stay safe :)
Gabriel
Hello Gabriel;
I will re-apply with confidence thanks to your input and guidance. I appreciate your patience and staying with me on this support thread.
Stay well, be happy. Thnx!...Fred
My pleasure Fred!!
You too as well.