Need Sound Engineer Advice
Thanks for any thoughts here - I love that quality control is high with VoiceBunny!
Here is my first audition attempt with VoiceBunny:
https://soundcloud.com/betsy-pierre/voice-bunny-audition-betsy-pierre-040620-final/s-dYva4Wbmh9I
It was declined as "It sounds as if the audio was not recorded with professional equipment. Please ensure you are using a professional microphone and equipment to record properly."
I am using a MXL 2006 mic with a Behringer XENYX 502 mixer. Recording with Audacity. Guessing the problem is more in my lack of sound engineering skills than with the equipment. Not sure what to adjust but, am certain I did something wrong!
Thanks for any thoughts!
Betsy
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Hey Betsy!!
Thanks a lot for reaching out. I'm glad you are here and that I will be able to help you :).
I was listening to your audio and for me it sounds as the audio is over-processed. Could you please confirm me if you are using any processing on your audio? (noise reductions plug-ins, eq, etc).
If yes, please let me know in detail which processing are you using and please submit a new recording without any processing at all in order to be able to help you find the best way to manage and process your audios.
Looking forward to hear from you.
Stay safe!!
Gabriel
Thanks for the note Gabriel! I use Audacity to record. The only thing I do is compress the audio. Below is a link to a raw take without any processing.
https://soundcloud.com/betsy-pierre/vo-voice-bunny-audition-raw-041320/s-sXjn6R7eOQA
Here is a picture of where the mixer settings are at. Thanks so much! Betsy
Hi Betsy!! How are you??
Hope this post finds you well.
I was listening to your samples and discussing the quality with the QC team. We think that the problem with your recordings might be the low quality of the Behringer mixer. We would suggest you to try using a Focusrite 2i2. This one we think it will work better in order to improve the quality of your samples.
Please let me know your thoughts about it :).
Best regards!
Gabriel
Thanks Gabriel - I will give that a shot and will post a new sample! Betsy
Hey Betsy!
Hope you are doing good :).
Looking forward to listen to your new sample.
Gabriel
Hi Gabriel - took a while to receive the Focusrite Scarlett 2i - thank you for your advice!!! Below is a take using that mixer. Curious your thoughts. Thanks!
https://soundcloud.com/betsy-pierre/vo-voice-bunny-tryout-take-2-050820/s-fa6vmiBqi49
Hey Betsy!!
How are you?
Thanks for reaching out. I'm glad you were able to get your Focusrite Scarlett 2i. I was listening to your audio, but it happens that the audio has only one mono signal coming from the left side, missing the audio signal from the right one. Could you please verify this? The audio should have a stereo signal (meaning that it has a left and right signal) as the previous audios you were submitting.
Please let me know how does this goes.
Have a great week :).
Gabriel
Shoot - so sorry Gabriel - thanks so much for hanging with me!
Try this:
https://soundcloud.com/betsy-pierre/vo-vb-take-3-051120/s-2fxcETGklVD
Betsy
Hello Betsy!!
No problem at all. I'm happy to help :). Hope you are fine and healthy.
Thank you for submitting a new sample. First of all the quality improved A LOT!! I guess you also noticed it right? But now it is sounding pretty neat. A couple of remarks:
1. Please make sure to edit all background noises, for example at the beginning of your audio.
2. Also, I noticed some plosives throughout your audio. The best way to prevent plosives is by using a professional pop-filter and recording at an appropriate distance from the mic.
3. I also noticed some breath noises that should be removed completely from your recording. You can do this using volume automation or fades. Also, you can try to be more aware and conscious of this while recording in order to be able to control the breathing noises so you don't have to edit afterwards.
But overall I'm really glad of your new sample. It is sounding great :).
Looking forward to hear from you :)
Kind regards,
Gabriel
Thank you - YES, I was pleased by the quality. I was really struggling with that other mixer and I thought it was just my lack of skill using it. Maybe that was a bit of it but this new one is MUCH easier with better quality. Thank you for the added feedback and the compliment. I am glad to hear you think my sample is starting to sound great!
I will work on the background noise - I wasn't hearing it but, I will go back and pay better attention. Are you seeing it in the waves or are you turning the sound up to catch it?
I do have a fairly decent pop filter but, I may be a bit too close to the mic. I will play with that and may try a metal filter. I saw a good review on a Stedman one that may be good for me...
Breath noise - Thanks for that comment as well. I got the sense I wasn't suppose to edit or sound effect my recording so I didn't. I can try that and I can try to time my breaths better so I can edit them out or at the very least control them better.
Your support and feedback is very appreciated - thank you! Betsy
Hello Betsy, how are you??
It is my pleasure, I'm really glad I was able to help.
On regards of the background noise, I could notice it right at the beginning of your audio before you start with the voice over. I was talking about those ones, but also I remarked it as a friendly reminder that all background noises should always be edited :).
Yes, please try different distances from your mouth to the mic in order to see which one yields the best results. A little bit of experimentation here will help you find the best distance for your conditions. Finally, on regards the breath noises, you can indeed edit if you are using fades or volume automation to remove those undesired noises. We encourage our Pro's not to edit as they might over process their audios and cause different problems. But fades and volume automation in order to remove these kind of noises should be just fine :).
Let me know if I can help you in any other way.
Kindest regards,
Gabriel