Rejected but I can't hear the issue
Hi all, I hope you can help.
My application was sent back for revisions due to room echo and breath noises. I fixed those, I thought, but it was ultimately rejected and the feedback I got was that there was reverb, boxiness, and there was "Loud background noise is impacting your recording and adversely affecting the quality of the deliverable."
I admit I have new, unsophisticated ears for recordings. I'm trying to learn what reverb and boxiness sounds like - I can't hear those on the recording, but that's not surprising. What I do hear now is a couple of plosives that stand out, but those were not mentioned.
Can anyone help me find at what point there is loud background noise? I can't hear anything, even in studio earphones or through Mackie monitors, that would amount to loud background noise.
I am posting the revised sample that was ultimately rejected. It was recorded in a moderately sound-treated home office, with a pop filter, and an isolation/reverb shield.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jNfEHC-dxDHlkT4qQYLjrYBJ3rbJbHFU/view?usp=sharing
Thanks in advance for helping me learn to hear! -Jill
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It sounds as though there are a couple of factors impacting your file. The biggest one is your recording space, which is leading to some pretty severe echo and reverb. First thing I would suggest is to not be discouraged - they are all issues that you can resolve on your own; it's just going to take a little research and doing. The second thing that I would suggest is to find and listen to samples from other VO talent that might play in the same space as you. Try to find the ones that are working a lot, as their sound will be more dialed-in. If you compare your file to the ones you find there, you'll start to hear the differences. There is definitely an echo, or boxiness, in your file. Remember that an 'isolation shield' will only block in front of you, which is actually the back of the microphone. The reverberation that comes from behind you can often sneak in and get you. It's nice to have a large space in which to record, but that also means that you have a large space to optimize for recording!
There also seem to be multiple hums - there's something at the very low end of the auditory spectrum and there are also sounds at 25, 49, and 100 Hz. Likely an AC unit, maybe a fridge? Regardless, it'll work best for you if you find a quiet, isolated space and endeavor to treat that space with sound dampening materials. At about 30 seconds it also seems like I can hear someone else begin to speak.
Finally, yes - there are some mouth sounds and some slightly harsh sibilance. Those are the smallest issues and can be resolved with green apples, water, and a lightly applied de-esser.
I recommend searching for and watching Mike Delgaudio's 'Booth Junkie' series on YouTube. He goes through a lot of these things in a clear and descriptive way, and his enthusiasm is contagious.
Good luck!
Thank you Jack!
That was exactly what I was hoping someone would respond - the timestamps that stuff is heard so that I can listen for it and start to learn.
Even though the AC in the room was off, I realize now that the central AC unit is in the attic space behind the wall where I was recording. I wonder if that would have done it.
I will definitely check out Mike Delgado on YouTube. Thank you again for your insight.
Jill