Why Do Some Pros Have Music In Their Samples?
So I was browsing other Pro's, and many of the one's I came across have several fully produced works as their samples. Does BunnyStudio really not care about what we all agree upon for every sample we submit? Or is it a battle of attrition?
Here are the terms:
Please acknowledge the following:
- You recorded and produced this sample yourself in your own studio.
- This sample doesn't have a slate (your name is not mentioned).
- This sample has around 0.5 seconds of silence at the begining.
- This sample does NOT have any compression, noise reduction, or other kinds of post-production effects applied.
- This audio peaks at or BELOW -3db, therefore, it will not sound distorted after uploading.
Take note to the fourth point where it say's This sample does NOT have ... other kinds of post-production effects applied.
So how is this acceptable where these pro's are not only adding effects, EQ, etc, as well as over compressing, by the looks of it.
I feel this is taking away from those of us trying to do things properly, seeing as how these guys are getting work here.
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Hello Nicholas,
Thanks for reaching out here!
Regarding your question, although we do recommend avoiding all kinds of processing and post-production on samples and deliverables, it is mainly done because from our previous experience we have seen that a big majority of Pros could go overboard with them and craft files that are not up to our website's standards. Keeping that in mind, a soft and natural usage of processes is allowed as long as it keeps the sample sounding natural.
Regarding music, we do recommend not adding background tracks since it can cause false expectations for the client as the deliverables sent in our Voice projects do not include music (that can be done by us but it needs to be requested by clients with the Post-production option in projects) and it could mean a bad review/feedback from the client directly on the Pro's profile since expectations were not met. Still, our QC team does allow samples with music as long as it is done with a low volume, and that it allows the quality of the voice to be heard clearly.
Let me know if I can help with anything else!
Kind regards,
Daniel
Hey Daniel, thanks for your reply. However your answer is not only inconsistent with the rules we all agree upon whilst submitting each individual sample, but it is also inconsistent with the content I have found on other "pro's" profiles. These samples (produced demos) are very much overly compressed, sounding too loud and boomy, as well as having the music too loud. They are not natural at all. So when an honest sample of my own is rejected for reasons like 'room echo' (which is practically impossible in a booth), I can't help but feel cheated by this system as well as other pros. I find samples that break the rules on every angle, and yet are accepted, and these guys are getting work. What gives? Where is the integrity that I thought this platform was built upon? That sense of pride that I had getting accepted to this platform means a whole lot less when I see things like this and the inaction toward them. It would be nice to know if something is actually being done one way or another; change the rules, or enforce them, or some combination.
Kindest regards for your time and patience,
Nicholas
Hi Nicholas,
I understand how that can seem inconsistent, but there are other factors to take into account with samples, let me address some of your concerns:
Some Pros have reached a reliable status in the platform which causes their samples to be approved automatically by the system, this means that, if a file with excessive compression is uploaded by one of those profiles, it could slip through our QC agent's fingers, but our team is constantly reviewing uploaded samples in an effort to remove the ones with those strong processes as well as other issues. Please keep in mind that this is a very long and constant process, hundreds of samples are uploaded every day, and some of them are automatically accepted, which is why that review of each and all of them can take some time.
Also, it is important to differentiate QC issues with Post-production processes, since, for example, a sample with soft background music but with good quality on the VO is fine, but Room echo is a definitive reason for not only rejecting samples but also applications and deliverables. Also keep in mind that although a booth might not be able to create reverb in the same way a big room does, if the treatment is not adequate on some surfaces, it can still have reflections that might not enter in the "Room echo" domain, but could be considered "Boxiness" which is a similar acoustic issue but with those near-field reflections, and that is a definitive cause for revisions/rejections. Our team rejects files with that issue since it is not something that you can quickly fix on the majority of cases, while something like applying a bit of EQ or compression can quickly be fixed by removing the process.
I hope this info helps a bit more, if you want, you can share with me your sample that was rejected so I can personally give it a look!
Kind regards,
Daniel