Inconsistent Quality Control
Finally decided to post something as today was about as frustrating of a day as I've had on Bunny. Background - Been on the site 3 months and after a rocky start and trying to figure out the Quality control challenges of the site, I found my grove and have had the vast majority of my work approved with no QC issues. But today was a day reminiscent of those early days. First and foremost, I record in the same place with the same equipment set up and settings EVERY day. Nothing changes. I'm also careful how far I speak from the mic. I am ALWAYS consistent. My day-
- Job #1 - So today I start the day by successfully auditioning completing a job that was approved by the client
- Job #2 then gets revision requests by noting overcompressed and over-processed. Mind you same setting as Job #1. After a few takes it's accepted and approved by client.
- Job #3 - This one is a head scratcher in many ways. Same QC as Job #2 and while basically recorded at the same setting as my first take of Job #2, nothing is noted about over-compressed/processed. Instead I'm asked to revise as it doesn't sound young enough. So I give it a take with a younger tone and it is accepted....but ultimately rejected by the client! Fate would have it the job popped up again and I was allowed to apply. I did and got the audition. So I used the same version I first submitted (that one that didn't sound young enough). And it was accepted by the judge and get this..also the client! I can't even wrap my head around that.
- Rest of the day went ok with only one job requiring a revision due to distortion noted. Different Judge and an issue no other judge noted.
- Last job of the day was QC by yet another QC and he threw the kitchen sink at me from boxiness (saying not an acoustically good environment/small space), volume (asked for at -3dBFS) and mouth noise. Side note - this judge always has these issues and no others do....
Think that sums it up pretty good and exactly what I went though way back. How can the same judge request revisions for one job but accept the another simultaneously with the EXACT same settings? And how can I successfully do over 150 jobs and the same judge keeps rejecting me for saying I don't have an acoustically good environment yet it works for all the others? It's consistently inconsistent and how is that fair to the pro's who are scratching and clawing to do work? I'm always consistent and basically having to alter my gain and normalization to the tastes of individual judges; and when that happens it results in more revision requests because I don't know what to expect any given job. I'm curious if all the judges are using the same equipment and looking at the same things or are they given free will to do as they please?
I also want to throw in that I was professionally trained and while always learning and growing in this business, I have shared multiple rejections with the company that trained me. They have a Grammy winning sound guy and every rejection he has listened to has noted that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the recording; and is baffled it doesn't work for a site that typically pays less than $15 a job.
I will end my rant on a few good notes. The Bunny Support folks are phenomenal and have really helped me keep my sanity. Daniel is a saint in my books and always there to give input and assistance where he can. And all the frustration noted, when Bunny does work and it's clicking, it's a blast and one of my favorite sites to do work! Maybe I'll get to a point where I'm doing more high paying jobs, but for now, I love the excitement and experience.
Would love to hear from other pro's that are going through the same thing or can share any thoughts or comments. Realize we are all competing against each other, but in the end, we are a community and there seems to be plenty of work on this site to go around!
Chris
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Hi Chris!
Thank you for reaching out to the community!
I understand that it can be quite frustrating and confusing getting different revision comments from us QC agents. That's why we all took the time to review your audio together and came to the following conclusion:
1.) Boxiness- There is indeed boxiness. The room reflections can be heard throughout the audio. However, I do believe that you have a good recording environment and that this issue can be solved with an EQ.
I subtracted 5dbs at around 300hz with a Q of 12db/oct. This should remove the boxiness entirely from your audio.
Here's how it should look like: https://we.tl/t-H9J4p8C5jo
2.) Volume- The volume is also a bit loud. I suggest lowering your gain settings to up to 1 to 2 dbs. For technicalities, I also would like to suggest having your audio at -23LUFS tops with a -2dbtp.
And that's pretty much it! Regarding the issue with QC-Client confusion. It does happen from time to time and the QC team is doing its best to address this.
And regarding the issue about the QC inconsistencies. It usually happens whenever we get audio that has different or lower quality than our top pros in a specific language/category.
We really do appreciate you heading over to the community and bringing this issue in. I hope this helps and I really look forward to hearing a sample of your next recording! :)
Best,
Hiroshi
Hiroshi - I appreciate the explanation and do apologize if my frustration comes across in my post, but it's frustrating. So last night it happened again with you and the crazy part is I was just short listed for a job using the same set up with another site that pays 20x what this one did. Regardless I'd like to try what you suggested. My problem and please anyone chime in is that I do not know how to accomplish what you said with my set up. When I received my training, they provided me a standard template. I always use that. My equipment is a Scarlett box and Pro Tools. If you or someone can help me figure out how to make those adjustments through those two component, it would be helpful.
Hello Chris,
You can do this in Pro Tools by placing an EQ3-1 band to your audio tracks "insert" and dialing the following settings: https://we.tl/t-vBvYvbjUJc
This should help your audio sound much clearer. Let me know how it goes!
Hey Hiroshi. Are you able to take the conversation offline as many of my still remaining questions surround not understanding my version of ProTools and what you are explaining. For instance, I don't see those knobs on mine. I use a "sweetener" track to do all my recordings from the place I trained and don't have a ton of experience yet with ProTools. If you are able, my email is cklancir@gmail.com and would really appreciate a way to get this resolved. Thanks! - Chris
Hi Chris,
Here's a simple video that should help you: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PAlpDIpKWLs
Hope this helps!
Hi Hiroshi. So I worked with the company that trained me and figured out how to adjust the equalizer. Was a little different than your version, but I did it. Please review this job I was just approved for and let me know your thoughts on the issues we have been discussing. Many thanks!
Speedy Work for SAIC - Hiring Surge DC Metro - Feb10-Mar7 2022 - Mission d6f3b5a6-0060-4016-aed4-c19af20bc4ec
Hey Chris,
After careful review of your most recent recording, the team and I noticed that there is still an issue that needs to be addressed. This audio was only approved because it was generally ok. However, the team highly suggests addressing the issue below to avoid any more inconsistencies and further rejections from QC:
Volume- The volume of your audio is still a bit too loud and has introduced some distortion in the recording. I suggest lowering the input gain in your Focusrite by about 1 to 2 decibels when recording. Lowering down the clip gain in Pro Tools to make sure your audio does not clip in your DAW.
Hi Hiroshi -
Really appreciate the continued feedback and tips. In the end, I just want to be at a place where I can send in auditions with no concerns on the audio quality. So again forgive me for being a bit new, but I often have adjusted the gain for Bunny auditions when there have been requests for revisions. Typically I keep the gain between 10 and 11o'clock and have lowered it to 9 o'clock for audio revisions. I just don't know how much a turn of the knob equates to the 1-2 decibels. I also know other factors play into where you set the gain including type of mic (I have a 3-Zigma CHI lollipop mic) and distance to mic. Typically I have the pop filter an inch from the mic and I speak about an inch or so from the pop filter. I also wonder sometimes I do my reads louder and more animated and curious to that impact on gain and sound quality. I'm a sponge here so please dispense your knowledge and wisdom and thank you in advance!
Chris
Hello Chris,
Thanks for the additional details! That's weird because you seem to be keeping your input gain quite low and it still has some sort of distortion at certain points of your recording.
I was actually also thinking if it's the delivery of your voice when doing reads louder at certain points that is causing the distortion or it could just be the characteristic of your mic as you seem to be using a vintage type mic. Could you try sending a sample where you are recording 1-2 more inches away from the pop filter?
Nonetheless, I think it would be good to keep your input gain at around 9 o clock or less.
I also suggest lowering your clip gain by about 2-3 dbs in Pro Tools after recording. Here's a link to a guide on how to do that in Pro Tools: https://www.protoolstraining.com/blog-help/pro-tools-blog/tips-and-tricks/292-mixing-with-clip-gain-in-pro-tools.html#:~:text=Go%20to%20the%20%22View%22%20menu,the%20middle%20of%20the%20menu.
You can also try doing the EQ tip that I showed you in my previous reply as it may help lessen the distortion issue.
Let me know how it goes!
Hiroshi
Hi Hiroshi - So after your prior email I did share with the company that got me the equipment and training. I believe we identified the problem. When they trained me, they told me I always normalize to 90% after recording my audio clips. When I started having some Bunny site tech issues/revision requests, there were time I was told to reduce to -3dbs. What I started to do was normalize to 95% in order to do that. Always seemed like that would do the trick and have continued to normalize to 95% on all jobs. Now that we have adjusted other items, I'm told that normalizing to 90% should completely eliminate what you are describing. I will give that a shot on any next audition.
Chris
Hi Hiroshi, So after some successful recordings using the new settings things have been fine until you rejected another recording last night. Regarding your last correspondent on lowering the clip gain after recording, the tutorial you sent me did not help as my version of Pro Tools (Pro Tools First) does not have that view option in my menu. So with that, I have simply been using the settings you recommended and normalizing to 90%, which is what my company said should eliminate most of the issue. What is frustrating to me with your rejection last night is 1) Two prior recordings in the day were approved by Bunny judges AND the client (using the EXACT same settings); and 2) You simply rejected my recording without allowing me a revision. With the issue you noted, I would have simply changed the normalizing to 95% to achieve what you were looking for; but again you didn't give me that chance. Feels like I'm back to square one with you and have done just about EVERYTHING you have asked and can possibly do. Interested to hear your feedback....
Hello Chris!
Apologies for the wrongful rejection. The project that I rejected should indeed have been sent back for revision. Nonetheless, I do believe the quality of your recent recordings has improved!
However, please know that if QC finds more issues in the future, they may be sent back for revision.
I'll go ahead and ask the team to remove the rejection from that project from your stats. :)
Best,
Hiroshi