i got the job; i lost the job-my equipment apparently sucks

Ann Baker · **Voice Talent** Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 6

I auditioned, was chosen, did the script, sent it in. then got a call from the agent who was at the recording studio with the engineer mixing mine and another voice. Apparently the recording is too "thin" and there's noise in the background. The agent was under time constraint and so moved on to another talent! I lost the job!

I'm using a Samson microphone with filter, recordpad software, and wavepad editing software. I'm pretty computer savvy but limited in recording and sound editing knowledge. Just what I've figured out using the software and using the "helps." When the engineer asked me what compression rate I had used to record, I admit I was lost. If you are techno savvy, can you give this MP3 file a listen and tell me what I need to do to get better quality? Thanks so much to anyone who will help me out!

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008, 20:12 (GMT) Post subject:

Yeah, that's not broadcast worthy.

While you don't have the best software/hardware in the world, it could work if you have a good quiet sound absorptive booth to work in. Just stepping into the closet isn't enough, since a closet has wood, plaster and metal wire shelves...some of the bounciest materials known to man. Sound waves are bouncing all over the place in your recording. So your environment is the first issue -- much more so than your equipment/software. Even foam you put on the bed will be better than a hard surface environment. You also need to make sure you're using wind screen and pop filter and have a shock mount for your mic. If you have wavepad, you can also record on that. When you create a new file and click the record button, a window will open up asking you what settings you want to record in. Always record in wav, 44.1 kHz. I think the engineer is wanting to know if you recorded at this standard, or into a program that records low quality wma or something. So alwasy record wav and try to deliver wav where possible, too. (Though some folks are fine with high-quality mp3) But your original product has to be clean, crisp and quiet to withstand mp3 compression.

I also hear what sounds almost like phone tone bleed through, though it might actually be the ring that comes from sound waves bouncing on hard surfaces.

I'm no geek...but just what I heard in a quick listen.

Lee Kanne · **Voice Talent** Joined: 20 Dec 2005 Posts: 129

What I heard was a really noticeable whirring or med-high pitched hum ... I don't get the "thin" the engineer was talking about...He might have asked you what your compression settings were because if you crank them too high they really accentuate any little background noises that can occur...

I didn't really hear any bouncing around or live room sounds, but of course, I'm not a big fan of totally dead room anyway...

there might be some kind of interferring electrical device within close proximity

the mic itself might be defective......it's an audio device and condensor mic built into one small unit, so all it could take is one improperly shielded wire and the recordings will be as noisy as hell..

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008, 10:45 (GMT) Post subject:

While not a techie, I'm going to throw in my 2 cents worth here, too.

Whatever the background noise may be, it was so subtle that to my old, tired ears, I almost couldn't even notice it, even thru headphones. But then at my age higher frequencies are the first to go anyway.

But beyond that, here's what I heard:
- popping plosives that are absolutely unacceptable in a professional market. Ann, if you're not using a pop screen or filter AND proper mike placement, you need to research it and do so.
- I DO understand and hear what the engineer meant by sounding 'thin'. The best way I can describe it would be that it sounds like you're EQ'd fairly high in the middle frequencies, with a lot of rolloff on the lower and very highest ends. An analogy would be that you're in a bit of a tin can.

I tried, best as I could, to add some compression and EQ with your file to 'beef it up', but there's only so much I could do. You should notice SOME difference between this and your original, but you need to work on your recording environment to make it as dead as possible and your mike, compression and EQ settings, Ann. If this is beyond your capabilities, find someone in your area who can come in and spend 1/2 hour and help you get this right, or else you'll be putting yourself out of contention for other jobs, too.

Lee Kanne · **Voice Talent** Joined: 20 Dec 2005 Posts: 129

I kinda get the "thin" now, after I ran the clip thru the Waveform Spectrum Tool in Audition....

You can see that there is a lot of activity in the 100hz-400hz range
(the bright yellow), and very little anywhere above 1000Hz (red and blue) where most of the "presence" occurs....also, little or no frequency response above 10 khz, ...

Also, I took a little clip of the noise that I heard in the background and bumped it up +20db...obviously it wouldn't have been this loud in the recording, but I can hear it nonetheless....

Scott Pollak · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008, 18:35 (GMT) Post subject:

Sounds like the bridge of the Starship Enterprise!
Laughing

Ann Baker · **Voice Talent** Joined: 06 Jun 2005 Posts: 6

it certainly does!
anyone out there know of a tech in the south bay, CA area who could come to my home studio and help me set up properly? thanks.

Lance Blair · Posted: Tue Mar 25, 2008, 20:37 (GMT) Post subject:

Ann, I like your voice. Invest in it, and don't try to capture it on the cheap. You don't need a $1000 microphone or $2000 preamp or $3000 interface to get great results.

Everything I've ever bought to try and save money I just wound up selling at the first chance I got and it only kept me from saving the money to buy equipment I was happy with.