to much ssssssss

Lynne Alston · Posted: Fri Oct 27, 2006, 17:57 (GMT) Post subject: to much ssssssss

As a child I was chastised at school by teachers for dropping s's. Over the years I overpronounced the sound, eventually doing it without knowing. Ok, I know I do it now, but how to stop?

Also any feedback on my voiceover would help, I am still in the infant stages of this career.

Michael Minetree · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006, 20:55 (GMT) Post subject:

There are a few things you can do to stop it. The first is to apply a de-esser to your audio abut as you can hear in the supplied file, it degrades the natural tone of the audio..

The other method and more preferable, is to press your tounge just a little harder to the roof of your mouth when delivering the s. The problem in the S is the whistle. Work with the suggested technique a bit and see how it does..

I just firgured out that I have discovered an new process called "Noramlize".... Silly fool...

Lynne Alston · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006, 21:29 (GMT) Post subject:

Michael,
Thank you for the suggestions, I feel that now I have some directional exercise to work with.
Lynne

Michael Minetree · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006, 21:43 (GMT) Post subject:

Well, now you do.. On the performance side of things, I happen to be a tremendous fan of the story you chose so I will try to be gentle.

I would like to hear you slow it down a little. Paint the pictures for me. Let me see the trains and the house and all of the other things.... like... The children.. when you say their names, try to add a little charachter to each one, so the listener has an idea that they are all different and not just a hodge-podge of kids..

Lynne Alston · Posted: Sat Oct 28, 2006, 22:06 (GMT) Post subject:

Again thanks. I actually was in a hurry to get this to an instuctor for EQ settings in Pro-tools, I keep the piece due to the my problem with the s's.

However your suggestion is a good reminder for me to paint the picture, I do tend to rush through a read, and I agree this read sucks. Any other suggestions are most appreciated. In the last few months, I have gone from having no clue as to what a gb was, to stumbling my way through recording.

I can only aspire to being as good as most on voices123, but through this wonderful resource and Imput I'll get there one day!
Lynne

Nikki Saco · Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006, 17:37 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Lynne, Michael's right about de-essers. They'll often noticeably degrade the audio without significantly de-emphasizing the "s" sounds. There are a few things you may like to try. One is to analyze your tongue placement. Practice in front of a mic and gently pull your tongue back during an "s" sound. That's one position change. Next try to relax and widen the tongue. Announce what you're going to do into the mic before you do it: "now I'm going to relax and widen my tongue." Play with different placements and record them. Then play back the audio and see which placement reduces the impact of your "s" more. Then practice the placement that works best until it starts to feel more natural. Since we each have unique mouth structures, teeth placement and so forth, this type of exercise will help isolate the best placement for you.

Second, record "s" words and a long "s" sound while also varying the shape of your mouth; try relaxing your jaw more, then try smiling through an entire portion of narration. That definitely changes the shape of the sounds coming from your mouth, and impacts on your "s" sound as well. For me and the shape of my mouth, I notice a wider smile accentuates my "s" more. I still want a smile in my voice for many interpretations, so I relax the smile and try to find a balance.

Finally, and this speaks more to the demo you provided, you may want to try varying your tempo more. A sustained tempo seems to highlight certain sounds, especially an "s." Ideally, narration for children has a musical feel to it. It's lilting. You have more of that lilt in the demos posted to your member page. As I'm sure you agree, tempo shifts tend to be more engaging and have the added benefit of de-emphasizing certain sounds, like "s."

You have a lovely accent and voice. A lot of voice coaches and voice talents are challenged by "s" sounds. Experimentation in front of the mic can really help.

Lynne Alston · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006, 06:20 (GMT) Post subject:

Nikki, thanks for the suggestions to play with tongue placement, I notice that when I try to soften the s's I then am so preoccupied with one thing that I loose the actual read, I am hoping with time this will all flow without having to think.

For 25 yrs I worked with preschool children, of which I loved to read, you are so right about a musical flow to a story, quite often I would be singing the story, but children really dont care that you cant carry a tune, just that you keep them engaged.

Chip Hinshaw · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006, 13:10 (GMT) Post subject:

Also, what kind of microphone are you using? Some condenser mics are often not the best for female voices due to their brightness. You may want to test drive some mics to see which ones are less sibilant.

Lynne Alston · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006, 15:13 (GMT) Post subject:

Chip,
Gosh your good, just by listening you can tell what mic I'm using.
It is ADK A51 lg diaph condenser mic. At this point I have to manage with what I have, but your note about not being suited to some is mentally logged until I have some more cash to play with.

I have been playing with the s suggestions plus changing the EQ settings, I am noticing a big difference, and while I still have a long way to go, I am happier and more relaxed with the changes so far.
Thanks all, any more suggestions about the read are really appreciated.
Lynne

Nikki Saco · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006, 20:01 (GMT) Post subject:

I hadn't heard that about condensor mics, but Chip may be right. I now use a dynamic mic, the Shure SM7b, and previously had an M-Audio condensor mic, the Nova. The Shure does seem to be more forgiving with esses. It's about $340, pricey by some standards but noticeably better. Attached is a file with the same spot read once with each mic. I'm sure you can guess which recording was done with the Shure.

Louis Tristan · Posted: Sat Nov 18, 2006, 23:37 (GMT) Post subject: Corkey

All that trouble, humm...I was just reading

The Art of Voice Acting by James R. Alburger, Page 46 exercise 9: The Cork Exercise

Here is one cork exercise they for got to put into the book: " I was Born on a Pirate Ship"

Computers are good, but if you get called into a low budget studio with limited technology you'll be expected to perform..

All in all excellent tips...

Allen Brown · Posted: Thu Dec 14, 2006, 17:04 (GMT) Post subject:

For problems with s sounds!
Say this 10 times real, real fast -

"Whoever slits sheets is a sheet slitter".

Now pick yourself up off the floor Laughing

Lynne Alston · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006, 22:53 (GMT) Post subject:

Well, I have been playing with this tongue twister for a few days, and thought I nailed it, until I heard my 10 year old on the phone to a friend. Being the mom I am I listened in, She giggled as she told her friend that I had been walking around for days cussing!!!

David Harjadene · Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006, 18:39 (GMT) Post subject: Great Potential

Lynne:

I had a quick listen to your demo's and they are quite good. Of course you have some advantages with that accent to nail some work that may prove to be more difficult with us with a more traditional American dialect.
Good luck on your auditions and don't hesitate to contact me if you want to chat about anything particular.

Cheers,

David

Lynne Alston · Posted: Fri Dec 29, 2006, 23:27 (GMT) Post subject: thanks

David, I appreciate you taking a listen, thanks. It was actually my first time in a recording studio and only third time at a mic, and that was the two days pre-demo. Of course I now am aware of how much work needs to go into this career, and thanks to all those on this site who have generously offered help the fog is beginning to clear a little. I am getting ready to work with a voice coach and am signed up for some seminars/classes next year.