Can I get a sound quality check?

Aharon Rabinowitz · **Voice Talent** Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 12

Hi- I'm just setting up a new space and I wanted to see if the sound quality was up to par.

Not sure if there's too much room ambiance or not for pro recording. Also, are the noise reduction tools doing a decent job?
Attached are the original and cleaned up version - no other work has been done to the audio.

Thanks,

Aharon

Emmett Andrews · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 132

Maybe I'm going deaf, but I don't think the noise is problematic. The noise reduction is much too heavy handed for the small amount of noise present.

There is some bounceback from the room, though I don't think it is problematic either. I would suggest doing more treatment for surface echoes before you worry too much about the noise.

Emmett

Frank Frederick · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 29 Dec 2006 Posts: 142

Aharon,

The sound is fine, you do have a little echo in the room - nothing to be bothered with at the level you are recording.

Which brings up part two of my post; you levels are very low, very, very low as a matter of fact.

The peaks are at around -9 dba. Your level should be peaking (on average) around -3 dba.

Crank up the input volume and try it again, your audio will be much better by doing things properly from the beginning.

Toodles

Frank Frederick
"The Voice" tm

Lance Blair · Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008, 16:38 (GMT) Post subject:

Your signal level is fine. Sounds good.

Emmett Andrews · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 132

It's peaking at around -3dBFS....That's fine. Your level is good, don't change anything. If you raise it, you'll risk clipping the signal.

However, I'm not sure why you're recording to stereo. Use mono. Your L and R are recieving slightly different signals (consumer soundcard?) Recording in mono, though it will be subtle, will give you a slightly more solid sound.

Emmett

Aharon Rabinowitz · **Voice Talent** Joined: 05 Dec 2007 Posts: 12

"Maybe I'm going deaf, but I don't think the noise is problematic. The noise reduction is much too heavy handed for the small amount of noise present. "

It's wierd. I'm using a Macbook Pro (Windows under Bootcamp) and a Samson USB condenser Mic, and I'm hearing some sort of buzz that I only get when I record on the windows side. Nothing on the mac. Are you not hearing that when you play the original file? Maybe its a problem with output, and not input.

Anyway, thanks for your thoughts. I will look into reducing the room reflection.

Oh, and for those of you wondering why I would bother using a Macbook Pro while running Windows Audio software... Macbook Pros are virtually silent, when not running applications that use graphic acceleration. I tested recording with both the mac in and out of the room, and it made no difference.

Best,

Aharon[/quote]

Frank Frederick · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 29 Dec 2006 Posts: 142

Trying hard NOT to piss anyone off; I MUST to delve into some thoughts posted...

Recording with an average peak around -9 dba; before processing is NOT acceptable.

Reason: The better quality recoding you have going IN, the better quality recording you have going OUT.

Or, in layman's terms, if your audio signal is not high (i.e.: loud, strong) enough; you will need to have more processing to create the desired signal level when you Master or Post your audio.

A clean, high quality, strong signal means you will require less processing. Which in turn means less possibility of artifacts and abnormalities being introduced into your final audio file which is how you and your talent will be judged by those who hire you.

For those who believe a low audio signal strength waveform is "good enough", it is time to start looking at what the term "quality" means and how you may achieve a higher standard, because in our business "good enough is not good enough".

It does not matter whether you use Mac or PC, the audio requirements are the same. Good audio IS good audio, bad audio is bad audio no matter which computer platform on which you create the file.

Good luck Aharon.

Toodles

Frank Frederick
"The Voice" tm

Emmett Andrews · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 132

Frank Frederick · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 29 Dec 2006 Posts: 142

Removed to allow Emmett his peace.

Emmett Andrews · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 132

Emmett Andrews · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 132

Here you are....I even stepped it up a notch. -1 (roughly) on the first one...-12 (roughly) on the second one.

Go ahead. Normalize and add identical processing. Anyone, not just Frank. Anyone hear a difference? Didn't think so...

Emmett

Frank Frederick · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 29 Dec 2006 Posts: 142

Considering you used the exact same file, only lowering the level on the second part of the file (or amplifying the first part of the file) - there would be no difference.

How do I know that? Compare the two, on two separate tracks one below the other, notice the timing is exactly the same on every word (with the exception of the extra pause to fool the ear into thinking they were different) - what are the odds?

Forensically speaking all you have done Emmett is prove what I have been saying.

Re-record each part. Lower the input level of the sound card into the computer so your audio peaks at -9db. Not by decreasing the volume level of the recording. Record at 24 bit, 48 kHz and 16 bit, 44.1 kHz. You will end up with four unique files, not one file. Or at least two files.

Now, do the same recording with different inflections only a -3db or 85% peaks version.

Once this part of the test is completed, save the files, and process as usual - including compression, amplification/normalizing, and limiting. Then save each file with a different name and tell me you do not hear a difference.

Obviously you didn't want my opinion as I notice the little things, but this is why I also consult in forensic audio.

Toodles

Frank Frederick
"The Voice" tm

Emmett Andrews · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 132

Are you kidding? Frank, those were two reads, back to back. I simply lowered my fader on my mic and reread the script. I use a console and do not control anything using my soundcard. It's fixed where I want it. Also, I have my DAC fixed at 44.1, which is why I did not post 48k samples. The fader is also the reason it's lower than I wanted. I pulled it down, on the fly, and overshot where I wanted it.

If you seriously cannot tell a difference in those reads, your ears are absolutely terrible. The entire first part is inflected differently. Seriously, do you have a hearing loss? I'm not kidding. I don't joke about those things, as my mother has a severe HF hearing loss. I mean, have you had your hearing checked? I wondered when you somehow thought I wouldn't notice the processing on the first one. THERE ARE 46 DB OF DIFFERENCE IN THE NOISE!

Nonetheless, I will re-record a file and move the fader WHILE RECORDING so you can hear it sliding down.

Emmett

Frank Frederick · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 29 Dec 2006 Posts: 142

Removed.

Emmett Andrews · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 132