Voice Over Beginner needs advice

[Peter Groom]

Ive not heard and samples to hear what exactly it is you’re not happy with but what are you doing to control your acoustic space?
Peter

Post Production Dubbing Mixer

[Shady Manaa]

Well, I’ve been recording (for practice purposes) some commercials that I made up, I started off by recording this simple ad for an “imaginary” hotel..

I used my Blue Yeti Pro connected on my laptop via USB, monitoring happened via Audio Technica’s M50X..

My acoustic space set-up happened to be as follows:
I have not yet built a home vocal booth, but I’ve been researching the topic and I’d really be thankful if you have any recommendation or suggestion in that context..

But the current set-up I used to record that is placing the microphone in a wardrobe cubicle (not a walking wardrobe) and surrounding it from all sides by pillows and clothes.. then wrapping up the wardrobe with a huge blanket/duvet thus I would go inside when I’m about to record and leave when I’m done.. (of course it feels like an oven inside there)..

However, I did not like the produced quality..
Here’s a link: –
https://1drv.ms/1DF5o2J

I compared my work to this professional recording demo from a site that I found on the internet, I really like the voice quality on this demo! I would really love to reach such a quality with my Microphone..
https://arabicvoiceovertalent.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/eng_british_male2_drew.mp3

Please provide me with all the items of advice you could give me, I’mma be taking every single one of them into consideration and act upon em’

[Peter Groom]

Ok comparing the 2.
1) I dont think theres any issue with your recording as such in a quality way.

2) your recording is a bit over bright (HF) , but not excessively. Any studio would fix that in a moment.

3) Please dont take this personally but comparing your recording to the other English sample that you like, your voice lacks the depth and re assurance / tonal quality of the sample voice over. His has a chocolate depth and yours is thinner and more brittle. Yours has nothing in the lower frequencies / register.
As someone who hires a LOT of voice overs, it is this that I pick up on most from a sound perspective.

4) Lastly, you have some very odd pronunciations / ways of saying certain words ie mountain,possible, think so, belive so, come, nature, freind, dot etc. Of course I dont know where you are marketing yourself to accent wise, but as an English presentation, it differs vastly to a normal English read.

Acoustic is fine. Mic is fine.
Peter

Post Production Dubbing Mixer

[Shady Manaa]

Peter you’ve been of extremely great help!

I read all your feedback points and I am not offended by any of them, I’m extremely thankful for each and every single point that you’ve mentioned, I was wondering if you could provide me with some item of advise on how I should enhance the flaws you noticed in my recordings..

Is it my voice that requires enhancement?
Is it my performance? my distance from the microphone?
You’ve also mentioned something regarding the accent as in odd pronunciation, well this recording has been made for practice not being marketed as a project or as a demo yet.. However regarding my Accent, I’m speaking fluent British English accent ever since I’ve been 13 years old. Not sure if the way I performed the words gave the odd feeling or if you’re referring to the accent itself..

How can I reach the depth that the other sample had?
Finally, about the Mic would I reach a better quality if I implemented my Microphone along with XLR-> preamp?

Thanks a lot for your feedback and honesty!

[Peter Groom]

re
Is it my voice that requires enhancement?

Dont think so. Just your voice sounds thin overall and compared to the sample.
Everyones voice sounds different, and not all of us have “Red Peppers” delivery tone. Mine included, but then i stay firmly on my side of the studio glass.

Is it my performance? my distance from the microphone?
Your mic distance is not an issue. Its more performance / diction / accent.

Not sure if the way I performed the words gave the odd feeling or if you’re referring to the accent itself..

You speak some words in the sample provided very oddly compared to a profesional English Voice over.

Are you English?
ie. A French person speaking english will always sound like a French person speaking English. Therefore they would ONLY ever get hired as that. Thats fine as long as that is what you need. I, nor any of the clients i know would hire a non english native to speak in English UNLESS they were after a particular sound.

How can I reach the depth that the other sample had?

I dare say some vocal exercises / coaching might help at little, but we sound the way we sound. ie No amount of coaching or physio could make me 6ft tall when im actually 5 ft 9. IF you have put some lo filtering in then that will roll out some of the lower tone that Im missing, but I think your voice doesnt sound like a film trailer!

Finally, about the Mic would I reach a better quality if I implemented my Microphone along with XLR-> preamp?

I very much doubt if your signal path is the reason. A better mic MIGHT help but Im not personally familiar with what youre using so dont presume that it will be better. Why not take youreslf to a pro studio and make a recording and compare the 2? Or get someone with a really rich deep tone to record on your mic, then you record, and compare?
BUT in conclusion, I dont believe you have a rich, deep voice like the sample. Just my opinion.
But I have worked with thousands of voice overs over my 30 years in studio sound.

Peter

Peter

Post Production Dubbing Mixer

[Shady Manaa]

Hey Peter!

Thank you so much for all your answers you’re extremely helpful mate!
As for my nationality, no I’m not English, however I’ve been raised amongst the English and British Accent speakers ever since I was 13 years old, so I consider British English to be my 2nd Native language, I’m pretty much fluent at it till the degree that many of my British friends thought I’m actually British myself.

As for the voice over coaching, I’m not really sure if I’ve ever ran into any coaches around my country, yet if I found any I’m not hesitating for a second, I’ll join their classes for sure!

My experience in the field of presenting is quite fine, I’ve worked on face-to-face presentations with a crowd, I’ve also recording mini-university projects as a voice over talent for videos’ production, however I wanna move on to the professional grid rather than just the amateur students’ activities.

That’s exactly why I’m trying my best to build a convenient well-equipped home studio that could be massively used for self-improvement via training and moving on to professionalism in this field! ^_^

Thank you so much for your feedback mate!

[Ty Ford]

Hello Shady,

I have no idea if my way would work in a foreign country, but here’s what I do.

https://www.tyford.com/Ty_Ford_Voiceover_Curriculum.html

Regards,

Ty Ford
Cow Audio Forum Leader

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Ty Ford Blog: Ty Ford’s Blog

[Ilkka Aaltonen]

Wow, it’s been long time since I started this thread asking as a complete novice. Now with more knowledge (please note: hobbyist, not a professional):

I would advice not to worry about the 24-bit/192kHz option. You need more HDD space for the recording and the gain is so small compared to what you need to benefit from it (everything has to match those settings; software, interface, speakers and whatever else) that in my opinion it’s simply not worth it. It just eats bandwith with minimal benefit. As far as I’m concerned if you use USB with this microphone, it’s going to be downsampled to 16-bit/48kHz anyway. I like the studio thing you have planned. I build one in my closet with foams. It improves quality enormously if you have quiet place without any noise or echo around you. Acoustic foam works, but you could also get the same benefit from blankets, pillows and towels; basically anything fluffy and soft that absorbs noise. Here is one place to get you started https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acoustics. Also Googling around “How to get rich voice”, “– deep voice”, “– manly voice” or checking videos on YouTube won’t hurt.

I would have to agree with people here that don’t pay so much attention on numbers. It’s nice to have them, but they alone don’t make you good. But look at the bright side, at least you don’t need to buy new microphone for the next 10 years! The more knowledge you gain, you can always bump up the numbers to next level if you really need it.

I have a little quest for you. After I did this, I figured out that I’d rather go with 16-bit/48kHz. It’s closer to what I actually need. You look for DAW, speakers and interface which all support 24-bit/192kHz (I’d say at least finding one of these will fail). Calculate how much money you need to get the benefit and then think that many professionals use 24-bit/96kHz anyway. Is this all really worth it to get those highest numbers?

Don’t take this personally but I must point this out. It might end up that you simply suck. No numbers are going to improve that. Practice and knowledge of your tools and surroundings does.

I hope you will find your own way of doing things which you are most comfortable with. All the best with you in the future!

[Bill Davis]

The Top 5 things that improve a VO?
From 30 years of experience…

IN ORDER- MOST IMPORTANT TO LAST
1. A quality script.
2. A quality talent.
3. A quality director.
4. A quality recording environment.
5. Pro level equipment.

Note please that gear is LAST in my estimation.

This doesn’t mean gear is totally unimportant – just that it’s effect on the actual quality of your results typically pales in comparison to the other 4 items.

Yeah, I know that in modern times, Item 3 is usually the first thing cut out. But that’s sad. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stood on the other side of the double glass and a quality director or producer has enhanced the results I’ve achieved by pointing out subtleties that can be improved.

And so it goes.

Know someone who teaches video editing in elementary school, high school or college? Tell them to check out http://www.StartEditingNow.com – video editing curriculum complete with licensed practice content.