Audio discrepancy with new recording sessions

[KimL]

Hello...newbie here!! I am in the middle of recording a short children's story for Librivox and have recorded the darn thing about a dozen times! I'm having a problem with the name of the main character and keep pronouncing it wrong in various parts of the recording (silly me). It would makes sense to re-record the little word or phrase and edit it in. However, when I go back to record the corrected phrase, the audio sounds different from the first one. So, that is why I scrap the thing and re-record the whole thing. I'm thinking there has got to be a better way. A small story should not take me this long.

Does anyone have advice on getting consistent audio, even during different recording sessions? Part of the problem sounds like the acoustics in the room. I don't have a padded booth or anything. I was thinking about taking a plastic bin and putting padding in there and put my microphone in there. Would that help?

The second observation is my voice, vocal tone, and even animation seem different. Perhaps this is a newbie issue, where I can't maintain the same vocal quality for my readings in different sittings. Any tips on this?

Thanks,
KIm

[sjmarky]

There are some things you can do. First, if you can, never move or touch your mic or other stuff between recording sessions; leave everything in exactly the same place if possible. Even small changes will affect the sound. Second, make sure you always use the same chair and in the same position. Some people even mark the floor with tape. Third, listen to the original recording several times before recording your pickup. Practice matching the earlier recording with regard to pacing, expression, etc. This is the only time I wear headphones when recording, so I can clearly hear the previous take. Fourth - and I don't know if you do this - record your pickup in a separate file, and then edit it in, rather than try to record over the earlier take. This allows you to check it for being satisfactory before making the actual edit, plus make fine adjustments to match the volume.

I hope this helps.

[philchenevert]

Remembering Names. Yeah, this is a problem that doesn't exist when reading but is BIG when recording. The simple solution for me is to have a page in front of me and when a name comes up, say 'Dorothy', that I might say different ways, I write it in big block letters and then next to it how I will say it in this recording. It could be 'Dor-thy' or Dor-o-thy'. I pick what I like and keep that page open on my desk in front of me to remind me all the time. Any name that may cause problems is added to the list. Consistency is important and this keeps me on track. Mark dealt with the other consistency of environment; I agree completely with him.

[KimL]

There are some things you can do. First, if you can, never move or touch your mic or other stuff between recording sessions; leave everything in exactly the same place if possible. Even small changes will affect the sound. Second, make sure you always use the same chair and in the same position. Some people even mark the floor with tape. Third, listen to the original recording several times before recording your pickup. Practice matching the earlier recording with regard to pacing, expression, etc. This is the only time I wear headphones when recording, so I can clearly hear the previous take. Fourth - and I don't if you do this - record your pickup in a separate file, and then edit it in, rather than try to record over the earlier take. This allows you to check it for being satisfactory before making the actual edit, plus make fine adjustments to match the volume.

I hope this helps.

Thanks, these tips help. One thing I am curious about is when you say you don't wear headphones during recording. I just bought a mic that allows you to plug in a headphone. Is there an advantage of not wearing one? I figured it would help me hear voice quality as it is live.

I'm going to have to work on not moving stuff around. I move things all the time (laptop, mic., etc.).

Thanks,
Kim

[sjmarky]

I just find them distracting and hot and uncomfortable after 20-30 minutes. Trying to listen to myself while talking just doesn't work for me. I haven't noticed any improvement in my narration quality with headphones. I use headphones as I said for pickups and also for final editing.

[KevinS]

Remembering Names. Yeah, this is a problem that doesn't exist when reading but is BIG when recording. The simple solution for me is to have a page in front of me and when a name comes up, say 'Dorothy', that I might say different ways, I write it in big block letters and then next to it how I will say it in this recording. It could be 'Dor-thy' or Dor-o-thy'. I pick what I like and keep that page open on my desk in front of me to remind me all the time. Any name that may cause problems is added to the list. Consistency is important and this keeps me on track. Mark dealt with the other consistency of environment; I agree completely with him.

Good advice!

[JenniferFour]

When editing a correction in, you would be amazed at much adjusting the volume helps. Put it in and then raise or lower the volume of the correction to more closely match the audio around it.