1 Minute Test - GB Perez [OK]

[gbperez]

Hi all! Here is the link to my 1 minute test:
https://librivox.org/uploads/tests/test_gbperez.mp3

The file includes an unedited recording (aside from volume) and the same recording edited with the following effect rack:
- Adaptive Noise Reduction
- DeEsser
- Parametric Equalizer
- Mastering

I used the Passer program to fit the technical specs of the file. There may be some noise from my roommates however. Important info are:
Software: Adobe Audition
OS: Windows
Mic: Analog (Audio Technica AT2020)

I'd love to hear some recommendations for Audition effects! Always happy to improve both on the technical side and delivery side.

[sjmarky]

Greetings gb

Your audio meets LibriVox requirements, so you are good to go.

I can hear the EQ and de-esser kick-in in the mastered sample. MHO is that the de-esser is s good addition, but the EQ sounds like the boost is at the bottom end. This is OK, but you could live without it. There is only about a 0.5db difference in noise floor, so the adaptive noise reduction isn't doing much. A noise floor of -53.57db RMS is fine for LibriVox, but wouldn't pass for a commercial recording (if that matters to you at all). You might try tweaking the settings to get the noise floor below -60db. I thought a high-pass/low-cut filter would help, but it didn't, so the noise isn't in the lower registers. Both samples sound good. So, that's my tuppence.

Happy narrating!

[gbperez]

Hey SJ,

Thanks for the feedback! I normally record at a low gain, apply my effects rack, then increase the volume. For this one it was a bit different as I increased the volume first before applying my effects which I think results in a higher noise floor. I am just recording in my apartment with minimal treatment; in this case one of my roommates was in the shower so that would've added to the noise. When motorcycles without mufflers pass by they are very loud so I usually have to do retakes when those happen...which happens more than a dozen times per 10 minutes of recording.

I started doing youtube voiceover work half a year ago and that's how I got to upgrade my mic. I did start applying for commercials and VA works last month so thank you for the tip on the noise floor- I'm getting better results using the Noise Reduction (Process) setting rather than the adaptive noise reduction. Thank you for the help!