Sharp hiSSing eSSeSS when reading a texSSt?

brianlojeck · Post by **brianlojeck** » December 1st, 2006, 4:27 pm

My S's don't whistle, but they are pretty damn sharp, like my tire is leaking as I'm reading.

(example here, all voices are mine)
http://www.lojeck.com/librivoxfiles/Brian_Lojeck_Librivox_Promo.mp3

when I recorded that file, my headset microphone was up near my eye, well out of the line of fire... I've also tried putting bits of packing foam over the mic tip.

I know at least one of you is a professional vocal type, and the amount of recording time on this site is pretty impressive.

I also know that at some point you need to make sure your tongue is in the right place and your lips are doing the right thing to get a better sound.

So, any advice? Don't be afraid to be picky, pedantic, or technical.

Thanks.

kristin · Post by **kristin** » December 1st, 2006, 4:32 pm

Practice relaxing your jaw a bit when you say esses and keep your tongue down a bit from where you are currently making the sound. It will give it a bit more of a sh sound but will pick up a little better on the recording. Or I should say it will be a less harsh sound.

brianlojeck · Post by **brianlojeck** » December 1st, 2006, 5:54 pm

Thanks, I'll practice that... Should I go for the full Sean Connery, or something a bit less drastic?

kri · Post by **kri** » December 1st, 2006, 5:56 pm

brianlojeck wrote:Thanks, I'll practice that... Should I go for the full Sean Connery, or something a bit less drastic?

Ho hoo, adopt his accent and you may find an increase in listeners!

kristin · Post by **kristin** » December 1st, 2006, 6:09 pm

Oh, my, yes.

Like anything else this just takes concentration until your muscles adjust to doing it naturally but if you've conquered NY this shouldn't give you too much trouble.

brianlojeck · Post by **brianlojeck** » December 1st, 2006, 6:14 pm

Can you suggest a recording where I might hear this technique being used?

kristin · Post by **kristin** » December 1st, 2006, 7:00 pm

No, not really because I'm not so fussy about my esses. If they sound really harsh I'll occasionally redo just that bit but in general don't consistently pay attention to it. I've made a short sample but I do tend more toward whistling esses than plossive esses, the first reading is essy the second I attempted to lessen the esses.

http://download.yousendit.com/AEE4226F16242001

Just so you know your esses don't sound bad. And I do blame a lot of the problems with esses in general on the recording equipment. So don't give yourself any black eyes over this one.

brianlojeck · Post by **brianlojeck** » December 1st, 2006, 9:00 pm

kristin wrote: Just so you know your esses don't sound bad.

Thanks... it's funny, now that I've heard them on the recordings I keep hearing them in real life. ;-(

kristin · Post by **kristin** » December 1st, 2006, 10:33 pm

It gets in your head doesn't it. I tend to drive myself crazy, then realize I need to put whatever I'm working on aside for a few days before listening to it again. Sometimes distance makes the heart grow fonder or at least the stomach less queasy.

Post by **ezwa** » December 2nd, 2006, 2:43 am

brianlojeck wrote:... it's funny, now that I've heard them on the recordings I keep hearing them in real life. ;-(

Same here.

Jazbees · Post by **Jazbees** » December 2nd, 2006, 8:50 am

Hey Brian,

I heard your promo the other night while browsing through the others on the Wiki, and the S's didn't bother me at all. Don't worry about it.

sjmarky · Post by **sjmarky** » December 3rd, 2006, 5:51 pm

Agree with Jazbees. You sound fine. Don't obsess. Really liked your spot, BTW.

brianlojeck · Post by **brianlojeck** » December 4th, 2006, 10:29 am

Thank you all for the kind words. I'll try not to let it get to me...

Gesine · Post by **Gesine** » December 4th, 2006, 5:48 pm

I've used 3 different headsets during the last year and the esses are really bad (well, to my ear - others are not bothered by them at all) on one of them. No problem on the first, and moderate on the third. I swear I haven't changed my reading style (in fact, I tried recording on the first one and the bad esses disappeared again). So, put it down to the recording equipment and don't worry about it ;)