Looking to overcome bias from friends/family and know for sure if I'm going the right direction with how I am approaching vocal readings expressions. This story was one of my favorites as a child, I wanted to see how well I could express it.
#Audiobook feedback sample
ancient flax
modern nicheBOT
Oh lawdy! Umm... @ancient flax.... are you aware that you are now level 1? You're getting closer to... um.....
.................
manic grotto
As far as performance goes with an audiobook, the most important aspect you can control is listening comprehension. A great way I've found to test this is to jump into a random part of the recording and listen to it while you're doing something else. Then you ask yourself, "How well do I understand what's going on?" If you're satisfied with the answer, you don't need to worry about a lot else. If not, then hopefully it's apparent whether it's an issue of enunciation, pacing, or emotion.
I feel like you did a pretty good job of delivering a comprehendable performance. Anything else with the performance is really just a matter of artistic direction, which is going to be up to whoever's publishing it. If that's you, then you only need to please yourself. If that's the author or publisher, then you need to please them.
Are you interested in audio engineering and technical details, like if you were producing a narration to be published? If so, I have some more notes I could add.
Hope this helps!
ancient flax
As far as performance goes with an audiobook, the most important aspect you can ...
I could use some audio engineering tips; truth be told, I have been using this cheapo Chinese USB microphone my gf got me.
But I am awaiting a HyperX microphone from Target from a Circle Deal ($160 microphone, got it for $20) so the quality will increase
manic grotto
Exciting that you're getting a better mic!
Just note that any mic is going to pick up echoes from whatever space you're recording in. When you're recording voiceover, especially audiobooks, you want as little of that sound as possible.
That means, you always want to make sure the room you're recording in is as well-treated as possible. That will make any mic sound better regardless of how "good" it is. There are a number of ways to accomplish that, the cheapest being the "Duffy box" https://youtu.be/fROfjdQcI6o?si=q1ry6KcrMEY-kV3V
Also I noticed quite a few pops from p's, t's, B's, and some h's. You can minimize this by:
- using a pop filter about 3 inches from the mic and speaking about 3-6 inches from the pop filter
- instead of putting your mic in front of your mouth, put it to the side and point it at the corner of your mouth.
As far as technical details specifically for audiobooks, give this video a watch/listen (warning, it's super long but it has a lot of good information!) https://youtu.be/wH66ifizXJ0?si=yw3iPfu_DzDbCMQo
ancient flax
This is a bit of a very delayed update, but figured I would do so now. I did get that new mic and I have been trying to push myself much harder in getting actual auditions out. Please see below a couple examples. I'd love some feedback if the above is still an issue for me or if I am on the better path now.
modern nicheBOT
Oh lawdy! Umm... @ancient flax.... are you aware that you are now level 2? You're getting closer to... um.....
.................
ancient flax
manic grotto
No kidding on that delay lol - I saw the month and was like, "Eh, not that much... Wait, a year ago?! I've had two birthdays since then I'm so freaking old"
Currently not able to provide a technical analysis, but from a casual listen I'm really liking how it sounds!
Audio sounds really good as far as acoustic treatment and I love how in your performance you did very well on the flow of your spacing and emphasis.
ancient flax
Currently not able to provide a technical analysis, but from a casual listen I'm...
I think the thing I'm still struggling with is not having made a "Duffy box" made yet. Or at least some sort of more contained booth style
Since I am conscious of having to adjust the volume dial on my HyperX mic in order to lessen the possible gain of the sounds against the walls
ancient flax
Following up 4 months later, I am incredibly happy to say that I finally got my first set of Audiobook gigs!