VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

scottnilsen

I can't figure out how to get this thing to record in higher quality than 16 bit, 44,100 Hz.

I have a potential client who needs something done today, but thinks I'm sounding like I'm talking through a pipe and would like higher quality. Haven't really had any complaints in the past, and I'm not really sure where to start.

Any help would be appreciated.
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Edo · Guest

Hi Scott,

Can't really help you with SoundForge 'Lite' (SoundForge Studio?), for I only have a full version of SoundForge 8.0. So I just HOPE the recording options in SoundForge 'lite' are the same. In order to be able to record in higher samplerates, it goes without saying your soundcard must support that.

Open a new (or existing) file and press the red record button in the transport bar. Then a pop-up menu lets you decide -next to "recording attributes"- what samplerate and bit depth to choose. It can be activated when pressing the [new] button. There you can decide to record up to 64 bit 'EEEE float' and up to 192kHz. Hope it's incorporated in your lite version too.

Did the client specifically tell you he needs high end audiofiles? If not, are you SURE he wants what you think he wants? If your overall sound is messy, you probably would have had comments like that in the past. Maybe you should ask him again what specifics he meant when telling you this. Personally, I think that if he's not going to be satisfied with industry standard 16 bits 44.1K WAV files, he'll never be satisfied.

Unless.... he works solely with video, then you'd need to record in 48Khz instead of 44.1, again... 16bits will be very much sufficient. If he states he HEARS the difference, that would be news to me... never met anyone who actually could tell the difference.

What will you be recording for him, voice only?

Lizden · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:27 pm Post subject:

Will a higher sampling/bit rate really make a difference in the "I'm sounding like I'm talking through a pipe" sound?

SoundForgeStudio has a lot less of the BASIC functions than the pro version ...like NO "Ctrl-K" function which I use ALL the time!

Although pricier...I'd go for the Pro version (SoundForge 9 now....although I still have 8 )

Yeah...I know....no help at all...I'll leave now... Mello

L.
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Edo · Guest

Exactly my thought you gorgious voix avec maman quatre-vingt onze ans Wink

I'm not on the current version of the full blown SoundForge 9.0xx. I figured, why upgrade from 8.0 Pro, when basically all they added is multitrack editing... I have three PT rigs... that's enough multitracking already Wink

Jeffrey Kafer · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 3:34 pm Post subject:

Chances are the culprit lies in your mic or your post processing. There's no way CD quality sounds like "a pipe".
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

I'd run not walk from this guy. If he thinks you sound like you're talking through a pipe, just think of all the other annoying criticisms he's going to come up with. Your demos sound fine.

Software isn't going to fix the problem if there was one. The problem is in his brain. You can record at 44.1/16 bit and the results can be stellar...if you think you absolutely have to record above that for one mono voice track else you'll sound like you're "talking through a pipe" you are a moron.

Just yesterday I A/B'ed 44/16 vs. 96/24 for the nteenth time. The latter is a bit nicer and smoother, but c'mon! I've been an audio engineer for quite some time, and I'm embarrassed by the uptight dungeons & dragons attitude that has infested the industry.

Making recordings of any nature ought to be fun. Digital has killed that.
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Eddie Eagle · M&M Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 2393

Post your audio.
I'd also bet it's not the software.

Lizden · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 5:22 pm Post subject:

Scott,
What is he listening to your audio through?....PC speakers? hmmmmmm? Get Lost

Oh.....and Edo: Embarrassed

Liz
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scottnilsen · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 6:10 pm Post subject:

Thanks, all. I wound up going to another local vo, and had him record me in his studio (which is really nice) and sent it off.
As I ponder, I am pretty sure my limited knowledge is a big contributing factor. I'm going to be having a guy from one of the local studios come by and help me make some improvements. I think it's time to invest in my studio some more...even if it's just learning to use what I have most properly.
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Glad it worked out for you Scott. Feel free to PM me with any questions you might have, I might be able to help. Maybe we can put Cherry Tobacco in your pipe for some sweetening. Smile

Last week I mistakenly recorded pickups from a 48/24 session at 44/16. The reads were spot-on so I upconverted them and sent them off. Nobody noticed.
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ricevoice · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 9:07 pm Post subject:

Lizden · Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 5:51 am Post subject:

Yep: SoundForge8 & Vegas5 work fine for me!

L.
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Eddie Eagle · M&M Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 2393

[qoute]
Actually it's not multi-track, it's multi-channel, for Surround Sound applications. And from most of the accounts I've read it's much less stable than 8.0, which is what I'm still using as well. Vegas is still Sony's true multi-track DAW.[/quote]

Quite true, which is why I use Vegas for multitrack and Sound Forge to edit as they intended users to do. And of course Vegas comes packed with the DVD Authoring Set too.

SomeAudioGuy · Contributor III Joined: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 75 Location: LA

Yeah moving up to 24 bit recording, isn't really going to give you more "quality", but more "accuracy". If there are any issues with your sound (which I can't hear), those issues will actually be enhanced with more accuracy.

I haven't had any issues with multi channel, or stability in general. SF9, has been solid.
If you have a version older than 8, or if you don't have the Noise Reduction plugin, I would handily pick up 9.
That was my big gripe, I paid for 8 and the NR seperately, only to watch them bundle them in 9...

Sigh...

Vegas is great, but I still tend to load up Acid first for multitrack/channel.
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