Please listen - what's missing?

[Dayo]

Firstly, I hope this is in the right forum. Possibly not, but of course I'm happy to be shifted if there is a more appropriate area.

Please have a listen to this short soundfile:

From this to this.wav - DivShare

You'll hear a short piece of voiceover, firstly recorded in my studio followed by the same from a famous London studio. Ok, they are different performers but it serves to illustrate the point.

The London sound (second one in the file) is my holy grail but I'm missing a trick or two and I can't figure where.

There's a weight and authority to the London clip that is missing in mine. What's gives the London clip that body (low mids?) Can anyone nail down what is going on?

What am I hearing? Is it the quality of the convertors? Some transformer saturation? Is it the room? Different mic certainly; they are probably using a U87 but I can't believe that's the whole story.

FYI my mic chain was a Joly modded Rode (u67-ish) > Fearn VT1 > Distressor.

Any clues from anyone would be most welcome. Thanks so much for your time and you ears!

[Adam Dempsey]

In short, and in order: it's the voice (and inflection), the mic and the room.
The second voice is slightly deeper, louder and brighter than the first, with a hint of room sound, and with consonants which will cut through most listening environments more easily (read: detail/more engaging). The first sounds like its had an expander/gate applied(?) and needs a veil lifted.

[Dayo]

Originally Posted by Adam Dempsey

In short, and in order: it's the voice (and inflection), the mic and the room.
The second voice is slightly deeper, louder and brighter than the first, with a hint of room sound, and with consonants which will cut through most listening environments more easily (read: detail/more engaging). The first sounds like its had an expander/gate applied(?) and needs a veil lifted.

Thanks Adam. Yes you're right about the expander - and everything else. Any idea how to get those consonants popping out? Lifting the veil?

[UnderTow]

London one is much drier, less room so it is probably recorded in a much drier room and the VO talent is probably closer to the mic. The mic/pre combo is probably helping alot too. There is more compression. It is louder. Probably more EQ but depends on the mic... And of course it is a different voice. You can't underestimate that.

Alistair

[Dayo]

Originally Posted by UnderTow

London one is much drier, less room so it is probably recorded in a much drier room and the VO talent is probably closer to the mic. The mic/pre combo is probably helping alot too. There is more compression. It is louder. Probably more EQ but depends on the mic... And of course it is a different voice. You can't underestimate that.

Alistair

Thanks Alistair. You're right, of course the voice is different and it's a huge contribution. As for the room, by "drier" do I take it to mean "more dead"? I've thought for a while that my booth could be a little less lively...

Appreciate your feedback - it all helps.

[UnderTow]

Originally Posted by Dayo

As for the room, by "drier" do I take it to mean "more dead"?

Yes. In the first clip I hear a sense of space and distance which I don't hear in the second clip (and which I prefer not to have in any VO recording). But also try getting the talent closer to the mic. That can help quite a bit for a sense of intimacy and in-your-faceness . You also get the proximity effect giving you more low-end for free.

Alistair

[Dayo]

Thanks again Alistair. I posted this in the mastering forum because I figured that this is where the best "ears" might hang out, although I do realise that it's now a little broader than just an EQ/Dynamics question.

Anyone else want to chip in?

[UnderTow]

Originally Posted by Dayo

Thanks again Alistair. I posted this in the mastering forum because I figured that this is where the best "ears" might hang out, although I do realise that it's now a little broader than just an EQ/Dynamics question.

Anyone else want to chip in?

I suggest you post this in the Post Production forum where most people that deal with this kind of thing (Voice Overs) hang out.

Alistair

[Dayo]

Originally Posted by UnderTow

I suggest you post this in the Post Production forum where most people that deal with this kind of thing (Voice Overs) hang out.

Alistair

Fair point. I'll leave it to the Mods; happy either way....

[UnderTow]

Originally Posted by Dayo

Fair point. I'll leave it to the Mods; happy either way....

I menat repost it. You should get more feedback that way. Mastering Engineers rarely do VO's. Post Production Engineers do.

Alistair

[Dayo]

Originally Posted by UnderTow

I menat repost it. You should get more feedback that way. Mastering Engineers rarely do VO's. Post Production Engineers do.

Alistair

Ah! Understood. Wasn't sure if that was allowed. I'll do it now. Thanks

[manman]

It sounds they used some kind of pitch down effect voice harmonizer or something on the London second take.