Clearing up audio: 'sh' and 'ch' sounds

Audacity Help Forum Windows
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OS: Windows 10 home 10.0.18363 Build 18363
Audacity version: 2.3.3

Hello, I am completely new to this, so apologies in advance. I am new to Audacity and doing anything with audio. I have recently started voice recording to put over gameplay on online videos. I have the following USB condenser microphone:

SUDOTACK professional 192KHZ/24Bit Studio Cardioid Condenser Mic (link to the page where I bought it: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Streaming-Microphone-SUDOTACK-professional-Condenser/dp/B07QXKMGHJ/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=microphone+gaming&qid=1588801077&sr=8-4)

It is currently setup with the arm and the pop filter that fits over the mic, with the cardiod mic pointing toward my face. It is at mouth level and sits slightly off angle, at about 40cm or so away from me.

I recently started producing audio recording and following some audacity guides online. I’ve been using the background noise tool to effective remove background noise quite well, as well as a few plugins (You Wa Shock) to change how it sounds, as well as using the normalisation tool to help produce a more consistent voice over so that my otherwise loud noises don’t deafen the listener.

My concern is the sound of the “sh”, “ch” and to a lesser degree “s” sounds in my voice over.Here is the unedited voice sample including these types of sounds: https://drive.google.com/file/d/17m0wHyIBJ6W7UKsEH5OD1BWjDmD9-UrQ/view?usp=sharing,
and the sample sample post-processing: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MCRqO66u7YkbdBF8drOXlDcVrCDwW1AT/view?usp=sharing.

I honestly can’t tell if the “ch” and “sh” sounds are just the way I naturally speak? Either way, in my edited version, they seem to really stand out and it makes the voice over sound off. I don’t hear these types of effects on other people’s voice over. I was wondering if there is any way to mitigate these “sh” and “ch” sounds that seem over pronounced, and just any general improvements to the audio.

I appreciate any guidance you folks may have : )

Many thanks,
bones

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Firstly, let me say that I have no problem with the sibilants (‘s’, ‘sh’ and ‘ch’ sounds) in your processed file. They are just crisp and clear to me.

From your unprocessed recording, it sounds as if you have a microphone of adequate quality for your needs.

I strongly advise not over-processing voice recordings. Doing so is more likely to enhance the shortcomings in your delivery than to improve your voice.

If you really have your microphone at 40cm distance, it’s too far, especially in a room as “live” as the one you are recording in. 10 to 15cm is ideal, with the mic to one side at a 45 degree angle, pointing at your mouth, but totally out of your “breath line”.

After recording, normalise the clip to -1db, then use the compressor, set to Threhold -12, Noise Floor -40 and Ratio 10:1

This will iron out the louds and softs of your voice pattern, whilst maintaining the original microphone quality.

“… and it’s goodnight from him”

1 Like
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Thank you kindly for this feedback. I’m happy to hear someone with an actual background and understanding in audio to say that you found it crisp and clear. That’s honestly done a lot to improve my confidence going forward in voice over work. Yes, the mic was a bit of a steal, and I’m please in the results of the post processing. Many thanks to the audacity community for the guidance there.

I will take your advice and adjust both the mic placement and post-processing accordingly. Many thanks once again : )

Cheers,
bones