Music, Voice Acting and Audio Talents

[ComradeCrimson]

Now, I am not sure if this is the correct forum space to post this sorta thing but I noticed we got no dedicated thread for voice acting, music or other stuff we've created or simply enjoy listening to.

I'll start us off with my own soundcloud, in case you folks were curious on my craft and trade or wanted to hear my dabbling attempts in soundtracks.

Share your own stuff as well; the thread to do it until someone points out where to go I suppose.

https://soundcloud.com/comradecrimson

[Buster's Uncle]

This will do, I guess - if it's only partly about gaming.

[Unorthodox]

Hm....


I'll have to listen later. 

[Unorthodox]

Ok....

Are you looking for constructive criticism?

[ComradeCrimson]

Ok....

Are you looking for constructive criticism?

No holds barred if you wish to give it; although I am mostly posting this just to share it and garner thoughts, and potentially see other people's creations or preferred music, voiceovers, etc. But by all means, speak your mind.

[Buster's Uncle]

...I have two videos of me singing, but they suck; nothing but a cheap computer mic and both songs a bit of a strain on my range in opposite directions...

If I can find it, there's a leader quote sound file I did somewhere that Kilkakon rejected because it sounded basically like Mr. Worf, and that wasn't what he was looking for.

[Unorthodox]

Ok....

Are you looking for constructive criticism?

No holds barred if you wish to give it; although I am mostly posting this just to share it and garner thoughts, and potentially see other people's creations or preferred music, voiceovers, etc. But by all means, speak your mind.

If I was able to make anything, I wouldn't be so good at analyzing stuff, and my singing is unconstitutional.  Though I have been asked to be a voice guy on the radio a few times. 

To be clear where I'm coming from, I'm no stranger to hiring voice talent to work on jobs I've done in the past.  That said, it's all specifically geared towards the haunt industry, and thus horror related.  (I build haunted houses)  Pieces often have recorded voice tracks, usually custom to the job.   

The thing that leapt out at me with all of your voice work is something that's unfortunately common in people who record samples, and it's something you could benefit from correcting if you're thinking of using these files as samples for potential work:

You're playing tracks and/or sound effects in the background.  This is hindering your chance to show off your actual voice work.  Without breaking out some headphones and going a more detailed listening of the individual tracks, it's the best bit of advice I could give you. 

Of particular interest to me in a haunt/horror setting:

The "Steppe demons" tracks are actually rather nice.  A little too busy, and too fast.  I'd like to hear them more focused on the speech and slowed down a touch to make the syllables more distinctive.  The background drum kit in the "Ft Crimson and Karl" version (I only passingly listened to the 'soundtrack' one a bit) doesn't seem to fit well with the voices, which call for something more primal, improvised feeling, or even no drums. 

"Fear" track, I'm not sure what it's intended use was, just going off the title.  For an actual haunt setting, there's some good beats and notes in the piece, but it's overpowered by that background tone/drone/don't know what the proper term is, which is far too fast and high pitched.  A more minimalist pass at this track, drive down the tone by about 2 octaves and push it more to the back (lower volume), minimalize the variance on that tone to let the other beats shine, would better drive across "fear" in my mind, and push it into a dark ambiance piece. 

[ComradeCrimson]

To be clear where I'm coming from, I'm no stranger to hiring voice talent to work on jobs I've done in the past.  That said, it's all specifically geared towards the haunt industry, and thus horror related.  (I build haunted houses)  Pieces often have recorded voice tracks, usually custom to the job.   

The thing that leapt out at me with all of your voice work is something that's unfortunately common in people who record samples, and it's something you could benefit from correcting if you're thinking of using these files as samples for potential work:

1.You're playing tracks and/or sound effects in the background.  This is hindering your chance to show off your actual voice work.  Without breaking out some headphones and going a more detailed listening of the individual tracks, it's the best bit of advice I could give you. 

Of particular interest to me in a haunt/horror setting:

2.The "Steppe demons" tracks are actually rather nice.  A little too busy, and too fast.  I'd like to hear them more focused on the speech and slowed down a touch to make the syllables more distinctive.  The background drum kit in the "Ft Crimson and Karl" version (I only passingly listened to the 'soundtrack' one a bit) doesn't seem to fit well with the voices, which call for something more primal, improvised feeling, or even no drums. 

3."Fear" track, I'm not sure what it's intended use was, just going off the title.  For an actual haunt setting, there's some good beats and notes in the piece, but it's overpowered by that background tone/drone/don't know what the proper term is, which is far too fast and high pitched.  A more minimalist pass at this track, drive down the tone by about 2 octaves and push it more to the back (lower volume), minimalize the variance on that tone to let the other beats shine, would better drive across "fear" in my mind, and push it into a dark ambiance piece.

1. That's mostly to prevent or at least, hinder people from ripping the voice lines themselves from the track as I don't want people using my voiceovers without my permission. But I definitely will consider when I apply with different voice acting jobs or when I make my proper demo reel on my upcoming website a flat voice reel with no background music or noise.

2. Thank you, as for the Steppe Demons track, I did not make the actual instrumental drum soundtrack- I just did the vocals of it. The gentleman who did the instrumental soundtrack was a fellow named StringStorm. 

His website, if you are curious.

http://www.stringstormmusic.com/

Here is the vocals on their own; minus Karl's addition who added his own vocals and possibly other stuff.

https://instaud.io/6W2#0:00.0

I may do a more refurbished edition sometime soon, although I must admit I have no knowledge or education in musical theory or training. I can play a harmonica as far as actual instruments go but that's about it, for the most part I use FL studio. But I'll see what I can do. If you got some instrument type suggestions, let me know and I'll try and experiment.

3. I'll definitely try that, I am new to soundtracks but I am slowly getting the hang of it as time passes on. I'll try a more minimalist take on the Fear track and see how it goes. It's original purpose was just me dabbling/screwing around with FL Studio, I guess I was trying to aim for a somewhat ambient, tense track for a fearful situation or something akin to that.


Also, BUncle; if you got some stuff to share its all welcome. No harsh judgement shall be bestowed upon thee; (although constructive criticism if wanted is always a thing) so don't be afraid on that front.

Oh, and Unorthodox, if you require any voiceovers for your haunted houses or other projects in the future I could provide you sound clips and various other recordings via online transmission if you're ever interested. If its for a profit event, my prices are negotiable and very cheap as well. And if its non profit like a charity or non-profit hobbyist project I don't charge.

[Unorthodox]

Here is the vocals on their own; minus Karl's addition who added his own vocals and possibly other stuff.

https://instaud.io/6W2#0:00.0

Now THAT is something I could use, if edited to a perfect loop. 

I may do a more refurbished edition sometime soon, although I must admit I have no knowledge or education in musical theory or training. I can play a harmonica as far as actual instruments go but that's about it, for the most part I use FL studio. But I'll see what I can do. If you got some instrument type suggestions, let me know and I'll try and experiment.

For the drum beat, a good djembe goes a long way. 

Let me say, point and shoot camera mic in 2008 isn't the best, the tone is much better, deeper, in person but this is my brother playing my Djembe.

! No longer available

3. I'll definitely try that, I am new to soundtracks but I am slowly getting the hang of it as time passes on. I'll try a more minimalist take on the Fear track and see how it goes. It's original purpose was just me dabbling/screwing around with FL Studio, I guess I was trying to aim for a somewhat ambient, tense track for a fearful situation or something akin to that.

You familiar with Lustmord?  One of the founders of dark ambient music. 

https://vimeo.com/83517317

Note how his drone nearly fades into the background.  Take that approach with your drone, let the staccato beats shine, and the strings provide your interest the rest, and I think your track would be quite effective. 

[Buster's Uncle]

Let's see if this attaches, since the album doesn't seem to like .wma files and I don't want to share bad enough to fool with making another video and YouTube so soon.

It sounded okay to me back then, but terrible to me when I found it this morning...  Not even Mr. Worf, which wasn't what kil was looking for...  I have better in me, but maybe needs a decent mike, or at least record in the bathroom for the faint reverb.  Eh - I haven't heard my own voice from not-inside-my-head in years, so maybe just that; I dunno.