cause of echoes in vsp audio recording?

[Davidk]

Some assistance please.
A student has been having difficulty with voiceover recordings in a project file. Out of 4 recordings, 1 is Ok, and 3 have unacceptable echo, almost reverberation, in them. Re-building the vsp 3 times and repeating the voiceover capture hasn't changed that. Nothing we have tried in class can identify what the cause is, or remove it.

I've attached a truncated (to fit within the file size limit) voiceover file that illustrates the problem. Remove the .txt filetype and play it to hear.

uvs190206-004_2.WAV.txt

(58.37 KiB) Downloaded 77 times

The original home computer is a desktop, recordings were all made at the same time using a built-in mic (like a laptop webcam mic). The OS is win10 and the program is VS2018. Playing the vsp from a smart package on my tutor laptop demonstrates the echo, but recording a test voiceover into that vsp on that platform/VS2018, sp4 is completely normal. Which suggests that the cause is at least partly the home PC the voice was recorded on, but what is a mystery.

Any ideas what may the cause and how to fix?

[RobertOZ]

Try using a headset, if you are using speakers, the sound from speakers to microphone can create a howling sound, if a headset is not available, try reducing the speaker volume and move the speakers further away from the microphone.
The speakers might be playing back any sounds that the microphone is picking up in your local environment

[Davidk]

Robert,
I think she's tried that. Our view last week was of a reflected echo, and even suggested a boom mic headset (which she hasn't got - yet. could be an expensive solution which might not work). We've run out of ideas and I'm trying a broader experienced audience for help. But after re-tries, that seems not to be the case: using the same technique, at least 1 clip come out OK.

[weaver]

Do you need to listen to the original sound when recording the voiceover? If not, than switch off the original audio completely. Sometimes the computer cannot separate the input and output sound channels ( it is enough to plug in the incorrect jack etc.). Check also the content of the voiceover file, there should be no original audio, as it is usually delayed and when you mix it to the video you will get the echos.
I prefer in most cases the blind dubbing, ie the speaker does not see the picture at all and also there is no original sound. When the voice is recorded I cut it into sequences and place them to the VS audio track.

[asik1]

and this?

or for 4$ these

Never try to force a 3pin plug into a 4pin laptop socket. you can damge the socket.

[weaver]

Sometimes applications like skype etc detects the connected headset and configure them like a phone, ie. In the earpieces you hear a bit yourself and also the voice of your partners. This can create the confusion. In my opinion you can plug in also the 4 pin plug into the 3 pin socket and vice verse. The computer shall detect the device and set up the audio channel to the connected device. (3 pin plug should not detected as a headset with microphone and vice verse).