Let's Read: Homestuck! - Thread #2 [Now on Act 5!]

[SuperBlueBadger]

Nothing I said was anything other than fact, I don't see what was so embarassing. But, nevermind.

[cyanAmpersand]

I think you guys are doing a really good job of this. Even though I've already read Homestuck, I still watch these when they're released, I guess because I just want to see how it all pans out. Also shhh but I forgot everything that happened prior to act 5...
Also Badger's "HOW CAN SHAVING CREAM BE SO FLAMMABLE!" was great.
And I'm not sure whether you are already doing this or have considered it, but would it be a good idea to pre-record Hivebent and Act 6 (minus intermissions) for the characters who have little or nothing to say during acts 1-4?

Anyway keep it up! Are we on time for today's video? And can we expect any more Q&A livestreams? That one you did a few weeks ago was hilarious!

[SuperBlueBadger]

That's the intention that we've already gone over at length!

Although Act 6, no. We're not going that length. We'd like to see how the act plays out before venturing that far. We're probably not going to get there for another 6 months to a year, depending on how things go, so we'd like the oppertunity to get to understand Act 6 better before rushing into it like that. As for Act 5, yes, that's exactly what we're trying to do. It's tough to organize but hopefully we can pull it off.

Unfortunately it seems unlikely the episode will be released today, but more likely Tuesday or Wednesday.

Q&A streams are likely! But we don't want to do them so often that it gets worn out, it was great fun but there are only so many questions people can ask, you know?

Also thanks for your support!

[NickyTheRat]

Our Terezi voice actress has recovered. Here is Part 5

Man, everybody killed it in this episode. These are some of the funniest performances we've had so far.

You know the drill. Part 6 is still due for Monday

[Alkad]

Oh my GOD! What was that? :O I go on YouTube to find a 35-minute episode with some of the finest voice acting I've ever heard on the show!

I can't really complain about anything, but I feel like I have to point out that I loved how Kanaya was voiced in this series. The final conversation with Rose was a bit slower, but my overall impression was very good, especially compared to the first conversation a few episodes ago. Very natural acting from everyone, oh god ohgod. *replay*

And I really don't have preferences, because it was all beautiful and most conversations fit together like a glove.

[Timid]

That Tavros rap
That Tavros rap
I don't know what I was expecting, but not THAT. That was amazing. Kudos to you, Tavros person whose username I'm not looking up for some reason?
Well everyone was awesome in that. Give us episodes as long as you want if they're as amazing as that.

[NickyTheRat]

I'm glad you guys like it so much.

Here's what's up with episode length: it's basically random. We don't divide our episodes by video length, which would be impossible since we don't know how long an episode is going to be until it's basically done. Instead, we (usually Badger, since as narrator he usually has the most lines per episode) split them up so they cover 45-55 pages per episode. Sometimes that's super short, like in Act 4 Part 3. Sometimes it's half an hour long, like with the most recent episode or any others that have a lot of flashes and/or pesterlogs. You can expect us to continue making variable-length episodes like this probably until the end of the project; it's the easiest way for us to divide up our work. Just be aware that when we release a shorter episode, we're not trying to short change you. It just happened that those particular 50 pages went by quickly.

[Alkad]

Here's what's up with episode length: it's basically random. We don't divide our episodes by video length, which would be impossible since we don't know how long an episode is going to be until it's basically done. Instead, we (usually Badger, since as narrator he usually has the most lines per episode) split them up so they cover 45-55 pages per episode. Sometimes that's super short, like in Act 4 Part 3. Sometimes it's half an hour long, like with the most recent episode or any others that have a lot of flashes and/or pesterlogs. You can expect us to continue making variable-length episodes like this probably until the end of the project; it's the easiest way for us to divide up our work. Just be aware that when we release a shorter episode, we're not trying to short change you. It just happened that those particular 50 pages went by quickly.

It's a pleasant surprise every now and then.

[SlenderTitum]

I'm watching the lets read this moment.

[cmow]

Wow, that one was a real showcase, for all 4 of the act 4 trolls plus most of the kids! Only Jade doesn't get much to do That Tavros rap was just stunningly delivered. I would've put money on that thing being unreadable.

[NickyTheRat]

Later than we wanted due to annoying setbacks, but still technically on time (for the US)


That's me as Jaspersprite, by the way. I had to do SOMETHING to establish I have range after voicing like 6 gangsters in the intermission

[whitehelm]

Duckums was really awesome this week in the pesterlog after Dave: Accelerate. It really came across as a Rose who had lost some friends and was still depressed about it.

[pherociousDuodecim]

Is it weird that I never read this conversation with Rose acting panicked, at all? Like, it was always more confused but calm? Anyway, I feel enlightened. I agree, Duckums had really great performances all round in the latest. Jaspersprite was great too, Nicky. Also like the direction taken with the sprite conversations, with the boxes and all.

The Calsprite conversation was perfect in every way and thank goodness I watched it at 2:30 in the afternoon.

[makuta]

Oh hey, I heard Kefka's and Woody Woodpecker's laugh in there.

Anyway, I think you're going to give people nightmares with Lil'Cal's laugh abominationcombination.

[Alkad]

yay!

three things I noticed:
1. The background music seemed a bit loud during Rose and Jasepersprite's conversation. Jaspersprite was very silent, Rose was loud and the music was also loud. It was a bit hard to follow.
2. While Davesprite is voiced excellently, I think it would be better if the reverb didn't cut off at the end of the lines. Or would a silent trail make the recordings less manageable during production?

And here's an impractical suggestion: it would have been nice if Rose's lines (when she was on her planet) were recorded in a more open space...... yeah. :| The "room" echo seemed a bit out of place. But nvm that if it's too weird/hard a suggestion.


But yeah.. I really love how Davesprite does sound a little different from Dave. GJ everyone.

[Dengar]

Ok

1) Rose's emotions came out SO GREAT.
2) Calsprite will give me nightmares every night forever now.

[GUIGUI]

I was actually expecting a more literal reading of the HAA HAA HEE HEE HOO HOO for Lil Cal, instead of the random laugh, especially as that scene has many call back and keeping the same rhythm that could be repeated on the inane side of the conversation whenever it would be rehearsed would have amplified the callback feeling.

More over, when Doc Scratch would do the HAA HAA HEE HEE HOO HOO himself, only in a classier more stylish tone, it would have allowed to transmit the "Holy shit, he is part Cal" vibe. I mean, many characters laugh in the comic, but the HAA HAA HEE HEE HOO HOO is kind of a trademark.

Maybe a good compromise would have been to make a clear HAA HAA HEE HEE HOO HOO while more random laughter would be heard in the background. Maybe continue the background sound of random laughter when Dave is speaking and heard the clear HAA HAA HEE HEE HOO HOO over the random laughter when it is Lil Cal 's turn to speak?

[NickyTheRat]

Even if we agreed with you, it's too late to change the episode.

[actorsAllusion]

I had thought of volunteering to do the Calsprite laughs, since I can actually do a really creepy high pitched laugh, but honestly I love what Crono did for this. It's hilarious, creepy, and just damn cool.

[felicitousArtisan]

yay!

three things I noticed:
1. The background music seemed a bit loud during Rose and Jasepersprite's conversation. Jaspersprite was very silent, Rose was loud and the music was also loud. It was a bit hard to follow.
2. While Davesprite is voiced excellently, I think it would be better if the reverb didn't cut off at the end of the lines. Or would a silent trail make the recordings less manageable during production?

1. Nicky's lines always come out quiet on his mic for some reason, and Jaspersprite is a soft voice. We can make a note to raise the volume a bit in future.
2. I believe the effect was added in during editing? I personally didn't really notice anything, but we can look into it.

And here's an impractical suggestion: it would have been nice if Rose's lines (when she was on her planet) were recorded in a more open space...... yeah. :| The "room" echo seemed a bit out of place. But nvm that if it's too weird/hard a suggestion.

Yeah that is...certainly an impractical suggestion. I don't know what Duckums' setup is like, but I personally have a desktop PC, not a laptop, so it'd be all but impossible to record in a larger space than I already do. Most of us don't really have the luxury of large rooms to record in or studios and have to make do with bedrooms or cupboards. Recording outside is never a good idea due to wind, traffic and animal noises. The only viable solution would be to play with the levels/reverb to get a sense of space, but that's a lot of fuss for a series where we have to do masses of lines on a weekly basis (and sometimes redo them at a moment's notice if we catch pronunciation errors or missed lines) and Duckums' mic quality isn't the cleanest in the group to begin with, and may not be sharp enough t come out well if we mess with it like that.

[Alkad]

1. Nicky's lines always come out quiet on his mic for some reason, and Jaspersprite is a soft voice. We can make a note to raise the volume a bit in future.
2. I believe the effect was added in during editing? I personally didn't really notice anything, but we can look into it.


Yeah that is...certainly an impractical suggestion. I don't know what Duckums' setup is like, but I personally have a desktop PC, not a laptop, so it'd be all but impossible to record in a larger space than I already do. Most of us don't really have the luxury of large rooms to record in or studios and have to make do with bedrooms or cupboards. Recording outside is never a good idea due to wind, traffic and animal noises. The only viable solution would be to play with the levels/reverb to get a sense of space, but that's a lot of fuss for a series where we have to do masses of lines on a weekly basis (and sometimes redo them at a moment's notice if we catch pronunciation errors or missed lines) and Duckums' mic quality isn't the cleanest in the group to begin with, and may not be sharp enough t come out well if we mess with it like that.

1. I only meant the volume, during editing. Or keeping the background music under a certain level.
2. it's the end of some of Davesprite's lines, when the reverb fades away but is cut off before it gets the chance.
3. I don't know all of your rooms either, so I suggested it and left it to each of you to decide, individually. I wasn't asking for a recording on the balcony or in the field. I was also going to suggest reducing the room reverb in software, but I'm inexperienced with audio editing. The quality might drop in the process.

They're only suggestions for improving the quality. It's always up to you to decide when/if you want to implement them.

[Paul]

yeah you can't reduce reverb without seriously doing some weird shit, and it's largely impractical and reduces quality if it can even be done
that's why studios usually want their rooms to be as dry as possible so they can apply effects later
it's a complex thing, recording

[Duckums]

Hey, Duckums (Rose) here! :]

Thank you very much for all the compliments guys! It really means a lot!

I've been hearing complaints about my mic quality for a while though, and if possible, I'd really like to change that.
When I'm listening to my recordings, it really doesn't sound that bad. I know it could be better probably, but... I dunno! I'm always pretty surprised to hear the complaints, in all honesty.
Anyway, I have a pretty decent mic, so this shouldn't be as much of a problem as it is.
I haven't done much messing around with the acoustics of my room though. Maybe that would help?
Any tips? I really want to make my appearances in this top notch for you all! :]

http://www.newschoolaudio.com/wp-con...11/07/hr22.jpg This is the mic I'm using right now.

[Alkad]

Hey, Duckums (Rose) here! :]

Thank you very much for all the compliments guys! It really means a lot!

I've been hearing complaints about my mic quality for a while though, and if possible, I'd really like to change that.
When I'm listening to my recordings, it really doesn't sound that bad. I know it could be better probably, but... I dunno! I'm always pretty surprised to hear the complaints, in all honesty.
Anyway, I have a pretty decent mic, so this shouldn't be as much of a problem as it is.
I haven't done much messing around with the acoustics of my room though. Maybe that would help?
Any tips? I really want to make my appearances in this top notch for you all! :]

http://www.newschoolaudio.com/wp-con...11/07/hr22.jpg This is the mic I'm using right now.

They're not bad. And I didn't complain... :O

The quality of the recordings isn't so bad imo, but there's something in the dialogue that makes Rose appear to be talking from a very different place. (not to imply that you should record in the traffic or rent a forest ) There's something like a low frequency noise in the background which contrasts the expected environment and Jasper's recording. That sound cuts off when your lines stop and resumes after the others are done talking. It's not "bad", but a simple mismatch between what you see and what you hear. And you might not even notice it unless you looked at the big picture and listened to the compiled dialogue. Good job anyway. >^^>

The thing is that the dialogue with other people through Pesterchum sounds very good in all respects. I think this is one of the first outdoor dialogues.

It's not a big deal yet. And I certainly wouldn't ask you to replace that microphone. o_o Just look at those buzzes and see if you can get rid of them. Or keep the microphone away from dust and what not.

[cmow]

Here's a random, possibly useless suggestion: I run the tech for a university radio station, and we often let people use our studio whilst there aren't any shows going on (which is about 60% of the time) for voice recording. People use it because it's got soundproofing / damping and the mics are professional quality. The result is you get a totally clean sound which you can then add reverb to depending on the environment you want. Obviously the practicality of this depends on (1) the proximity of the nearest such organisation, (2) whether the station is as lazy as ours and (3) whether you can be arsed

Regardless of which, awesome episode. The Dave: Accelerate conversation is even more horrible than on paper. In a good way.