Voice Over Body Shop

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McXMVhkD1tI&list=UUbH1aq5ZyQsghyjEWfDgQNQ Show Log Episode 150, July 14, 2014 Guest: Bob Merkel from VoiceZam. George will air a Whittam’s World on mic questions And Dan will address the issue of audience participation. 0:01:16  Opening video. 0:01:57  Here they are. 0:03:20  Dan will be in L.A. for part of August.   0:04:00  Thanks to the sponsors, Edge Studio, Harlan Hogan and VoiceOverXtra. 0:05:00  Here we are at episode 150 since March 20, 2011.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9KjlnreVIw  Dan and George want to hear from folks about what they’d like to hear about on the show. 0:06:30  If you have an audio issue, send it in and watch the guys sort it out.  “Troubled Audio of the Week,” or “What’s in the Specimen Cup This Week?” 0:08:20  George asks if there’s “breaking news” to report on each week.   0:10:20  In the old days, they used to live call-ins.  Should they revive this?   0:11:19  Send in feedback about roundtables and other content.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxfy8oHtxXk&list=UUbH1aq5ZyQsghyjEWfDgQNQ Show Log Episode 149, July 7, 2014 Summer 2014 Fan Hangout using http://zoom.us/ 0:00:58  Show opening followed by black screen. 0:02:12  Dan (with a bird on his shoulder) and George begin.   0:04:13  Going around the Horn: Amy Snively, L.A., Calif.  http://www.amysnively.com/ Anthony Gettig, Laurium, Michigan.  http://www.gettig.net/ Conrad the Bird (with Dan Lenard) in Buffalo, N.Y. Steve Tardio, NYC to be.  http://www.stevetardio.com/ Dave Smith, Henderson, NV.  https://www.facebook.com/VegasVOguy Diana Birdsell, Huntington Beach, Calif.  https://www.facebook.com/diana.p.birdsall?fref=ts&ref=br_tf Edward Waldorf, Spanish Fort, Alabama.  https://www.facebook.com/ewaldorph?fref=ts J.S. Gilbert, South San Francisco, Calif.  http://jsgilbert.com/ Bill Lord, Alexandria, Va.  http://www.nothingrhymeswithorange.us/ Scott Chambers, Birmingham, Ala.  http://www.scottchambersvo.com/ Shelley Avellino, Albuquerque, N.M.  http:/

Episode 148, June 30, 2014 John Melley on Marketing VO George on noise reduction on the mic side Dan will talk about normalization 0:00:44  Show opens 0:02:26  What is wrong with this picture?  You CAN snowmobile the beaches of Puerto Rico. 0:04:13  Microphone choice affects exterior noise.  George discusses. Band-aids are common, but if you can eliminate the noise from the source.  Use a mic that rejects noise.  Mics not good at this: omni-directional mics. 0:05:32  Cardioid mics are the most common VO mic tend to pick more of what’s in front.  Supercardioids and hypercardioids tend to have a more limited pickup pattern and will pick up less noise. 0:06:37  Shotgun mics are the first that come to mind that do reject background noise, but they’re not miracle solutions.  They pick up a “node” of what’s behind the mic.   0:07:26  These mics are more sensitive, that means more sensitive to noise in their pickup patterns.  So, positioning these mics is key.   0:07:56  George shows dead zone for his

First EVER VO Marketing Roundtable 0:00:00  Intro starts.   0:01:56  Dan does the introductions.  Ann Ganguzza from Irvine, Calif.; Debbie Grattan and Paul Rarick, from Michigan; Doug Turkel from Miami, Fla.; John Melley from New Jersey: Kelley Buttrick from Atlanta. 0:04:19  Tonight’s about VO marketing.  Dan asks how marketing has changed in the last decade. 0:04:51  Ann says her use of online marketing has increased.  The internet has let her see others market and develop her own plan.  Her background is in technology. 0:05:49  Debbie and Paul reply.  When she began, other people did the technical stuff.  Now she and Paul where all the hats.  Having a partner allows him to market and her to do voice work.  Often if you’re by yourself, you exhaust yourself.   0:07:17  Paul does the crap Debbie doesn’t want to do.  They didn’t do much marketing for a long time and then when there was a big rush of VO talent into the business, they began. 0:08:07  Dan turns to Doug.  Doug need to differentiate h

Streamed live on Jun 9, 2014 Show LogEpisode 146, June 9, 2014Guest: Kristen Thorne, Edge Studio Director of ProductionGeorge talks about using iPads and Android tablets for recordingDan’s Tip of the Week will be about audio quality in the personal, professional studio0:00:00   The show starts right from the top.  Technical problem: can’t run the spots as usual.  George is in NYC at Edge Studio.0:03:14   Dan rants on bad audio.  He and George have heard a lot of bad audio lately.  Dan reviews the basics:
0:04:15  Acoustics.  If they aren’t right, your gear can’t fix it.  There has to be minimal observable room reaction.  Many don’t hear room reflection.  0:05:40  Base reflex.  This comes from being in too small a room or under a shelf.  Never mind “sound proofing.”  Go into your closet and make it acoustically neutral.0:07:20  Mic technique.  Dan has heard a lot of exploding p’s.   The mic should be above, the copy below.  Some get too close to their mics.  You should be 7-12 inches away from your mic (the

Show Log Episode 145, June 2, 2014 Guest: Joe Loesch George will give tips about your work flow and efficiency Dan’s Tip of the Week will be about using the EWABS clicker 0:02:06  The show begins and they succumb to “chit chat.” 0:03:40  George talks about your equipment—is it still costing you money?  Pro Tools is the example.  People stick with what they have because they paid for it and spent 3 years making it work…only they’re using it poorly!  Is there a point when you need to revamp and work more efficiently.  Your equipment and products might be perfectly good; but how productive are you?  In ProTools, some folks “bounce” their audio in real time, for example.  A fast workflow is key in this business.  Sometimes a little training can improve your workflow. 0:07:28  Also, people end up settling on mic’s that can be the most expensive.  Sometimes the least expensive mic can be the best for your voice.  Why keep 4-5 extra microphones?  Hold a “shoot out” of your mic and keep the best two.   0:09

Published on May 19, 2014 Guests: Paul Strikwerda, VO and author of “Making Money in your PJ’s” George on audio processing Dan on the best mic for VO 0:02:30  Next week: no show.  George tells about his head wound.   0:03:14  Dan shares the mustache gifts he gets and a non-mustache gift he got. 0:05:07  Thanking the sponsors!  Harlan Hogan, John Florian at Voiceover Xtra, and Edge Studio. 0:05:43  Dan’s Tip of the Week—what microphone is “best” for VO?  Which ones aren’t good?   Among those: SM57—good for guitar amps and snare drumheads, not live VO.  You don’t sound real talking half an inch from someone’s eardrum. 0:07:32  The RE20 is great for radio, but not the best for VO.  We take a side trip into Dan’s radio history.   0:09:08  Tip of the Week: In your personal studio, the less optimum a mic you need to use.  Without a professional booth, don’t spend a lot of money on a mic.  A mic between $200 and $350 will work if you use it right, it will capture YOU. 0:10:05  Dan shows his mice -T

Episode 143, May 12, 2014 Guests: Harlan Hogan of Voiceover Essentials and David McRell of CEntrance, introducing MixerFace. George on the role of webcams in home studios. Dan on what you call your “home studio.” 0:02:18 Opening of the show with Dan and George. 0:04:38  George talks about using webcams in your own studio to go back to face-to-face contact.  Why aren’t we using video more?  George urges to use your webcams and Skype to improve the connection you have with clients.   0:08:13  Dan weighs in on the topic.  Sometimes bandwidth issues interfere.  He uses his iPhone or iPad to do the video.  Clients watch him, but he doesn’t watch them.  Dan and George talk about whether it’s a distraction.  George proposes we explore the idea. 0:11:52  Break 0:13:09  They’re back. 0:13:39  Dan talks about Studio Suit.  People are raving!  http://www.vostudiosuit.com/ Studio Suit comes in 8’x5’ pieces. 0:15:45  Tip of the Week:  At WoVOCon the idea came up of not using the term “home studio.”  Dan th

Show Log Episode 142, May 5, 2014 Guest: Noelle Romano, voice coach from Edge Studio George presents a “Whittam’s World” on pre-fab vs. DIY isolation booths Dan talks about World Voice Over (WoVO) membership 0:04:40 Dan talks about WoVO Con One, the first conference of World Voice-Over. One of the best he’s been to. It began two years ago, as an industry organization for voice-over. Coming up: resources and people so WoVO can be the “voice of the people who speak for a living,” all over the world. There’s now a plan for a special website to promote members’ work. Join WoVO to help make the industry better for everyone. To learn more go to: http://www.worldvo.org/ The meeting was very productive. There was a demo of all three online ISDN replacements. People worked together. 0:11:04 George asked what it takes to join. You have to be a working professional. It’s a member-driven organization. 0:14:32 Break 0:16:47 They’re back. The latest with Studio Suit: Dan has a bunch and will

Show Log Episode 141, April 28, 2014 Guests: James Alburger and Penny Abshire George talks about buying a new computer Dan talks about HISSSSSSS 0:03:55  Thanks to our sponsors. 0:04:44  Dan shows his old carbon microphone. 0:06:30  George goes computer shopping.  Learn what a GPU is compared to CPU.   0:10:00  How much memory do you need? 0:12:25  Hard drive (HD) or solid state drive (SSD)? 0:14:35  Which operating system? 0:16:38  Dan and George discuss. 0:18:43  Break 0:20:19  They’re back in echo mode. Bumpers for the show welcome! 0:21:30  Tip of the Week on hissing. 0:26:03  Discussion.  George added that Hiss can be a setting issue.  Some Windows systems can actually add hiss.   0:28:55  Dan’s “live read” for Edge Studio’s home studio spring cleaning service offer.  George will clean your system and filing, and give you ideas for backup.  All for $127.  Also, his TwistedWave stack service for half off during May.  0:31:50  Break 0:32:28  They’re back with Jim and Penny. 0:33:55  J

Episode 140, April 21, 2014Third Anniversary Show, together at the Ganguzza’s house in Irvine, Calif.  0:3:10 Guests: Many, including Dan’s mom.0:4:00  Dan tells about meeting a SoCal mouse at his mom’s.0:5:25  Dan tells some EWABS history, starting with a talk George gave at Voice2008.  Then, at Voice 2010, it started to jell as Dan and George collaborated on solving a problem.  They took inspiration from NPR’s “Car Talk”—hence the “body shop.”  Now we’re at episode 140.  0:9:55  Dan admits to editing with a razor blade.0:10:05  George admits his age (40), and then Dan does, too.  (+17)Some shoutouts:0:10:45 Bob Sauer0:11:04 Adam from SLC0:11:29 Andy at Top Voice-Over0:11:37 Andy Boyns and Memet Onur sing happy birthday in Turkish (and sing it well)0:12:12 Anthony Gettig from the U.P. Michigan0:13:00  Break0:14:25 Back at the party.  0:14:50 Dan prepares to roam the room.  Dan talks with Johnny Cavetas and his camera.  0:15:34  He then moves over to see Larry Hudson and Sylvia McClure, the EWABS “bumper” fol

Episode 139, April 7, 2014 Voice Acting Masters Roundtable Guests: Elley-Ray, Marc Cashman, Randye Kaye and Elaine Clark To get into the chat room: at EWABS website click on “chat now.” 0:03:30 Skype TX coming someday.  0:05:00 Guest introductions.  0:08:00 First topic: Voice Over Styles  Elaine: Every city/ad agency has a different feel.  Elley-Ray: Actors forget we’re in a dialogue and to naturally respond (not displaying,  dictating or announcing). Randye is having bandwidth problems. 0:11:20 Changing styles isn’t easy. It seems people who are “just me” do well. Elaine: the more real it is, the more you have to become part of it. For some it becomes  more about them. The listener should feel and take action. Your delivery will depend  on how close you are to the mic. Elley-Ray: we perform by ourselves, but really we’re part of a team. We forget it’s not a  singular enterprise. We can’t just grab the ball for ourselves. Elaine: We have to know our job. Sometimes our character personifies the problem, not  t

Episode 138, March 31, 2014 Guest: Joe Davis from voiceactorwebsites.com George on gear in or out of your booth Dan’s Tip of the Week on VO Education 0:03:30 Thanks to sponsors, Harlan Hogan, VO Xtra, and Edge Studio/VO Studio Tech 0:04:00 “Shout-outs” needed for the Third Anniversary show on April 21.  0:04:58 George rolls his “Whittam’s World” (Episode 15) about equipment  in or out of the booth. George gives details on where to keep your  computer and other gear. Go to https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=mfMi8URfLg8&list=PLpWTD2BQBdrKqkKsnsWMWc4FYrh3mXBpH&index=16 to see  it again. 0:13:00 Discussion between Dan and George about what gear in the booth.  0:14:52 Break 0:16:30 Dan’s rant on VO education. Everybody learns from somebody. Acting, technology, and business are the three phases of the VO biz. You never stop  studying. Education for profit? Nothing wrong with that. There’s no certification for teaching  VO acting. No one person can teach it all. Webinars? The

Published on Mar 24, 2014 Sinusitus and all things sinuses the topic on this thrilling episode of EWABS. Dan shares a TOTW on audio processing, and George shows off and demos his Kaotica Eyeball, picked up while presenting at VO 2014 Atlanta.

Published on Mar 17, 2014 Our wonderful and patient guest this episode is Liz de Nesnera, one of the most knowledgable on the subject of telephony in the VO industry. We have some Skype issues and George gets Liz on IPDTL mid-interview. If you like seeing how we make the sausage, this episode is for you. Dan shares his thoughts finding now VO niches, George shares a Whittam's World on dealing with aging audio equipment, and we answer a viewer question on audio processing with Logic Pro X.

Streamed live on Mar 10, 2014 Johnny Heller joins us to discuss the world of audiobooks from the actor's perspective. He's a union talent from New York City with many years of wisdom to share. Dan helps you with your technophobia and George rants about getting bad tech advice from forums.

Published on Mar 4, 2014 Our panelists this time around include Cliff Zellman, Uncle Roy Yokelson, Joe van Riper and Stephen Sisk. We start off analyzing audio for quality, discuss the demise of isdn, and take your questions. Than to Livingston Studio in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Published on Feb 24, 2014 We're ALL BUSINESS this episode as Celia takes your questions on branding and building a VO business, Dan talks about nurturing your referrals, and George gets into his version of Life Hacking.

Published on Feb 18, 2014 Erik Sheppard, Agent from Today's Voice is our special guest, and friend of the show and entertaining morning show host John Taylor drops in to the LA studio. We start the show with Dan and George speaking via Source Connect Now, the latest in audio streaming over IP technology, George shares an interview with Source Elements founders Robert Marshall and Rebekah Wilson, and Dan shows us his RE20 and explains why NOT to us it for VO!

Published on Feb 10, 2014 J. S. Gilbert is visiting the southland this week and stops in the EWABS West Studio! We get into the discussion about whether ISDN should or will remain king of the hill for much longer, or if new technologies like Source Connect and IPDTL will take over soon. George shares product videos from Winter NAMM show including the CEntrance MixerFace, Universal Audio Apollo Twin, and Equator D5 studio monitors. J.S. Gilbert discusses: ISDN with the guys. IpDTL is beginning to gain much acclaim among VO artists, for sound quality, and ease of use. The topic turns to some of the reasons ISDN continues to hang on.  J.S. shares some personal experiences with studio production personnel. JS makes the analogy of how mics evolved for use on the west coast in VO work Visit Dan at HomeVoiceOverStudio.com/ Or follow Dan's Twitter: @HomStudioMan Whittam's World: Segments from the NAMM show featuring centrance myxer face, the Apollo Twin Thunderbolt Interface, and Equator Studio Monifors, and co