Thursday, April 28, 2011

What is Mastering?

When a band finishes tracking and mixing their record, they will usually have the material mastered before it gets replicated to CD. The mastering engineer looks at the entire body of work, and makes sure that the sound quality and volume levels are consistent from track to track. They also look at the audio spectrum and the dynamic range and make adjustments. The value added by mastering can be quite dramatic.

Many agencies and film producers now own their own editing systems and are mixing final audio on their in-house computers. While having an editing system in-house may be a convenience, most of these systems lack two very important features for
mixing audio.

1. Most of these systems don’t have many of the audio processing devices (plug-ins) that the professional audio recording studios have. Digital workstations (especially video editing systems) come with surprisingly few audio plug-ins, which are the computer equivalent of the analog signal processors found in recording consoles and outboard devices. Most of the better plug-ins must be purchased separately from a third party and can cost as much as or more than the basic workstation system alone. So many people mixing audio on their home or business computers don’t always have the best tools for the job.

2. Theses systems unfortunately don’t come with an in-house professional audio mix engineer. Just because a computer system has the application doesn’t mean that you should use it to mix audio. People who don’t mix audio every day are extremely lucky if they produce a final mix that is remotely comparable to one done by a professional audio mixer. If agencies and film producers want to assemble their productions using their own equipment, they at least should consider sending the audio files to a professional audio studio to be mixed and mastered. The studio’s considerable arsenal of audio plug-ins and the expertise of the professional mixers would add high value to the quality of the audio track for a surprisingly low cost.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Creating Your First Talent Demo Pt 2

Remember the clock starts ticking at the top of the hour. Whether you are prepared or not and whether you are here or not. When you are booking studio time you are also paying for editing and review time not just record time. When you book an hour of studio time that does not mean you have an entire hour to record. A good rule of thumb, it's usually a 1:3 ratio for record and edit time. If you record for 15 minutes it'll take about 45 minutes to edit.

After you record, we suggest that you spend some time with the producer/engineer and discuss your final demo. Discuss your expectations. At this time the engineer will map out a “blueprint” for your demo, highlighting the reads that are most impressive and discussing those that may not hold much significance. When you are done recording and discussing your expectations with the sound engineer, you are done in the studio. It’s after you leave that the editing begins. Typically talent is not in the studio during the editing process.

Depending on studio demands you may wait a few hours or a few days for your demo. The sound engineer can typically give you a time-frame to expect your demo before you leave. When you receive your final demo make sure you review, if you have questions or would like to make changes, be sure to ask. This piece of audio is going to be your first impression with clients, make sure it accurately represents you.

Keep in mind, it’s our goal to make sure you are satisfied with your demo but it’s also our goal to help place you for work. When you have a great demo it’s easier for us to get you work. Quality really does matter and you get what you pay for. Remember creating a demo is an investment in yourself, it’s an investment in your career!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Creating your first demo Pt 1

The best way for a producer to hire a voice over talent is to hear of a sample of their work through a voice over demo. But putting together your first demo is often a classic case of “Catch 22” – how can you produce a demo if you have never worked before?

The solution is to come up with spots that you create. So now, you must become not only the actor, but the producer and the writer as well.

The first thing you must do is asset your own strengths and weaknesses. What do you think you really could be cast for? Crazy guy? Urban hip got-it-all-together guy? Intelligent doctor? The guy next door? A caring mother? Crazy shopper? Used car salesman? Surfer dude? Laid back nothing-ever-bothers-me-fellow? Straight announcer type? Comedian? You should have at least 3 - 5 different types of characters that for which you think you would be cast.

Listen to commercials. Watch TV shows. What is the popular culture? Maybe everyone is looking for Reese Witherspoon or a Jennifer Aniston... or maybe a Johnny Depp or a George Clooney.

Now, armed with your particular “type”, start looking for copy that allows you to experiment with those characters that fit your personality. Find the copy in magazines, on the airwaves, in the internet. Adapt the copy to “your character,” make all the sentences short, read it out loud, and practice, practice, practice.

Now it's time to record, edit & review your demo... To be continued!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

ADCLUB CINCINNATI CONGRATULATES 2011 SILVER MEDALIST JACK STREITMATER

The Silver Medal Award Program was established in 1959 by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) to recognize men and women who have made outstanding contributions to advertising and who have been active in furthering the industry’s standards, creative excellence and responsibility in areas of social concern. Annually, AAF member clubs bestow this honor upon outstanding members of the local advertising community.

The Silver Medal is the highest award that can be given by the Cincinnati AdClub. A panelist of judges select each years recipient. The judges base their selection on the following criteria: Contribution to his company, creative ability, contributions to the general advancement of advertising, contributions to the community.

Jack has received numerous recognitions for his work with over 150 advertising awards, over 30 ADDY's, an Emmy Award, two prestigious CLIO Awards, three Brass Ring Awards and four Telly Awards. In addition to his many accomplishments in the advertising world Jack is also very committed to his community. For many years he has demonstrated his generosity as he donated not only time & money but studio time to local non-profits.

From everyone here at Sound Images, Congratulations Jack!

05.18.11 Annual Silver Medal Honors Jack Streitmarter

Cincinnati, OH
18 May 2011 11:30am

What: AdClub Annual Silver Medal Luncheon
Where: Radisson Hotel, Covington
When: Wednesday, May 18.Cost:$25 Members (AdClub or Ad2)
  • $40 Non-members
  • $18 Students
  • $350 Table for Ten with Member
  • $400 Table for Ten, no Members
Reservations are required for everyone. Non-members must pre-pay online (or make arrangements for check or cash pre-payment). Members may register online or reserve by phone and pay at the door.