| In this article we'll look at the key success factors you | | | | use a DBX mic preamp. A mic pre is a preamplifier for |
| want to understand when hiring voice talent for your | | | | the weak signals coming from microphones. The |
| next project. | | | | preamplifier boosts the signal to a standard line level, |
| As an author who was exploring the use of audio in | | | | which all recorders can capture. It gives you the ability |
| order to promote my books, as well as, develop audio | | | | to tweak the sound going in...if you want to sound like a |
| versions of my books, I was in uncharted territory with | | | | pro and work like a pro - you get a preamp." |
| some very real concerns regarding how to find a true | | | | She also advises the person know and use |
| professional voice talent. | | | | professional sound editing software such as Cool Edit |
| With the advances in home computers and the | | | | and Sound Forge. "These are software programs that |
| software available, it is very easy for anyone to | | | | give me the ability to process my sound after |
| market themselves as a 'Voice Talent'. So, as | | | | recording and edit all sound files so clients receive fully |
| someone who needs to purchase voice services, how | | | | edited sound files. This way my clients don't have to |
| do you weed through all the wannabe's and find one | | | | worry about the audio when doing the final mixdown." |
| of the few, true, professional? | | | | A commitment to quality is critical when choosing a |
| What kind of questions should you be asking? | | | | voice talent. The product delivered to you should be |
| What type of background and experience should you | | | | edited for quality; with any breathing or vocalization |
| be looking for? | | | | errors having been eliminated. Your voice talent should |
| What kind of equipment is needed to give you the | | | | provide you different versions of the script (as long as |
| professional product you want for your audience and | | | | it is not a long script such as a pod cast, ebook or |
| or customers? | | | | presentation) so you can choose which one best suits |
| For answers to these questions, I asked longtime | | | | your project. |
| professional voice talent and industry expert, Cindy | | | | And as with everything in business, most decisions boil |
| Brooks. Cindy has been involved in various aspects of | | | | down to the primary issues of time and money. |
| the business for over twenty years and brings a | | | | The time it takes to turn your audio project around is |
| wealth of experience to this discussion. | | | | critical to you. By working with an experienced, |
| According to Cindy, one of the first concerns is making | | | | professional voice talent, you can minimize the time |
| sure the voice talent has the depth of experience | | | | needed to produce your audio. An experienced |
| needed to deliver a professionally done product. Since | | | | professional can complete your audio with fewer |
| every project is unique, it is critical your voice talent | | | | takes and minimal editing and that means delivering |
| have the ability to interpret the script they are given so | | | | your product faster than someone without the same |
| they can apply the appropriate tone and pace to the | | | | level of expertise. Not to mention, your final product will |
| work. | | | | require little or no manipulation by the end-use |
| Before beginning your project the professional voice | | | | engineers. |
| should be asking you detailed questions regarding the | | | | Since we all have to work within budget constraints, |
| target audience, the desired tone and what the overall | | | | the cost to produce your audio is important. Note that I |
| goal or goals of the project is. A short radio | | | | said cost, not price. Anyone can give out a low price |
| advertisement designed to get people to take action is | | | | then nickel and dime you higher as they get deeper |
| going to have a different tone and cadence than an | | | | into the project, driving the cost of the project higher |
| informational public service announcement. Your voice | | | | and potentially beyond your budget. True cost saving |
| talent must be able to make these distinctions in order | | | | comes from working with a professional who can give |
| to give you a voice product congruent with the goals | | | | you an accurate price up front because they |
| of your project. | | | | understand what is involved to produce your audio |
| Cindy states, "An experienced voice talent will 'feel' | | | | product. |
| your script and 'talk' directly to your audience. They | | | | There are many long term benefits to working with a |
| should be able to visualize the people they are 'talking | | | | professional voice talent, the principal one being the |
| to' and address them directly and with heartfelt | | | | development of a long term relationship. A professional |
| sincerity. The ability to change their vocal quality to | | | | voice talent will have a level of vocal diversity that |
| match the tone of the copy is critical for a voice | | | | gives you the ability to work with a single vendor who |
| talent." | | | | can communicate your varying audio needs. The result |
| A true professional voice talents make the investment | | | | of this effort is a 'voice brand' your target audience |
| in the tools of the trade. Anyone can buy a $50 | | | | can consistently recognize and associate with you. |
| microphone at an office supply store, hook it up to their | | | | In summary, here's a quick checklist to guide you when |
| Microsoft Windows based PC and call themselves a | | | | you need to select a professional voice talent for your |
| voice talent. But in terms of quality, they cannot deliver | | | | project. |
| the level of acoustic quality a professional voice, using | | | | - Before engaging a voice talent, be sure to review a |
| professional audio equipment, can deliver. | | | | resume of their experience, read all their references |
| First and foremost, your voice talent should record | | | | and listen to several different audio cuts of them |
| from a sound proof studio. Background noises as | | | | working with various vocal styles. Most professionals |
| simple as the hum of a refrigerator or furnace can ruin | | | | have websites that detail their experience, their |
| a recording when the recording is amplified. You should | | | | professional associations and samples of vocal |
| expect the clarity, cleanness and background silence | | | | projects they have done. |
| achieved by using a soundproof studio. | | | | - Discuss what type of audio equipment they have |
| Next, your voice talent should use the best in audio | | | | and determine if it is professional quality. |
| equipment. As I stated earlier, a $50 microphone from | | | | - Find out if the final product will be edited for quality |
| the local office supply store is not going to deliver the | | | | which will save you time and money on the back end |
| same level of acoustic quality as the professional using | | | | of your project. |
| high end audio equipment. Quality begins with a high | | | | As you can see, how to select the best voice is not |
| end, professional, studio grade microphone. | | | | uncommon and there are steps that can be taken to |
| The catalog of desired equipment doesn't stop with | | | | make your life a lost easier when dealing with a |
| the microphone. | | | | project requiring voice talent. |
| Cindy Brooks had the following insight on this subject, "I | | | | |