Finding The Right Voice Over In A Remote Environment

The ability to bring people together through the internet has removed physical distances while maintaining high-quality interactions. The remote location isn't a major factor for recording; it comes down to finding the right talent for the project. Voice overs (VO) are used in commercials for companies looking to market, promote, or advertise their business, as well as informative podcasts.

Internet searches and word of mouth are the most prevalent ways to search for voice over talent. Various keywords and phrases are used to conduct internet searches. These may vary due to the type of project or talent required:

·         voice over casting

·         voice over artist

·         voice casting

·         voice actor websites

·         voice over talent

·         voice over agencies

·         voice overs

·         best voice actors

·         voiceovers

·         voice actors for hire

·         voice project

·         voice over online

·         voice talent

·         female voice actor

·         voice over actors

·         voice over studio

The search results will lead to a particular source or voice talent to consider for the project.

Using A Studio For Voice Over Casting

At CMD, we cast talent for voice overs and maintain an extensive archive of examples. The studio is sent a set of specifications for the project – i.e., a "typecast" for a product. The information provides direction for the voice over search.

Typecast example: Female, mid-thirties with high energy

Various voice over categories on CMD's website helps to narrow down
the talent searches and provide audio examples for each voice talent.

CMD consults with the client and does the "leg work" to find the project's right voice over talent. The talent pool is vast and requires a deep dive into databases, connections, and resources to find the right voice over talent. The studio provides the client with options and examples to help make the project more impactful and streamlined.

Creative Media Design's website features individual
voice over audio examples to help find the right talent.

Just What The Doctor Ordered

Medical Narration is a highly specialized field that requires the expertise of a company immersed in the discipline. The words and phrases are much harder to pronounce. An experienced medical voice over talent is utilized to ensure the best results. CMD has extensive experience with the medical field and can quickly match the voice talent to the specification.

Medical voice overs are complex and require experience.
CMD's website provides many examples for both male and female medical voice overs.
https://www.cmdnyc.com/medical-voice-over-talent

For years, pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Wyeth, Novartis, and AstraZeneca have entrusted their medical voice overs to CMD. We combine the best medical voice over talent with experienced producers to ensure the project will be completed with accuracy, precision, and style. Our pronunciations are guaranteed, and, in many cases, we can turn a project around the same day.

Putting It All Together

Part of the selection process is coordinating the production logistics for the project. Setting up the schedules to ensure the voice over talent availability with the recording date and editing, music, and other variables require experience and resources. The audio portion of the project is produced more quickly than other elements. The average timeframe is approximately one week for completion for larger projects and as fast as same day completion for smaller projects.

Creative Media Design will work with you to determine what type of voice your project requires then cast and record the perfect voice talent. To get started, contact us at lia@cmdnyc.com.

Reaching The Younger Generation With Podcasts

Content that is "time-shifted" or "on-demand" enables listeners to consume podcasts on their schedule, unlike radio or other broadcast mediums. In turn, this attracts younger audiences, especially listeners who rarely listen to broadcast radio. Applications like Spotify and Apple Music are commonly used to search and listen with YouTube as a primary source for video podcasts.

Keep It Long N' Sweet

Most podcasts range in length of time between 45 minutes to 1 ½ hours depending on the context and topics. This type of "long format" content makes it easy to passively consume without focusing both your ears and eyes, the way a movie or instructional video would be experienced. Additionally, by only listening to the podcasts, users have a more intimate experience and feel "closer to home" versus watching large budget videos.

My Time. My Schedule.

The beauty of podcasting is that it exists between loyal fans who like to "save the date" and tune into live streaming or on-release podcasts, while more casual fans can choose when they want to listen.  Many podcasts are set up as a series to keep audiences engaged, versus a single feature. This approach keeps audiences coming back for more. The empowerment of the audience is both helpful and challenging to people wanting to market to an audience.

Younger audiences want the flexibility of listening to podcasts when and where it works for them.

Creating Awareness

Platforms like Facebook are generally less oriented towards promotions and may be less effective in creating awareness. Many podcasts build interest with users on Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter that are more likely to consume new content.

Advertising To The Younger Generation

The needs of listeners (especially young people) are hyper-specific. Guided ads, ads that air on specific podcasts, will help brands meet consumer needs in a way that the younger generation is open to accepting.  A podcast is more intimate versus TV and radio, where commercials are expected and mostly tuned out. The goal should be to meet the audience "where they are" instead of "strong-arming" them into an ad or irrelevant offer.

Time For Action

Podcasting is growing each year, and the younger generation is at the forefront of the trend. Podcast listeners are more engaged, emotionally involved, and likely to remember a brand mentioned during a podcast, versus one mentioned in a TV or radio commercial.

Not sure how to create your podcast or voice your podcast commercial? Let the experienced producers and engineers at CMD help you. CMD provides exceptional Podcast and Radio Show recording studio services to storytellers from all industries. Bring your story to life with creative input from our experienced engineers, editors, and sound designers. Contact us at 212-213-9420 or info@cmdnyc.com.

Podcasting For Business

Most corporations use podcasting for branding purposes, not to sell products or services. Businesses want to expand their current reach or try to connect with audiences that they have trouble reaching. They also need to focus on making content easy to find and convenient to consume for the current audience.

Many corporations will integrate High-Level Executives into the messaging during a podcast. The company President, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), and others are typical executives involved in the podcast. Often, the host will interview the executive; other times, the podcast host may be the high-level executive. In any case, the podcast series generally keeps the same host for consistency.

Brand Building Using Multiple Participants:

A growing number of corporate podcasts have a host with several participants. While developing the podcast topic, the host will gather information from each participant to showcase their expertise.

Challenges:
• Time is valuable and limited
• Participants want to avoid commuting to a podcast/recording studio
• The host is the high-level executive

To offset these challenges, Creative Media Design (CMD) offers an Executive Podcasting Service that includes setting up a podcasting studio in a convenient company location or at the corporate office. Sometimes, the studio is set up in the high-level executive’s home.

A home podcasting studio provides more convenience for executives with time constraints.

After assessing the podcasting needs, CMD makes recommendations on what equipment is needed and can handle sourcing, purchasing, and delivery. After delivery, a CMD sound technician will travel to the company location to set up and test the podcast studio as well as train staff and key podcast participants. While the space does not need to be a professional sound booth, the technician ensures the designated area will accommodate high-quality audio.

A podcast studio can be set up in a company’s office location for convenient access to participants.

Connecting Executives With On-Demand Recording:

Most high-level executives have low schedule flexibility. Additionally, the priority level to conduct or participate in a podcast may also be low relative to other demands. To address these issues, CMD will work with the company’s producer and record each participant separately, on their schedule. There is usually a host plus one or more guests featured in a podcast.

The questions are typically prepared and sent to the participants in advance. CMD consults with the client for the best connectivity platforms to optimize audio quality, given their remote podcasting needs. After the participant records their part, they send the audio file back to CMD. The audio is edited and transcribed, so it sounds conversational.

Several business podcasts are available to review on CMD’s “Podcasts For Your Business” webpage.

CMD’s podcasting process brings high-level executives together on their schedule.

Some topics are better suited to having all the participants together at the same time during the recording for better “back and forth” conversations. CMD provides expertise and guidance to set up the best connection for participants who are in remote locations to record the podcast.

Podcasting is a growing trend in banking & financial services, pharmaceutical companies, law firms, along with many others. By having a podcasting program in their marketing quiver, businesses are connecting with audiences with more frequency and higher engagement than traditional forms of advertising or branding.

Remote Audio Voice Recording During The COVID-19 Lockdown, Part 3: Comparing Source Connect Now, ipDTL, & Session Link Pro

by Bob Kirschner

In my previous post Remote Audio Voice Recording Part 2 I took a look at the top two platforms for remote voiceover connections in the audio post industry: ISDN and Source Connect. In today’s post I will do a similar comparison on what I’m referring to as my ‘Group 2’ platforms: Source Element’s Source Connect Now, ipDTL and Session Link Pro.

As a reminder, these are the remote technologies I’m writing about, and how I am grouping them for comparison purposes:

Group 1 - Highest Audio Quality

• ISDN

• Source Connect

Group 2 - Very Good Quality (Google OPUS codec)

• Source Connect Now

• ipDTL

• Session Link Pro

Group 3 - Acceptable Quality (standard audio over IP)

• Skype

• Uberconference

The three ‘Group 2’ platforms have many things in common, but the most important point is that these are all based on the open-source codec developed by Google, the Google Opus codec. Opus supports a wide range of bit rates and sample rates, making it very flexible to implement. And the audio quality of its compression is very good. So, as far as audio quality is concerned, these three platforms can be considered practically identical (assuming the connection settings are the same).

What makes these technologies different? The major differences are price and features. I’ll start with an overview for each platform:

Source Connect Now is a free platform with much fewer features than the others. It connects two parties, and lets the user do in-app recording. A registered Source Connect user can invite anyone else to connect. Easy and straightforward.

ipDTL is subscription-based, and the basic subscription cost is $80 annually for an individual. Costs increase depending on the features you need, and there are many amazing features available! ipDTL supports multiple parties (up to 5 simultaneous connections), telephone number dialing, ISDN compatibility, video connections, and in-app audio mixing and recording. An all-in subscription is in the neighborhood of $500-$600 annually. Their custom browser provides and excellent user interface. And they have an excellent FaceBook group for support from ipDTL and users. One down side to note - registered users can only invite other registered (paid) users unless your subscription plan includes guest invitations, which is an additional cost.

Session Link Pro is also subscription-based. This platform is widely used in Europe but is not used much in the U.S. Cost annually is 200 Euros (about $228 USD). They have a Recording package which connects up to three parties and includes features like in-app recording and MIDI support (a benefit for remote musical collaborations). They also have a separate Conferencing package which connects up to four parties but at a lower bit rate. Video is supported in both packages. The user interface is excellent.

Now let’s take a look at some specifics to see how these platforms compare:

App/Browser Support

The Google Opus codec is supported by a few different browsers. But to use these remote connection platforms Google Chrome is required for full support. ipDTL has developed their own custom browser (free for Mac and Windows) which is recommended for their platform. Generally, desktop and laptops are fully supported, but tablets and mobile devices are not.

Audio Quality: Bit Rate & Sample Rate

All platforms support 48K Sample Rate. So It’s the Bit Rate that determines the overall quality of the connection. All platforms support multiple bit rates, and you should use the maximum available bit rate unless you don’t have the fastest internet speed, in which case you can connect with a lower bit rate. So what are the maximum bit rates?

• Source Connect Now - 256 kbps per channel in mono and stereo

• ipDTL - 260 kbps in mono, 320 kbps in stereo (which means 160 kbps per channel in stereo)

• Session Link Pro - 256 kbps in mono, 320 kbps in stereo (which means 160 kbps per channel in stereo)

How Many Parties Can Connect?

While Source Connect Now allows two parties to connect (user and one guest), Session Link Pro in Dual Mono provide connections for the user and two guests. But ipDTL stands out here - with their Gold subscription the registered user can connect with four guests. This allows for a scenario where a studio or producer/engineer can host a podcast or interview recording, and send invitations out to four guests to join. Additionally (and incredibly), the producer/engineer will have access to the isolated audio from each connected guest. The isolated tracks can be combined later for mixing and post production. Session Link Pro also offers this same access to isolated audio for their guests.

Guest Invitations

Connecting with ‘guests’ (non-registered people) who you’d like to record is a common thing to do. Both Source Connect Now and Session Link Pro allow connections to guests. But as I mentioned above, ipDTL doesn’t allow guest invitations unless you pay more for this service, called ‘Send A Link’. You can connect with any other paid ipDTL user no problem, but if you want to connect with a guest you’ll need to double your subscription cost: If you have the $80 subscription (Bronze) it will cost you $80 additional to ‘Send A Link’.

So in summary, I will say without a doubt that ipDTL is the most feature-rich and flexible platform of this group. From a studio or producer point of view, allowing you to record a host and four guests with isolated audio is really incredible. ipDTL covers pretty much any need you may have, including adding a dial-out telephone feature, and ISDN compatibility. Their support is excellent as well. For someone with a career in audio post, ipDTL’s service is well worth the cost. For someone just starting out in remote session work, Source Connect Now is a very good platform that is free and easy to use. Session Link Pro, while not having much presence in the U.S., seems to have some features more tailored to musicians and group conferencing. But the cost is perhaps a bit higher than a similar level of service at ipDTL.

That’s a wrap for my ‘Group 2’ comparison. In my next post I’ll discuss voiceover recording using consumer conference connection platforms like Skype. Stay tuned!

Remote Audio Voice Recording During The COVID-19 Lockdown

by Bob Kirschner

The Corona Virus stay-at-home rules have drastically impacted our audio post production industry. Without the ability to gather together in a recording studio, group voice recordings that rely on multiple people interacting simultaneously need to make use of remote audio (and video) technologies to connect people in real time while recording the audio tracks. Voiceovers, narration and podcast recordings are the common types of recordings that are taking place. These recordings are done by both professional voice actors as well as non-professionals. There are a number of different remote platforms available, of varying audio quality. Some platforms lend themselves to professional use while other platforms are more suited to non-professionals for things such as internal business use and podcast purposes. In this and a series of future articles, I will describe and compare the various remote technologies that audio and voiceover professionals are using to record from their homes. I’ll go into the techniques involved to ensure the best audio quality, and cover options that allow non-professionals the ability to get their audio recorded with minimal technical issues.

I’ll start with a summary of the most commonly used platforms for remote audio voice recording.

1. ISDN - Historically this has been the most commonly used technology for broadcast-quality audio connections. But in the past decade ISDN usage has seriously declined, and has been mostly replaced by internet-based technologies. ISDN requires copper telephone lines (it doesn’t work on fiber) which are being phased out by communications companies, and is very expensive for companies to maintain. The COVID-19 situation has definitely increased the speed of its decline and as such, it doesn’t appear the professional audio community will be using ISDN much longer.

2. Source Connect - Created by Source Elements, this proprietary broadcast-quality remote technology has become the industry standard for audio and voice professionals. There are a few different ‘flavors’ of Source Connect, but all versions require that each connected party purchase their own Source Connect license. The technical setup is somewhat involved, but it allows users to connect to other users while also recording audio on their computer workstation. For professional voiceover actors working from home, Source Connect offers the highest-level platform for remote audio quality.

3. Source Connect Now - Also created by Source Elements, this free remote platform uses Google’s OPUS open-source codec. Users can register for an account, then invite anyone else to connect via their Google Chrome browser. This free platform only supports a connection for two parties, one of which typically is the audio engineer handling the recording, the other is usually the voice talent. All audio is transmitted via Google Chrome browser.

4. ipDTL - Meaning “IP Down The Line”, this platform, also based on Google’s OPUS codec, has probably become the most commonly used remote platform during the COVID-19 shutdown. ipDTL is a paid subscription service, and works via a browser or their stand-alone application. Their feature-rich platform includes professional features like on-board recording, audio playback during connections, the ability to connect up to four parties, ISDN connections, and telephone service, some of which are available at an additional cost. I’ll be going into this platform in more detail in a later article.

5. Session Link Pro - This remote platform is more commonly used in Europe. It’s also based on Google’s OPUS codec, and has a feature-set similar to ipDTL.

6. Skype - A household name primarily used for video conferencing. But also used in the professional audio community to allow remote parties to connect in to recording sessions for listening and providing direction. Skype audio quality is not great, but since this is a free platform it is an option to easily allow non-professionals to record a group-style podcast by connecting in conjunction with an audio engineer who can record the audio.

7. Uberconference - This is a remote conferencing platform that is a replacement for a traditional telephone conference service, and supports video connections. It’s a low-cost subscription plan that offers unlimited calls and an unlimited number of connections to each call. The audio quality is similar to Skype, and is another option to easily allow non-professionals to record a group-style podcast by connecting in conjunction with an audio engineer who can record the audio.

If we want to group the above platforms into similar types for audio quality comparison purposes, I would do it as follows:

Group 1 - Best Audio Quality

ISDN

Source Connect

Group 2 - Very Good Quality (Google OPUS codec)

Source Connect Now

ipDTL

Session Link Pro

Group 3 - Acceptable Quality (standard audio over IP)

Skype

Uberconference

That about wraps up my summary of the current remote platforms for voice recording. Stay tuned for follow up articles that compare the features within each of these groups; for a deep dive into ipDTL; and for a look at what equipment I recommend and how to get the best sound out of your home recording.