The Producers Podcast - Voiceover And Radio / Audio Production

This is another “Special” episode that runs across multiple platforms.  Personally I think it could or should be useful to anyone who produces imaging, in any format.  This is a Quarterly Conference Call for 360 Country Stations. We have a chat about the BEST ways to gather and utilize artist audio in the Country Format.  Big Machine Label Group Promotion Executive, Alex Valentine joins me for some inside dirt on what we as Radio people can do to get the best content from the artists.  I then bring 360 Country producers Kyle McCoy and Clay JD Walker on.  We all talk about our tips, tricks and stories.  The discussion also translates well to gather good listener audio. I hope listeners of this podcast enjoy it BUT if you are used to my normal long-form interview style shows this one might not be worth your time.

It’s a big kick off to 2015 for the Podcast.  I reached out to a couple of my favorite non-American voice talents and they agreed to be on the show, together. Howard Ritchie (Website) – the legendary voice of Capital in the UK and David Wartnaby (Website)- the legendary voice of Heart in the UK.  Of course they are each also the brand voices of MANY other properties including UK and Worldwide TV networks, Radio Stations and Networks in Australia and elsewhere on the globe, commercial, industrial and even audio books! They do it all and we discuss all facets of the industry. For stateside listeners it should give you a very good look at the voiceover world in the UK.  For UK ears I hope it pulls the curtain back on talents you have been enjoying regularly for years.

What a fun time it is having 30 different people on your show…in the form of one man: Mike Kaminski.  Actually. I suspect Mike could have brought triple digits if I let him.  But as for Character voices and Imitation specialists I have now interviewed one of the very best.  There is a radio imaging connection here (an obvious one maybe) but depending on what you subscribe to, its possible you use Mike and don’t even know it.  I tried to get inside his mind which was brave of me, but I’m no hero.  I also tried to dig deep into what a career in this type of work is really like.  I think you will enjoy it. I used only part of his full service demo in the intro so be sure to visit his links for tons more. Mike’s Site: http://www.parodycentral.net/index.html Mike’s Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/scenesofaudio

Jason Garte is the President/Big Boss over at The Mix Group. If you are not aware they do a lot in the world of radio imaging but primarily custom production and/or voiceover for radio stations everywhere.  I was familiar with them as a group and some of their talent but, full disclosure, I had NO clue as to the size and scope of their operation. However I did have some clue that they were big and that Jason Garte is an animal. He wants it all and will work 23.999999999 hours a day until he gets it.  Check out the interview below and then head over to the show notes page and see their brand new promo movie/film/event.

Steve Dubbz does A LOT of stuff but when it comes to Urban Radio Imaging his name will be at or near the top of everyone’s list.  His skillz (I’ll try not use Z instead of S the whole time) are not limited to Urban Radio as he gets into HOT AC and CHR plenty. Let me just paste his title(s): National Urban Imaging Director I NPP – Creative Services Director | Miami/Ft. Lauderdale – iHeartMedia AND Reel World Production Vault Urban Format Director Plus he handles custom imaging for many Urban and non-Urban powerhouses across the country. So, yeah he has a lot going on.  But we get into it all in the show.  Also check out longer demos on the show notes page.

To celebrate the anniversary of the show I wanted to do something big for everyone.  To me that meant getting more than one guest and it meant getting the biggest names in the industry.  Based on feedback, listen counts of previous shows and just an overall feeling from industry pros, the two guests I have brought together accomplish both of these goals perfectly. Dave Foxx and Eric Chase need NO intro. In fact if you don’t know who they are then this podcast simply isn’t for you.  So I won’t say much except prepare for a totally candid analysis of the radio industry from  two people at it’s peak.  I didn’t waste much time talking tech jargon (save the cloud/data speak at the end) instead leaning the chat towards industry trends, present and future, and what we all can do as producers and voice talents to advance ourselves and our industry.  I think you will enjoy this show.  I certainly enjoyed facilitating it. Sidenote: No extra setup intro and just one convenient part. Sidenot

September 8th and 9th of this year (2014) I will travel to Europe for the first time.  I am excited for many reasons: I am degreed in History so I love opportunities to see, smell, hear and touch historic places.  I am also taking part in a very special international event geared exclusively at the Radio Imaging community.  #ImagingDays2014 So based on my now 6 years of work on this podcast and 14 year career, both entrenched in Radio Imaging, it sort of makes sense that I would put in a huge effort to be there. This episode features the guy who conceived of, and is bringing to fruition, this massive event.  It will be held in Amsterdam and there is still time for you to take part.  Check out TheImagingDays.com to see the huge list of speakers and all the great sessions.  Plus you get lunch!  Twice!!  Anthony Timmers is not just an event coordinator, he is a great imaging talent himself.  He has worked around Europe for large fancy companies including Capital of Media which he owns and for HUGE brands like Ra

OK.  Out of the gate, be aware this is NOT the typical episode.  I am doing this in conjunction with my Country Imaging service at TM Studios, 360 Country.  I do a quarterly conference call for affiliates where we discuss random topics related to branding and station positioning.  This particular episode deals with strategies when you find yourself in a “battle situation” whether you are the attacker or attackee.  Imaging related at times or programmatic issues.  I think any radio geek will enjoy this but if you have any relation to Country Radio it should be of value. RJ Curtis is the guest.  He is the Country Editor at All Access, on top of writing a great column, and has been in the format in some capacity since the 80’s.  He has the luxury of the 30,000 feet view and has worked on all sides of music.  Later, my pal Terry Phillips joins in to discuss the war in Detroit with Nash v WYCD.

For this episode I FINALLY get to interview an old colleague and friend, Jeff Laurence.  Jeff is the voice of almost EVERYTHING!  Radio stations, TV Stations, Commercial, Industrial, infomercials, universities and the list rolls one.  Check out the show notes page for full length demos and some cool YouTube Vids.  I kept this one in one part as that seems to be the preference.  Here is the link to the Show Notes Page.  Enjoy!

I have been working to get this episode put together for months.  The team at Capital was so generous with their time and knowledge and a special thanks to Chris Nicoll, Head of Production, for lining everyone up.  Yes, this episode features about 5 of 8 producers who create for Capital FM, Capital Network, Capital Xtra and Capital TV.  I will say in advance I truly did my best to keep everyone involved in the conversation equally so I hope it comes off that way BUT there was so much to cover!  We chat about everyone’s background, the atmosphere in London, the tools they use, the systems in place to keep the continuity in tact and many other great informative issues.  THANKS to the group for being on with me.  As someone who is a part of a creative team and at times the leader of said team, I really took a lot away from this group of professionals.  Check out Part 1 below and then be sure to hit part 2.  AND check out the show notes!!  Its worth it.

Part 2 continues abruptly with me going on a sports tangent.  Leave it to me to talk American Football with 5 British people.  Then we get into a ton of great topics including the ever popular “Sound Gear” stuff and all the tools etc that go into branding one of the largest media properties on earth.  Don’t forget the Show Notes!

George Whittam – http://vostudiotech.com/ –  Twitter @vostudiotech.  George is the Director of Technology at Edge Studio and operates VOStudioTech.com He is an expert and leader in the field of home studio tech.  Voice actors across the globe seek his advice and help.  I was a guest with him on hsi EWABS podcast in 2013 and knew he is a guy I needed to have on my show. Be aware Part 1 starts with his background and gets into various day-to-day issues like organizing your digital life, life-hacks to make work easier and a little about what George does for his clients.  PART 2 we get down and dirty on ISDN v Source Connect, building a studio, upgrading a studio and everything else one might need to consider when it comes to studio tech. And don’t forget about the show Notes Page!

We continue with George Whittam and, based on the debate that rages across the web, I started with and got very in depth on the ISDN v SOURCE CONNECT v OTHERS debate.  I am not an expert in any way when it comes to these technologies but George is and he has very balanced, educated thoughts to share.  This will not end the discussion and definitively solve anything but it SHOULD give a good basis for forming your own opinions.  Next we go deep into the world of TECH as it relates to the Home Studio talent.  Voiceover and Producers alike should gain a lot of good info on what to look at when starting out or upgrading your gear. And don’t forget about the show Notes Page!

Justin Case has a snappy name and a great set of chops when it comes to audio imaging production.  And now he also has a great title:  Director of Programming & Imaging at Benztown Branding.  I have had the BOSS’ from Benz on in the past but Justin brings a very fresh perspective to the monster sized Imaging Library contingents of the world.  He is real good at talkin’ shop, radio, DJing and we do get into his views on the tech side as well (in part 2).  Part 2 also has a couple handy links to him and his audio.   For now check out the interview with Justin Case.

Reminder to check out all his great demos and sound at his Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/casemusic Here he is on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/csmayton

Joe Cipriano is the author of Living On Air: Adventures in Broadcasting.  Joe is a well known voice artist specializing in  Network Promos (heard on NBC, Fox, CBS and many more) but as we learn in our first interview with him he has a long career in, and a deep passion for, Radio.  He is a guest that doesn’t need too much hype or really any introduction so please enjoy the interview and follow the links below to check out his book.  OH and did we mention FREE AUDIO BOOKS?  Yep.  See below. Joe Cipriano Interview: Links: – http://www.livingonairbook.com/ – https://www.facebook.com/LivingOnAirBook – http://www.joecipriano.com/ Winners Announced! Congrats to Twitter users: MikeBroderick33 and bnqdavis – They have bot received Cip’s book in Audio form, free.  Enjoy!!  — FYI— Yes, another giveaway!!  BUT this time it’s for the audio book – TWO WINNERS!  This is a TWITTER contest and your tweet must have: @joecip and @rdrean – http://ow.ly/rUbYD &#

Brian Cooney, requested multiple times, was a nice chat and very insightful on the voiceover world.  I really enjoyed his candor on certain topics like money, unions, competition and workloads. I have had multiple interviewees in the past tell me they prefered not to speak about one or more of these issues.  BUT we are here to learn right? So, thanks to Brian for the added value of complete openess….is that a word?  Anyway, Part 1 is below and then of course check out part 2 here. Links/Demo: I can’t recreate a demo reel better than the one on his site so simply click the link and check out his amazing skills.  If you do NOT know him now, once you see/hear his work you will. Voice/Demos: http://briancooney.net/ He made mention of his Music: myspace.com/briancooneymusic

My new friend Brian Cooney is back with part 2!  Actually he didn’t go anywhere but whatever.  FYI-I cut it off right before we started the Union talk so Part2 begins as we dive into that. Then we talk different types of jobs, gaining and losing gigs, studio specs and other tech related issues.

This Podcast is actually the audio feed from my Google Hangout with Jeff Berlin and Steve Sykes.  The goal was to toss out all the background and personal interview crap and stick to Issues of TECH and only TECH as it relates to a Voiceover or Production pro. Steve and Jeff are both incredibly tech savvy and I am sort of Tech Savvy.  So i mostly stay out of the way and Facilitate.   Here is a LINK to the Video post. Don’t Miss Part 2! – Click Here

Part 2 of the VO/PROD Tech Roundtable: The Podcast continues…