Debbie Grattan Voiceover Branding Logo
  • HOME
  • DEMOS
  • ABOUT
    • BIO
    • RECENT PROJECTS
    • TESTIMONIALS
    • CLIENTS
    • WHY HIRE DEBBIE
    • STUDIO SPECS
    • RESOURCES
  • SERVICES
    • SERVICES
    • COMMERCIALS
      • COMMERCIALS
      • HEALTH & MEDICAL
      • AUTOMOTIVE
      • BUSINESS & CONSUMER
      • CHILDREN’S PRODUCTS
      • POLITICAL
      • INFOMERCIALS
      • RADIO SPOTS
    • NARRATION
      • NARRATION
      • CORPORATE VIDEOS
      • HEALTH & MEDICAL
      • TECHNICAL
      • E-LEARNING
      • WEB VIDEOS
      • EXPLAINER VIDEO
      • TRAVEL & LEISURE
    • INFOMERCIALS
      • INFOMERCIALS
      • CHILDREN’S TOY
      • BEAUTY AND COSMETIC
      • HEALTH, FITNESS & OTHER
    • CHARACTERS
      • CHARACTERS
      • ANIMATION VOICE OVER
      • ACCENTS & DIALECTS
      • ON-CAMERA ACTING
      • CHILD TEEN VOICEOVER
    • PHONE RELATED
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT
    • CONTACT DEBBIE
    • REQUEST A QUOTE
    • REQUEST AN AUDITION

VERSATILE

EXPERIENCED

PROFESSIONAL

1-866-DGVOPRO

voice over system

My New Voice-Over Recording System is a Gorgeous Change

May 15, 2017 by Debbie Grattan

My New Voice-Over Recording System is a Gorgeous ChangeWe’ve all heard the saying that change is the only constant in life. When I upgraded my voice over recording system I ran across another quote that sums up my recent encounter with change even more accurately. Writer and motivational speaker Robin Sharma says:

Change is hard at first,
Messy in the middle
And gorgeous at the end.

The recent change I had to make involved switching my recording software from Sony Sound Forge to Adobe Audition and upgrading my entire voice-over studio setup, which I’ve known and used the same way for over fifteen years. The transition definitely followed the path of being hard, messy, and then ultimately about as gorgeous as you can get.

The Hard Part

It’s always tough to give up something you know and use every day – and that certainly held true with my trusty voice-over recording system. But, since Sony sold their interest to a German company, Magix, and support was no longer available (no return of my phone calls or emails despite repeated attempts), I basically had two choices:

  • Stick with the system I had known for as long as I’d had a home studio, despite the glaring lack of service or stability under the new ownership,
  • Jump ship and go with something totally new and different.

The second choice seemed the painfully obvious “right” one to make. It was time to say goodbye to the old and welcome something new.

Change can be messy sometimes

The Messy Part

Thankfully, doing the research for a new system wasn’t all that messy. That’s because we tapped into the knowledge of a long-time professional voice-over actor, Todd Schick, who mentored us along the way to a degree that was beyond my wildest expectations. Calling on colleagues is always an ideal way to gain insight and knowledge on a variety of topics, particularly when it comes to exploring relatively unfamiliar territory – like technology. Todd knows pretty much everything about everything when it comes to home studios. And, what he doesn’t know he can figure out very quickly.

Technology, in general, is pretty messy in my opinion, so the installation and setup of the new system went to two guys who knew what they were doing: Todd and my husband, Paul, who wears many hats including a resident IT person. There was a fair amount of new equipment to buy and problems to work through. All told, it took a full month to get the studio space assembled with all of the new pieces installed and working properly. During that time, I focused on learning how to work with the new Adobe software.

Learning the new system started out a bit rough, but then quickly turned amazing when I realized the full extent of what the new voice-over recording software could do. Keyboard shortcuts are now my friends, and I’m now speeding along at a much faster clip with my editing and workflow.

The Gorgeous Part

gorgeous new voice over recording booth, with double monitors and massive upgrade in efficiency
Here’s my gorgeous new voice over recording booth: Double the monitors, double the fun!

Although I thought my workflow was streamlined and efficient with my old system, I honestly didn’t know what I was missing. The true beauty of the upgraded system was at its optimum performance when, shortly after getting everything up and running, I had a recording session that involved all three of these elements simultaneously:

  • One video editor client in the Netherlands calling in on Skype
  • The end client and ad agency folks in multiple offices in Seattle conferenced on my ISDN/Phone Patch
  • A video playback, to review the scratch track that my VO would soon replace

Perhaps the best way to illustrate the beauty of the new is to showcase a before and after.

BEFORE the New System Upgrade

The only way to connect with multiple clients remotely was for me (using my ISDN/phone patch Suprima LC) and everyone else to call into a conference bridge, which serves as a virtual conference room for callers. While this worked OK with clients throughout the U.S., it wasn’t as friendly for clients overseas. And, it wasn’t configured for Skype.

My system was also pretty finicky connecting with a variety of different platforms, often using a cell phone to connect over Skype with earbuds under my headphones, and not being able to connect with other clients with my ISDN box.

When it came to assessing the voice-over needed for a video, I had to do a lot of pre-session work analyzing the video. I’d typically have to go through and mark the timing of different segments, note every minute detail, and then create the voice-over track to align with the video based on my notes, without access to the video during my session.

And I also lacked access to my recording software in real-time in my booth.  I would basically just hit “record” in my office, and go into my booth and record the entire session, with no control… leaving me with a sometimes very long audio file at the end to edit down to send to the client.

AFTER the New System Upgrade

Cue the harp…angels singing…The new system gives me two different computers, each connected to two monitors in my recording booth, which are also doubled in my studio office in a separate room. On one, I can access Adobe Audition, using my keyboard and mouse to control my recording session in real-time.

Forget about pre-session video analysis. On the other monitor, I have access to EVERYTHING else during the session, such as emails, computer files, scratch videos the client has sent me via DropBox or Hightail, YouTube videos (for pronunciation of tricky words, assisting with accents, character prototypes, etc.)  and – you guessed it – Skype.

Using my new system, this particular session involved the client from the Netherlands calling in via Skype, the team of people in Seattle calling into a conference bridge, which I was able to access using my ISDN box, and all of us communicating freely throughout the session. I was able to play the video, hearing the scratch read in my headphones, while I recorded myself re-doing the voice over to match it.

The end result was efficient, effective – and actually quite fun. If that’s not the epitome of a gorgeous voice over recording session, then I don’t know what is!

The Biggest Benefit For Voice Over Clients

I could go on and on about the details and intricacies of my new setup. But, all that really matters is I am a lot faster and way more efficient than ever before. My workflow process has been streamlined to an exponential degree. And, while I always have strived to be very fast and efficient with what I do, the mental cost on me was much higher than I realized, given the inefficiencies of my previous workflow. So now, I can knock out super fast turnarounds without feeling much stress.

It really is one of the “night and day” kinds of difference for me.

So, the next time you’re digging in your heels against change, don’t forget how fabulous it can actually turn out. Change may not always come when and how we want it, but it can bring plenty of benefits just the same.

Want to check out what my new voice-over system can do for you? Contact me for a custom audition or voice-over quote today.

For more posts on similar topics, please check out:

“Before You Hire Voice-Over Talent, Run Through This 10 Point List”

“Key Factors to Consider When Hiring Voice-Over Talent”

“Top 10 Reasons to Hire Debbie for Your Next Project”

Filed Under: For Voice Over Clients Tagged With: voice over recording, voice over system

ISDN Voice Over Studios are Key Component for Voice Talent

May 15, 2012 by Debbie Grattan

In part one this interview, Female Voice Over Talent Debbie Grattan and Joel Newport of Harvest Creative Services discuss ISDN voice over studios and why they are a key component for voice over talent working with Harvest.

Female Voice Talent – Debbie Grattan: What brought you into the business, and what are your day-to-day workings at Harvest Creative Services?

Joel Newport, Producer: I got my first engineering job in 1991 doing voice recordings for radio and TV. Over time, I worked my way up to where I now write and produce on a much larger scale. I do most of the talent directing for sessions, and I’m involved in voice over talent casting and selection.

ISDN Voice Over Studios are Key Component for Voice Talent
Joel Newport is a writer, producer, and sound designer for Harvest Creative Services in Lansing, Michigan. He has directed voice talent for radio and TV for over 19 years for clients like Meijer, Detroit Free Press,Anheuser Busch and more. Joel has worked on over 11 films including sound design for “Escanaba In Da’ Moonlight” and “Super Sucker” for actor and director Jeff Daniels.

I also work one-on-one with new talent that I feel have the ability to make it as a professional voice over talent. There are three or four people that I’ve helped get to the point where they have a usable demo and working knowledge of the business.

DebbieG: What is the range of projects you work on in your studio?

Joel Newport, Producer: Harvest clients range from local mom-and-pop stores, to regional accounts like Meijer, to national accounts like Ford and Chevy.

We work with agencies or directly with companies. Several of our clients don’t have an agency, so they rely on us to handle the complete campaign from concept to final broadcast.

DebbieG: What’s your process for finding professional voice over talent for a campaign?

Joel Newport, Producer: Before the Internet, we would hold studio voice over auditions for talent within a 70-mile radius. Now we work with voice talent from around the world. I have a few voiceover casting services that I trust, but I also do my own casting.

DebbieG: How do you discover new professional voice over talent?

Joel Newport, Producer: I use Google or will go through sites like Voice 123, listening to hundreds of voices to see if I can find somebody unique or a good fit for a job. I do custom voice auditions so that I am confident my client is getting the correct talent for the job.

DebbieG:What role do ISDN voice over studios play when you’re searching for new voiceover talent?

Joel Newport, Producer: ISDN is still king for us, so I’ll use it to narrow the field by searching for a quality ISDN voice over talent. We rarely do phone patches because I don’t know how good the recording is until I get the file after the session. ISDN lets us hear studio problems and make adjustments. It’s really hard to produce a good spot without it.

DebbieG: Even with personal ISDN voice over studios, can you correct sound problems from a distance?

Joel Newport, Producer: At least we can hear it and make the call as to whether we want to proceed. Usually, a voice talent’s home studio is over-processed and overdone. I’m looking for the cleanest ISDN voice over with minimal electronics in between.

It’s hard to troubleshoot a system that you’re not familiar with, especially when you’re working with talent that isn’t familiar with their studio. Today’s professional voice over talent needs to have a basic understanding of their ISDN voice over studio equipment and they need to know enough to get out of a problem.

DebbieG: How often do you find ISDN voice over home studio problems?

Joel Newport, Producer: More than I’d like to say. I used to be able to narrow down the talent list and simply send the voice demos to my client. Now before I send the demos, I first test each talent studio’s sound through an ISDN line. Only then am I confident sending a demo to my client.

Read part 2 of this interview, “The Relationship Between ISDN Voice Talent and Producer” to learn more of Joel Newport’s insights and tips for ISDN voice over talent.

Filed Under: For Voice Over Talent Tagged With: isdn voice over, voice over recording, voice over system

Practical Home Studio Advice for the Voice Over Talent

February 28, 2012 by Debbie Grattan

Part 2 of an Interview with David Louis of Audio Images Kauai

In the second installment of this series, Voice Over Talent Debbie Grattan and Dave Louis of Audio Images Kauai discuss the practicalities and working relationship between producer and voice over talent.

Voice Over Talent Home Studio Advice from David Louis of Audio Images Kauai
Dave Louis and Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush are all smiles after a four hour ADR session for “The King’s Speech” at Audio Images Kauai. Tom Hooper directed the session via a phone patch from London, England.

Voice Over Talent – Debbie Grattan: For people that have their own home voice over studios, what kind of advice can you give them from an audio engineering perspective?

David Louis: Ambient noise is probably the number one problem as far as quality, so soundproofing is the most important thing a voice over talent should do in their home voice over studio.

There is nothing worse than working remotely with a male or female voice over talent and having to pause the session because a dog is barking or a car is driving by.

Secondly, make sure you have a really good microphone. The Sennheiser 421 Shotgun and the Neumann U87 are the standards of the industry as far as voice over talent recording goes.

If you have a good microphone and a good quiet room, then all of the other peripheral stuff is just fluff.

Voice Over Talent – Debbie Grattan: How do you like to run a remote audio recording session?

David Louis: I really like it when voice over talent truly listens to my direction and takes it. If a voice over talent comes to the session with preconceived ideas, I have to stop and bring them down and get them onto my page. If I can give you direction and you can perform and do what my client and I need you to do, that’s far better than telling me what you’ve been doing. I don’t have huge problems with this, but it does happen.

Also, don’t let technical aspects and timing distract you. There is a continuity — a rhythm — that’s lost when talent worries about these things. Make sure your VU meters are looking good in advance and then just let it roll. During the voiceover session, all I want you to do is focus on the script.

Voice Over Talent – Debbie Grattan: Is there anything else you expect male and female voice talent to bring to the table?

David Louis: Aside from your talent and the ability to take direction, give me all of the takes. Don’t bother editing or cleaning it up because I may use something in there.

Voice Over Talent – Debbie Grattan: Would your answer to this question be different if you were addressing a voice over talent just starting out in the business?

David Louis: To sum it up in two words, my advice to new voice over talent is to be professional. Be open, be on time, be prepared, and be totally dedicated to doing that particular project at that particular time. When there is professional talent on the other end, I really don’t have to do much. It makes the session easier and the performance is better, which is the most important thing to me.

Check out Part 1 of this two part series which touches on the impact of technology on the voice over business for the typical female voice over talent working from a home voice over studio.

Debbie Grattan has been a professional voice over talent for 20+ years, collaborating on thousands of projects and partnering with hundreds of production companies, marketing and advertising firms, commercial voice-over recording studios and corporate/business clients around the United States and throughout the world. Check out her Professional Voice Over Talent Demos and request a Custom Voice Over Talent Audition for your upcoming project.

Filed Under: For Voice Over Talent Tagged With: voice over recording, voice over system

Primary Sidebar

"*" indicates required fields

Bring Debbie the details of your next commercial, narration, phone system recording or other voiceover project. Receive a detailed quote, custom audition, and the ultimate in voice quality.

CONTACT ME

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

REQUEST A DETAILED QUOTE
REQUEST AN AUDITION

CATEGORIES

  • For Voice Over Clients (137)
  • For Voice Over Talent (126)
  • Fun Stuff (8)
  • Uncategorized (1)

Search for:

Recent Posts

  • Republican Positive Political Narration
  • Democratic Negative Political Narration
  • Democratic Positive Political Narration
  • Classical Radio Imaging
  • Jazz Radio Imaging

SUBSCRIBE TO A BLOG VIA EMAIL

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notification of new posts by email.
Loading

Recent Blog Posts

  • The Impact of Rock Radio Imaging
  • Voicing Endorsement Features
  • Interview with an Alien: Behind the Scenes of ‘Teek and Tom Explore Planet Earth’
  • My New Voice-Over Recording System is a Gorgeous Change
  • ISDN Voice Over Studios are Key Component for Voice Talent
  • Practical Home Studio Advice for the Voice Over Talent

1-866-DGVOPRO

Debbie Grattan is a top-rated professional female voice over talent with more than 25 years of experience delivering voice over services worldwide. She regularly records commercial voice overs for radio and tv as well as infomercial voice overs and direct response marketing for children's toys, health, fitness and beauty products. Other specialties include female narration voice overs for corporate narration, web videos, tutorials, explainer videos and technical medical narration. Debbie also provides phone-related voice over services including phone prompts, messages-on-hold and outbound phone marketing for companies in the United States and Canada.

Debbie Grattan Voiceover Talent source-connect
Debbie Grattan Voiceover Talent WoVO

© 2001 - 2025 Debbie Grattan Voiceover Talent | Site Map | Privacy Policy
Website Hosting by UpperLevel Hosting

  • HOME
  • DEMOS
  • ABOUT
  • SERVICES
  • BLOG
  • CONTACT