VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[michelleann]

Hey guys!

Well after attending Gabby at voicehunter.com's session at VOICE, I decided I really wanted to give radio imaging a try. So, I've been working recently with a great demo producer recommended by Bob Bergen. I just got my demo back today. Since I don't know much about imaging, I'd really love for you guys to give it a listen and let me know. My fear is that the first clip is way too long and that it is too rock heavy on the front end. Those are my favorite ones, but still.

http://www.michelleann.com/temp/mdunphy-radioimaging.mp3

Thank you!!
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[bobsouer]

Michelle,

The first cut is pretty long, but it shouldn't be difficult to edit to remove some of the stuff in the middle to make it shorter. Otherwise, I think you have a killer radio imaging demo. At least to my less than golden ears.
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[stugray]

Hey Michelle - Great work!!!

The thing I noticed towards the middle were all the repeat words/stutter fx together.

the the the zone then quickly after... all all all all of Today's Hit Music then quickly after get Ready Ready Ready get set set set set

I think there are other fx - filter/ flange/ etc that your Producer could use. Maybe on the 'All of Today's Hit music', so there are not 3 repeats in a row row row (I think individually, the liners would be fine, but when you put them back to back, it sounds like the same thing over and over! This is my crutch when I produce, so I notice it too!!)

I would agree that the first clip for the rock station is long. Like Bob said, edit out the extraneous hooks and you'll be golden.

Over all - I think your sound is great!

my 2 cents!

edited: because I had another thought!

[KaseyKruz]

I took the liberty of editing it just a scoch...if you dont mind. I have been in radio for more than 15 years so I am not just a snot nosed punk "playing", I do have a bit of experience in this matter, however I did forget to rename the file so if you download, make sure to save as a different filename.

mdunphy-radioimaging.mp3
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[Frank F]

Overall, you have a good sound. I am not a fan of the stacotto sound f/x, but that is just a personal thing.

I would look hard at some minor things to make your demo kick tail. here is my list:

1 - Vary the pacing more, each of the parts presented are approximately the same pace;

2 - You have some very hard consonants, this may be due in part to the high compression used, but the first word heard "At Z-Rock 100" the "A" is grating. This could have been fixed with some judicious editing. (this is a pet peeve, so do not stress over it...).

3 - Keep the demo to approximately :60 seconds, not :90 or more (or a little less).

4 - This demo (as prsented) is great for one genre' of radio, but what if you choose to market to a Country station, or Talk Radio, Christian, or Smooth Jazz? There is one mention of "Country" and many of today's country station's are just rock stations with a little lilt, but some are much more traditional. Again, each part in the demo sounds the same.

5 - I mentioned pacing and style already, but look to "presentation" as a way of differentiating yourself from the multitudes who are also hoping to land the cushy imaging gig. Consider some genre' changes as a way to stand out in the crowd. Kacey's edit helped bring out the flare and make the demo "move", listen/read his words and digest the example of his editing. The demo now kicks - uhh - tail.

6 - You have the chops to pursue this arena of VO, keep at it, and brand yourself to your audience. Market, market, market.

Good luck.

Toodles

F2
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[richvoice]

[Hart]

Yep, as a former I can adamantly say don't put odd formats together. Radio people basically think you're wasting their time and that you are an amateur when you do that. Go listen to voicebank. Sure you might hear Hot AC mixed with CHR but you're not going to catch sports, country, and jazz on the same demo.

With that being said you can offer variety within the demo via pacing, intonation, attitude etc. You have to chose your pieces carefully.
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[Frank F]

Maybe, I did not write this correctly. I agree, to some extent, with the concept of "one genre, one demo". However, with the mix of Country and CHR, I would go with a generic variety demo, and thus my comment. Add variety.

But hey, I have been out of radio for so darn long I am not privy to the latest trends of the kids who run the show these days. My "Imaging" business works because I do offer a variety of styles and formats on my demo. I always have and always will.

I believe when a is incapable of taking the time to listen to a complete "pitch", he or she is the amateur. Which translated means: I would not be happy working with the . (This type of thinking is why so many 's do not last long at many radio stations these days).

When a person is breaking into the market of Imaging VO, said person does not have a "track record". So, showing variety with an initial generic demo is a good way to gain experience and find out which genre' of the medium will earn business and which medium they are not suited to work within.

Sending a a specific tailored demo is what is done AFTER the VO has marketed their talent to several radio stations and had a few replies stating; "I would like to hear more".

I work with five genres' with nine styles of radio formats and a few television stations and networks as the "imaging voice"; so what do I know? I am not an expert, but I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express once.

Look, everyone has their opinion, and mine does not always agree with some of the so-called experts. I have presented my opinion here on this post. This post explains a bit of what has worked for me.

Toodles

F2
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[michelleann]

Thank you guys for all the advice. This is a totally new arena of VO for me so I'm a little overwhelmed. I'm trying to take it all in!

For the 60 second, we weren't going to use the country spot. Funny enough, the producer of the demo did just get me a country gig for a small market station. YAY! My first imaging gig!

He wrote this copy with Rock/New Rock, CHR and Country in mind. I think one of the clips was also supposed to be AC, the tropical island giveaway, but he ended up choosing the more Rock/CHR sounding take. Granted, I am JUST learning this all so what I'm saying may be completely moronic to all you wise pros. We tried AC, CHR, Rock/New Rock, Country, Lifestyle Talk, and AAA when recording, but all of our favorites were out of Rock/New Rock, CHR, and then one from Country and one from AC.

Thanks so much for all your help. It was so nice of you to give it a listen. I really really appreciate it.
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[Philip Banks]

In order to sell yourself to a radio station you need to sound like you will make a difference. Every listening to an imaging demo will know what can be achieved using production techniques, what they don't know is what the proposed voice brings to the party.

10.30am PHONE RINGS

You -Hello

- "Hi, I'm T.J Dope. I'm at 96.4 W-INANE FM in Tulsa and we're looking for a new imaging voice"

You - "I can do that!"

- "Ok babe, Let's here ya!"

You - "You wanna mp3?"

- "No, I mean let me hear ya now?"

You - "Well this isn't a phone patch so I haven't got any com......."

- "I'm looking to hire you. Go for it!"

Well? Watchya gonna do? Clip 2x 30 into 1x60 add four seconds of sting and wrap it around your pre-amp like a Sarong with an extra +2bd off your bottom?

Try this.

"100.7 Heart FM"

Say the above in every mood, tone and attitude you can.

When you're able to make eye contact with a listener then you're on to something.

It's important to realise that when people comment on the technical points of a demo you've lost the battle.

"Hey, did you hear the hiss?"

"Who cares, fantastic voice"

That's what we're all shooting for!

[Hart]

Frank, I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree, but I do respect your opinion.

I don't think it's that these 's in question are amateurs necessarily. I think it's that they get inundated with demos from pros and newbies alike - almost daily thanks to email. If a demo doesn't wow them in about 5 seconds (and you're lucky if you get that long) they're moving on.

Michelle, the bottom line is do what works for you. There really isn't a right or wrong approach to marketing yourself - you just have to find what works for you.
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Brian Hart Productions

[Gabrielle]

Hey! i just saw this post and i'd love to hear what you've come up with. Unfortunately the link is already down. Either repost of send it my way. gabby@voicehunter.com

[melissa eX]

I have 3 imaging demos for different formats but I also have a 'multiformat' edit that uses some of each. Everyone has told me the same - no one wants to hear what they're not looking for but what about 's who oversee different stations? You may not know that 'John Doe' who programs the active rock station also programs the ac station. I'm not saying that's the demo you should send out to everyone but can it really hurt to have it on your website for people to listen to?

And what about putting demos on sites where you can only have a limited number? I would think it would be better to have a montage of stuff there than having to pick just one format.

I don't know. What do you think?

[Philip Banks]

The way to Voice Over success is to second guess everyone? No. Send your demo, your voice, your way. The only caveat is that your sound should be in keeping with the work you are seeking.

Regardless of the audio I supply, is the producer, director or programme director (in the case of radio stations) able to "hear me" working for him?

[michelleann]

Hey all. Sorry I took it down, as it's now out of date. We ended up breaking it down to two demos - Rock/CHR & Country/AC. So far so good - already booked 2 gigs off of these.

You can hear them over at http://www.michelleann.com/radio.

Gabby - I actually submitted to voicehunter last week, but haven't heard back.
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