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Why Some Voice-Talent Didn't Win:

Each month, Edge Studio hosts a free audition contest. Every entrant wins something, and special prizes are awarded to the top finalists! But the best part is what comes after: You'll read and hear why the winners won, learn why others didn't, and get Tips on how to improve your own reads. Click here to enter this month's contest. HERE ARE OUR JUDGE'S COMMENTS FOR LAST MONTH'S CONTESTSurfers shred. Guitarists shred. Some clients shred, too. This radio commercial is about a client like that – an emerging category of business service – a truck that comes to you, and they shred your confidential paperwork. Pretty cool, huh? So why did some people sound so bored? Here’s why some people didn’t win: Read more...

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New and important information on VO topics we've covered.

Last summer we updated some of our past articles. Now that the new year is rolling, let's do that again. Here is updated and additional information on home voice-over studio equipment, recording software, hearing and vocal health, and more, including an insight on pencils. Yes, pencils. Read more...

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What is a "clean break" and how long should it be?

In our December 2017 Monthly Audition Contest, the Director's Notes asked for a "clean break" at punctuation. The direction didn't say how long a break, just that the producer will add time between phrases, in order to match up the video. When a client or director says to pause for "a second" or whatever amount of time, it's clear enough how long a break to give them. But if no interval is specified, what then? How "clean" should a clean break be? Read more...

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On Edge Studio's 30th anniversary, an interview with David Goldberg!

This year, Edge Studio celebrates its 30th birthday. Thirty is the pearl anniversary, so to celebrate we asked Edge Studio founder David Goldberg for some "pearls" of wisdom. David's ears are considered among the best in the industry, and he is one of the country's most active voice-over producers, instructors, and speakers. Since founding Edge Studioin 1988, he has directed thousands of voice-over productions nationally and internationally. He's also learned a few things in this time, and is always eager to pass along his knowledge to the students and clients of Edge Studio. Read more...

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Missing Dick Orkin. He was everywhere, everywhere.

Among the voices lost in 2017 – except as recordings – were June Foray and Dick Orkin. Foray was known to the entire animation and voice industry. And to the multitude of people who didn't know her name, she was known as the voice of as Rocket J. Squirrel, Granny, and countless other characters. Fewer knew the name Dick Orkin, but the listeners of 1,500 radio stations worldwide knew his voice as that of Chickenman. In addition to creating that and other hilarious radio spoofs, Orkin brought his brand of absurdly silly humor to all sorts of radio advertisers. The hall-of-famer's client list notably included otherwise serious concerns like Time Magazine and "more banks than you can imagine" – companies that until then weren't known to air funny spots. For all his listeners, he was as entertaining as Stan Freberg and Bob and Ray had been, and within our industry he was surely as influential. Read more...

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Why wait for VO work?

Say "NO!" to New Year's resolutions. Instead make positive changes when you come across them. Why wait???? It makes no sense. Some examples from daily life:

You realize you need to pee. We don't mean to be indelicate, but didn't your parents once tell you, "You should have thought of that before we left"? They were right. Go now, rather than at some more awkward moment.

You have a good idea? Write it down. Or make a song of it that you can remember. Or send yourself a phone message. Anything but waiting till later. Odds are, you'll forget.

You come across a way to get more VO work. Why wait? Make it a "self-fulfilling" resolution by getting your rear end in gear now!

Let's look closer at that last one ...

Read more...

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When to call yourself a "voice actor," and why. Part 2 of 2.

NOTE: This is the second post in a 2-part article. Click here to read part 1! As someone who performs voice-overs, what should you call yourself? In our last episode, we discussed various terms: announcer, voice-over, voice-over talent, voice talent, voice-over performer, voice-over artist, voice actor and others. There is no standard definition for any of these terms, and no hard lines between them. But you should probably settle on calling yourself one or another. Your decision might be based on marketing, or simply on your frame of mind. It's up to you. In most cases, we prefer "voice-actor." Here's why ... Read more...

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Are you a "voice actor," a "voice talent," a "voiceover" or what? Part 1 of 2.

NOTE: This is the first post in a 2-part article. Stay tuned next week for part 2!

Some time ago, we discussed the issue of how to spell "voice-over," and concluded that, except maybe for Search Engine Optimization reasons, it doesn't much matter, as long as you're consistent. And that the SEO reasons are diminishing and secondary.

But what about "voice actor" and these similar descriptions of people at the mic? It's more than a question of spelling. Is there a functional and/or industry distinction between a "voice talent," "voice actor," "voice-over artist" and other variations? Does it matter what you call yourself and what you do? Read more...

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http://www.edgestudio.com/voice-over-class

Register now - Use the code FALLSALE

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For vocal health, don't let your humidifier turn against you! Part 2 of 2

NOTE: This is the second post in a 2-part article. Click here to read part 1! In Part One, we talked about the benefits a voice actor receives from proper indoor humidity, and discussed various types of humidifiers. Aahhhh! Instead of the raw feeling you get from air that's been overheated or air-conditioned, moist air is so soothing, right? Right. Except for this unsettling thought: It can also make you sick.

Continue reading...

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Vocal health calls for "Goldilocks" humidity this winter Part 1 of 2

NOTE: This is the first post in a two-part article. Stay tuned next week for part 2! EdgeStudio.com has a lot of information about vocal health. You'll find links to much of it at the end of this article. One subject we've barely touched on, however, is the matter of indoor humidity. Moisture in the air is important to maintaining good vocal health, but you can also have too much humidity. There are various ways of maintaining humidity, each with certain advantages and dangers. So, as the northern hemisphere enters heating season -- drying out air that is often already cold and dry -- let's take a look at the options. What amount of humidity is "just right" and how should you maintain it?

Keep reading...

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You read VO scripts clearly. Why don't people hear you? Part 2 of 2

NOTE: This is the second post in a two-part article. Click here to read Part 1!In personal conversation, have you ever known someone who doesn't listen to you because they think they already know what you're going to say? Sometimes they've assumed correctly. But not always. And when they're wrong, it's kind of maddening, isn't it? Why don't they listen to what you're saying?In that conversation, you might be able to bring your friend around to listening more politely. But in a spoken-voice recording, you can't do that with your unseen listener.Or can you?

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In voice acting, what does "enunciate" really mean?  Part 1 of 2 

NOTE: This is the first post in a 2-part article. Stay tuned next week for Part 2! You can't be a voice talent without having encountered the word "enunciate." Even if you've spoken very clearly all your life, and no coach or director has ever complained that you need to enunciate more, surely you've thought about it. Or read about it. Understanding how to enunciate is key to a voice-over career. After all, no matter if you master all other voice-over skills and do everything else right with your read, it's for nothing if your listener can't tell what you said. But one of those other skills is "sound natural," and in most genres sounding natural is equally important. Can the two skills work together? What does "enunciate" really mean? 

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Edge Studio Blog:

When are you done with a home-studio recording session? Part 2 of 2

Last week we reviewed what to do after the rare session at a client’s studio. Now let’s look at what you should do after a session at your home studio – 99% of most talent situations. Maybe the client is on the phone or another connection. Maybe there is a remote director. Or maybe your client is just listening-in as an observer or sounding board.

Even if (especially if) you’re working alone and largely self-directing, what all should you do at the end?

http://hubs.ly/H07Bch80

**Pictured here is Voice Talent Susan Bennett - the voice of Siri!

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Edge Studio's Whittam's World - with George Whittam!

NAMM 2017 Special: Allen & Heath Zed i10

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(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zInfFnbt1Xo)

Edge Studio presents Joe’s VO Intel - Ep 91 “SEO”

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Edge Studio Blog:

When is your session at the client’s studio really done? Part 1 of 2

Sessions at a client’s studio (rather than your own home studio) are increasingly rare, but maybe that’s even more reason to review how to wrap one up. In an “away” situation, it may be your last chance to do everything right. Unless, of course, you DO everything right ... which will increase your odds of having more chances to come! So, what should you do when your away-session is done?

Continue reading HERE: http://hubs.ly/H07v_LG0