Interested in "beating the system" when it comes to
obtaining out-of-town voice-overs?
I'm talking about reasonably priced, quality voice-overs, delivered in the same day.... without expensive ISDN sessions.
Before I tell you all about it, here's where I'm coming from:
As a professional voice talent, performing in hundreds of radio
and TV commercials every year as well as narrating many corporate
and industrial videos, I am always looking for the easiest, most
efficient and cost effective ways to serve my clients.
So .....
For some clients, I provide voice-overs on DAT - great quality but still the necessity, cost and delay of overnight delivery ......
Other clients enjoy the immediacy I offer through a choice of two ISDN codecs - Again, great quality with the added convenience of "real-time" voiceovers and connections with any major studio..... but at a premium price.
Well now, there is a new way of delivery that provides quality sound, speedy delivery, PLUS (with me) this method is FREE of charge!!!!! I figure it saves me so much time and allows me to avoid travel - or for that matter, getting dressed! So why not pass the savings on to you?
All right, so here's what I'm talking about. It's the rather astonishing process of transferring sound files over the internet in the MP3 sound format. You might be surprised that:
Yes, it seems that computer geniuses of our age have finally perfected sound compression of digital audio files that allows simple transfer of a given file over the internet. You then convert (decompress) to popular full-blown sound files (wav, AIFF, etc.) at your digital audio/video work station after the download.
Here's what to expect on your end, from anywhere in the world, if you hire me for a voice-over to be delivered using MP3:
1) Book me for a session by calling my toll-free number: 1-800-605-3228.
2) Fax me the copy at 757-424-5729.
3) We do a phone patch on a standard phone line which is the same line as the fax:
757-424-5729. You listen and direct while I record onto a digital work station.
4) I edit the session to conform to your needs and then convert the session to one sound file, then convert that file to MP3 and post it at my web site.
5) Usually within a couple of hours after the session, you should sign on the internet, point your browser to my Index of Downloads, and look for the file I have designated (for instance, SAMPLE.mp3..... ). Here is the internet address for my INDEX page where I would post your file:
6) Download your file.
7) You now need to decode (or decompress) the MP3 file for your use. You'll need a little sound utility for this, but Don't worry - it's free and easily downloadable from the net.
a) For Windows users who would like an easy to install, one click "MP3 to WAV DECODER", go here:
or else engage the help of WinAmp, found here:
b) For Power MAC users, convert mp3 to wav, AIFF, Sound Designer, etc. by using SoundApp, found here:
* a special note to MAC (and maybe some PC)
users about something I have most recently learned:
Some MAC people will have an initial problem with MPEG or MP3
sound files due to Netscape defaulting to QuickTime or other plug-in
upon an attempt to download. I'm glad to say that the problem
is easily remedied.
Here's what you do:
Do not merely click on a chosen file, (which may cause
defaulting to Quicktime download and playback)... Instead, OPTION-CLICK.
This will open a SAVE THIS DOCUMENT AS window. You can then adjust
your name for that file and then download it. After that, open
SOUNDAPP and locate the file to play or convert it to the sound
file you need. If you have labeled it with a suffix of .mp3, you
could just click on the file and it will give you the option to
use SOUNDAPP in most cases.
OR.. perhaps simpler still is the method of simply dragging the posted mp3 file to the Desktop.
8) Edit and manipulate the voice-over for your project.
9) Mail me a check for the voice-over only. No charge for our snazzy new way of delivery.
There! A way to beat the system. And you don't have to worry about extra layers of production, studio or booking fees.
If MP3 or any of the other methods mentioned here appeal to you, I'm glad. But, I also know that efficient and quality technology is secondary to the real bottom line: a good sounding voice and a well interpreted voice-over approach for your project. That's why I'd like you to check out some of my credits. Please go here:
One last thing: Some folks are now saying MPEG Layer 2 sounds even better than Layer 3. Your choice. The above precedure works for MP2 as well. Just tell me which you prefer.
And thanks for taking the time to read this. Feel free to call or email if you have any questions.
- Charlie