Double Dutch

After much use, even the sharpest knives get dull.

 

Can a voice-over pro ever take time off?

Do you have to be available 24/7?

Is it okay to shut down your business for a few weeks of R & R?

Will your facebook fans unfriend you?

Will your Twitter followers desert you?

Will your voice-overworked agent ever talk to you again?

Let me answer these questions with a question:

What won’t happen if you don’t do it?

BALANCING ACT
I am a big believer in a balanced lifestyle. As a European living in the States (the number 1 “no vacation nation“), I see a lot of people around me who are absolutely addicted to their jobs. Modern technology has made it easier than ever to stay connected and become a burned-out, boss-pleasing slave laborer.

Excuse me. Have we forgotten our history?

On January 31st, 1865, The U.S. House of Representatives passed the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery in the United States. It read:

“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude… shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”

I guess the keyword is involuntary servitude.

We are free people, living in a free country who earned the right to free themselves of any free time. Instead, we have chosen “voluntary servitude”.

Now, that’s what I call progress in a society built upon the principles of “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness!”

But let’s put the cynicism and sarcasm aside for a moment. If you’re pursuing happiness as a full-time freelancer, you are in charge of your own destiny. You set your own hours. You determine your own rates. You’re the only one who can call it a day and shout from the roof tops:

Give me a break!

You’re self-employed. You embody your service. Literally. If you don’t take care of yourself, no one else will. If you don’t guard your boundaries carefully, good people with the best of intentions will step on them and leave you depleted.

TRAPPED & TIRED
A few weeks ago, I was asked to do a presentation in front of hundreds of people. Prior to that, there was a reception and -of course- you can’t have a reception without background music. It’s a known fact that most musicians aren’t capable of staying in the background. No matter the crowd, they have to be LOUD.

I knew that if I were to schmooze prior to my presentation, I would have no voice left, even though my vocal cords are well trained.

As they say: “If you schmooze, you lose.”

Besides, the next day I was going to New York for a recording session and my voice had to be in top-shape in order to sell well.

So, I was left with a choice. Either slip something into the drinks of the band that would have them running to the restroom in a matter of minutes… or hide myself from the crowd until it was time to go on stage.

The first option was obviously more entertaining, but I ended up hiding in the basement. Unfortunately, an overzealous janitor came down, turned off the lights and kicked the door shut, leaving me trapped.

This is where cell phones can save the day. I called the organizer of the event:

“Hi, it’s Paul.”

“Paul, where are you? We’ve been looking all over for you!”

“I am trapped in the basement. It is dark in here. Rats are nibbling on my feet. Please rescue me!”

That day, instead of being a voice-over, I became a voice-under.

I think you get my point.

In order to give your all, you sometimes have to get away from it all. But avoid being locked up.

GO AWAY
Now, in an ideal world you would just pack your bags and go where no one can reach you. But what to do when you’re waiting for that all-important callback or that once-in-a-lifetime chance to audition for something you can’t afford to refuse?

In that case, you need to take some gear on the road and improvise. Rather than spending a few hours going over all the options, I suggest you read Harlan Hogan and Jeffrey Fischer’s classic Voice Actor’s Guide to Recording at Home and on the Road. It’s jampacked with practical information and I highly recommend it to anyone remotely interested in a voice-over career.

Here’s what I take along on my travels:

• a laptop
• a microphone
• a CEntrance MicPort Pro
• earplug-sized headphones

A MicPort Pro is a nifty mini audio interface/preamplifier that plugs directly into your microphone. On the other side there’s a USB cable that plugs into your computer. In other words: this device can turn any microphone into a USB mic. It has phantom power, a headphone jack and two knobs for setting the record level and the headphone volume.

So… after all that subtle product placement, let’s get back to the original question: Can you take off for a period of time without ruining your career?

Here’s an experiment you should do at home:

Fill up your watering can to the brim and start watering your plants. Keep on watering and watering and watering… until there’s no more water left.

I don’t have to tell you that -in order for those plants to grow- you need to water them regularly. An empty watering can is useless. The moral of the story:

You can’t give what you don’t have.

Now, why is that so easy to understand when it comes to our plants, and why are we surprised that “We the People,” are so stressed, so drained and left without an ounce of creativity?

Take my advice and get lost! Recharge your batteries. Discover that you have significant others in your life who’d love to get to know you. It can’t be all work and no play… Your job is just a means to an end.

TAKING TIME OFF
Be sure to let your voice casting sites and agents know that you’ll be gone for a particular period of time. If you must, bring your gear, but promise yourself that you will only do what is absolutely essential. Otherwise, you’ll get sucked into obsessive email checking, incessant instant messaging and frantic Facebooking.

Only use your cell phone when you’re stuck in a basement and someone’s thrown away the key.

When you come back from your well-deserved vacation, notice how refreshed, alert and full of energy you are.

People can see it in your face. They hear it in your voice.

Now you’re ready to wow the world again!

Paul Strikwerda ©2011

PS This article first appeared in the international section of Internet Voice Coach, a voice-coaching community dedicated to people finding and refining their voice.

Technorati Tags: Centrance, Harlan Hogan, Internet Voice Coach, Jeffrey P. Fischer, MicPort Pro, Nethervoice, no vacation nation, Paul Strikwerda, taking time off, Voice Actor's Guide to Recording at Home and on the Road, voice-over, voiceover, voiceovers, voluntary servitude

Your clients demand and deserve quality audio, but even a top of the line microphone sounds miserable in an unprofessional recording space.

Are you thinking of buying or building a voice-over booth?

Before you spend thousands of dollars, find out what your options are and why building your own studio is easier and cheaper than you may think.

I spent countless hours researching the options, materials and plans to create an affordable vocal booth that keeps the noisy neighbors out of my voice-over projects.

This 46-page booklet documents my search for silence, and it describes the science and art of soundproofing in non-technical language and plenty of pictures.

Even though it is not intended to be the ultimate guide to home studio construction, it is packed with practical tips, ideas and resources.

This information is also useful if you want to create a quiet space for:

• Music
• Movies
• Multi-media
• Meditation

My goal was to build a solid, soundproof booth for no more than $2000. Did I make it?

There’s only one way to find out!

Download your copy at Scribd.com today.

Part of the proceeds will go to www.kiva.org, changing the world, one micro-loan at a time!

American readers can access the guide on Scribd. International readers can purchase a download of the booklet for only $3.49 using this PayPal-link..

Once your payment clears, you will receive the PDF-file via email.

Thanks!

Wishing you tranquil times,

Paul Strikwerda

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According to my blogging buddy Mahmoud Taji, a VO-pro has to be a Jack -or Jill- of All Trades (or in my case “a Paul of all Professions”). He’s right: there’s no such thing as a steady routine in our line of work.

We should be ready to take on any role at any given moment in time. When the red studio light is on, a smoky voice and a hot mic will turn any script into solid gold. It’s insane. It’s addictive. It’s my life.

Personally, I would rather trade stability for variety. That’s why I loved the thrill of working in an international newsroom: never a dull day!

There’s always some silly dictator being toppled; a ‘perfectly safe’ nuclear reactor is about to burst, and yet another A-list Hollywood actor has shown the world he knows what women want. We’ve sheen it all before, haven’t we?

These days, I’m no longer dishing up a daily dose of dirt (a.k.a. “the world news”) for Radio Netherlands. As you know, I’m now riding the voice-over roller coaster, complete with sharp turns and unexpected ups and downs.

This morning I’ll be yodeling another chapter of a book on Austrian economics. Later today I’m going to sell lubricant… for bike chains. In between, I’ll audition for a role as the Prince of Darkness, followed by an e-Learning program on blood transfusion.

As my Granny used to say: “Life’s a Wheel of Fortune.” She’s right. Perhaps I should audition for that show too, but I’ve heard that IBM’s Watson is also in the running for the part. Will that jeopardize my chances? I guess I better stick to the predictable unpredictability of a rich and fun-filled freelance career!

GOING GLOBAL
Thanks to the  interconnected global economy, our voice can reach more people than ever, at rates that barely buy us a Happy Meal, let alone a much needed hardware upgrade. I’m in the market for a new computer and I think I just might have to settle for a mini Mac. ElDorado-George seems to like it, so why go for a big Mac?

As I told an aspiring VO-talent the other day: “If you want to make lots of money, you have two options: you either apply for a job at the U.S. Mint, or you start an online voice casting business.

Don’t waste any time pimping your pipes. The voice-over future is filled with gloom and doom. When people tell you less is more, they’re usually referring to your rate and not to your interpretation of the script. ”

During desperate days there’s always one consolation: the knowledge that we’re not alone in our suffering. The slump is not just affecting government workers in Wisconsin. Well-respected socialite and VO-colleague Dave Courvoisier had to take on a second job as a Vegas news anchor*. It gets worse.

The outrageously gifted actress Lindsay Lohan allegedly stole a necklace to make ends meet. Yes, it’s hard to be glamorous in a bad economy, and life can be terribly unforgiving.

REDEMPTION & RECOVERY
Fortunately, we also know that a sudden spin of the wheel can turn a beggar into a chooser. Golden pipe dreams do come true, as long as your voice-over video goes viral.

By the way… is Ted Williams honing his Kraft or is he still recovering from rehab? I don’t mean to be Cavalier about it, but it must be hard being exploited by the media while your 90-year old mother tells America you’re an embarrassment.

But that story is so yesterday…

As I am getting ready for my next recording session, I still wonder why so many people want to get into voice-overs these days.

Why not invent a cure for cancer or help end global warming instead? Those are dignified undertakings, and you might end up winning a Nobel prize. That surely beats being the voice of BMW or receiving a nomination for an Audie!

Why not leave the voice work to the panhandling Jacks of all Trades that aren’t very good at anything else but blabber? They’ll soon be replaced by clever text-to-speech apps anyway.

What did you say?

They already are?

I better start recording now, before they trade me in for the voice that comes out of my Tom Tom.

The tape is running.

The red light’s on.

If only I could find my script…

Paul Strikwerda © 2011
www.nethervoice.com

* that’s just plain silly and utter nonsense.  Dave leads a double-life as a triple threat! He anchors, he’s a VO-pro and a master of social media.

 

Technorati Tags: Audie Awards, Charlie Sheen, Dave Courvasier, Double Dutch Blog, Dutch voiceover, Eldorado Recording Services, George Whittam, Harlan Hogan, Harlan Hogan voice-over sign, IBM, IBM's Watson, Jeopardy, Lindsay Lohan, Mahmoud Taji, Nethervoice, Paul Strikwerda, Ted Williams, voice-over, voice-over blog, voice-over career, voice-overs, voiceover, voiceover career tips, voiceovers, Watson, Wheel of Fortune

It’s been a few months since Harlan Hogan came out with the VO: 1-A Microphone. Made by MXL, this is the first mic designed for voice-over performers by a voice-over professional.

When I first wrote about it in August, Harlan claimed that this mic  “will sound great on about 99% of the population”. That’s quite a statement, and as always, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.

So, what’s the verdict? Before we can answer that question, we have to ask ourselves a different one: What makes a good voice-over mic?

A good microphone is like the ideal partner. It has to be, because you’ll be spending a lot of time together (and usually in a cramped, dark space). Personally, I love my mic because it’s such a good listener. But as in any type of committed relationship, what works for me, might not work for someone else.

BANG & BUCKS
Just as it does not make sense for a budding violinists to get a Stradivarius, beginning voice-overs should get a decent mic that doesn’t break the bank. But simply because something is relatively inexpensive, doesn’t mean that it will only take you so far.

My wife is a professional flutist, and the instrument she’s playing is a true work of art. Her students often complain that they don’t sound so well, because they’re playing on an entry-level flute. It’s a common excuse for those who forgot the way to Carnegie Hall.

At that point, my wife will take the cheap flute out of their hands, and she starts playing the inferior instrument. You should see the eyeballs pop out of her student’s sockets and jaws drop to the floor, because she sounds better than Jimmy Galway. After that, no more excuses!

HOGAN’s SLOGAN
So, is the VO: 1-A “The Voice Over Microphone made for Voice Over Performers”?

George Whittam has a Bachelor’s degree in Music and Audio Technology and he runs the well-respected ElDorado Recording Services. He gave the Harlan mic a spin,  along-side the venerable Neumann U87.

Mind you, the new Harlan mic costs $249. You can get the Neumann for about $2,700 on eBay. Is that even a fair comparison? George concludes:

“While the U87 has that smooth, almost dull top end in comparison, the VO: 1-A’s response is almost identical to my ear across nearly the entire frequency spectrum.  The VO: 1-A is slightly hyped at the top, but not overly so, and sounds very even and natural all the way down.”

We’re so impressed with VO-1a that we’ll begin bundling it in our “The Audition” package beginning in 2010.  Coupled with the MicPort Pro, the two work wonderfully together either as a budget home studio setup, or as a travel companion for the working voice actor. “

You can read the full review on George’s blog.

Steve Cunningham reviewed Harlan’s mic for the February 2010 issue of Radio And Production Magazine. He writes:

“In use the microphone provides a nicely balanced sound with a bit of high-end crispness, but much less than I have found in other MXL microphones. The low-end is present and certainly meaty enough for Big Voice male voiceover, but the proximity effect was not nearly as pronounced as I had expected it to be. (…)

Self-noise in this microphone appeared to be on par or slightly better than other sub-$200 microphones I have tested. In particular, the VO:1- A is noticeably quieter than the Audio Technica AT2020, a microphone I had recommended to students on many occasions. But for general voiceover work, including soft and intimate reads, noise was not an issue during my evaluations.

I had several opportunities to test the VO:1-A with both male and female voice talent. Overall, I would have to say that I preferred the VO:1-A over several of the mics in this price range that I have recommended to voice talent in the past. (…)”

MY TWO CENTS
By putting his name on this mic, Harlan put his reputation on the line. Based on his career, his writings and products like the Porta-Booth, Harlan’s got it down. If you’d ask me, his voice-over mic is a safe bet for those who’d like to get their feet wet in the voice-over business. Yet, there’s always a chance that it might not be the right mic for you. If that turns out to be the case, are you going to be stuck with it? Harlan Hogan:

“Every microphone will sound different on different voices but most retailers and manufacturers don’t allow you to try and return their microphones easily. I vowed we’d change that approach with the VO: 1- A and you can buy one, try one and return it with no questions asked – it only seems – and is – the right approach.”

Well, it turns out that Harlan was right on the money. His signature mic took the voice-over world by storm, and it has received countless favorable reviews from voice-over colleagues such a Julie Williams, Dave DeAndrea,  Linda Ristig and Dan Lenard. I have used it for about two years and I never heard a client complain.

PORTA-BOOTH
As for his famous Porta-Booth, Harlan’s new and improved version is on the market. This is what the new Porta-Booth Pro looks like:

To me, it appears to be a cross between a bowling ball bag and a pet carrier. In fact, should you choose to take your cat to the vet in this contraption, the feline cries of anguish will be nicely muffled by the isolation  foam.

Remember: these types of portable booths will take care of unwanted reflections, making your recordings more dry and less boomy. They’re not a substitute for thorough soundproofing. If you want to protect yourself from the sound of snowblowers, weed whackers and noisy neighbors, you should read my guide “Building a Vocal Booth in a Budget.”

Harlan’s new booth is $349.00 and the optional Porta-Stand is $100.00 and this includes two adjustable shelves and a set of four hooks for headphones, etc. An angled (sheet music) holder is also available.

A  limited number of these contraptions sold out quickly when they were first offered. They can be ordered from Harlan’s Booth-tique. Catnip not included.

Paul Strikwerda © 2010

www.nethervoice.com

PS For more Harlan Hogan factoids, read my article “What about Bob?“

PPS Although it’s pretty obvious that Mr. Hogan is one of my voice-over heroes, I am in no way compensated for featuring his products on this blog and I’d like to keep it that way.

Technorati Tags: best voice-over microphone, cheap voice over microphone, Dutch voice over, Dutch voiceover, Eldorado Recording Services, George Whittam, Harlan Hogan, Harlan Hogan mic review, Harlan Hogan microphone test, Harlan Hogan's Porta-Booth, Hogan's Heroes, MicPort Pro, Nethervoice, Paul Strikwerda, Porta-Booth, Porta-Booth Pro, VO: 1-A microphone, VO: 1-A MXL microphone

If you’ve read “Tales and techniques of a Voice-Over Actor”, you know that Harlan is not his real name. It’s Bob. But when it was time for Bob Hogan to get his SAG card, he found out that there already was an actor who had claimed that name. It was Robert J. Hogan, best known for his roles on “Peyton Place” and “As the world turns”. This Hogan also made a couple of guest appearances on the 1960s sitcom, Hogan’s Heroes, and the show’s main character, Colonel Robert Hogan, was named after him.

Anyway, “our” Bob had always liked his dad’s first name which was Harlan, and decided to adopt it for the SAG-registration. Later on, he legally changed his name to Harlan Robert Hogan. As we all know, he’s made quite a name for himself! His voice will forever be associated with phrases such as “”Strong enough for a man…”, “When you care enough to send the very best…”, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression…”, and “Quaker Life, It’s the cereal even Mikey likes…”.

Hogan is also one of the first voice-over actors who really caught on to the idea of ‘personal branding’, the art of marketing people and their career as brands. He now has his own “Signature series” of products, such as a stopwatch, a mouse pad and his famous Porta-Booth. At one point he even had a calendar. What’s next, you wonder. Well, we’ll get to that in a minute!

REPUTATION
According to marketing consultant Nance Rosen, personal branding accounts for 30-70% of your value.There are many ways to build a reputation that have very little to do with what the marketing world calls your “core competency”. That’s your ability to offer a unique product with a wide application that provides great benefits to consumers.

Here are some keys to personal branding:

1. Create your own personal product, service or trademark

2. Focus on giving instead of getting

3. Establish yourself as an expert: write articles, books & blogs

4. List yourself as a resource (http://www.helpareporter.com) and get free publicity

5. Actively participate in social networking sites

6. Associate yourself with powerful brands

7. Associate yourself with the best mentors and other ‘influentials’

8. Ask for endorsements and use those to take you to the next level (the “Oprah-effect”)

For more ideas, check out Dan Schwabel’s www.personalbrandingblog.com. Dan is the author of “Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success”, as well as the publisher of both the Personal Branding Blog and the Personal Branding Magazine.

MORE THAN A VOICE
Harlan Hogan’s success proves that it takes much more than a good voice and great acting skills, to become one of the best in this business. Personal branding has a lot to do with it. How many of you have read the “Voice actor’s guide to recording at home… and on the road” (co-author Jeffrey P. Fischer)? How many of you have visited http://voiceoveressentials.com? How many of you actually use his Porta-Booth? If you’re a Harlan Hogan fan, I have some news for you!

PORTA-BOOTH PRO
Harlan’s actually coming out with a new Pro level version of his Porta-Booth. I’ve seen the first pictures, and I can assure you that it doesn’t look anything like the collapsible Whitmor Cube that’s available at your local Target store (left image). Just add some acoustic foam and voilà… anyone could build one of those. I won’t reveal too much, but unopened, the Pro version looks more like a rather big bowling ball bag.

One of the problems with the “old” Porta-Booth has always been where to put the script. Once the microphone is inside, there’s simply not enough space for your papers (unless you’re reading the text straight from your iPhone). Harlan’s new design seems to have fixed that. In addition, the Pro version features a new way to keep unwanted noise out.

HARLAN HOGAN VO-MIC
Harlan also teamed with microphone maker MXL, and commissioned a voice-over mic that -in his own words- “will sound great on about 99% of the population”. It’s available on an “Audition it, return it if you don’t think it’s right for you basis”, in a package with mic cable, case, shock mount for $199.00. It’s called “The Harlan Hogan VO: 1-A Signature Series Microphone“, and can be ordered directly from voiceoveressentials. Harlan also put together a USB package with his new mic and the nifty CEntrance MicPort Pro preamplifier.

One more thing: if you’re familiar with Jeffrey Fisher and Harlan Hogan’s writings, you might remember their praise for the ultimate Pop Filter, the Avantone PS-1 PRO-SHIELD Studio Pop Filter. It’s finally back in stock, ready to stuff some voice-over stockings!

SUCCESS
There are a few ways of looking at the success some of our colleagues deserve and enjoy. Some people become jealous. Others become frustrated or even scared. My attitude has always been more inquisitive: What can I learn from them? Obviously they must have been doing something right! I’m sure I’m not the only one who has learned a lot from Harlan Hogan over the years. For one, changing your name won’t hurt your career!

Paul Strikwerda ©2009

www.nethervoice.com

PS the author of this article is in no way compensated by Mr. Hogan, Mr. Fisher and/or Avant Electronics, for featuring their products.

PPS ever wondered  why your custom demos hardly ever lead to anything? Is it you or are there other factors at play? Read my next blog and find out.

Technorati Tags: Avantone Pop Filter, branding, Dutch, Harlan Hogan, MXL, Paul Strikwerda, Personal Branding, Porta-Booth, VO: 1-A, VO: 1-A Harlan Hogan Signature Series Microphone, voice-over, voiceover