Ahh voiceovers

Guy Who Says 'Previously On Heroes' Wishes He Was Guy Who Says 'Previously On Lost'

Pro Tools? Part Deux

I just read an article about Apple computers being used at this year's Grammys ... but I can't find it again to reference. It said that "all the studios use Pro Tools. It's everywhere. So they use it at the Grammys."

But then I read this article -- http://putthingsoff.com/index.php/7-sweet-ways-to-save-on-software/

Which makes me think I don't need to shell out the big bucks.

If I find a nice, used Mac Pro on Craigslist, I may make the jump. But I'm doing fine now. And I'm pretty dang good at Samplitude.

Video

...from a TV spot I recently did the voice and audio production for. The video was done at another studio.

ProTools?

After 5 years of producing audio for plenty of different clients, I've finally gotten a request for a project that required using ProTools session files.

I don't use ProTools, the industry "standard" for audio editing and production. I've considered it...but don't have it.

Why?

Several reasons.

First, ProTools is just a tool. And there are plenty of other ones. A lot of professional contractors use DeWalt power tools, but other companies make them as well. My Black and Decker cordless drill makes really good holes, too. The "tool" I use for audio production does everything I need (thus far, anyway.)

Secondly, ProTools is dang expensive. Not just the software, but you have to use their approved sound cards and plug-ins, and in many cases you have to use special (expensive) computer hard drives.

Finally, I've found the audio editor I like. Samplitude. It does almost everything I need. Every once in a while, I pull out my old version of Sound Forge, and sometimes even the now-ancient Cool Edit 2000.

Am I missing something? Is ProTools something I NEED? I got the gig I mentioned above, even without PT.

Can't be bad..

...to have Randy Michaels back as the head of a radio company.

I worked for Jacor, and thereby for Randy Michaels, in the late 90's-early 00's. Jacor was by far, without a doubt, head and shoulders, the BEST company I ever worked for! I oversaw several of Jacor's country stations, and I'll always remember the way Michaels said the company was set up. Engineering came FIRST (if they can't hear you, you won't have listeners) Programming was the next priority (you have to give listeners something worth hearing) Last priority, Sales. Not that selling isn't important, but the other two legs have to be in place first. This is the opposite of everywhere else I've ever worked. Sales always comes first. They're the ones that get training, expense accounts, perks. Sell, sell, sell! IF we make budget, maybe programming can get something they've wanted (a production library that isn't on vinyl). IF we hit goals, maybe we can replace the failing tube in the transmitter.

Jacor/ Randy Michaels had it right. I was a pretty small fish in a pretty small part of Jacor's fairly-large pond, but Randy Michaels, head of the company himself, responded to my e-mails. I would forward good news to the chiefs above me (it's politics, you know). Michaels would actually read it and hit reply and say "good job!"

Some people don't care for Michaels, but I've got nothing but respect for him. I wish I still worked for Jacor! The fact that radios' great quality decline began at about the same time Clear Channel forced Michaels out is too great a coincidence to ignore.

I've got a nice business going here, but for you Randy, I'm available!

Oh, hi!

I've hit the do-over button on this here blog. Thanks for visiting!