My friend Bob Souer has written an excellent blog post on weaknesses and strengths in voice over.  I’m constantly evaluating myself and searching out my own strengths and weaknesses to try and help improve my work and I found it a very poignant read.  I think you might as well.

Bob starts off:

“There are lots of folks who think that voiceover work is all about the voice. Sure, there’s an element of truth in that idea. When we audition, many times the final choice the client makes is based on whose voice most closely matches what they’re looking for; but be careful how far you carry this idea.”  Read More.

I’m nearing completion on the new voiceover booth.  The walls are basically done, I’m just working on tuning the space now trying a few placment options and tricks and working on finding the optimum sound in the sweet spot of the room.  Here’s a 2 minute video tour of my new voice booth.  Enjoy:

Did you know Brian Hart produces demos for other voice talent?

It’s something I really enjoy doing and I am pretty good at it if I may say so myself.  If you would like to discuss producing your next demo please contact me.

Samples of Demos produced by Brian Hart

Russ McLamb Rock Imaging

Russ McLamb Country Imaging

Caryn Clark Radio Imaging

I produce all my own demos so you may listen to them also.  Read more after the jump if you are interested in learning about the demo production process. (more…)

I haven’t posted much about the design and construction of my studio, mostly because I don’t want to give you the impression I’m unable to work for you.  I am available and ready for your project.  With that in mind here’s an update:

The new voiceover booth is coming along nicely thanks to the generosity of some fantastic people that know much more about acoustic design than I do.  The isolation walls and ceiling are done.  Over 300 square feet of acoustic insulation is on it’s way.  The new door should be delivered on Monday or Tuesday of next week.  It’s a heavy beastie but it has to be to provide the kind of isolation I want (and feel that you as my client deserve).

The Hart Voice Overs Booth

Today I got the flooring installed. Boy it looks pretty. And it won’t mess with the high frequencies in the voice range the way carpet does.

The new floor in Hart Voice Overs Vocal Booth

I’ll have the door system installed next week. The acoustic insulation should arrive in about another week. As soon as it gets here I’ll be able to treat the walls and hang a “cloud” on the ceiling. Then the new booth will be ready to go!

I’m very excited about the upgrade to this booth and I hope you, as a client or potential client, are excited about the great enhancements it will provide for your projects with Hart Voice Overs as well.

photo credit: re_birf

How do you write good copy for voice over?

Writing for the spoken word can be dramatically different than composing a piece that is meant to be read.  Take a magazine article or newspaper and read it out loud and you will quickly see what I mean.  You have to think about the context, the target audience, the speaker’s point of view… and on and on.  A lot goes into good VO copy. (more…)

Multi Track Mix in Adobe Audition 3.0

Panning

Let’s be technical for a bit – and I’m going to use tech terms and jargon in this posting so be prepared if you’re new to the production game.  This post is for all you creative services directors, production directors – whatever it is you call yourselves in radio these days.  Me?  I prefer prod guy (or girl) or if I’m feeling particularly cocky: prod guru.  Yesterday I was working on a piece with a very high production value.  Lots of compression, reverb, EQ, various whooshes, stutters and gizmos.  You get the idea.  I decided to spice it up a bit more with some creative panning and that’s when I broke one of Hart’s rules: (more…)

My friend and excellent VO pro Dave Courvoisier has discovered a very promising new website/application called chirbit.  It holds a lot of promise for those of us that work in the audio industry, whether voiceover or radio.  Dave had an excellent back and forth with the chirbit developer and posted about it on his blog Voice Acting in Vegas:

The site struck me as a delightful use of the potential of audio and social networking.  I eventually asked the originator of the site – Ivan Reyes – if he’d mind responding to a few pointed questions about Chirbit, specifically the possibilities for voice-actors.

It looks to me like the future holds a lot of promise for this way cool application – Chirbit.  Check it out by clicking on the quote.

This weekend I was painting my voiceover booth when I realized how much painting and voiceover acting have in common.  Now I bet you’re saying to yourself, “Brian you’ve sniffed too many paint fumes.”  You’re probably right but humor me and keep reading.  I think you will agree with me in the end.

I spent a part of my life as a professional painter almost by accident.  I worked with a construction company for a while and ended up being quite good at painting so eventually the boss made me the “go to” painter.  I mention this so you know that I actually do have a legitimate perspective in comparing voice over to painting.

(more…)

I realize many of you are coming to my site and saying, “but where are the demos”?

Please bear with me.  The site hasn’t even been up a week yet and I want new demos to go with the new site.  It’s a work in progress and I had no idea how much excitement Hart Voice Overs would generate in it’s first week.  But I know you can’t decide if you want to talk to me without something.  So here is an overview of some of what I do from my other site, Brian Hart Productions.  Please ignore the phone number at the end, it’s no longer valid.  My new number is (251) 752-9221.

Brian Hart Overview

This demo is mainly showcasing my audio production but my voice is also featured throughout.  There are more demos on that site you can listen to as well.  I know you’ll like what you hear and if you decide I might be a good fit for your project please contact me for a free audition and quote.

Contact Brian Hart