Radio Ads Need Voice Over Actors: Are you Ready?

 

Radio commercials can be national or local and can provide a voice over actor a regular income.  Radio ads are not dead and are still a great job source for voice over talent.

Voice over actors are so important for radio ads as it is your voice that brings credibility to the message and the brand.  They are counting on your voice to make listeners not only interested but represent their brand in the best light.

Voice Over Talent for Radio

Radio commercials or ads are anywhere from 15 to 60 seconds long.

Radio ads are typically read at a faster rate and require a lot of energy.  You must hold the attention of the audience and be persuasive without being pushy.  The voice is the most important part of the ad and can be told in a variety of styles based on the brand’s target audience.

Types of Radio Ads

There are four main types of radio ads that are used.  Each one has specific formatting that makes it important to understand how you should use your talent.

·         Jingle Ad – These ads are the ones that people are singing or humming long after, the ones with phrases that get stuck in a listener’s head.  The key is the wording and as a voice over actor it is about clearly getting the message out.

·         Sponsorship Ad – These ads typically come before or after a popular show.  It is a commanding voice that states, “This show is sponsored by….”

·         Straight Read Ad – These ads are an audio version of text ads.  They are ads that speak about the brand.

·         Customer Testimonial Ad – Brands often have compelling testimonials by customers that make for great promotion ads.  However, the customers are not the ones to read them.  That is where a skilled voice actor can give the read based on the customer’s words.  It is perfect for a professional actor who can give the statement life.

Practice is Key

The best way to become a radio voice over actor is to practice.  Work with a broad range of scripts so that you are prepared for the broad range of styles and can work on the subtle differences.  Record your practice runs and then play them back.

Listen to the current style you hear on the radio, styles change to keep up with trends.

A radio voice over coach will be able to help you work out the fine elements.  Look for a coach that specializes in radio teachings or a class that is specifically about radio voice over work.

Get Your Demo Reel Ready

If you are just starting in the radio ad world, create a demo with the styles that you have mastered.  Make sure that your reel is clean and would be ready to go straight to air.  This reel needs to impress agents, brands, anyone that you are sending a copy out to.

Keep in mind that your reel will constantly change and update as you book jobs and broaden your work.  A demo is about showcasing the best of your work and a variety or diversity of what you can do.

5 Things You Need To Have Professional Voice Over Recording Studio in Your Home

 

When setting up your home voice over recording studio, there are tons of items that are on the list and a variety of price points.  However, there are the top 5 items to start with and then from there, you can slowly build up.  The most important part is that you need high-quality audio recordings to not only get jobs but to keep booking jobs.

Microphone

The equipment starts with the microphone.  A high-quality microphone will get the best and cleanest sound.  You want to make sure that it will capture your voice as it impacts the overall quality of the recording. And YES, there are a lot of mics to choose from! THIS is where you should spend most of your gear money! 

There are two main types of microphones, USB and XLR.  Professional voice over talent uses an XLR, they have a wider dynamic range and more sensitivity.   USB microphones were created more for the everyday person who needs a mic for zoom calls. Although, the sound quality of these mics is improving constantly.

Pop Filter

The better your microphone is the more sensitive it can be, which makes the filter a necessity.  You want a sensitive microphone to give the rich texture and nuances of your voice.  However, you do not want all voice noises audible.

A pop filter will help with the plosive and sibilant sounds that the mouth makes, especially the “P” pop and the “S” hiss. 

Headphones

Studio quality headphones matter. It gives you a chance to hear all the unwanted noises and sounds, including lip smacks and small noises from the home studio.  Earbuds and headsets do not have the clarity of studio headphones. Nor are regular "music listening" stereo headphones a good choice either. Given that they do not produce a "flat" sound and "color" your voice too much. It is important that you can hear every little thing because the client certainly will when you send the recording.

Soundproofing

Having a quality microphone will get you the best sounding noises, yet not all sounds need to be on the recording.  When deciding on the best place to set up your recording area, think about the windows and outside noises.  Consider what walls you are sharing with, such as the laundry room.  If you live alone, then it makes some choices very easy, however, with roommates or family then you have to consider what they are doing in the house as well.

Before investing in a ton of soundproofing materials, a commonplace that voice-over talent finds has good recording is a closet, especially a walk-in closet.  There is space to set up an area and it has decent acoustics being a small space full of soft clothing and not a lot of furniture for sound to bounce off.

And remember, the best mic in the world will yield a lousy sound if the space it is in is poorly soundproofed. So, make sure that space is "tight" with no echo or outside noise entering it.

Digital Audio Workstations (DAW)

A digital audio workstation is the application software that is used for recording, editing, and producing audio files.  There are many options available on the market, including free ones like Audacity.  However, there are options that you must purchase like Adobe Audition that have all the plugins and editing options to produce quality audio files.

It is important to research the options and learn how to use the equipment, it is not enough to have the workstation; it is also about using it to create the highest quality recordings.

These are just the bare essentials of what you'll need. Research each area for greater detail.