The Invisible Mythbuster- Mahmoud Taji Interviews Robert Lee Narrator For Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters (Part 2)
Hello folks, Thanks for hanging in there… here is the second part of the Interview with Mr. Robert Lee. If you missed the first part of the interview you can find it here.
This interview was made possible by the Kindness of Mr. Lee giving me some of his much sought after time. When I first contacted him he mentioned that he had actually read a post or two on my humble blog and was guided to it via the power of Google Alerts… What follows is the second part and conclusion of my interview with the voice of the Invisible Mythbuster:
Mahmoud Taji:
Do You have a home studio? if so what equipment do you use? Do you work at all through the Internet? more »
FreshBooks.com Painless invoicing and job tracking for VO professionals
Greetings and Salutations! As you might have guessed by now you, as Voice Over Talent, are to a Business that is considered a Sole Proprietorship (except if you have partners which some of you do have) . That means you own your own business and in these financially shaky times you have to do things quickly and efficiently to stay afloat and even prosper.
The faster you are at:
- Replying to your clients.
- Sending Auditions
- Sending Quotations
- Doing Post Recording Preperation
- Recording the job
- Invoicing your client
…will put you and your level of professionalism at a level higher than that of the competition. Your efficiency (and work attitude) will keep clients coming back to you over and over because you make their life easier. more »
www.VoiceEmporium.com is up and running!
Hello All,
I thought I’d make life easier for those loyal Emporium Readers so I registered www.voiceemporium.com.
Now if you want to visit this blog all you have to do is write voiceempoirum.com and it will bring you right here!
Many thanks to my loyal readers for their ongoing support.
Regards,
Taji
The Invisible Mythbuster- Mahmoud Taji Interviews Robert Lee Narrator For Discovery Channel’s Mythbusters (Part 1)
Hello folks, I can’t tell you how excited I am to present to you the first part of my interview with one of the most recognized Narrator in the Business Today. It’s very possible that you are already a fan and you don’t know it. If you’ve ever spent more than a few minutes on the Discovery channel you’ve probably heard my guest today Mr. Robert Lee Narrator for the Hit Discovery Channel Series “MythBusters.”
As you might already know Mr. Lee works out of Sydney Australia and I out of Cairo, Egypt so we had to co-ordinate this interview over the interweb over a period of a few weeks. I will be publishing the interview in 2 parts so check your Emporium RSS feed for the latest update of Taji’s Voice Emporium:
In case you have been living under a rock or have had amnesia here is a youtube clip of mythbusters being introduced by Mr. Robert Lee.
Mahmoud Taji:
First I’d like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to conduct this interview… I’m a huge fan of Mythbusters (it appeals to the male gene in me that likes to blow things up) also as a Voice over artist I appreciate all the subtleties that you put in your work with mythbusters.
Lets start at the beginning… I read on a mythbusters fan site that you were born in the UK… moved to North America (spent some time in Canada I believe as well as the states) then moved to Australia… Could you give us a little more detail on your early years and what made your parents move to north America… and why you decided to move to Australia? more »
Futurist’s Vision of the Future
found this using the Stumble Upon plugin for firefox on the Impact Lab Blog.
If you don’t know what firefox is… please click the link in the line before and download it… save yourself a few big headaches and improve your web surfing experience.
Back to this post… This has nothing to do with voice overs but I am passionate about technology and this looks likes an interesting take on how things might end up being like in the not so distant future.
Of course this is done tongue in cheek… but with the exponential leaps and bounds that technology is making… maybe… just maybe a few of them can come to fruition.
Odd Voice News – A Roundup Report
Logically deduced by Taji
StudioApp for the iPhone
StudioApp from Karsidy.com mentions on their website that some tester said the following:
“The fun of StudioApp is being able to record on the go with all of my
buddies and make a hit in 5 minutes. I can’t get enough of it!” -Eric
Spett (one of the first testers for StudioApp)
As an ex-musician and current voice over artist… I highly doubt that this application can give you studio quality anything… but I love the application’s icon which shows you a high end condenser microphone (or is that a tube mic?) with a pop guard… apparently the iPhone’s receiver has the potential to give you high end Audio Fidelity with plosive protection!
I for one am impressed. I think I might just go sell all my microphones and gear to save on costs and buy a stand for my iPhone… I mean the application developer says:
“With a brilliant user interface and seamless audio sequencing,
StudioApp tops the charts in mobile music production and raises the
standards for every rapper, singer, DJ, MC and all else who don’t want
to deal with expensive and time consuming production tools.”
“Whether you’re at home, in the car or on a short flight in your
private jet, StudioApp allows you to lay down up to 4 vocal/audio
tracks over 30+ professionally engineered instrumentals.”
yeah looks intense… I think these guys are going to give Pro Tools a run for its money… And they keep referring to it as a mobile recording application. Isn’t a MiniDisc or a walkman with a microphone a portable recording setup? or is this special because its on the iPhone. I mean if P.diddy or 50 cent record their next album on this thing… I think its well worth the $7.99 that they are charging for it.
Honestly the audacity of these guys leaves me… to a certain extent … speechless. But hey if you guys want me to review your mobile recording application… I’ll be more than happy to. (actually no I wont… don’t send me anything)
http://www.krasidy.com/
Taken from Engadget.com
Samson introduces highly portable $49 USB Go Mic
For the podcaster-on-the-go, there’s always a need for a portable
microphone to get through less-than-ideal situations. Clearly, Samson Technologies
is lookin’ out, as the simply titled Go Mic provides all that and a bag
of chips. The “pocket-sized” USB microphone comes with a built-in mount
for siting atop one’s laptop display and can be used to record audio in
a variety of scenarios (Skype, lectures, etc.). It’s supposedly
plug-and-play with both Macs and PCs, and it features a 20Hz to 18 kHz
frequency response, selectable cardioid / omni directional polar
recording pattern and a condenser transducer with pressure gradient.
Speak up in one (available in black or white) right now for $49; full
release is after the break.
Samson to Unveil Revolutionary Go Mic at CES
A
pocket-sized recording device, Go Mic is a high-quality USB microphone
that captures audio for all kinds of software and online applications,
all in an innovative fold up design.
On display at CES, January 8th-11th, 2009 in Las Vegas, South Hall 4 35528
Hauppauge,
NY – December 18, 2008 – Samson Technologies is pleased to announce Go
Mic, the latest addition to Samson’s ever-increasing line of USB
microphones. Go Mic is designed to record professional quality audio on
any computer. Its unique design provides the user with a built-in
laptop mount or allows placement on a multidirectional hinge; ensuring
consumers record only the intended audio.
Go Mic is perfect for
all forms of recording. On the road, in the classroom, in a house of
worship or any office setting, Go Mic will provide professionals and
consumers alike with a convenient recording option. Additionally, Go
Mic is ideal for applications such as Skype, iChat, webcasting,
podcasting, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and voice recognition
software.
“As an audio company, Samson focuses on creating
solutions that have the widest range of applications that deliver great
sound,” said Director of Marketing Mark Wilder. “With so many uses for
digital audio and video today, Go Mic answers the call for anyone who
needs better audio at a better price.”
The Go Mic’s key features include:
• Plug & play MAC and PC compatibility
• USB interface for high-resolution, digital audio streaming
• Custom design clips to a laptop or sits on a desk
• Compact, folding design allows easy storage in a brief case or laptop bag
• Condenser transducer with pressure gradient USB digital output
• Frequency response of 20Hz – 18 kHz
• Selectable cardioid or omni directional polar recording pattern
• Available in black or white
• MSRP $49
Samson
will be displaying the Go Mic and a number of other new and innovative
products at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show. To book a meeting with
Samson executives, please contact PR Representative Greg Mondshein.
Taken from blog.audioconnell.com
(This isnt really odd… kinda cool actually)
twitter picks you up at the airport
Today my friend and client Leesa Barnes came to Buffalo to speak at a lunch seminar hosted by the Buffalo Niagara Sales and Marketing Executives. She didn’t come in from her hometown Toronto either, she flew in via Las Vegas having attended and presented at the National Association of Broadcasters convention there.
Having gone through airplane connection hell in her travels back,
Leesa tweeted me this AM asking if I would be able to pick her up at Buffalo Niagara International Airport. After we agreed to the fare… (just kidding!)
Glad to see her in action, presenting “Be Marketing Fit: 3 Ways to
Get Active Using Social Media”. The 30+ in attendance really enjoyed
her content as did I.
Leesa and I first met up in Toronto when Social Media and Social
Networking were first starting via an international on-line networking
group called Ryze. The
Toronto Ryze chapter actually had in-person meetings and I would go up
to TO and make contacts. That group eventually faded away.
Then she told me about the first Podcamp Toronto, which was great. Subsequently I’ve done voice over work for her podcasting clients and her podcasts as well.
But there you have another use for Twitter and Social Media…hailing a cab, or a ride anyway, from the airport. Monetize that, pal! 
___________________________
That’s it for now folks… remember to join the Social Networking Group on Voiceover-casting.com and post your networking info.
9 Free Short Audio Books from Barnes & Noble
I found this via Lifehacker:
” Want a little (legally) free audio reading for your commute? Barnes & Noble is giving away nine free audiobooks in unrestricted MP3 format, so you can play or convert them for any use. Kurt Vonnegut, Jonathan Lethem, and even Mark Twain’s full “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” are represented in the collection. Add them to your shopping cart (even though they’re listed at $0.01, they’re free at checkout), provide a credit card number or select to pay by PayPal acount (whether or not you really have one), and you’re on your way. It’s like a fire sale on the net this month! [Audiobook Free Downloads at B&N via The Cheapskate] ”
Personally I listen to these more for the voice over artist’s technique and delivery.
enjoy
taji
Voice Registry Podcast-Tracy Pattin Talks To Top Audio Book Narrator, Scott Brick
I found this Podcast interview via voicebank.net blog… Now the reason why I am posting this is because Scott Brick is himself recording Audio Books and producing them himself… he talks about his experience here. This post only contains 2 parts of the interview… the third is not out yet…. visit voicebank.net for the 3rd part
Actor, screenwriter and audiobook narrator, Scott Brick definitely gives new meaning to a hyphenate career with credits in film, television, stage and radio.
In 2000, Brick ventured into narrating audiobooks and quickly found himself embraced by the audio world. To date he’s won over 40 Earphones Awards for his narrating skills, as well as the 2003 Audie Award for DUNE: THE BUTLERIAN JIHAD. After recording some 250 titles in five years, AUDIOFILE MAGAZINE named Brick “one of the fastest-rising stars in the audiobook galaxy,” and proclaimed him a Golden Voice. But it was the WALL STREET JOURNAL that sealed the moniker with a front-page article in November, 2004. Having now recorded over 400 titles, Brick has no intention of slowing down. He obviously won’t be happy until he’s recorded every book ever published.
Part 1 of the interview
http://www.productionbank.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/scott-brick-podcast-interview-part-1.mp3
Part 2 of the interview
http://www.productionbank.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/scott-brick-vr-podcast-interview-part-2.mp3
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Opening the Doors for Sponsorship
Hey All,
You will notice today that the Emporium is Google Adsense free… That is because I upgraded my subscription with voiceover-casting.com to increase my Blog quota from 25 megs to 250 megs and remove the ads from my blog.
Now what that does is allow me to open the door for sponsorship of my blog. I spend a few hours ever day coming up with ideas for posts for the blog… scouring the web for articles you might find interesting and sitting down and writing a the actual post. Now I am not asking for a hand out … I am giving any voice over artist or production house (ok maybe not ALL production houses… I review sponsorship candidates) the opportunity to promote themselves to the readers of my blog.
In the last month the blog has picked up considerably and quite a few industry professionals visit the blog everyday… if you would like to promote your personal website or your voice casting profile to these people you can contact me so you can place a sponsorship badge/ mini banner on the top right hand side of the side panel.
Its not that expensive but it has high visibility. and I will provide 1 week, 2 week 1 month and 3 month packages for those interested in long term self promotion via the Emporium.
I can even help you make your own button or advert banner (a simple one… for something more complex you’ll need to find someone to help you out). Like the one I made for myself that’s there already.
I will also be setting up an advertising banner backage (also 1 week, 2 week, 1 month and 3 month durations) for voice over studios, audio equipment manufacturers etc to promote themselves.
I would like to dedicate more time to bringing you the Voice Industry’s latest news and… if you like… you can help me do that… and promote yourself while you’re at it.
Many thanks to Brian and Fernando for being the first to Sign up!
Taji
Ode to my iPhone
I gotta tell you folks, I never liked the iPhone… I am not a big fan of Apple Computer Systems. I used their computers throughout the 90s and up until 2005 since I worked in the Design business but honestly I just never liked them… mind you I never liked PCs either… I had Linux (ubuntu for those interested) installed on my main home PC for a while but I got frustrated when I would get freelance design work and couldn’t use the native linux software to finish the work. I know their is software that could do the job … I was just not proficient enough in it to use it.
So! I pretty much hate all operating systems equally… And I have to say the same goes to the iPhone’s operating system. Its slow… I mean reeeeaaally slow compared to say my old Palm Treo 650… of course the treo had half the screen size and resolution … didnt have 1/5th the processing power and didnt have wifi. Incidently I own a 2G… in Egypt buying an iPhone cost an arm and a leg so I bought it used for a little more than you would buy it in the states (or canada) with a contract. more »
