The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has turned thumbs down on net neutrality. In a report on broadband availability and connectivity, the FTC found little reason to protect consumers and content providers from attempts by large telecommunications providers to charge more for faster delivery.
someaudioguy some audio guy ftc federal trade voice over demo voice acting production copyright
read more | digg story
Friday, June 29, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
50 Cent explains lip syncing
Wow, I just posted about this, only to find a clip of 106&Park where Fiddy explains it all away:
First off, this song kinda sucks.
Secondly, listening to him speak is excruciating. Dre, Snoop, EM, they all just seem SO much smarter/smoother/cooler than Fiddy...
First off, this song kinda sucks.
Secondly, listening to him speak is excruciating. Dre, Snoop, EM, they all just seem SO much smarter/smoother/cooler than Fiddy...
Why New Music Doesn't Sound As Good As Older Music
Winning the loudness war! With state of the art compression, we think nothing of boosting the "Loudness" of our tunes now. Unfortunately that can really hurt what we're trying to help...
I've actually had this argument with a couple clients. A few in particular love using tons of compression. It makes their voices sound full and rich and loud. Problem is that unless the audition is played on pro monitors with a lot of tolerance, instead played, on say, crappy speakers built into an LCD, then the audition is going to sound garbage. It'll sound muddy or distorted, and more than likely the person listening will reach for the volume knob.
If they're already reaching for the volume, why not reach for a skip track button?
Click READ MORE to check out the story on Yahoo news.
read more | digg story
someaudioguy some audio guy audio recording voice over demo production voice acting auditions adr dubbing foley
And here's a practical example from the linked article showing what kind of damage can occur by making things "loud".
I've actually had this argument with a couple clients. A few in particular love using tons of compression. It makes their voices sound full and rich and loud. Problem is that unless the audition is played on pro monitors with a lot of tolerance, instead played, on say, crappy speakers built into an LCD, then the audition is going to sound garbage. It'll sound muddy or distorted, and more than likely the person listening will reach for the volume knob.
If they're already reaching for the volume, why not reach for a skip track button?
Click READ MORE to check out the story on Yahoo news.
read more | digg story
someaudioguy some audio guy audio recording voice over demo production voice acting auditions adr dubbing foley
And here's a practical example from the linked article showing what kind of damage can occur by making things "loud".
50 Cent busted lip syncing
RAPPER 50 Cent has suffered an embarrassing blow at the BET awards, when he was caught lip synching live on stage, watched by millions of people.
Entertainment site MediaTakeOut.com report that 50 Cent was caught out from the beginning of his performance, after being ceremoniously lowered onto stage on a podium.
Check it out...
VITAMIN WATER YO!
someaudioguy some audio guy voice over production demo voice acting adr dubbing concert music live dumb
read more | digg story
Entertainment site MediaTakeOut.com report that 50 Cent was caught out from the beginning of his performance, after being ceremoniously lowered onto stage on a podium.
Check it out...
VITAMIN WATER YO!
someaudioguy some audio guy voice over production demo voice acting adr dubbing concert music live dumb
read more | digg story
Ha-ha, gotta love Wayne's World
Click on the pic to check out the sign.
someaudioguy some audio guy music funny voice over recording equipment speaker amp adr foley dubbing demo production tv film
Led Zeppelin To Reunite?
Led Zeppelin are in talks to reunite for a memorial concert. The band are apparently in discussions to reform for a one-off gig in London for their late record boss Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun. It is thought singer Robert Plant guitarist Jimmy Page and bass John Paul Jones will re-group alongside late drummer John Bonham's son Jason.IMMIGRANT SONG! I WANT IMMIGRANT SONG!!!
someaudioguy some audio guy music recording albums rock voice over directing production editing adr foley dubbing
read more | digg story
(Rolling Stone) The Record Industry's Decline -- How It All Went Wrong
Record sales are tanking, and there's no hope in sight. The major labels are struggling to reinvent their business models, even as some wonder whether it's too late. "The record business is over," says music attorney Peter Paterno, who represents Metallica and Dr. Dre. "The labels have wonderful assets -- they just can't make any money off them."
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Darth Vader Sayings!
Ok these soundboards are just plain good times! A page FULL of Vader sound clips. A perfect way to not do work, or make prank phone calls! BEST VOICE EVAR! someaudioguy some audio guy voice over demo production funny star wars james earl jones voice acting darth vader recording adr dubbing read more | digg story
Top 5 mp3 Converters ???
Just caught this on Digg.
With so much voiceover being done over mp3, it's getting more and more complicated to explain to actors what they need to do to send us auditions. With so many people on Mac, fewer and fewer seem to understand that an .aac/.aiff/.m4a is NOT the same thing as an .mp3. Love it or hate it, .mp3 pretty much plays well with everyone (except GarageBand apparently).
SO, I'm constantly on the lookout for software that will make this easier. Coming across this article from CoolUtils.com, there are some excellent recommendations for mp3 converters here, but I'm a little non-plussed by this major FUD paragraph here:
"But first a little word of warning. MP3 files, and MP3 converting, is extremely popular right now. While that does tend to open up the market to an array of different products for you to choose from, it also attracts the less desirable people as well. The kind of people that would just as soon give your computer a virus than a good MP3 converter. That being said I am going to suggest that you do not deal with what is advertised as free MP3 converters. Most of these products offer a free trial and that should be more than enough for you to convert some files and find the software you like. But a free MP3 converter is an invitation for a devious person to get a dangerous, and destructive virus, on to your computer. That isn’t to say that an MP3 converter you pay for couldn’t also cause you problems, but a company that is taking your money from their own website is a little less likely to destroy your computer than an anonymous company offering you something for free."
Whoa there! I have to say this would exclude people from a huge wealth of software out there, like say open source software. I'm a really big fan of programs like Audacity and CDex, because they're easy to use, and the price is right. Audacity especially since it'll play well with both Mac and PC (Sound Forge and Audition I'm looking in your general direction).
So check out the list, but don't write off a program just because it's free. If you're really worried about giving it a spin, maybe google for a review or something...
someaudioguy some audio guy voice over recording voice acting directing production demo software help how to adr dubbing mp3
read more | digg story
With so much voiceover being done over mp3, it's getting more and more complicated to explain to actors what they need to do to send us auditions. With so many people on Mac, fewer and fewer seem to understand that an .aac/.aiff/.m4a is NOT the same thing as an .mp3. Love it or hate it, .mp3 pretty much plays well with everyone (except GarageBand apparently).
SO, I'm constantly on the lookout for software that will make this easier. Coming across this article from CoolUtils.com, there are some excellent recommendations for mp3 converters here, but I'm a little non-plussed by this major FUD paragraph here:
"But first a little word of warning. MP3 files, and MP3 converting, is extremely popular right now. While that does tend to open up the market to an array of different products for you to choose from, it also attracts the less desirable people as well. The kind of people that would just as soon give your computer a virus than a good MP3 converter. That being said I am going to suggest that you do not deal with what is advertised as free MP3 converters. Most of these products offer a free trial and that should be more than enough for you to convert some files and find the software you like. But a free MP3 converter is an invitation for a devious person to get a dangerous, and destructive virus, on to your computer. That isn’t to say that an MP3 converter you pay for couldn’t also cause you problems, but a company that is taking your money from their own website is a little less likely to destroy your computer than an anonymous company offering you something for free."
Whoa there! I have to say this would exclude people from a huge wealth of software out there, like say open source software. I'm a really big fan of programs like Audacity and CDex, because they're easy to use, and the price is right. Audacity especially since it'll play well with both Mac and PC (Sound Forge and Audition I'm looking in your general direction).
So check out the list, but don't write off a program just because it's free. If you're really worried about giving it a spin, maybe google for a review or something...
someaudioguy some audio guy voice over recording voice acting directing production demo software help how to adr dubbing mp3
read more | digg story
How to clean DVD and CD discs
These guides show up every so often, but it's good info to know. Especially if the RIAA/MPAA convince (bribe) our government to make duplication illegal. Better take good care of that media, so click the link at the bottom to read all about it.read more | digg story
someaudioguy some audio guy recording cd dvd disc voice over voice acting demo production how to
***Almost forgot, for scratched media try toothpaste!
Internet Radio "Day of Silence" hushes thousands of stations
Another story, this time from Arstechnica. I was thinking of liveblogging events today revolving around this protest, but how do you live blog ... nothing ...
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
The baby on Nirvana's Nevermind album is 17 (Pic)
Just couldn't help posting about this, as it's popularity on Digg just keeps increasing (almost 3000). So check out the links, and see the baby on one of the most iconic rock albums of all time all growed up.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
NO INTERNET RADIO FOR YOU! ONE DAY!
So, yup the Internet Radio Day of Silence is in full effect. The above image taken from Rhapsody's page.
Yahoo is sending people to SaveNetRadio.org.
KCRW is interrupting programing to discuss Copyright Royalty with:
- Mike Riksen: Vice President for Government Relations, National Public Radio
- Kurt Hanson: Publisher of RAIN, the Radio and Internet Newsletter
- Tim Westergren: Founder of Pandora.com
- Caryn Mathes: General Manager of WAMU, American University Radio
- Ian Rogers: CEO of Yahoo! Music
- Ted Leibowitz: Music Director of BAGeL Radio
- Johnny Floater: General Manager of Media, Live365.com
I have to say this is one of the best put together online protests I've ever seen.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Exonerated defendant sues RIAA for malicious prosecution
Disabled single mother takes the fight back to the RIAA!
From Arstechnica:
"We explored the possibility of charging the RIAA with malicious prosecution last month. Attorney Rich Vasquez of Morgan Miller Blair told Ars Technica that he believed the RIAA could be vulnerable to such charges, but it would be an uphill battle to make them stick. Still, the complaint paints a very unflattering picture of the RIAA and its agents engaging in activity that was in many cases questionable and unethical at best.The history of file-sharing litigation shows that Atlantic v. Andersen was not an isolated case of mistaken identity, and should Andersen get a favorable result here, other former defendants may follow her lead.
That could lead to a potentially very costly class-action suit against the RIAA. "You'd have to have a lot of winners," said Vasquez. "If you have enough people bringing charges of malicious prosecution, you could then show a pattern of practices on the part of the RIAA."The RIAA told Ars that it would have no comment on Andersen's lawsuit."
read more | digg story
From Arstechnica:
"We explored the possibility of charging the RIAA with malicious prosecution last month. Attorney Rich Vasquez of Morgan Miller Blair told Ars Technica that he believed the RIAA could be vulnerable to such charges, but it would be an uphill battle to make them stick. Still, the complaint paints a very unflattering picture of the RIAA and its agents engaging in activity that was in many cases questionable and unethical at best.The history of file-sharing litigation shows that Atlantic v. Andersen was not an isolated case of mistaken identity, and should Andersen get a favorable result here, other former defendants may follow her lead.
That could lead to a potentially very costly class-action suit against the RIAA. "You'd have to have a lot of winners," said Vasquez. "If you have enough people bringing charges of malicious prosecution, you could then show a pattern of practices on the part of the RIAA."The RIAA told Ars that it would have no comment on Andersen's lawsuit."
read more | digg story
Sunday, June 24, 2007
YouTube Signs Revenue-Sharing Deal With 20-year-old
A 20-year-old New Yorker just signed a revenue-sharing deal with YouTube. But it's a highly symbolic deal — both for 20-year-old Brandon Fletcher, and the future of YouTube. Be on the look out, we'll be seeing more of this...
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
The Definitive Apache Jump On It Post ... Because I Can...
It's 1am. I cant sleep. Here are the best "Fresh-Prince-Apache-Jump-On-It" dance videos I could find.
Videos were disqualified if the sound didnt sync...
Awesome!
Equally Awesome!
This is Mark, and he's a dumbass:
They totally rehearsed...and this is 4 minutes too long:
These Kids Rock! I would party wit deez kidz:
Why can't white folk move their hips?
ROFLMAO!! Grey Sweatshirt showing them how its done!!!!
Totally missing that you're only supposed to smile when spinning in a circle. Hip action should equal frown:
They get the frown=hips, but no wacky grin when spinning:
This one is lame:
These guys aren't half bad:
Bonus points for throwing in "the Carlton"
AlRIGhT!
I kinda miss my bandcamp days:
LOL
OOOOOOOhhhhh Black and whit is "teh Classi"
WOW! A lot of effort went into location shooting this one:
Another Sir-Mix-A-Lot version, included for the lipsync:
Awwww, they're just ALL over the place...
GO CHRISTMAS!
THESE GUYS RULE!
Polos and Khakis FTW
Videos were disqualified if the sound didnt sync...
Awesome!
Equally Awesome!
This is Mark, and he's a dumbass:
They totally rehearsed...and this is 4 minutes too long:
These Kids Rock! I would party wit deez kidz:
Why can't white folk move their hips?
ROFLMAO!! Grey Sweatshirt showing them how its done!!!!
Totally missing that you're only supposed to smile when spinning in a circle. Hip action should equal frown:
They get the frown=hips, but no wacky grin when spinning:
This one is lame:
These guys aren't half bad:
Bonus points for throwing in "the Carlton"
AlRIGhT!
I kinda miss my bandcamp days:
LOL
OOOOOOOhhhhh Black and whit is "teh Classi"
WOW! A lot of effort went into location shooting this one:
Another Sir-Mix-A-Lot version, included for the lipsync:
Awwww, they're just ALL over the place...
GO CHRISTMAS!
THESE GUYS RULE!
Polos and Khakis FTW
iTunes now 3rd largest music retailer in US
Wow that was fast. Downloads haven't been around that long. Check the story out. The margins between iTunes, Best-Buy (boo), and Wal-Mart (BOO) aren't that big.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
12 of the Best Music Social Networks
Internet radio may be facing uncertain times, but many musical social networks continue to thrive. If you’re in a band, these sites are essential for promoting your music: take note, and sign up for as many as possible to maximize your reach. For fans, meanwhile, we’ve included some great places to just listen to music.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Smashing Pumpkins to Fans, Indie Stores: Fuck You
A little over dramatic, but hey - it's a Pitchfork article.
In a world where NIN and Trent Reznor are GIVING their music away, this move by Billy Corgan is just odd.
Seems major retailers Target, Wal-Mart, and iTunes get a slightly different version of the album Zeitgeist with a different bonus track.
EVERYONE ELSE GETS THE STANDARD ALBUM WITH NO BONUS TRACK!
To legitimately get the whole thing you'd have to buy the album twice, and then download a track off iTunes (if they even let you buy it separately that is).
If you have to go through all that trouble, I'm sure a lot of people would have no problem downloading the whole thing for free from a torrent, and get all the bonus tracks.
Stealing wins when it's THAT much easier than buying legit...
And apparently Corgan hates indie stores...
someaudioguy some audio guy recording record labels voice over demo production distribution p2p albums voice acting adr dubbing
read more | digg story
In a world where NIN and Trent Reznor are GIVING their music away, this move by Billy Corgan is just odd.
Seems major retailers Target, Wal-Mart, and iTunes get a slightly different version of the album Zeitgeist with a different bonus track.
EVERYONE ELSE GETS THE STANDARD ALBUM WITH NO BONUS TRACK!
To legitimately get the whole thing you'd have to buy the album twice, and then download a track off iTunes (if they even let you buy it separately that is).
If you have to go through all that trouble, I'm sure a lot of people would have no problem downloading the whole thing for free from a torrent, and get all the bonus tracks.
Stealing wins when it's THAT much easier than buying legit...
And apparently Corgan hates indie stores...
someaudioguy some audio guy recording record labels voice over demo production distribution p2p albums voice acting adr dubbing
read more | digg story
Friday, June 22, 2007
Awesome-est Toy Ever!
What can I say?
Gizmodo scooped the HELL out of me on this one.
Still want one...
And here is a link to a bunch of jerks who already have one.
Back up your audio files: Common Sense Edition
I'm not judging here. It's happened to all of us. Back your stuff up. Data back up services are a scam. Hard drives are cheap. That is all.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
In response to Swarmcast's iTunes accelerator...
Hey all, so I posted a story about SwarmCast iTunes Accelerator, I dunno, bout a day ago.
Today Monica wrote me back about it.
So apparently I was right, but a little jerk-ish about it.
Their intent IS to speed up VIDEO downloading.
I'm just too poor to download video from iTunes.
Sigh...
So you rich folk out there with Daily Show passes and what not should check this out.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Monica from LEWIS
Date: Jun 22, 2007 9:40 AM
Subject: In response to Swarmcast's iTunes accelerator
To: SomeAudioGuy@gmail.com
Today Monica wrote me back about it.
So apparently I was right, but a little jerk-ish about it.
Their intent IS to speed up VIDEO downloading.
I'm just too poor to download video from iTunes.
Sigh...
So you rich folk out there with Daily Show passes and what not should check this out.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Monica from LEWIS
Date: Jun 22, 2007 9:40 AM
Subject: In response to Swarmcast's iTunes accelerator
To: SomeAudioGuy@gmail.com
Hi,
I saw your posting on Swarmcast's iTunes accelerator. As a representative of Swarmcast, I thought I'd drop you a line to hopefully clarify the technology for you.
While the Autobahn Accelerator speeds both music and video downloads, users reap the biggest benefits when downloading video. For example, the average TV show normally takes 25 minutes to download over standard broadband. With Autobahn, the same show downloads in a couple of minutes (still over standard broadband).
Please feel free to contact me with any more questions.
Best,
Monica
LEWIS – Global Public Relations
I saw your posting on Swarmcast's iTunes accelerator. As a representative of Swarmcast, I thought I'd drop you a line to hopefully clarify the technology for you.
While the Autobahn Accelerator speeds both music and video downloads, users reap the biggest benefits when downloading video. For example, the average TV show normally takes 25 minutes to download over standard broadband. With Autobahn, the same show downloads in a couple of minutes (still over standard broadband).
Please feel free to contact me with any more questions.
Best,
Monica
LEWIS – Global Public Relations
Making Fun of Catholics!
As a recovering Catholic, I don't really think you can make too much fun of Catholics. The fact that people are even TRYING to make a thing out of Robin Williams' comments on the Tonight Show is kinda, totally re-funk-ulous.
So, please lets make up YET ANOTHER non-news story to burn news cycles on. And we wonder why The Daily Show is the most legit news show on TV...
So in honor of Catholics freaking out, I present a short film with Brooks McBeth in it, about Priests.
Called Priests.
It's funny.
Watch it.
Learn it.
Live it.
So, please lets make up YET ANOTHER non-news story to burn news cycles on. And we wonder why The Daily Show is the most legit news show on TV...
So in honor of Catholics freaking out, I present a short film with Brooks McBeth in it, about Priests.
Called Priests.
It's funny.
Watch it.
Learn it.
Live it.
Internet radio to go silent on June 26!
I wholeheartedly support efforts like these. It just sucks that in today's age, no one seems to care that much. A small minority will fight tooth and claw, a larger minority will support the cause if it doesn't inconvenience them TOO much, and the vast majority will go "MY TEH INTARWEBS DON'T WORK, I will just have to spend MORE money on a service with less benefit!".
Maybe I'm a cynic, but kudos to KCRW for stepping up. I'm related to a show producer there, and our Agency has a great working relationship with quite a bit of the talent.
read more | digg story
Maybe I'm a cynic, but kudos to KCRW for stepping up. I'm related to a show producer there, and our Agency has a great working relationship with quite a bit of the talent.
read more | digg story
Proposed Amendment Would Ban All DVD Copying
This comes around fairly regularly with all technologies. What's worrisome about this current round of RIAA/MPAA (aside from the fact that both political parties seem to be bought and paid for) is how much more support these bills/laws/amendments are getting, DESPITE quite a bit of evidence to the contrary. This continuing fight about control, when we could be focusing on making more money, is getting exhausting...
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Should We Fight for Ogg Vorbis?
Give this article some diggs. At this point arguing over audio formats is kinda useless. They all sound pretty good. Bitrates notwithstanding none of them bad. At this stage of the game if there's going to be IMPROVEMENT of audio and video compression we NEED competition. We need MORE formats, not less. Will this make it more confusing for consumers. YOU BET, and I'm fine with that. Not everything needs to be written for the L.C.D.
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Kari Wahlgren being fed into a woodchipper ... feet first ...
Just because she's one of my favorite actresses to work with...
someaudioguy some audio guy voice over actress animation anime voice acting vo dubbing foley adr
KARI WAHLGREN
someaudioguy some audio guy voice over actress animation anime voice acting vo dubbing foley adr
KARI WAHLGREN
No Copy Protection = Increase in Sales!
I TOLD YOU SO! I did.
Anyway here's a brief examination of EMI dropping DRM. Initial reaction has been VERY positive:
"The initial results of DRM-free music are good." Increased sales of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon were singled out. That's true. Digital sales of Dark Side of the Moon have averaged over 3,600 units since the launch of iTunes Plus and the availability of unprotected AAC files. In the 11 prior weeks, average sales were 830 units per week. That's an increase of 272%. In the week iTunes Plus was released, digital sales of Dark Side of the Moon jumped 350% that week alone."
Read all about it here.
Anyway here's a brief examination of EMI dropping DRM. Initial reaction has been VERY positive:
"The initial results of DRM-free music are good." Increased sales of Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon were singled out. That's true. Digital sales of Dark Side of the Moon have averaged over 3,600 units since the launch of iTunes Plus and the availability of unprotected AAC files. In the 11 prior weeks, average sales were 830 units per week. That's an increase of 272%. In the week iTunes Plus was released, digital sales of Dark Side of the Moon jumped 350% that week alone."
Read all about it here.
Kinda Funny, RIAA should Sue Bush's Daughters for $1,800,000 in Damages
From Digg: "Mitchell Silverman, an attorney in Florida, noticed in a recent news-story that GW Bush's twin daughters presented him with a mix CD of exercise music for Father's Day. Since the record industry maintains that making and distributing mix CDs is a copyright infringement, Silverman sent their legal offices a letter on letterhead asking them to sue."
Check out the The Scrivener story, the comments are "teh hysterical".
I love the one guy that always takes things like this literally.
Anonymous:
"I'm willing to bet that every single one of you have made or received a mix tape or CD at some point in your life -- do you feel like you owe someone $1.8 mil?"
Heh-heh...love that guy.
He posts on EVERY blog...
someaudioguy some audio guy record labels piracy p2p george w bush illegal downloading ipod
read more | digg story
Check out the The Scrivener story, the comments are "teh hysterical".
I love the one guy that always takes things like this literally.
Anonymous:
"I'm willing to bet that every single one of you have made or received a mix tape or CD at some point in your life -- do you feel like you owe someone $1.8 mil?"
Heh-heh...love that guy.
He posts on EVERY blog...
someaudioguy some audio guy record labels piracy p2p george w bush illegal downloading ipod
read more | digg story
Download iTunes Content at 10X Normal Speed with Swarmcast
From Digg: "Swarmcast said its technology can help a viewer download movies, music or television episodes to their computers up to 10 times faster than usual. Such technologies are viewed as key to help Internet media proliferate, by making it easier for viewers to access entertainment off the Internet."
I can't really say I've ever had any problems with plain broadband downloading music. Is this really a big deal? Are people really getting held up, or is this more for video downloads?
read more | digg story
I can't really say I've ever had any problems with plain broadband downloading music. Is this really a big deal? Are people really getting held up, or is this more for video downloads?
read more | digg story
How to Soundproof an Apartment to Muffle Your Wife's Drumming
Found on Digg (via Wired): "My wife is a professional percussionist. After three years of hearing her play marimba, djembe and conga in our living room -- and hearing me fumble around on our upright piano -- our neighbors wanted assurances that we would keep things quiet in our new home."
read more | digg story
read more | digg story
Judge deals blow to RIAA, says students can respond to John Doe lawsuit, GO ALBUQUERQUE!!!
Can't help it. Every now and then my home town does right...
"The RIAA will not be able to use a John Doe lawsuit to obtain the identities of 16 people accused of using the University of New Mexico's network for copyright infringement—at least not until the targets are notified of the legal action."
read more | digg story
"The RIAA will not be able to use a John Doe lawsuit to obtain the identities of 16 people accused of using the University of New Mexico's network for copyright infringement—at least not until the targets are notified of the legal action."
read more | digg story
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Sound Forge vs Audition .... Ready FIGHT!
Following up on my call for help from yesterday, here is a WAY over detailed shoot out between the two programs.
Just to spoil the results, Adobe just edges out Sony, but I'm not sure I completely agree. They slam Sound Forge for not being multitrack, but that was the whole point of SF9, was to add multi.
Is it AS good as Adobe's, most certainly not, but you CAN do it.
I call rigged...
Sound Forge 9.0
Adobe Audition 3
Just to spoil the results, Adobe just edges out Sony, but I'm not sure I completely agree. They slam Sound Forge for not being multitrack, but that was the whole point of SF9, was to add multi.
Is it AS good as Adobe's, most certainly not, but you CAN do it.
I call rigged...
Sound Forge 9.0
Adobe Audition 3
Like I Need ANOTHER Reason to Not Take PETA Seriously
Which really sucks, because I tend to agree with a lot of PETA's stances, but when I hear they want to use Paris Hilton to voice a campaign to raise awareness of the cramped and inhumane conditions of hens used for food (the LOOSE connection being that she's been in prison), WHAT THE HELL AM I SUPPOSED TO THINK!?!?
I CAN'T take you seriously! I CAN'T! LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN PRISON!
Do you know which former prisoner would make a better spokesperson than Paris, ANYONE!
Abso-friggen-lutely any other prisoner would give you MORE cred than Paris!
COMEON!
I CAN'T take you seriously! I CAN'T! LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN PRISON!
Do you know which former prisoner would make a better spokesperson than Paris, ANYONE!
Abso-friggen-lutely any other prisoner would give you MORE cred than Paris!
COMEON!
Audiobooks help kids read gudd-er...
No really true story. When kids hear a lot of books, the tend to have an easier time reading books.
In other news, scientist determine water is necessary for the survival of plants and animals.
But seriously, I thought we had already "discovered" that parents who read to their kids, raise kids with better reading skills. I don't see how this is really that different. I mean kudos for actually crunching some numbers and all, but I can't say I'm wowed...
So Parents, read to your kids, make them read, and play audiobooks for them. America needs better kids...
Read all about it.
In other news, scientist determine water is necessary for the survival of plants and animals.
But seriously, I thought we had already "discovered" that parents who read to their kids, raise kids with better reading skills. I don't see how this is really that different. I mean kudos for actually crunching some numbers and all, but I can't say I'm wowed...
So Parents, read to your kids, make them read, and play audiobooks for them. America needs better kids...
Read all about it.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Tony Awards add Sound Design!
Not much of a story here per se, but I'm glad to see it. I got my start making cheesy college black box theaters sound like bowling alleys and such.
From Broadway.com:
"The Tony Awards Administration Committee met for the first time on June 19 to vote on the addition of two new competitive categories for future Tony ceremonies. The newly announced categories for which the upcoming season's productions will be eligible are Best Sound Design of a Play and Best Sound Design of a Musical. With the inclusion of these new categories, there will now be a total of 27 competitive categories for which qualifying productions will be in contention."
***UPDATE***
More info can be found here at Playbill.com.
Customize your Greeting Card's Audio at Hallmark? For BUSINESSES???
Well, I'm sure this will be very popular for a very short period of time. Hallmark is introducing custom audio cards for BUSINESSES. WHY?
Really?
Ya know, Hallmark, sometimes standing out isn't such a great idea. Working in voice over I can now see getting assaulted by horribly compressed, tinny, squashed audio, all in convenient greeting card form.
I dont know that I could really do business with a company (or individual, Actors I'm looking in your general direction [wags fist at you]) that decided to pierce my ear drums with one of these.
OR, I could totally be wrong. They could sound awesome. Hallmark prove me wrong. Do it! Send me a sample, and then we'll talk...or listen...or whatever...
From the Kansas City Business Journal:
"Following on the success of sound cards in the consumer market, Hallmark Business Expressions developed the sound card program for business customers who want a memorable way to break through the clutter of typical direct mail and make their message stand out," Marc Wagenheim, product marketing director for Hallmark Business Expressions, said in the release."
Really?
Ya know, Hallmark, sometimes standing out isn't such a great idea. Working in voice over I can now see getting assaulted by horribly compressed, tinny, squashed audio, all in convenient greeting card form.
I dont know that I could really do business with a company (or individual, Actors I'm looking in your general direction [wags fist at you]) that decided to pierce my ear drums with one of these.
OR, I could totally be wrong. They could sound awesome. Hallmark prove me wrong. Do it! Send me a sample, and then we'll talk...or listen...or whatever...
From the Kansas City Business Journal:
"Following on the success of sound cards in the consumer market, Hallmark Business Expressions developed the sound card program for business customers who want a memorable way to break through the clutter of typical direct mail and make their message stand out," Marc Wagenheim, product marketing director for Hallmark Business Expressions, said in the release."
Calling all Engineers! FAVORITE NOISE REMOVAL???
Get it? All Caps, since I'm yelling over the noise.
So, I use two PC's. I've almost always used Sound Forge (currently on v9) to do my sound design work. Recently I've been hearing all about how Audition is awesome, and I should totally switch.
I downloaded the demo and started tearing into it, and it's nice, but I can't see what the advantage is.
Sadly, AudioGuy is developing a reputation as the "GoToGuy" for cleaning up other peoples mistakes. While I'll never speak ill of working, it bothers me that I can't seem to get hired to just prevent the mistakes in the first place. Lately a lot of my work has been in cleaning up audio for low budget shorts and podcasts, and a lot of that cleaning has been noise removal. Bad mics, improper Lav placement, uncontrollable environment, bad ADR, theres a lot of noise out there.
So, throwing some files I'm working on into Audition and cranking up the NR plugin, I have to say I was a little disappointed.
Spectrum view is cool. I haven't seen yet where it really is better than waveform, just brings different information to focus first. Selection of noise to remove is great, but the actual settings to remove the noise just dont do it for me. Compared to the SF/Sony NR plugin, it's just too easy to hollow out the piece I'm working on.
So I put this out there to anyone who might catch it. What NR plugin SHOULD I be looking at? Since a lot of my freelance work involves cleaning, if something can really outperform SF/Sony, I'd love to give it a shot!
So, I use two PC's. I've almost always used Sound Forge (currently on v9) to do my sound design work. Recently I've been hearing all about how Audition is awesome, and I should totally switch.
I downloaded the demo and started tearing into it, and it's nice, but I can't see what the advantage is.
Sadly, AudioGuy is developing a reputation as the "GoToGuy" for cleaning up other peoples mistakes. While I'll never speak ill of working, it bothers me that I can't seem to get hired to just prevent the mistakes in the first place. Lately a lot of my work has been in cleaning up audio for low budget shorts and podcasts, and a lot of that cleaning has been noise removal. Bad mics, improper Lav placement, uncontrollable environment, bad ADR, theres a lot of noise out there.
So, throwing some files I'm working on into Audition and cranking up the NR plugin, I have to say I was a little disappointed.
Spectrum view is cool. I haven't seen yet where it really is better than waveform, just brings different information to focus first. Selection of noise to remove is great, but the actual settings to remove the noise just dont do it for me. Compared to the SF/Sony NR plugin, it's just too easy to hollow out the piece I'm working on.
So I put this out there to anyone who might catch it. What NR plugin SHOULD I be looking at? Since a lot of my freelance work involves cleaning, if something can really outperform SF/Sony, I'd love to give it a shot!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
GO LISTEN TO IT NOW!: Irrational Public Radio Edition
What can I say? Some of my friends are really funny.
Take for instance Mr. Joe Smith. Yes, you're right, he DOES have the second most generic name ever given to a member of the male species (Can I get a "WHUT-WHUT" from all the John Smith's out there), but when it comes to funny, Joe brings TeH fUnnIe!
Take for instance Joe's podcast I.P.R. Short for Irrational Public Radio, this podcast (now on it's eighth episode) is a spot on parody of some of my favorite public programming. Perfectly aping the tone and demeanor of All Things Considered, it's the perfect platform for some wacky hilarity.
"...and I'm Zoldar, Venusian prince of war, beware my Wrath I am Zoldar"
Get it?
Aping?
Cuz the picture has a monkey in it?
Get it?
I.P.R.
Mobile Music Software NOW FREE!
For Symbian and Windows Mobile Users!
I've been using Syntrax for years. Back when it was $30, it was an impressive little audio suite, but now that it's free, well free is just ... better.
Works with MIDI, and can manipulate .WAV files (even the PCM ones you can record from the PPC). When you're finished just sync up with a computer, and you can transfer you're work over too. Neat Stuff!
For audio "Doodling" on the go, you really can't beat it, and while I haven't NEEDED it very often, it has saved my @$$ a couple times.
See also:
PhoenixStudio (sorry for the Handango Link) and Golden Crater Pocket Mixer (Baby Sound Forge!),
It's been a while...
Again work is kicking my @$$!
At the agency, I'm training a new booth director, I've set up two home studios, and today I might hit an ultra-ultra-ultra-ultra-ultra low budget film set.
I'm kinda whooped...
At the agency, I'm training a new booth director, I've set up two home studios, and today I might hit an ultra-ultra-ultra-ultra-ultra low budget film set.
I'm kinda whooped...
Saturday, June 9, 2007
I'm So WAY Behind: The Fratellis Edition
How?
How can I be THIS FRIGGIN BEHIND!?!? All the frakkin time? It's like I never know what the farggin hell is EVER going on...
Whew
All right, now that that's out of the way, Costello Music is a great album. Elements of early Kinks, Sergeant Pepper Beatles, a little rockabilly, mixed up in the feel of the Arctic Monkeys, the album can't help but be fun.
Excellent production, punchy music, smart lyrics, I can't recommend this disc enough, and I've been playing it non-stop for days (finally unseating OK GO and Gnarls Barkley in "constant rotation" on the ipod). I would highly recommend picking it up.
The disc dropped in March, and I'm actually mad that I've wasted 2+ months of my life not having heard it...
How can I be THIS FRIGGIN BEHIND!?!? All the frakkin time? It's like I never know what the farggin hell is EVER going on...
Whew
All right, now that that's out of the way, Costello Music is a great album. Elements of early Kinks, Sergeant Pepper Beatles, a little rockabilly, mixed up in the feel of the Arctic Monkeys, the album can't help but be fun.
Excellent production, punchy music, smart lyrics, I can't recommend this disc enough, and I've been playing it non-stop for days (finally unseating OK GO and Gnarls Barkley in "constant rotation" on the ipod). I would highly recommend picking it up.
The disc dropped in March, and I'm actually mad that I've wasted 2+ months of my life not having heard it...
Rage Against The Machine has a Secret...
And you can see it now!
From ZmeMusic.com:
"In a previous post we discussed about the strange 2 countdowns that appeared on the Rage Against The Machine website, well the mystery is revealed ! In a wikipedia update we can see that if a user forwards his pc’s internal clock to the respective dates ( June 11 or August 24 ) the webpage’s secretes are revealed! Neet, right ?"
Sweet!
Myspace Music, now you can schnag it...
So have you ever been cruising 'round Myspace thinking "Man it's totally not obnoxious when I load up someone's profile and I'm assaulted by an EXTREMELY loud selection of this person's taste in music as it hijacks my computer's speakers. In fact I really want that song!"
Well go HERE and you can probably suck that song down.
Don't ask me to elaborate, I've already spent WAY more time thinking about Myspace than I really care to...
Well go HERE and you can probably suck that song down.
Don't ask me to elaborate, I've already spent WAY more time thinking about Myspace than I really care to...
Monday, June 4, 2007
I'm Tired of How Loud Commercials Are! And So is The ASA!
The Advertising Standards Authority in the UK has a great write up on the perceived volume of modern TV commercials.
It's so frustrating. There you are watching your favorite crime drama about hot young sexy NCIS/FBI/CIA/FDNY/LAPD/CSI/NSA/NSF/NYPD Agents investigating something. There's drama. There's intensity. There's always one old sage character that mumbles all his dialog (I'M LOOKING AT YOU CARUSO!!!) forcing you to continuously boost the volume on your TV. There's a "gasp" moment and then the picture fades.
Then a friggin soap commercial comes blaring in and almost ruptures the crappy speakers built into your crappy 27" CRT TV. The wife is getting all upset because it might bother the neighbors (who smoke so much pot I'm surprised they can hear anything), and the dog starts freaking out, and then I get all fed up and just turn the TV off and play Command and Conquer on my computer!
So why are these commercials SO FRAKKING LOUD?
In reality, they aren't, or, you could say, they don't peak louder than the show you were watching. They're compressed. Not like MP3's are compressed, in audio compressed means that the quietest parts of a piece of audio are boosted to almost match the loudest bits.
So, that show you're watching might use "quiet" for dramatic effect, but can get quite loud during say a shoot out or car chase, a commercial's quiet parts are going to be almost the same as the loud parts.
At their loudest the show and the commercial will be about the same, but at their quietest, the show will be FAR quieter than the commercial. As most shows cut to commercial at dramatic moments that means the commercial will be coming in FAR louder than the show left.
Fun right?
Well apparently this pisses more people off than just me, so the ASA is looking into how the standards for advertising volume are measured. For a more complete explanation of the problem, and their current plan for a solution, check out the article here.
If only we had something like this Stateside...
It's so frustrating. There you are watching your favorite crime drama about hot young sexy NCIS/FBI/CIA/FDNY/LAPD/CSI/NSA/NSF/NYPD Agents investigating something. There's drama. There's intensity. There's always one old sage character that mumbles all his dialog (I'M LOOKING AT YOU CARUSO!!!) forcing you to continuously boost the volume on your TV. There's a "gasp" moment and then the picture fades.
Then a friggin soap commercial comes blaring in and almost ruptures the crappy speakers built into your crappy 27" CRT TV. The wife is getting all upset because it might bother the neighbors (who smoke so much pot I'm surprised they can hear anything), and the dog starts freaking out, and then I get all fed up and just turn the TV off and play Command and Conquer on my computer!
So why are these commercials SO FRAKKING LOUD?
In reality, they aren't, or, you could say, they don't peak louder than the show you were watching. They're compressed. Not like MP3's are compressed, in audio compressed means that the quietest parts of a piece of audio are boosted to almost match the loudest bits.
So, that show you're watching might use "quiet" for dramatic effect, but can get quite loud during say a shoot out or car chase, a commercial's quiet parts are going to be almost the same as the loud parts.
At their loudest the show and the commercial will be about the same, but at their quietest, the show will be FAR quieter than the commercial. As most shows cut to commercial at dramatic moments that means the commercial will be coming in FAR louder than the show left.
Fun right?
Well apparently this pisses more people off than just me, so the ASA is looking into how the standards for advertising volume are measured. For a more complete explanation of the problem, and their current plan for a solution, check out the article here.
If only we had something like this Stateside...
Micro HD Microphone?!?!? WAAAH???
What the farggin hell is an "HD" microphone. I swear "HD" is the new fool-the-masses-into-buying-a-regular-product-by slapping-a-fancy-label-on-it buzz term. You know like 'extreme' used to be...
Anywho, Gizmodo found this little gem of a product, The Akustica HD Digital Microphone. A tiny little peice of kit for cellphones and laptops. Now those of us that record for a living will now be assaulted by even crappier recordings from the masses "But my labtop has a HACHE DEE micro mic, it must sound gud".
The good though?
Apparently this is designed around the idea of VOIP, and supposedly wont interfere with ... well anything. Put it next to a wifi antennae, BT, LCD, etc, and you should still have clear audio.
I'm so sick of "HD" ...
Akustica
Friday, June 1, 2007
Shrek 3 ... It's just OK ...
So Yeah, we saw it last night, and yeah, it is just OK.
It's definitely cute, but it ultimately doesn't stand up to Shrek 2, which I thought was a great film.
The characters thinly written, and the acting is a little flat. Most disappointing to me was Mike Meyers himself. Totally phoned in, I was expecting him to lead this film, when instead he was the laziest of the bunch.
While the princesses were under used, at least it sounded like they were having fun. Justin Timberlake is a horrible voice talent, and he should stick to singing. Eric Idle was OK, but not great (come on he was in the original Transformers Movie). John Cleese (who dies in the very begining), Antonio Banderas, and Eddie Murphy totally steal every scene they are in. The movie is worth watching just for them.
Now I'm just waiting to see what Bay does to my precious Transformers.
[Sigh]
I'm just glad it's not another trilogy...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)