This post is no longer available-

Here’s the way I work to put together a radio commercial using my own voice or an outside voice talent.

 

Just click below to see the quick video explanation step by step. This is how your spot will come together whether it is for radio, TV audio, a slide show, YouTube video, or a phone message.

First comes the voice, then music and sound effects, mixing, adding some processing and then dubbing it down to an MP3 or wav.

Transcript of the video–

Ok Welcome back and here’s the video where I show you how I make a commercial for you.

What is the process., how does it work, how fast is it or how much time does it take, music, changes, and all the juicy details. Well not all— I do have a few secrets that I keep under the radar.

We start with a script—ususlly written by the client or an agency or by you. But I also am a writer  plus I know plenty of others who are very good at writing for both radio and TV

After we get a good script, there is a basic set of  production decisions to be made in this case I will be the voice. But often we might want a another voice.  Casting the voice can be a refined process where you look through and listen to about 20 voices or  more until a decision is made. I like to just do it. I have found over the years that a good generic voice is just fine for almost any commercial, narration, or TV ad.

So we lay down the voice like this in a session—and I’ve got one here.

Then, we add the music, and a sound effect or two. Now this process can take a while depending on any editing that needs to be done. For example, if you are producing imaging for a radio station there is usually quite a bit of editing. Using processing on the voice, doubling, EQ, phase shifts, harmonizing effects and things like that.

I like to stick with a solid , straight ahead sound and  only produce involved imaging for a premium price because there is so much to do in the editing.  Another thing I will often do is simply produce your voice—or another person’s track that they send me.

So, for a straight ahead commercial we make a few edits in the voice to tighten up a space here and there, or take out an obvious mistake, add the musi adjust the levels, get sfx if they are needed.,  and then save it as a wav and an MP3.  and we’re done. Now that spot can be on the air for weeks, can rotate with others or can be run again months later if it’s generic enough.

If it is dated with a limited offer,special  or something of course it will have a shorter run.

That’s how I produce a radio ad—questions or comments you can leave them here or contact me for your next project. I’d love to hear your ideas.

Good radio information here

Filed under: Basic Radio

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!