SFV #007: A Recording Engineer's Secrets

Six Figure Voice, The Voice Actors Podcast

Our hosts Tyrone Jackson and Alyson Steel know from experience that it is critically important to have a good engineer when you are in the recording studio. Alyson says that even pyschologically speaking it puts you at ease to know that someone is there to catch your eye and be on your side if there is a problem. And most importantly, the engineers make you sound good!

Luckily, successful hollywood engineer Bryan Showalter was able to join us and share his insight from the other side of the glass.

Bryan grew up in Oklahoma City with a musician father who had a recording studio in the house. He grew up around music and recording, ended up becoming a musician himself, and moved out to LA with his band. After his band "imploded" as he says, Bryan decided to get into recording, with which he was already familiar. He started recording for musicians and segued into recording voice over after working with voice actor Ashton Smith.

Bryan believes being a musician helps you to be a good engineer because you already have an ear for cadence and timing. Tyrone and Alyson agree that a good engineer is also a buffer between the talent and directors/producers. The engineer conducts the orchestra that is the recording session and plays the part of the diplomat. Having a good personality goes a long way.

From his years of experience in the booth, Bryan knows what makes a successful voice actor. Listen to find out what he thinks are the top four characteristics of a great voice artist. He also tells us stories of grown men crying during a recording session!

For more great advice on how to amp up your voice-over career, visit www.SixFigureVoice.com.