After nearly a year, I'm taking the plunge

Jacob Ekstroem · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 721

Okay... there are numerous reasons as to WHY I've never posted a demo for you to critique:

- I'm Danish, you won't understand a word anyway;
- My voice is so boring, you'll fall a sleep;
- I'm to scared, because the ones who critique the most (Melba, Scott, Jadah) are so great, and so ruthless.

ANYWAY!!!! Here is my current commercial demo. Again, I know you don't get any of the things I speak of, so please just concentrate on things like range, pace, editing, sound.

The idea is sorta going from soft & natural to hard & dramatic. Does it work??

Thanks guys...

Melba Sibrel · Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008, 15:47 (GMT) Post subject:

{{sigh}}

I have no idea what you're saying but I don't care. Just keep saying it. Laughing

Seriously, I could get the feel of the progression... and I hear variety. There is an underlying intensity throughout, though.

Did you produce this in your studio? It sounds very bright and balanced. And I like your edit on the background. Nice clean cuts.

Jacob Ekstroem · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 721

Thanks Melba, you just made my day!

I' glad you have a feel for the progress, although I personally would like even more variety in the demo. It's just that my clients have a tendency to hire me for certain types of reads, and all the reads you hear are actual jobs.

Yes, everything was voiced in my studio, most of the spots were produced here, too. The demo was also produced by me.

Thanks again! Now, Scott, Jadah... or others, I would love to hear your opinions aswell... scared

Robert Jadah · **Voice Talent** Joined: 17 Jun 2005 Posts: 2627

In keeping with your recent activities, Jacob, that thing MOVES.
Nice job, though you sure talk funny. Couldn't you learn Urdu, Klingon, Norwegian, or some other sensible language?

I like it; it showcases your engaging voice and smily delivery.
I'd only suggest ditching that (bowling?) spot around the :35 mark and replacing it with a nice, relaxed, narrative or PSA clip.
Something that tugs the heart strings a bit; just to change the pace, re-grab the listeners' attention, and show some range in the bargain.

Nicely produced, too; I favour the understated f/x.
I also like the "Enjoy the delicious Danish" tag you're using, but - to me - "warm Danish", "delightful Danish", or even "fresh Danish" would be more reflective of a voice description, while remaining amusing and memorable.

Viking On!

Jacob Ekstroem · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 721

Robert, thanks!!! niedermayr anbeten

I totally get the idea about replacing the "Bowling" spot with something a little more down-to-earth, but are you saying the idea of going from soft to hard throughout the demo is wrong?
Instead, should I shift between different spots with different energy, and not be so concentrated on the general pace?

"Delicious" is from now on "delightful"! Thanks for the input!

Todd Ethridge · **Voice Talent** Joined: 13 Feb 2006 Posts: 214

What Robert said.

I like it Jakob. Very smooth voice ya got there.

Diane Havens · **Voice Talent** Joined: 09 Jun 2006 Posts: 1281

You know I always love hearing your voice, Jacob. The sounds of other languages fascinate me, in that emotions are heard in universal tones. It speaks, beautifully.

Maxine Dunn · **Voice Talent** Joined: 25 Apr 2004 Posts: 675

Hi Jacob,

I actually forgot what your question was because I spent most of the day listening to your demo after putting it on my iPod. WOW!!!

The only thing I found I wanted more of.....is a smoother, slower, more relaxed read....you know, the kind of voice you would have if you were talking to a friend about her voice-over career and giving her advice in a warm and friendly tone.... see you in love

LOVE YOUR DEMO! (Whatever it is that you're saying!)

xoxoxo

Max.

.

Jacob Ekstroem · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 721

Todd, Diane, Maxine,

thanks!!

(And Max... I know...! Must... work something out...)

Lance Blair · Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008, 03:50 (GMT) Post subject:

Hi Jacob,
I like this demo, and I like how it gets increasingly uptempo. The first piece may be too slow and the transition from the first to the second piece may be too long. I love everything from 3 onwards, though: from there we really get to hear your money reads. Great job.

Leif M. Synnevaag · **Voice Talent** Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 22

I'm gonna say this in bot English and Danish, beacuse I am capable of it; ha ha (those Europeans...ta ta).

You certainly sound crisp - Du høres meget crisp ut.
I like the tempo - Jeg liger godt dit tempo

Det skulle vært morsomt å høre hvordan du arbeider med lyd-kjeden, event. hvilke plug-ins du bruker. jeg synes stemmen låter godt i mellomregisteret, den når gjennom. Presentasjonen høres fornuftig ut, ikke altfor påtrengende, men troverdig. bra jobbet.

Very Happy

Helmet on.

Leif

Jacob Ekstroem · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 721

Lance, thank you!

I'm glad you like it so much. And as much as I like doing hard-sell and dramatic stuff, I know I need to be versatile, so I kinda need the soft stuff too, right? But it helps me to get critique on the pace, because I'd really like to have a good balance in my demo. Your comments are truly noted, and appreciated!

Leif,

thank you too, Viking brother!
(But, I feel it only fair to translate what Leif wrote in Danish/Norwegian. He wrote that I am by far the best voiceover artist he has ever heard, and asked me if I do classes.... KIDDING!!! Laughing

)

No, he asked about my production chain, what plugins I use etc. Well, Leif... like yourself, my background is in radio. During the years, I've grown an interest for broadcasting chains, i.e. broadcast processors and stuff, and has been lucky to learn from some of the best here in Denmark. I've worked on Orban's, Omnia's and Ino's, and with the use of various DX & VST plugins, I've created several plugin chains that emulates a broadcast-kinda sound.

For voice processing I use stuff like Waves C4, MaxxBass, BBE Sonic Maximizer, L1 UltraMaximizer. For general processing, stuff like Waves Linear Phase Multiband, a compressor used as an AGC, L1 or L2 and a Spatial Enhancer based on the Orban 222A.

Obviously it can never sound like the real thing, but it can get pretty close IMO. But it takes alotta fiddlin' and tweakin' to get it right without messing it all up. I have dozens of presets but always end up tweaking something anyway Rolling Eyes

So basically, the sound on the demo is somewhat similar to how they would sound once on air. Glad you like it.

Leif M. Synnevaag · **Voice Talent** Joined: 29 Aug 2007 Posts: 22

Yeah.
I am familiar with those plug-ins. Do you envelope before compression? or after? Or, maybe I should ask: Do you envelope your VO-audio? (short liners)

Leif

Question

Jacob Ekstroem · **Voice Talent** Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 721

Not my voiceovers, no.