What is 'Broadcast Quality'?

I remember hearing the term 'broadcast quality' in radio back in '98, but that was a term related to analog and actual film. I've heard it a few times in conversations and seen it written recently in my studies, related to Voice Over. I've been really curious to understand what that might mean in our now all digital world of file delivery. 

First, it's my understanding that quality can be sacrificed at any point in the equipment set up and recording process. I know you have to have a good quality mic that is designed for vocals. I know that it should be xlr so  to usb  for recording on computers if you want a good quality (usb mics are not well liked). I also know that the preamp can affect the sound of your voice considerably, the recording volume, and finally what software you're mixing with. Wait. That's a misconception. According to tons of professionals, the software you're using will not lower the quality of your voice (unless you put a bunch of silly bad effects on it). I know feel there are other misconceptions and that the term 'broadcast quality' has actually change its meaning. This is important related to the explosion of home studio voice over vs. being in a professional whisper sound booth with thousands of dollars of higher end equipment. 

I went searching for what the industry is using this old term for and I found the following quote. "Editor In Chief Paul White replies: 'Broadcast quality' is a bit of a vague term, as much of the material that goes out on air now is data-compressed in some way (a bit like an MP3), so it doesn't really refer to a specific technical benchmark. I think what it means is that the material has to sound good on the radio and stand up well alongside commercial records, which in turn means recording a good performance and choosing a suitable range of sounds, then mixing it all carefully so as to avoid unwanted noise or distortion. [soundonsound.com]".

So, it really is about making sure there is no feedback, static or white noise, no red hot levels to create distortion your recordings (this isn't grunge rock), mixed with the specific configuration of each of our audio chains. I still think there is a mix of concepts around this term, but I'm going to walk away from my search with the conclusion that as long a I have a quality microphone, eliminate outside interference in the equipment and environment, don't add a lot of odd effects that could ruin the quality, (perhaps mix the levels to avoid any high tones) it seems I will have a quality recording suitable for broadcast. I'm sure the term 'your mileage may vary' 100% applies here, but its an interesting discussion.

Where to Start - My VO Evaluation

It all started around April of 2013. First, I read online and library books for about two months when I decided I'd pursue voice over. Next I started searching for qualified coaches, and learning scenarios. Everyone said you need a coach to start out. Though I have had a lot of mic time on stage, and about a year of mic time in college radio, voice over is its own challenge and I was about to learn the ins and outs. 

I knew it wouldn't be easy, nothing is. Especially when you're venturing into something that needs to become a vocation. I met an Emmy award winning talent when I was a guest as an ebook author on their show. He said he was getting into voice over almost as a retirement effort to his news anchor career. Interesting. I just didn't know if all that could happen for me here in Vegas. I was pretty curious to see if most voice over was situated in LA or NY, but it turns out, it's all over the nation and world.

I've gathered by this point that there are all levels of voice over, including higher paying higher end, and lower paying lower end. I defiantly don't want to get stuck in the gutter. It's hard not to notice that the agents, agencies, and unions don't have all the cards in this industry anymore, but I still don't believe that all jobs are obtained on pay to play sites.

My loan secured to start this business, I went looking for help. I landed on a national virtual school for voice over. Cool. Well, I thought it'd be cool. I talked to my sponsor who is providing the loan, and decided to get an evaluation because I'm just entering the marketplace. I really wanted to know the type  of voice I was qualified to use, what kind of work I might be compatible for. What I got wasn't that. 

I called and set up a professional evaluation with a person from the out-of-state virtual studio. They said I'd be assigned to a working professional. I had been referred to this place by the local individual who was starting to work in voice over for retirement. I was kind of nervous because it felt like a test I didn't have the answers to. There was a lot of material I had read, but defiantly not enough to prepare me for the way I was treated. I'd call it rudely. I paid $140 for this one hour evaluation by phone. I want to make a joke here about paying for s&m but never mind.

I've been told I have a nice voice, and have done a lot of public speaking and hosting of events. That being said I went with an open mind to this evaluation. I'm no "know-it-all". But I wasn't prepared to be told I'm not gifted and that if I didn't take her advice to not enter the industry and accept that this wasn't my natural talent, I should start by taking about $1200.00 in classes and voila here are the classes she recommends at their studio. Remotely. By Phone. Wow. That's quite an up-sell. And it was upsetting because I told her and the receptionist that I am not interested in their classes, just the evaluation at this time. I've been in the business of selling classes before so I saw it coming. So I continued my search for a coach. Call me crazy but did I just pay $140 to get sold classes? Yes, yes I did.

Next on a Facebook mention from a newbie local, I found a wonderful coach and attended a group workshop for beginners in my area in Vegas (well Henderson). We listened to others read scripts and also got in her professional home studio pro booth to create recordings. It felt a lot like radio only it wasn't three hours in the booth at a time, and the words are more like performing bits of a song instead of droning on for hours. You can leave your opinions out too, that's not too important in voice over. It looked like this teacher didn't think I was unsuitable for voice over at all. For a reasonable price of the lesson, she included a recording copy by email of what we did in her booth. I was with a coach and learning the ins and outs of scripts, and I got my first pro direction in a sound booth. It wasn't horrible.

Before I had found Melissa Moats in Vegas to study with, I purchased my Harlan Hogan microphone designed with a voice over artist in mind ($278). I bought the smaller port-a-booth, because right now I don't have a pro studio space in my home ($250). I got it all set up and began to practice speaking and creating recordings in my own voice, using my laptop and Audacity. I guess I'm on my way to being a practicing voice over artist. The mic is a familiar friend whom I hadn't seen in a while. Before. I always spoke my own words on the mic unless it was a live radio spot. Now it's time to learn to speak words others have written and bring them to life. Three months in and its even more complex than I imagined, but I'm lovin it. I still have not obtained my first job, but I'm also not yet participating in any pay to play sites. All in due time. Thank you to my sponsors for believing in me. The game is afoot.

Thanks for reading.