Sound Out Media

Don’t get me wrong .. I love having my own desktop production rig in my own home. I just love it that we don’t have to go into studios to do all of our work.

But there are some times when I WANT to go into the studio. Call me spoiled .. I worked at CBC Radio for a lot of years back in the days when technicians did all the pushing of buttons and the rest of us just talked. I worked both sides of the board, as tech and as a producer/writer/broadcaster.

And I miss those days when all I had to concentrate on was my content. I loved the sound of my voice in the close-to-perfection acoustics of the studio. And above all, studio time was a special time to focus on my piece and nothing else. When I have guests to interview, I can give them my individed attention, which always makes for a better rapport.

I’m looking forward to getting back into the studio again. Not all the time .. but here are some examples of the kinds of things I want to go into the studio for:

a) when I am voicing a commentary or a longer piece. It’s a performance. My mindset is much different when I’m in the studio. And for longer pieces, I think the listener has less tolerance for technical glitches. Not consciously, of course. But the longer the piece, the more you have to do to hold the listener. Those popped P’s just don’t cut it ..

b) when I want to do a whole batch of interviews — what I’m going to do is book a whole day and then invite my guests to come in. It looks very professional and a lot of people never get a chance to get into a recording studio. So it’s a buzz for them too. And above all, I can book more people in because I don’t have to set up mikes and doublecheck recordings. Nice to have staff.

c) when I’m working with a musician to come up with themes and stingers. Yes, I could do it with my stereo mike in my own apartment. Until the phone rings. Or something else happens to distract me. And the sound in the studio is better.

d) When I want to treat myself. It’s a change of pace from working at home all the time. I meet new people, and my focus is on my work alone. And I also take myself out for lunch, sometimes with the talent or guests I am working with for the day. It’s a field trip out of the office .. and a tax-deductible one at that.

Studio time doesn’t have to be expensive .. there are lots of studios out there at different price ranges. And you’re not just paying for the studio time .. you’re also getting Technical Staff.