Grayton is available everyday. He’s awesome for deep, ballsy retail and promo reads, great for medium friendly sells, and can punch out some aggressive vein-popping screamers if needed! His corporate narrations are also really good. You’ll find them toward the end of this demo.

We’re always searching for great voices to ad more diversity and variety to our talent bank, and we’re stoked Grayton is part of the Abe’s family!

We’re really excited to announce that our partnership with Radio WorkFlow has officially launched!

Radio WorkFlow is revolutionary new software, designed in Australia, that connects all departments of a radio station together and makes it much easier to do what a radio station does; but with less fuss and MUCH less paperwork.

Now any user of WorkFlow can, with just one click, send their scripts straight to us for voicing and production. There’s no need to generate an email, remember to write a deadline, type any production and voice instructions, send that email, and then re-send it a minute later when you realise you’ve forgotten to attach the script!

With one click, (yes, just one teeny-tiny little finger movement), your scripts are sent directly into our systems, ready for voicing and production. All behind the scenes.

We’re always looking for ways to make things easier and improve quality. And if we can help take some of the ‘boring bits’ out of the day-to-day, there’s more time for the ‘art’ of making great radio.

Radio WorkFlow and Abe’s Audio. It really is a match made in radio heaven!

There’s just so much dross and really poorly produced, cheesy production music being peddled as ‘cutting edge’ around the place. Believe me, we’ve spent hours and hours sorting through thousands of tracks to bring you the best. And, we own the rights to use all of them, so you won’t pay a cent in licensing fees.

Our complete production library is online for you to audition – go to www.abesaudio.com.au/music
Just let us know if you’d like login details.

Here are just three of our newest tracks:

Looking for some Christmas music without a hint of cheese? This track was recorded especially for us by one of our talented young music producers in Port Lincoln.

This is a great, national-sounding medium tempo bed. Would sit very nicely on a branding ad for a car manufacturer.

Classy, modern & corporate. From high end accommodation, to hi tech. This is a fantastic track.

Paul joins us with 10 years of radio production experience behind him – and we’re excited to welcome him to the Abe’s Audio family!

His appointment couldn’t have come at a better time. We want to make sure our level of service and turnaround remains of the highest standard and we need good people to help us make that happen.

Welcome to the Abe’s Audio family, mate.

Get to know Paul in 30 seconds

1. He plays keyboard and sings in a Beach Boys tribute band. (All together now… A Baa Baa Baa, Baa Barbara Ann)
2. He has MUCH longer hair than Pete.
3. He’s a Mac man. (PCs… bah humbug)
4. On the weekend Paul watches the AFL – Go The Bulldogs!! Also, he loves to spend quality time with his wife and 2 kids… (as long as the Footy’s not on!!!)
5. All time favourite song is ‘Your Song’ by.. um… Elton John. (If you had mentioned that BEFORE the job interview Paul, there may have been a different outcome!)
6. When he was a kid, all he wanted to do when he grew up was to find out the recipe for Red Roosters’ chicken salt.

Until now.

We’ve just implemented a brand new feature in our production management system that knows the timezone that you’re in, the timezone the voice-over artist is in, the timezone that the producer is in, and then calculates all production deadlines for each link in the chain in their local time.

Now, just tell us in your local time when your deadline is and our system will do the rest. There’s no need to calculate what the Australian Eastern Daylight Saving Time is; just let us know your deadline in your local time. Simple.

What does all this mean for you? More reliability and continued commitment that we will endeavour to never miss your deadlines. We’re committed to finding ways of improving our service for you, and this feature will help us to provide that.

So just remember, always quote your deadline for each job you send in your local time.

The clock is ticking!

We’re committed to finding the best voices for you and we’re very excited to welcome Robert to the Abe’s Audio family.

Here are a few ideas we’ve been thinking about over the past few weeks. Clearly written scripts, not overfilled to the point of absurdity will get the best results for clients. It’s up to us all to slowly educate them that we’re on their side. We want to help them make ads that work, and get results. So, the next time your client waves a 95 word novel and asks you to make it into a great ad, you might like to work through these tips with them.

A good word count guide: 75 words for 30 seconds of copy, 36 for a 15 second script.
Contrary to popular opinion, yelling more doesn’t always sell more, more shout isn’t always more clout! For a voice to put expression, passion and ’sell’ in a read, a few less words are often better than a script that is jammed full. Before sending for production, read the script aloud with a stopwatch running (if you don’t have one – we’d be happy to send you a very cool Abe’s Audio stopwatch with built in radio, torch and compass) to make sure the style of read you’re after fits into the duration. That’s always the best way!

Turn the caps lock button off! Scripts written in all capitals are quite hard to read. Put words you want EMPHASISED in caps – and the voice will get a clearer picture of the sound you have in your head.

Watch you have line breaks in the correct places, and you’re not unnecessarily splitting sentences over lines in the copy. This helps the voice to grasp how you want the phrasing.

Check that your spelling,  grammar and punctuation is correct – and any brand or place names are written phonetically at the top of the script so the voice will know the correct pronunciation.

Write numbers as numerals, not words. Numbers written as words can be tricky to read – the brain deals with numerals far better, particularly if there are more than two strung together.
eg: ‘1.25 litre coke’ not one point two five litre coke, or ‘86 7364 5821′ not eight six seven three six four. (You get the picture)

Lose the “www.” from web site addresses. It’s generally not needed. If a site does not load without it, its webmaster could configure it to do so. Either way, people should be able to work it out – and it will save you valuable time.

Standard fonts are best – such as Helvetica or Arial. 12 or 14 point size is ideal.

Clearly written scripts go a long way to helping a voice-over to deliver the best read in the quickest possible time. The end product will be better, your client will be happier, and you’ll be a legend.

Feel free to drop us a line if you have some tips to share, or you’d like a free stopwatch!

Here’s to some great ads.

Original:

Remixed:

It’s fantastic to not have to worry about breach of copyright and I think this will really stand out on air.

Producing something that is a little ‘off the wall’ can often be a big step of faith to take for a client, but if their ad sounds really different it will stand out – and get results.

Working with a very talented creative writer, the initial ideas were supplied to us to transform the words into music.

These jingles are very different – but have a listen (and a laugh).

Or want something that sounds like it belongs in a big budget Hollywood movie?

A radio station was running a big promotion – and wanted to drive people to their website to ’say hello’. They did it like this…

Don’t be scared to keep thinking of different and creative ways to get your client’s message out there and heard above the clutter.

So if you’re making ads that ’sell sell sell’, we’ve got some great new music to suit.

Produced only last week, these tracks have been added to our library and are available for you to use right now.

Just let us know when sending a script your music request.

And don’t forget, there are no nasty fees to use our music – as we own all the rights!

Here are a few (low quality) samples.

1. You can now sort by date, or by filename, ideal when you’re looking for a particular file, or for the most recent file uploaded.

2. You can request an FTP login by clicking here, giving you access to our server with your preferred FTP client, if you’d rather FTP access.

If you have any feedback, or suggestions for future updates or improvements, please let us know.

Well, nothing beats reading the script aloud with a stopwatch and seeing the duration it runs, but here’s a rough guide that may help.

Medium/bright sell reads.

60 seconds: approx 150 words
30 seconds: approx 75 words
15 seconds: approx 36 words

And if you’d like a free Abe’s Audio stopwatch (complete with FM radio, ear buds, compass and LED torch) please email us! Batteries ARE included.

As well as a couple of thousand instrumental tracks, we also have production music with vocals available; perfect for ads that needs something that little bit different in them, but where the budget can’t stretch to producing a specific jingle package. If this sounds interesting, let us know what genre of music you’re looking for with vocal, and we’ll find something to suit. Jazz, Urban, Rock, Pop; we have a large range in the library. Here are a couple of samples:

30 second versions of all of our instrumental tracks are available for you to audition, online, at abesaudio.com.au/music. You can stream, or download the tracks in low quality, and then request them to be used when you send us your scripts. Just send us an email and we’ll give you a username and password. There’s no extra charge to request a specific music bed with your VO.

And can we just say – it’s so nice having fresh new music. It makes us feel all inspired!

When I was little, I wanted to be: A Fireman of course!…common! Who didn’t in those days!

As a child I was known as a bit of a pyromaniac and am credited with burning down 5 hectares of parkland around the corner from the family home (it was a stupid accident on my part) but for some reason no one believed me! He he he.

When my poor Mother had to call the fire brigade and 2 fire trucks, three 4wd units and about 20 firemen swarmed the scene…I was in heaven!…until dad got home..

I have always loved my father very much… but on that particular afternoon, let’s just say…. I learnt that even my kind gentle dad has his limit… 3 months grounded just for starters…..and ohhhh did he made sure I did my time…love ya Dad!

Favourite band: Led Zeppelin / Queen  – love them both equally…timeless!

Best movie I’ve seen: hmmmm… in recent times I would have to say – “Lord of War” starring Nicholas Cage.

A fantastic piece of movie making…script – story – sound – effects everything just worked….the fact that it is based on a true story is bloody scary too!…if you haven’t seen it…do it NOW!

My ideal weekend: BBQ at my place with my beautiful partner Monique and all our mates around the pool, drinking, laughing and enjoying the WA sun…we do it nearly every weekend!

Age: 33

When I was little, I wanted to be: Tom Selleck’s wife. or a nun.

Favourite band: I couldn’t possibly narrow it down to one…depends on the mood…The Killers, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Frou Frou, Ozomatli, Sting, Evermore, The Shins, Coldplay, ….and the list goes on

Best movie I’ve seen: Um, I used to be indecisive..but, now I’m not sure…. Crash, Fargo, Love Actually, Life Is Beautiful, Casablanca, Chocolat..

My ideal weekend: Well, ideally it would be at least a 3 day weekend… including; (in no particular order)

Copious amounts of beautiful food and wine shared with family and friends…laughing and loving until we burst!

A spot or three of shopping.

A whole lot of time chasing and rolling around on the floor with my pug and any other canine wanting to join in. (I adore dogs!)

A trip to the movies or theatre.

Strapping on skis and hurtling down a mountain.

Not answering questionnaires about my favourite things!

Free To Be Kids is a non profit organisation that exists to rescue, shelter, and set free children who are exploited, abused, and in desperate need. They have projects in three countries, and we are helping to fund a Childrens Home and Safe House in Handpost, India. This home resuces, shelters and cares for young children and babies who have been abused, been involved in child prostitution, or explotation. It’s just mind blowing to hear some of the stories of the kids who have been resuced from real, horific situations.

We are partnering with Free To Be Kids on a monthly basis and contributing financially to their work. It’s our dream to one day be able to fully fund one of these safe houses.

We’re also encouraging our voiceovers to ‘give a voice for a voice’ –  donating just one voice track a month – with the money that we would pay them going towards our monthly contribution, and helping give these kids a voice in what would otherwise be a terrible life for them.

If you’d like more info, or would like to get involved, you can become an Ambassador from just $5 a month. It’s a crazy small amount – but can make a huge difference. Check out their website www.freetobekids.org – or drop us a line.

We’re really excited to welcome another talented producer to the Abe’s Audio team. 

CJ joins us with a few years of commercial radio production experience already under his belt. He’s a gun producer and will help us us to continue to meet and exceed even the tightest deadlines.

Welcome aboard mate – enjoy the ride!

We’re really excited to have been announced as a state finalist in the Telstra Business Awards.

We were nominated in the following categories:

• Telstra Small Business
• Innovation in Business
• Social Responsibility

And we’ve progressed through to the finals in all 3 categories! WOO HOO!

The awards will be decided in Hobart in September, and if we have a win in any category, then it’s on to Sydney for the national finals.

But for now, time to dust off the old suit..

We’ll phone you with the talent in the booth, so you can exchange pleasantries and then direct them in the way that you’d like. You’ll then receive your audio via email or our server shortly after the session. Simple.

There’s a small additional fee to direct, (but it’s sooo worth it..) so drop us a line and we’ll fill you in and make it happen.

We’ve created the software from scratch to help us streamline the voice casting, production and delivery process, which will help us to meet even the tightest deadline and alert us ahead of time when that deadline is looming.

It provides an instant summary on individual voiceover use, ensuring you get the best voice variety.
It will also fully automate our invoicing process, allowing us to concentrate more on production, and less on paperwork.

Aside from an improved level of service and automated delivery notifications, you won’t be affected by the implementation of JuggTrack. Just make sure you continue to let us know when your deadlines for audio delivery are, and we’ll meet them!

Paul records daily sessions for us – so he’s very accessible and your scripts can be turned around very fast.

We absolutely LOVE Paul’s work, and you will too. Check out his demo.

But don’t get mad with CAD – we’ve got a solution! If a deadline is very tight, just let us know and we’ll record a free guide voiceover instantly (and by instantly, we mean instantly) for you to edit your commercial to, and then gain CAD approval. You can then strip in the final high quality voice track once it’s recorded, and voila!

Take the pressure off your editing process – just let us know your deadlines and if you require a free guide track. We’re here to make your job a little bit easier!

Drop us an email and ask us for login details. Then check it out at www.abesaudio.com.au/music

Last year, Hanna and I travelled to Myanmar, (formally Burma) to witness first hand just some of the programs run on behalf of World Vision. We traveled with a group of four other Australians, and took money into the country as there is no banking system, and it’s almost impossible to get funds in.

We visited a number of projects; a drop in centre for children who live on the street, the ‘Evergreen Trees project’ – a small farm that houses teenage boys and teaches them basic farming techniques, and possibly the most moving experience – visiting an orphanage and home for disabled children, run by a group of nuns in the middle of the mountains. With almost no electricity, little money, and the most basic of facilities, it was mind blowing to see just how so many people live – it gave me a real appreciation of our lifestyle. We took a few gifts for the children, beanies for the cold weather, colouring books, as well as chuppa-chups and bouncy balls – and to see the joy on the kids faces was amazing.

We also visited a local theological college and I gave a talk on how I started and run Abe’s Audio – it was very interesting being translated from English to Burmese – and back again when students asked questions! The teachers shared with me their frustration at the lack of text books – so we were able to help fund the purchase of a projector and laptop to help make better use of the material they do have.

I am passionate about not just making ads, but making a difference. It was a privilege to be able to do this in a country that has since suffered so much at the hands of the military. I keep in email contact with many of the people we met, and can’t wait until the day we can return.