December 2003 RAP
December 2003 Highlights
Feature: Cool Tips
By Craig Jackman
Although Cool Edit Pro is now Adobe Audition, we will reference the
product in this article as "Cool Edit Pro" just to make sure everybody knows
what I'm talking about. Lets start with a disclaimer. I've been a Cool Edit
Pro user since I got onto computer editing, so if you use another platform,
either flip to another page, or better yet, see what you can use in your
application. Who knows, you might find something you think is really, well,
cool.
Interview: Hamish McLean - Urban Radio, Luton,
Bedfordshire, UK
By Jerry Vigil
This months RAP Interview takes a long overdue trip across the pond to
visit with one of the UKs hot new independent producers. Hamish McLean's
start in the business was a little off the beaten path of college radio and
internships, and instead began as an imaging producer for several of the
many pirate stations that are quite common in the UK. Working from a Cool
Edit Pro and Pro Tools equipped studio in his home, Hamish is off to a good
start with his company, Urban Radio. Listening to his demo on this months
RAP CD, you'll hear the passion that's inherent in any first-rate imaging
producer. Were talking about a guy who's so into his work, he can pick out a
piece of production that's been done on Cool Edit Pro simply by hearing the
effect presets used! We get a interesting story from Hamish along with an
inside look a the radio and production market in the UK. Crank the monitors
up, load the demo, then read on!
Technology: Perceptual Coding: Shrinking Your Audio
By Steve Cunningham
Ever since the Compact Disc became the standard currency of the audio
realm, there has been a need to make its 16-bit, 44.1kHz audio files
smaller. Whether your goal is to stream your audio from a website, email a
spec spot to a client across the country, or just squeeze another CDs worth
of classic rock on your stations automation system, you'll likely use some
form of audio compression to do the job. This month well look at some of
these compression codecs and what they actually do to your sound.
Radio Hed: What? / So What?
By Jeffrey Hedquist
One of your biggest challenges as a radio creator is to fish out the
benefits from a sea of features. You need to harvest the most powerful ones
to resonate with your target audience. Here's a technique I stole -- uh,
borrowed from Steve Kopcha (DMB&B, McCann-Erickson) now Advertising
Department Chair, MO School of Journalism, U of MO. Its called the "What /
So What" Technique.
Q It Up: The RAP Network Speaks - Creative Commercial
Success Stories - Part 1
Q It Up: Describe one of the most successful commercials
you've been involved with creatively. What was the concept? Where did the
idea come from? How successful was it for the client? Why do you think it
was so successful? Was there anything special about the production aspect of
the commercial? If you have a copy of the commercial, please feel free to
send it along with your answer, and well feature it on the RAP CD!
Production 212: Radio VooDoo
By Dave Foxx
Part of my workday, nearly every day, is critiquing someone's promo or
commercial via email. They're mostly readers of this fine publication,
although a few simply send an email out of the blue. They all want to know
what they can do to improve whatever it is they've sent. Clearly, some are
beyond help. Those will get a nice letter back suggesting they look into
alternate careers. (Kidding!) Most of the time, they're sending their best
work, and it shows. Their work generally doesn't need much of anything,
however Ill usually end up suggesting more texture. So, to short-circuit
this entire conversation, here's what I'm talking about.
...And Make It Real Creative:
By Trent Rentsch
Dear Trent,
Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas! I bet you never thought you'd get a letter FROM
old St. Nick, did you? To be honest, I rarely respond to mail. In fact, this
late in the game I have commitments at countless malls, so Blinky, Winky,
and Specs wade through it for me. Still, when they get a real corker they
run it by me, and that's why I'm writing.
Production Library Review: 101 Classic Themes -
Broadcast Edition from Bob's Music Cafe
By Jerry Vigil
You may not have ever heard of Bobs Music Caf, but the Caf and proprietor
Bob Mithoff have been very busy supplying music for film, video and
television and winning many awards along the way. Bob has worked with Dan
Akroyd, Sheena Easton, Berry Gordy, Howard Hewitt, Julio Iglesias, the
Pointer Sisters and more. Clients include big names like ABC, Blockbuster,
CBS, Chevrolet, Columbia/Tri Star, Fox, HBO, and so on. Awards include an
Academy award for music, an RIAA Double Platinum award for Best Soundtrack
(Beverly Hills Cop), a Triple Platinum album with the Pointer Sisters, and
more. Now, all this fine talent and great music are available for radio in a
handy 4-CD collection called "101 Classic Themes Broadcast Edition."
Feature: Hope
By Ed Thompson
So at the end of the night when Merlyn and Pat loaded their three
exhausted little boys into the car for the drive home, it was quiet except
for Nat King Cole and "The Christmas Song" playing on the radio. Brian and
Jeff, the two youngest boys at 3 and 2 years old, slept in the back seat of
their parents 63 Ford, oblivious to the silent sobbing of their four-year
old brother Ed. It was nearly midnight as he looked at the bright, starlit
night, searching for a sign, any sign of a sleigh being pulled by eight tiny
reindeer. Nothing. He knew it. Santa wasn't coming to his house tonight.
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