Jason Shablik Voiceover

It’s Tech Tuesday. And the tech I pay tribute to today is my internet connection. 4 or 5 years ago, AT&T introduced Fiber internet to my neighborhood. Since then, and especially in the environment we have all found ourselves in this past year, it has proven invaluable. Whether it is a Source Connect session, Zoom call, Source Live with video and audio, Evrcast, or sending large files, it is up to the task and then some. This picture is my normal everyday speed on a wired connection approximately 150 feet from the router. We live in amazing times.

Today’s Tech Tuesday item is the unassuming and considerably low-tech digital stopwatch. My favorite is this cherry red model from Radio Shack (RIP). It sits in my right hand during VO sessions - clocking takes with accuracy. Why this particular stopwatch? The buttons are smooth and quiet, it doesn’t beep (after removing the tinny speaker), and it fits perfectly in the palm of my hand. This stopwatch is so much better than any other that I decided to purchase two backups when Radio Shack went out of business.

If you miss Radio Shack like I do, share a memory in the comments. Did your parent drag you there as a kid? Or maybe you were a member of the Radio Shack Battery Club? Was you first computer a TRS-80?

Say hello to my little Sennheiser. This is the MKH 8040 cardioid microphone. Short in stature but big on sound. This squat mic brings out the low end in my voice unlike any other mic. It has an incredible frequency response from 30hz to 50khz. Not originally design or promoted as a voiceover mic, it performs surprisingly well in this capacity. I also use the 8040 in a more appropriate way when recording sound effects as well.

Because of its size and uncompromising sound quality, the 8040 is my travel mic of choice. I don’t recommend it to other voice actors unless they have a robust engineering skillset because it does pick up every sound. But with the proper skills to minimize extraneous noises, it sure beats carrying a large-diaphragm condenser mic or medium shotgun mic in your carry-on. Which, hopefully, we will all need to think about again soon.

Thanks for joining me for Tech Tuesday again. As a gear nut, I love sharing my tech. But I also love seeing yours. Show or tell me what tech you rely on every day.

This Miles Davis Documentary premieres on PBS tonight. Sure the music will be great, but I am a sucker for vintage studio photos and recording session outtakes.

Full Film | Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool | American Masters | PBS Discover the man behind the legend. With full access to the Miles Davis Estate, the film features never-before-seen footage, including studio outtakes from his recording sessions, rare photos and new interviews.

You've been cursing at Alexa for years, now you can have it curse back.

Samuel L. Jackson - celebrity voice for Alexa Samuel L. Jackson - celebrity voice for Alexa

I'm gonna tell my kids this is church.

Christmas Music: O Tannenbaum - ARETHA FRANKLIN from BIG BAND HOLIDAYS II The late, legendary Aretha Franklin came onstage during one of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis's famed Big Band Holidays concerts. ...

Popular music is used in advertising campaigns all the time — everything from older hits to modern tunes to classical music. I've created a Pandora Story called Music of Advertising that discusses current commercials and their use of popular music. The first in my Pandora Stories series looks at recent automotive ads. What's a Pandora Story? It's a podcast and a music playlist in one. Are you intrigued? Take it for a spin and see if you like it. Pandora users will have to watch an ad to activate the playlist, but it's worth it. Promise. Come on, where else will you hear a playlist featuring Jerry Reed, Lizzo, and Mozart?

Music of Advertising - Automotive Playlist - Created by Jason Sound Car companies love to use commercial music in their TV spots. Whether they are current chart-toppers, unknown indie bands, or your favorite classic tracks, music can spark an immediate emotion and response from the viewer. It can also be a mutually beneficial experience for both the car company and....