Month: May 2022

Content from BPRBack in the 90’s, an audio device called auto-tune began to be used in the music industry. The first big hit using auto-tune was Cher’s “Believe.” Auto-tune soon became a fixture on the pop music scene. As the name implies, in addition to creating a special audio effect, auto-tune actually corrects the pitch of the instrument or the singer’s voice. In effect, anybody can sing in perfect pitch using this audio device.An article in the music magazine Indie Panda explains it in this way:“Auto tune can be programmed to stay within certain parameters, such as a scale or a key. When the vocalist sings into the microphone, the program will morph the vocal track towards the nearest programmed note.The speed at which the program adjusts an incoming note can also be calibrated. A slow tuning speed will sound much more natural, whereas a fast-tuning speed will sound digital and artificial.”Recording artists no longer need great voices or even good ones in order to sound “professional.” Auto-tune can even be used in live performance. This has opened doors to many singers with only the lowest level of singing ability. All they have to do is to sing or rap in time.Digitally-created instrument sounds that attempt to replicate real instruments have become so common that it is difficult to find pop hits that are using real instruments. The problem is that digital instruments tend to sound artificial. This results in many recordings sounding very similar to each other. For example, digital piano and drum sounds are very difficult to distinguish apart in a wide range of current recordings.Computerization in audio recording has led to the “everything sounds the same” syndrome. In other words, listener fatigue due to lack of variety. The big advantage of computerization is that it is far cheaper to create a digital instrument or voice track than if one uses real musicians or talented singers to do the same.By Andy Beaubien, BPR […]

Selling Radio Direct with Pat Bryson
The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) was back in session last week. After a two-year hiatus, it was great to see friends and fellow broadcasters back together again.My trip was to be a short one: I arrived on Friday, spoke to the BEA group on Saturday, attended the BLT reception and MIW dinner Sunday night and returned home on Monday. In between, I experienced some great customer service and some not-so-great customer service. As I have lately been teaching sessions on adding value to our offerings through great customer service, I was especially intrigued.My first morning there, I wandered into Sid’s restaurant in the Westgate Hotel for breakfast. Who greeted me? Paul, the singing waiter. Now, I knew he was the singing waiter for two reasons: first, he wrote it on my tab, and second he SANG!Lesson number one: Do something to stand out from your competition.Lesson number two: Do what you promise to do.Paul was attentive: he fulfilled my needs, but what made him memorable and set him apart from the other waiters was his uniqueness.I returned to Sid’s for a quick lunch. Someone served me, but I don’t remember anything about that person.Lesson number three: If they don’t remember you, they can’t buy from you!But the next morning, I returned to Sid’s for another breakfast. My waitress, Marianne, came immediately and introduced herself, and ASKED FOR MY NAME. Thereafter, she referred to me by name in every interaction. I asked for a glass of ice tea (my caffeine beverage of choice). When she returned, she brought TWO glasses of tea.“I wanted to make sure you didn’t run out.”I ordered toast and crisp bacon. Guess what? The bacon WAS crisp, but when she brought the jam and butter, she said, “The butter was hard as a rock so I softened it for you.” Now, if you have ever tried to spread rock hard butter on toast, you appreciate the added value. After checking back several times, when she brought my check and change she said, ” I hope you have a wonderful day. Send good thoughts out into the universe.”Lesson Number Four: Surprise your clients with that “little extra.” (two glasses of tea)Lesson Number Five: Go above and beyond expectations and tell your clients what extra you did for them. (melted butter)Lesson Number Six: Always project positivity with your clients.While I was in Las Vegas, I ate at some expensive restaurants. But the best service I found was at Sid’s. Which only goes to show you don’t have to be Number 1 to be the best. Being the best is up to each of us.Our mission for 2022: provide extraordinary service to our clients.Happy Selling! […]

The Adthos Platform has received its second industry award having been crowned ‘Ad Tech Company of the Year’ at the latest Global Business Tech Awards, which recognise, reward and celebrate all things technical in the business world. This is the second win for Adthos, following the IBC’s Best of 2021: Radio World Award.The platform combines an innovative ad-server designed specifically for radio, with Adthos Creative Studio which provides advanced text to speech and synthetic voice technology to create audio advertising on the go. New features are being developed and further releases are expected later this year.Raoul Wedel, CEO of Adthos: “We are delighted at the recognition that Adthos continues to receive. We’re already so proud of what we have achieved, and to have it validated by the industry is fantastic. We have a lot more still to come with the platform so watch this space!” […]