Interview With Voice Talent Lenox

This week’s featured Voice Over Actor is Lenox !

How long have you been a Voice Actor?

Professionally, about 2 ½ years. On an amateur level, I’ve been dabbling in it for about 6.

How did you get into the business?

In a previous career, I trained sales professionals. Since a lot of the material was the same, I decided it was easier to record the different trainings and make the audio available on our training site so the sales team could just listen to the mp3 as opposed to people having to call in to live training calls.  The more I did, the better I got. From there, the company I contracted with asked me to voice various recordings for them – voice mail systems, webinars, etc. My colleagues kept saying, “You could totally do voice overs,” but I had absolutely no idea what that meant. So I started researching.

I researched different training companies for about a year before deciding on Edge Studio. Their voice over education and training system is the most versatile and comprehensive that I have yet to come across. And I don’t get compensated for saying that. J I appreciated that they require every student to start out by taking a 4-hour “Investigate Voice Over” class, which is taught by someone who is actually working in the industry. That four hours is jam-packed with information about what it really means to do voice over, all the different niches, what it takes, etc. Plus, they assess your voice, ability to “act,” ability to take direction, and the like. It’s REALLY comprehensive. After that, they send you a thorough evaluation that includes candid feedback about what voice over niches you’d be most successful in and their recommendation for how you should advance in your training – and it’s not always through their program. They don’t accept every student.

Fortunately my evaluation was good so I proceeded to take Edge Studio’s ABC Personal Training Program, which includes unlimited classes on every subject imaginable (breathing, warming up, assessing scripts, delivering reads, auditioning, slating, how to set up your home voice over studio, marketing yourself, how not to embarrass yourself, pacing and phrasing, etc. etc.).   My training path also included multiple 1-on-1 private training session with experienced and professional voice talent, audition assessments and more.

Essentially, it was like going back to school. I lived and breathed voice over for a year before I felt ready to record my demos via a professional studio. From there it was all about the business side of things – setting up my website (www.LenoxPowellVO.com), marketing my services to companies in my niches and doing a LOT of auditions.

That was actually one of the best pieces of advice I got during my initial education. By and large, voice talent audition for a living. J

What are some of your favorite projects?

When I can deliver on what the client wants and they are happy. I’ve done a lot of different types of projects, from radio and TV ads for local businesses and large corporate presentations to voice mail systems and fun character parts. I honestly enjoy it all, but what really makes my day is when the client is happy with what I’ve voiced for them.

Do you have a Voice Coach and why?

I’m currently not working with a coach, but I definitely have and think it is immensely invaluable. There are actually many different types of voice coaches – people who can help lessen accents, help with articulation, help with delivery, etc. Voice coaches hear things we can’t hear ourselves and can usually help us improve our delivery. So I think they are very helpful to work with throughout ones voice over career.

What kind of equipment do you have in your studio?

My broadcast-quality home studio includes:

• Shure KSM32, which offers a clean, clear, and natural sound
• Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 audio interface – delivers a pristine recording to the computer without sacrificing mic power or dealing with unwanted ambient sound
• I use WaveLab Elements 8 recording software so I can deliver uncompromising quality to audio editing and restoration
• Sennheiser HD 280 headphones so I can monitor recording reliability and accuracy

How do you feel about sound quality?

I think it’s very important. Now days, most voice talent work from their own home recording studio, so they need to be able to deliver a great read with great sound quality. That’s definitely one thing that was hammered home in my training – good sound quality is a must.

One of Edge’s instructors and their Director of Technology is George Whittam. He specializes in voice over equipment and microphones, home studio set-ups, recording and editing software, studio acoustics and more. He’s really an industry innovator when it comes to the tech side of voice over. I had George help me set up my home studio. He also advised me on my editing software and personalized it to me: my voice, my mic, my recording booth, etc. Throughout his trainings he hammers home the importance of sound quality.

What else should we know about Lenox?

When I’m not recording voice overs and writing copy for clients (I’m a copywriter in my other life), you’ll find me in a yoga class or out hiking in my home town of colorful Colorado.