Mike Cooper - Voiceover Artist

Happy New Year!

Mike — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 23:00:25 +0000

2009 is here. Here’s hoping it’s a prosperous one for us all, despite difficult times.

Compliments of the season to all my clients - past, present and future!

Joining the (Neumann) family

Mike — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:09:41 +0000

I’m pleased to report that I’ve upgraded my microphone to a Neumann TLM 103, as part of my ongoing commitment to provide the best quality I can for my clients.

Though my original microphone, the Audio Technica AT 4040, is a lot of mic for the money, the Neumann is a lot more mic for about three times that money, and the difference is audible, with a smoother and more natural response. The Neumann will be in use for all home studio bookings with immediate effect.

Mike Cooper is now accredited by SaVoa

Mike — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:38:19 +0000

I’m delighted to have received accreditation by SaVoa, the Society of Accredited Voiceover Artists. Membership is voluntary and the organisation is not-for-profit. It exists to help Voiceover Artists promote themselves, and to give clients confidence when booking talent.

(Forgive me, but) “In a world, where anyone with a computer and a microphone can set up stall as a Voiceover Artist”, I believe that a non-partisan, peer-reviewed system like SaVoa is a useful way of helping potential voice bookers to recognise those who are able to provide services on a professional and reliable basis, and I’m very happy to be part of it.

Visit the SaVoa website to find out more about how the system works.

New clips online – TV Continuity and Promos

Mike — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 23:20:20 +0000

I’ve added some more audio and video to the site tonight to highlight some of my recent TV work – in the form of Continuity Announcer work (scripting and recording) for History, and Promo voicing for QVC.

See the QVC Promos here

Watch the History Idents here

You’ll also find them on the Voice Clips and Samples page, along with loads more material. More video to come in the next few days…

Mike is now a Certified user of Source-Connect Pro

Mike — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 08:49:57 +0000

I’m pleased to have passed the Certification process for Source-Connect. What does this mean, exactly? Source Elements’ website says this:

“Certification means that remote Source-Connect users can be confident in establishing a quality connection with you. We analyze your bandwidth, Pro Tools set-up (e.g. CPU speed, Pro Tools version etc) and confirm that your configuration is sufficient to successfully broadcast and receive to anywhere in the world. When you connect to another certified user, you can conduct your session with confidence…

…When potential clients are looking for someone in your location, they will know immediately from viewing your profile that you have a strong connection, and that you fully understand how to use Source-Connect to its fullest potential.”

If you’d like to know more about using Source-Connect, or AudioTX Communicator, please look at my Q&A page or contact me.

Mike is now Twittering…

Mike — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:45:19 +0000

I’ve joined the Twitter revolution, and will be micro-blogging work-related updates (in 160 characters or less) from my account “LondonVoiceover”. I’d be delighted if you wanted to “Follow” me, which you can do by clicking here.

ISDN now online

Mike — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:19:38 +0000

Further to my previous post, I’m pleased to announce that my ISDN facility is now up-and-running, along with AudioTX and Source-Connect.

If you’d like to book me for a session using any of these methods, please give me a call on the number at the top of the screen, or drop me a line through my Contact Form.

Mike Cooper adds live remote session capabilities!

Mike — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:29:04 +0000

I’m in the process of testing and rolling out live connection facilities. All things being well, by the end of this week I will be able to offer the top three remote session facilities available worldwide, namely: ISDN, Source-Connect and AudioTX.

AudioTX offers a software-based ISDN codec, but in addition provides high-quality (up to 128Kbps) audio over an internet connection, complete with buffering to minimise problems with packet loss. This makes it as good as ISDN, but without the associated call charges. Each party requires a copy of AudioTX Communicator - available from AudioTX.com – but the audio can be sent to any program for recording and post-production.

Source-Connect, from Source Elements, operates either as a plugin for programs like Pro Tools, or as a standalone desktop application, and is able to offer mono AAC audio over the internet at up to 160Kbps, plus facilities to automatically repair and replace session audio to compensate for dropouts. For more information visit www.sourceelements.com.

Both of these facilities are available for clients now. ISDN will follow, subject to a successful installation later this week.

Mike narrates Jamie Lee Curtis for the Biography channel

Mike — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:16:45 +0000

At 8pm this Saturday, 22nd November, you can watch the programme I recorded recently on Jamie Lee Curtis for the Biography Channel. She’s got star genes, being the daughter of Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, but this documentary follows her struggle to break out of their shadow and make it on her own. You’ll find Biography on Sky channel 156 and Virgin channel 242. If you miss it first time around, check out the schedule at the Biography website, where you can search for the next screening.

History, bang up-to-date

Mike — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:30:34 +0000

All good things need freshening up from time to time, and with this in mind the History Channel and The History Channel HD have got a fresh new look, and shortened their on-air monikers to “History” and “History HD”. The change of name meant that all my continuity links for History HD needed to be updated, and they’ve been married to some fresh new idents and a new on-screen image. If you’re HD-ready, then check out History HD on Sky channel 545.

Mike gets Mashed!

Mike — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:32:49 +0000

Masher is an exciting new website that, if there’s any justice on the internet, is destined for greatness. It’s a site that lets you make your own videos, but the crucial difference is that it’s so simple, even your mother should be able to use it. Upload some video from a mobile phone or camera, add music, choose some extra footage from a library of professional-quality clips provided by the BBC, edit it to showcase your talents as a director, and then share it instantly to your Facebook profile. The site has just gone live and – best of all –it’s free. You’ll hear me on the landing page, talking you through the basics – just click the Play button when “Fancy a quick tour appears”…

Regional rules!

Mike — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 17:12:57 +0000

I’ve just voiced my first advert in a West Midlands accent. I grew up in the area but spent years trying to develop a more “neutral” sound, so it felt strange to revisit it. But, the client was happy and I proved I can still do it! The campaign is for the West Midlands Big Drink Debate, and it’s running on Unity FM in Birmingham.

Doing this job set me thinking, so I’ve been musing about accents on my Gobs on Sticks blog this week…

PONS deal extended!

Mike — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:26:30 +0000

The first of my short stories, Roald Dahl’s “The Way Up To Heaven”, was very well-received by PONS, and I’ve just been asked to record two more: one by Ian Rankin and another by Nick Hornby. More details to follow.

TEFLs of the Unexpected

Mike — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 12:00:13 +0000

PONS GmbH are one of the largest publishers of dictionaries and schoolbooks in Germany, and today I’m helping them with a new project. They’re getting ready to launch a new product for English language-learners. It’s a series of short stories, so there’ll be a book with the English text and its German translation, and an accompanying audio CD in English – which is where I come in, as the narrator.

The first two stories are some classics from Roald Dahl: “The Way Up To Heaven”, and “Parson’s Pleasure” – both classic tales of the unexpected, from the great man himself.

As Max Bygraves might say, “I want to tell you a story…” And to that end, there’s a excerpt, below.

Trivia time: Did you know that the theme tune to the ITV series “Tales of the Unexpected” was composed by the same man who composed the theme tune to Doctor Who, the late Ron Grainer?

Pulling away from the pack

Mike — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:54:36 +0000

I’ve just come back from Reading, where I spent the morning recording racing commentary clips for a set of computer games for Swedish software developers, Praetorsoft, through Matinee Sound & Vision. The idea is that the computer will select the right clip from a selection we’ve recorded to provide a narrative as the game unfolds, from “They’re under starter’s orders”, through to “Number 8 wins”, and so on. The games are based on horse, dog and drag racing (that’s cars, not blokes in dresses).

Raptors and Angels

Mike — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:00:07 +0000

A bloody morning in store today. Not literally, but in terms of the script material. I have voiceovers to record for two TV programmes. The first is for the History Channel, as the reversioning of “Jurassic Fight Club” continues. Today it’s the turn of the world’s first “Gang Killers” – those velociraptors made famous in the movies, and there’s talk that the series may be rebranded for the UK too.

Then it’s on to the Biography Channel, for a profile of a modern-day gang – the Hell’s Angels.

Transmission dates for both still to be confirmed.

Carpet bagging

Mike — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 15:21:46 +0000

I’m the voice of Storeys Carpets and Walter Wall for their radio and TV campaign across the north of England (thanks to my agent!) There are six 30″ ads in total - three each for local radio and TV, and I’ve just come away from the session, my head reeling from the array of offers and savings to be had…

OASIS project redux for MoseleyWebb

Mike — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:01:59 +0000

Today and tomorrow I’m working on a revamped and expanded version of a job I did this time last year. MoseleyWebb in Cardiff are reworking their material for OASIS Emergency Management, and this year’s version has trebled terms of the amount of material they require from me, which should keep me busy for a while. In fact I should probably stop typing and get back to it…

When Voiceovers roamed the Earth…

Mike — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 09:21:30 +0000

I’m very excited this morning, having had a phone call from the History Channel with an an exciting offer of some reversioning work. Reversioning is taking a programme from another market (in this case the US) and repackaging it for another market (in this case the UK). They want me to revoice an entire series for them, called Jurassic Fight Club. Here’s the synopsis from the press release:

JURASSIC FIGHT CLUB

They were the ultimate fighters — prehistoric beasts who walked the earth millions of years ago. With cunning and strategy, they hunted their prey — transforming the prehistoric world into a battlefield. Today, archaeologists are uncovering these battlefields — and are gaining startling new insight into how quick thinking, maneuverability, and striking at the exact moment separated the weak from the strong. Blow by blow, each episode will dissect these battles, uncovering a predatory world far more calculated and complex than we originally thought. Episodes of Jurassic Fight Club will include Gang Killers, T-Rex Hunters, Deep-Sea Dinosaurs, and Armored Predators.

All things being equal, we begin work next week, and I’ll post the transmission dates as soon as I have them.

Salmon Podcasts leap into the net

Mike — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:30:33 +0000

The material I recorded for Salmon has made its way onto their website and is now available for download. There are three podcasts, called “Cross Channel Journeys”, “SOAThere!” and “SOAWhat?”. They cover various topics around the theme of “Service-Oriented Architecture”. Not sure what that is? Take a listen here