Weddings I actually prerecorded the intros for this weekend!

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Hank Davidson

Affordable, yet priceless.
ODJT Supporter
Nov 15, 2006
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I really had no choice. I got the details from the bride a couple of days ago and they wanted a stadium-like entrance. It starts with the Monday Night Football theme and each member of the wedding party has a sound clip from a song that fits their personality.

It should be fun.

At least it eliminates human error on pronunciations and mic issues.
 
Did you prerecord just the sound clips or do you have the voiceover/intro's recorded into the clips?

The voiceover is included. If it were just the clips, I wouldn't have had to "record" anything, only edit the music. I added reverb to the voiceover stuff for a stadium effect.

I ran it through the system and it sounds great. If it works out well, I'd consider doing it again.
 
I figured that's the way you did it or like you said it wouldn't be necessary to "record" anything. The only issue I can see arising is the timing. If it's off or someone gets out of order suring the intro's it could get messy. Another option would be to intro each couple and then play the mix down of the song and the clip Anyways, hope it goes great! :)
 
my approach might be to have a baseline song that could play in one deck on a loop and then do as Hank did pre-record the clips and play them one by one.... as separate songs.... that way if there is a delay for the intro of Don and Donna you have the baseline music playing all along.... just my random thoughts.
 
The timing was my my first concern. I went over it with the bride and we both feel confident about making it work. The great thing is that I can physically be at the door prompting people. I've also worked the venue dozens of times and feel comfortable.
 
my approach might be to have a baseline song that could play in one deck on a loop and then do as Hank did pre-record the clips and play them one by one.... as separate songs.... that way if there is a delay for the intro of Don and Donna you have the baseline music playing all along.... just my random thoughts.

You set yourself up for failure more by trying to do all the technical stuff while trying to annunciate and pronunciate. If I had a helper, I would do it your way.
 
You set yourself up for failure more by trying to do all the technical stuff while trying to annunciate and pronunciate. If I had a helper, I would do it your way.

Oh I still ment pre-record the voice overs too..... but as individual tracks so that you could either pause them or just play them one by one over a baseline of music....
 
Oh I still ment pre-record the voice overs too..... but as individual tracks so that you could either pause them or just play them one by one over a baseline of music....

I see. Yeah, that would work. Good thinking. An idea like that could make me pretty spoiled during events. :sqwink:

I like more work before the gig than during.
 
Any chance of getting to hear it? What do you record your voice into? I have tried to record into the laptop but it sounds terrible. That was just for me, not a client.
 
Any chance of getting to hear it? What do you record your voice into? I have tried to record into the laptop but it sounds terrible. That was just for me, not a client.

I'm happy with the way it came out and don't want to spoil that happiness by tossing it into the peanut gallery. Those of you familiar with me, know that I wouldn't do anything half-azz'd. Perhaps on Monday you can hear it.

I used the main out of my rig to the line in of my lappy (via external sound card). I recorded and edited using Audacity. It wasn't that hard and the quality was fine.
 
Hank:

Maybe you can burn it on a CD and present it to them later.
 
I did the same thing once...bride & groom were big football fans. They broke through a big paper banner. Pre-recording it allowed me to do better production...add some bass and reverb to my voice and get the timing perfect. It was just bride, groom, and their kids so it wasn't too complicated. They loved it.
 
just hope something doesn't go bad with the timing.
if just one couple takes too long, it could be very bad!
especially if you are on the floor, and not at the mixer.
I assume you will be explaining everything to the wedding party in advance!
 
I'm sorry.. i've been to many stadium events and don't recall a prerecorded intro... are you not comfortable MCing live? I dont see the big issue here
 
I'm sorry.. i've been to many stadium events and don't recall a prerecorded intro... are you not comfortable MCing live? I dont see the big issue here

With say 10 people in the bridal party, and each one requiring a different song and introduction, I can see why Hank decided to pre-record the introductions.

I just don't see the need to take a jab at him for it. I am sure he is fully comfortable with MCing.

Also with Stadium events, how many people do you think are working the event? There is probably a whole 'team' just to get the timing right for the introductions and the song play back. Also if they get it wrong 1 night it's no big deal, they have a bunch of other nights to get it right.

With a wedding you have 1 chance to get it perfect for the B&G. Why risk screwing it up?
 
I'm sorry.. i've been to many stadium events and don't recall a prerecorded intro... are you not comfortable MCing live? I dont see the big issue here


It's not a big issue and you're right. I most definitely have the ability to do it live, but it's my opinion that nobody would care one way or the other, as long as it works. Nobody is watching me in the opposite corner of the room during intros. If myself or a wedding party member does something off track, the intro is flubbed anyway.

I'm taking the road with less risk to my client, not the one that scores points with my peers.

Either way, a win is a win.

FROM THE BRIDE:

Hi Hank,
Thanks so much for the update! I have every confidence that the intros will be awesome, just like the rest of the day. I really appreciate your work on this. Again, if you need anything before Sunday, just let me know.

See you soon!
-Lindsay
 
YOU GO, HANK!
you only need to please ONE person on this,
and she just thanked you!