By: Nate Myers
In November 2022, OpenAI’s ChatGPT (https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/) was launched to the public. This caused a huge stir in the online community and made some writers nervous. Will ChatGPT replace copywriters? Marketers? Journalists? For those (like us) in the Voice Over industry, what implications does this incredible new technology hold for us?
ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot developed by
OpenAI launched in November 2022.
The most common use of written copy in the Voice Over industry is creating scripts for commercials, ads, and such. A few of us also write articles to help our subscribers stay up-to-date and learn more about our industry. Could ChatGPT replace people like me? Selfishly I would say “no,” but of course, we can dig a bit deeper than that.
Let’s put it to the test!
Writing prompt:
How can a new microphone increase the quality of my voice overs and get me more gigs?
Me:
Microphones are all unique, and there are many different kinds. Whether one is better or not for voice-over depends greatly on your recording environment, other equipment in your signal chain (audio interface, sample rate, hardware), and your ability to edit post-recording. In most cases, I would argue that if you have invested in a decent microphone for around $100 or more, you will get diminishing returns and can instead improve the quality of your voice overs by practicing, receiving training, and learning more about the editing capabilities in your DAW.
Getting gigs will happen because of your control over your voice and how you respond to director feedback. Larger gigs will take place in person, at a professional studio, rendering investments in your at-home rig useless in many cases.
ChatGPT:
Investing in a new microphone can significantly improve the quality of your voiceovers and help you attract more clients. Here are some reasons why:
Improved Sound Quality: A high-quality microphone will capture your voice more accurately and produce a clearer, crisper sound. This can make a big difference in the overall quality of your voice overs.
Reduced Noise: A good microphone will also have better noise-canceling features, which can help reduce unwanted background noise in your recordings.
Greater Versatility: Different microphones are designed to capture different sounds. Investing in a versatile microphone that can handle a range of frequencies and sound sources can help you expand your repertoire and appeal to a wider range of clients.
Professionalism: Using professional-grade equipment, such as a high-quality microphone, shows that you take your work seriously and are willing to invest in your craft. This can help you establish yourself as a professional voice actor and attract more clients willing to pay for your services.
Stand Out from the Crowd: By having better sound quality than your competitors, you can stand out in a crowded marketplace and increase your chances of getting hired for gigs.
Investing in a new microphone can be worthwhile for voice actors looking to improve their sound quality, expand their capabilities, and attract more clients.
So! What do you think? There are valid points from ChatGPT, to be sure. And what’s more, I feel that it is true, useful information. The limits of ChatGPT have more to do with a lack of context about the person you’re speaking to, a lack of industry knowledge on subtle differences and standard practices, and a lack of the ability to infer what would be best for the person reading.
In this situation, neither ChatGPT nor myself know what kind of microphone the reader might have. But by reading my answer, a reader can use that $100 benchmark to determine whether their microphone is good enough or needs to be upgraded. ChatGPT will always assume you should spend more to get a better-quality microphone. That is a dangerous path to follow, however. Your equipment is good enough at a certain point, and spending money will often be a waste.
Neither of us is absolutely correct, but I’ll let you judge which of us is more helpful!
