“Specifically as it relates to voiceover, that was, the whole industry has shifted hugely, as you know, and it has democratized the industry a huge amount, which is, you know, I appreciate. You know, some people made a lot of claims about their studio when COVID first happened, and it wasn’t true. And so they would go on to live sessions, and there were dogs barking, and the neighbor revving their engine, and people mowing their lawn. And these, it wasn’t usable and, and so a lot of people were scared of hiring anyone from home, then a lot of producers [were] like ‘oh no It has to be in-studio.’ Now I think we’ve reached an equilibrium where everyone’s kind of figured it out. ‘Oh, you know the pros have figured it out.’" -- Jamie Muffett

This episode is the second half of my conversation with renowned voiceover artist, podcast producer, and RPS founder Jamie Muffett as we discuss how the pandemic and machine learning have reshaped the audio industry, the advantages of AI when it comes to everything from research to sound editing, and what the latest voice-cloning breakthrough has in common with 1960s record deals.

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(0:00:00) - Business of Voiceover Events and eVOcation

Our discussion continues as Jamie tells us about the challenges of founding the voiceover business conference eVOcation just before the start of the pandemic. “It was so weird that there was no New York event other than, like for audiobook people,” he recalls. “And so we found out why: because it’s really difficult.” We talk about how the event evolved through the lockdown and became a lifeline for its very first participants.“I think that was kind of what kept me sane while I was locked in the house,” he says. “We’ve had in-jokes from that event that have carried through even until today.”

(0:07:48) - Impact of AI on Voiceover Industry

The topic turns to machine learning and its expanding role in everything from writing content to composing music. “I think everyone is just throwing everything at the wall right now, and just seeing what’s going to stick,” Jamie says, “and I don’t know what is going to stick, you know, in terms of that permanent change.” He shares his own experience with AI tools and we discuss how much of an impact generative content might have in the long run. “There’s going to be a market for all of the above where the content doesn’t really matter and never really mattered,” he explains. “I use this example, [it’s] like when microwave dinners came in and restaurants were quaking in their boots.”

(0:19:30) - AI in Music, Podcasting, and Editing

“The more AI video and pictures and text that goes out into the world,” Jamie remarks as we talk about the future of AI development, “the more it’s feeding into itself. So, you know, who knows where it’s going to go? It might even get worse because it’s using itself as source material.” He shares a before and after AI audio clip that reveals its startling potential as a sound editing tool, and the variety of uses he’s found for ChatGPT in his production schedule. “It’s not necessarily doing something I couldn’t do myself or couldn’t figure out,” Jamie says, “but half the time it’s just quicker to do that.”

(0:25:08) - Busy Life of a Voiceover Professional

As we wrap up our conversation, Jamie shares some of his upcoming projects, including his work with the star of Netflix’s new series Ripley. “Today I’m producing an episode of Backstage’s podcast with Dakota Fanning that we’ve got coming out on Thursday,” he explains. “We interviewed her a couple of weeks ago [and] she’s lovely.” He tells listeners how they can get in touch with him, and talks about what he’s working on right now: “doing the auditions, doing the sessions, of course, and trying to figure out time to spend with my wife and have dinner, and sleep every now and again.”

Episode Summary

The story behind eVOcation’s launch and how COVID-19 brought its attendees closer.
A demonstration of how AI can transform audio, and its emerging role in voiceover.
Jamie’s firsthand experience with AI audio tools, their strengths and limitations.
His upcoming work with podcasts, interviews, and how listeners can reach out to him.

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