Desiding on music bed or no music bed

[Clintonnobles]

So what is your take on music beds? I am currently putting together a series of daily devotionals I was contracted for and I am wondering if I should do music beds or not. They are going to be more like podcast so they want an intro. But should a music bed be used for the devotion? Each one runs about 2:30 mins

[Colin Campbell]

I think it might get a bit tiring to have music for 2:30. Use it in and out but dry for the body.

[Lee Gordon]

For a demo, whether to use music or not is pretty much a matter of personal preference. But if you've been hired to do a job, the thing to do is ask the client.

[Clintonnobles]

It was the demo I was submitting. I did the dry read for them and they really liked it. They contacted me and asked for submitted information for a demo. I now have the job, but they gave me lead way to set it up like I wanted. I agree that 2:30 of music will get annoying. I am going to do the in and out. Thanks Colin and Lee. I am going to wait to put music beds into my demos until I get a lot more than I have now (unless something just matches great).

[billelder]

I agree about the music bed in and out. Plus, you don't want the "tune" to distract from your message. I do a 2:30 daily podcast myself and use a short in and out on it. At first I had the bed too long and edited it down to about :15 for the beginning and about :5 sec for the end.

Good luck with this!

[Clintonnobles]

Thanks, that is awesome advise.

I can't wait to finalize everything and get it started.

[jay_webb]

Hey Clinton, can I throw in a little two cents worth? The music in and music out thing definitely works. No doubt about that. Also, if you have a piece of "new age" type of music or soft piano or something of that nature, it works well to have that in the background, but so low it couldn't possibly detract from the voice. I produce long-form commercials for TV and I use this method quite often (I usually listen to audio without looking at video at some point to make sure the video is not "carrying" the whole program.). Sometimes I'll even use a DIFFERENT piece of music for the in/out ...I mean I use 2 different pieces of music: one for the in/out (usually upbeat) and another for the bed..soft, low key, just audible enough to fill the gaps when you pause in the VO. Also, I let the bed come in very slowly. Let your ears be your guide on that one. As long as nothing starts or stops abruptly, you'll be fine.

If I've muddled your previous decision, I'm sorry.

--Jay

[Clintonnobles]

Jay;

This is Voice-overs.com . . . we do not Muddle HERE! lol

No really, I see what you mean and am currently dabbling with the idea. I want something that is pleasant, but that won't sound the same everytime it is heard. With devotionals covering Jan, Feb, and March of next here It might not be good if it was always the same except for words. Like mentioned above I am just going to have to present it to the client and see how they want to do this.