Josh Riordan, audio engineer at The Voiceover Gallery, tells TVBEurope how he went from recording his own music to mixing adverts for large companies.
Talk us through an average day in your role
My days are incredibly varied! A typical day could begin with a corporate VO recording for a pharmaceutical product launch. Following that session, I could be recording some eLearning modules in an array of different languages. The latter half of my day would likely be recording the VO for adverts for large companies before mixing the adverts with music and effects.
How did you get started in the media industry?
I began my recording journey as a musician recording my own music. I developed a fascination for recording and mixing which led me to working in a music studio in Brighton where I would track and mix a range of artists, from metal bands to choirs. I then decided to take the leap into post production to continue my engineering journey.
What training did you have before entering the industry?
I have predominantly taught myself about recording and mixing. I discovered useful tips and techniques on YouTube which I would adapt into my own workflow. I was lucky to learn from the producer Mark Roberts and assist him on sessions across a range of studios. I used to do a lot of drum and vocal editing for producers which enabled me to gain the confidence and speed to work accurately and at speed.
Why do you enjoy working in the industry?
I enjoy that every day is varied as well as having creative freedom on projects. I thoroughly enjoy getting stuck in and involved on projects, I love being able to interact with directors and put my own touch on the recordings and mixes.
What piece of advice would you offer someone looking to explore a role similar to yours?
Having a strong mastery of ProTools is essential, however it is essential that you are personable, approachable and fun. Working in a client-facing role presents its own challenges – I constantly have to help direct sessions, inject energy and creativity whilst managing my ProTools session. The best experience is to watch how other engineers run their sessions and how they interact with clients.
