Well, when a recent corporate video voice-over script called for a section of bullhorn audio, not having such an item handy I proceeded to make one. Who says a high fiber cereal box reshaped to the design can’t do the job quite nicely. Add a little pinpointed EQ and you have a very convincing bullhorn. This wasn’t the first time and I know it won’t be the last that we did what was necessary to create a particular sound or effect. A past client (now a voice talent) was reflecting several days ago about some sounds we recorded a number of years ago for one of the projects she was working with. It was the sound of a spike being driven into wood for an Easter musical. Sure, there are dozens of sound effects libraries and we have a fairly good purchased collection which we’ve utilized any number of times. But sometimes the sound needs to be custom or just can’t be readily found if at all, so we’ve recorded sounds by using various “processing methods” or have gone on location to get what was needed. You can learn more about our sound effects recordings and hear several samples in our sound effects gallery. So, be sure you don’t discard all your cereal boxes. You never know when one will come in handy.

As I am getting older it seems I tend to forget the “magic” that only a small child can bring to a particular setting – whether family times, group gatherings, the arts or in this case singing a song. As part of an on-going project which has so far been all originals, Anabel Albuja and her daughter Emily created one of those times this week while recording the Gaither song I Am a Promise. Emily inaugurated a new mic (loaned by my friend Allyn) while singing to the accompaniment creatively crafted by Tim Tyler. We were again reminded that our Creator made each of us as a promise of His greatness and individuality. With the help of a stuffed feline friend and the donning of the “magic hat” we all made it rather well through the recording time and even watched the frogs dance – which they always do when the music is really good! It was a special evening for each of us.

Well time keeps adding years and today was no exception as my 56th birthday is nearly over. Part of the day was spent with my good friend Allyn fishing and then he joined two couples from church for dinner at our house (not planned for my birthday but the date fell on the same day so we kind of called it a birthday party). Now normally I wouldn’t be writing about my birthday here but this one is particularly significant in that my dad and his dad never saw their 57th. They both succumbed to the ravages of colon cancer and left this life and their families behind. Having arrived at this age I now can see how “young” they really were and both passings are vivid memories. Of course we should all know we can’t guarantee our next breath no matter what, but yes I’ve had several snoopy snoops and twice potentially pre-cancerous growths have been removed – which had they remained could have easily been cancer by now. (So don’t put it off.) Reading and reflecting on Psalm 95 this morning reminded me that the Lord is our Maker and we must all kneel to His plan – at 56 or any other age. I have a feeling though that I will live each day from now on with a sense of extended time, and hopefully also with increasing gratitude for each one granted.