testimonials

Bob Caso

"Here is what I have to say. Since walking thru your doors not only have I learned more about a business I "thought" I knew something about but I learned more in two sessions with you than I did recording over 50 books on tape. I just did not know my way around a mic or how, as an actor, to interpret copy the way I needed to. I realize that I did not have the tech that I needed to book. I would say to anyone who has been working in this business that there may be more you can learn and apply from Kate. I'm even learning more about acting in general and I have a lot of experience in that area with a resume to prove it! Before coming to Sound advice I was beginning to lose my love for the business and for the art. If I may create a word here... Kate not only "ABILITATES" but she rehabilitates the artist and that is a calling that she and her crew fulfill to the highest degree. She has rekindled in me the desire to GO OUT AND GET IT! I did not have the tools... sound Advice has given me those tools and then some. And by the way, their demo's are the best in the business!"

Steve O'Brien

"I just wanted to check in and let you know I got my first SAG job on Rembrandt Teeth Whitening. I believe all the training you gave me has really paid off. Everything you've told me has come true: the practice, the constant marketing, auditioning... etc. 2009 has been great for me so far. Thanks for everything."

Mike Vogelgesang

"Well, now that I have certainly crossed the rubicon, I thought this was a good time to get an email off to you. Let me just say how thoroughly pleased I've been with the Sound Advice experience. It has exceeded my expectations in so many ways. From orientation to the training - tracking and final demo production was simply a great experience. Your Chicago crew is a great team of people who clearly care about what they do and you feel immediately comfortable with them. Their attention to detail is so refreshing in a world where service in general has become so anemic. Plus, they're just really nice people... Of course, I picked up the demo yesterday and I'm thrilled is all I can say. I'm also very grateful for the opportunity to have my demo placed on your site. It means a great deal. I also need to tell you how extraordinary I think your book is. There is simply nothing else like it. You fill in gaps about the business that no one else addresses. And it prepares an individual in such a progressive way you feel completely well armed to tackle the business. And with that, it's on to the next phase of this. I've rambled enough... Many many thanks..."

Dave Shropshire

"After my friend (a seasoned professional) interviewed almost every demo producer in the (country), and there are a lot of good ones, it became clear to both of us that SOUND ADVICE was the best place to have our demos produced. Kate and the SOUND ADVICE crew took me step by step, from learning proper VO technique to obtaining an agent. They are an incredible resource and guide to voiceover talent, and I could not have done it without them. They have left no stone unturned on my road to VO success."

Matthew Budd

"SOUND ADVICE stretched me further than I ever thought I could go to produce a demo that I'm thrilled about!! Their honesty, knowledge, and enthusiasm has placed me light years ahead of where I would have been without them. They're awesome and I would highly, highly recommend them to anyone attempting to work in voiceover--or the acting field in general."

Steve Price

"I sat next to a producer from MTV on my flight from Tokyo to LA, who somehow ended up listening to my demos (imagine that). He said they were extremely well-produced (and said he has listened to many), and I of course let him know that my demos were produced by SOUND ADVICE. He even asked me to send him a few copies of the CD."

Gloria Coco

"Kate McClanaghan is one of a kind in the voiceover industry. Her extraordinary talent is one that her students aspire to achieve. Her professional guidance is unique, as well as focused on your professional success. SOUND ADVICE makes an investment in both your acting AND voiceover career, professionally and personally. They're simply the best. I've been in the corporate sector for the better part of my adult life, and managed to complete my degree in theater from Northwestern in the past 10 years as well--and yet, I learned more about the profession of being a working talent from our initial one-on-one Orientation than all my years of training put together. SOUND ADVICE is an understatement. They are priceless."

Debbie DiVerde

"I wanted to thank each and every one of you, especially Kate, for not only helping me make an exceptional voiceover demo but also for helping me to launch my professional acting career. I never thought when I walked through the doors of your studio what opportunities would be available and open to me. Not only am I doing voiceover but I am now successfully landing on-camera and print work as well. By following what Kate (and the SOUND ADVICE crew) taught me through coaching, her book (The SOUND ADVICE Encyclopedia of Voiceover & The Business of Being a Working Talent), the SOUND ADVICE Approach to acting and through continued encouragement, I have signed with several agents (across the country). Applying what I learned to this 'business' gave me the opportunity to become a bona fide professional. SOUND ADVICE is not only the place to make a great voice over demo, it is the exact stepping stone for anyone who is serious about being a working talent. It can happen! It's happening for me! Thank you again!"

Lynne Magnavite

"I did a gig yesterday and man, was it a challenge--which I rose to, of course! Your SOUND ADVICE on how to maintain calm, and keep in the moment really helped! I had to re-record a spot that someone else did. (I presume they couldn't get the original voiceover talent.) The client wanted me to sound exactly, and I mean, exactly like her--I guess the commercial tested extremely well in their market, so to change anything would be detrimental to the potential new sales... So I spent about 4 hours in the studio replicating the former talent's voice patterns, sounds, tone, etc.-- it was just like taking a piece of music and singing all the notes exactly as written! I did what the client wanted and ultimately they were very grateful, but I guess I wanted to stress how important it is to keep your ego out of the room and give the client what they want--if they want you to sound like Mickey Mouse, you do it! The session was very much how I envision looping to be--a skill I now seem to possess! Thanks as always for your awesome advice-- even though I had my demo done in 2003, I still use your tips and suggestions to this day!

Matt Welton

"Kate's advice is practical, makes sense and is so easy to apply...and when applied it brings results, time after time. Listen to her! Her experience and training can jumpstart and rev up your career like nothing I've ever experienced in this business!"

Eric Smies

"SOUND ADVICE introduces you to the reality of this business, helps you establish yourself as a professional talent and guides you throughout your career in a way no one else can or will. They are with you every step of the way, and Kate is always there with amazing advice or inspiration to allow you to succeed to the next level. Every time I go into the studio at SOUND ADVICE, I'm inspired by the positive attitude and general feeling of support I receive from the entire staff. Kate has definitely surrounded herself with some of the most skillful, caring, helpful, courteous and unique people in the business. SOUND ADVICE continues to be my "home base" when it comes to the voiceover industry--even years after I produced my original demo."

Kimberley Reid

"I wanted you to know that your vocal warm-up has been a lifesaver. I have been using it everyday. It's amazing how much better my first pass auditions sound when I use the vocal warm-up exercises. Thanks again. (Your training) really makes a difference."

Donna Scheffki

"I just received my demo from SOUND ADVICE and I love it! I've listened to it about a thousand times already. I learned so much from the entire group at SOUND ADVICE--and had a blast working with you all. You guys rock!"

Caileen Crecco

"When you think of SOUND ADVICE, of course the first person who comes to mind is Kate. She is such an amazing resource for anyone in this industry-- I don't care what your "niche" is, she can help you get mentally and vocally prepared for anything. Her advice is always based on the most up-to-date trends and industry expectations-- you can't get that from a book from Amazon that's probably years out of date. At SOUND ADVICE, there is a whole team of people who are true professionals in their field who will help you every step of the way. From training, to producing your demo, to promotion and setting up a home studio, everyone who works there is willing to help you get the answers you need, and they all truly want you to succeed. I can honestly say that I am very proud of my demo, and I continue to get compliments from agents and clients on it-- even years after the fact. It has served me very well, and brought me a tremendous return on my investment. It's also nice to know that once your initial demo is complete, you will still have a place to go for training, mailing lists, and the most current industry information--you're not just given a pat on the back and sent out into the world alone. I would recommend SOUND ADVICE to anyone considering a career in voiceover."

Julie Hurt

"Not only will SOUND ADVICE produce a great demo for you, they will help you prepare for auditions and assist you in the business aspects as well."

Barry Wightman

"SOUND ADVICE is the real deal! If you're starting your voiceover career from scratch or updating your skills or targeting your promotion and marketing to a new level, then Kate and company have the expertise, resources and market savvy to make it happen. They are the real deal--indeed."

Alan Goulding

"When I got to my first professional gig it was like I'd been doing voice over for a year... because I had been in the SOUND ADVICE workshops. At SOUND ADVICE, I feel I got first-rate training in a real world environment and had a great time to boot. I truly feel that Kate and her staff are dedicated to me and my career and I'm also sure everyone who works with them feels the exact same way."