The "Voicetracking" debate

[Euan Roberts]

Hi Anoraks,

Listeners to Lite FM’s Love Affair program with Al Dunne 8pm – midnight Sunday – Thursday may be interested in a few things that I have being told about this show. Recently, I asked a good friend of mine who works in the radio business could any radio station make a 4 hour long show with presentation links, Vo’s, Commercials, and of course the music, sound real and live as if the presenter was there in studio. Furthermore, could the presenter bed his music introducing a song, and he said of course he could. What I am trying to say is all these elements, which are necessary for a show, are apparently pre-recorded earlier in the evening with very sophisticated radio technology that makes a program such as the Love Affair sound like a live show, live presenter, and everything else.

The reason why I am telling you this is purely by accident. I was an occasional listener to this show but soon discovered when I would put in a request to ask the station to say hi to a friend, or have a song played, such a request would never be played on the night in question. I must stress these requests would be phoned up approximately about 9pm so if the love affair was live the chances of having my request or song played would be quite great. Furthermore if the station was busy a presenter would 9 times out of ten read your request out unless it was sexually explicit. Any way I wanted to test this for myself because my curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to find out if this was pre- recorded by Lite FM to make the show sound live to the listener.

Apparently, my friend informed my that the presenter in question records only his links for approx twenty minutes before the show starts. All his links are recorded onto very sophisticated computer technology, which is called ENCO DAD. All his tracks have being pre -selected by the music Director, all his commercials are transferred into this computer to coincide with links, Vo’s you name it. All very professionally done. His task takes a mere twenty minutes, which is pretty sneaky and cheating a bit.

Anyhow, lets be honest, most people would not notice that this show was not live, purely for the fact that the majority of them are passive listeners most of the time as opposed to active. What annoys me is that certain people have tried and tested and failed to get a request played on the same night and of course one now knows the reason why. What you have in the studio is a technician monitoring this great technology making sure everything is working according to plan; in addition he is the man taking requests on behalf of the fictious Al Dunne or why their requests have not being played there and then. Mr Dunne has never done a live Love Affair so I have been told.

The problem with doing pre- recorded shows like this one are you more likely to get irate listeners on the telephone lines inquiring as to why their request was never played for that special friend. Sure you will hear your request the following day or the following week Unfortunately for the listener that is too late and they are probably so pissed off asking for requests to be played they give up and tune into another station at worst. Listeners beware next time you are looking for that special request or song, who will have to wait two days so what is the point.



Lite FM management obviously can’t afford a live Love Affair presenter which would make the show sound real. Ah well, with all their computer technology at their disposal, it begs the question, if they fooled me for this long, its unlikely most people have even noticed or care for that matter. I guess you have to give credit to Al Dunne for his twenty minutes work, not bad. The great thing for him is he knows the listener is being fooled, in addition they are saving money by not employing a full time presenter on the show. I just don’t listen to computers anymore particularly between 8pm – midnight. I am on one during the day instead that’s enough.

As end notes has any other anorak come across or noticed this when you listening. Let me know. There has to be other people.

Good luck

Euan Roberts

[Mike Daly]

Euan, for someone who portrays such an air of radio expertise I am amazed that you so little awareness of voicetracking and automation. The system you mentioned "EncoDad" is in use in thousands of radio stations around the world. However all digital playout systems are capable of playing pre recorded links, most can even ensure that links with time checks are played at the right time. If you are surprised at the fact that the Love Affair is pre recorded then you're probably also unaware that any phone calls aired on Lite FM are also pre recorded and edited during the songs.

Every (legal) station in Dublin has this capability. For example Robbie Fogarty's Saturday morning show on 98FM is pre recorded as are their overnight shows. To the best of my knowledge, FM104 is the only station which does not use automation or voice tracking.

One final thing, Al Dunne does considerably more than 20 minutes work a day at Lite FM. As programme Director he works long hours and is often still in the building when the show airs.

[Nom de Plume]

Euan, ever watch MTV? They too, along with every other television station pre-record most of their presenter links. Yes, even the ones with phone calls are pre-recorded.

Even on live radio shows, a lot of DJs pre-record their phone calls for editing before playing them back on-air.

Before you read this next bit, make sure you're sitting down. Prepare yourself for a shock. The world famous 98FM cash call is pre-recorded. Did you fall for that one too?

And guess what? EastEnders isn't live either. Albert Square doesn't exist outside of a well constructed television set *gulp*

At least Al Dunne exists!

[Euan Roberts]

Mike Daley and Nom de plume, of course i'm aware of such technology, no need for any of you to be down right smart and so sure of your so called expertise in the radio business. Big deal you know more about radio stations using this equipment and other stuff. so what? Are you all on Ego trips or something?

My commentary is directed at novices who listen to radio and are able to give a view or comment on what think of radio stations doing such things as taking the easy way out by pre-recording programmes. And by the way contrary to what you think de ploume, I am aware of 98 pre-recording their cash calls probably while you were still in nappies or in school. Surprise Surprise. I just sometimes give the impression to Anoraks that I know little or nothing about radio

In addition, what Mike Daley said about Al Dunne working long hours as Programme Director, I know he works long hours, so do the rest of us. It suits him and the station. I have met the guy. What planet are you on?. Again I will say most of these commentaries are not for experts like you but for people that are interested in radio without working in it I don't know if you work in the radio business but you give the impression to me that you have or you like to. Fair enough! Some of your commentary comes across as being quite cocky, In other words your saying, I know everything, and others don't. Superior attitude. Some of your comments are valid but don't suggest mine are full of flaws I don't preach to you about your knowledge of radio. To be honest with you, I have some knowledge probably not as much as I would like, but hey I am happy with the little i have. Finally, contrary to what you say Al show takes 20 minutes because i have being there.

Euan Roberts

[Mike Daly]

Euan, I'm not about to get into a slagging match over this. I'm sorry if you think I'm on an ego trip but the tone of your messages always suggests that you are are expert on radio (like claiming to know that Barry Dunne earns €100,000 a year). I was simply pointing out that there is no great surprise in the fact that Lite FM voice track a show. I think most anoraks with a real interest in radio will be aware of the technology that stations use, I know I was in my anorak days.

I am well aware that Al takes just 20 minutes or so to record his links, when I said he does more than that in a day I was referring to his overall workload. Al is one of my friends I've known him for almost 20 years.

I don't claim to know everything about radio, I don't believe anyone does. I apologise if I gave you that impression. Your post seemed to suggest that you were unaware and shocked by the revelation about Love Affair and I was simply setting you straight.

Finally my last name is spelt D-A-L-Y no E. I don't imagine you'd be too impresswed if I spelt your name Ewan!

[NoelRock]

98FM on a Saturday afternoon is Enda something or other...

FM104 on a Sunday afternoon - a few weeks ago I heard Adrian Kennedy there --_-- what the hell...

[Euan Roberts]

Hi Mike, I owe you an apology. Perhaps, i went a bit extreme in my criticism of you. Of course, you have very good points which are taken seriously by me and other people. I may have the ego rather than other people. Like you, i have some knowledge about radio and the workings of it. I have no doubt your knowledge is excellent and one can see that in some of the commentary you post. It is good. Finally most people like to learn from some of these postings and from anorks like yourself long may it continue. My apologies for spelling your name wrong.


Good Luck


Euan Roberts

[Guest]

Firstly Euan, your post is pretty pointless 'warning listeners' as LISTENERS HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF THIS SITE! Whatever ye think about automation, that type of show would be exactly the same with or without a live jock as it's love songs- Al Dunne isn't saying anything out of the ordinary, it's all the same whether it's live or not. I do agree however that automation is cheap (paying presenter-wise, not for the hardware!) and very bland and dunno whether it's true but earlier in this thread someone said 104 are the only station to be live 24/7- well fair play for that cause I think it's great to be up late and know the guy or girl on the radio is 'there with you' so to speak! As for having a go at the others, they do have a point if ye claim you know so much about radio!

[Mark Hunter]

Ja know what? You guys can be nasty nasty assholes sometimes. The real point the guy at the top of the page was making was that automating a show that's supposed to be a "live" request show is a rip off and frustrating for the punters who do text/mail/call as they'll never get that special request on when they want it! Can you imagine any one of potentially hundreds of these people every night telling friends/loved ones to listen in to a show like this and then the requests never gets played? And remember folks (and so few of you do), the punters are why we do what we do. If we keep them happy, they keep listening and we stay in jobs.

:mad:

[W Anchor]

Well said Mark.

Anoraks seem to be falling over themselves to be nasty.

Euan made some great points, and many 'ordinary' punters DO know about this site, I'm one of them!!! In fact this site first got me interested in radio.

[Euan Roberts]

Thanks Mark and W anchor, it is good know some of you can relate and understand the points i was trying to make. Okay sometimes they may not be very clear, nevertheless, I feel strongly about this automation issue. Thanks again guys.

Happy posting

Euan Roberts

[Euan Roberts]

Hi Radio Anoraks,

Recently, there has being some personal criticism of my postings on Radio Waves. I take offence to this, but not I am not surprised at this. Some of my views and commentary are seen as not making sense to the so-called radio pundits or experts as they like to come across with their supreme wealth of knowledge about Radio in general.

I don’t have a problem with these experts per say, but I have problem with these people assuming that I should of known everything about radio because I am writing about it. This is a myth. First of all as I said before and repeat again for those certain few people who have made up their minds that I know nothing about radio because some of my commentaries may appear as someone that has never worked in radio. I have worked in radio but only in one tiny element of it.

If one of two radio experts considers postings like mine to be beneath their superior level, hey they don’t have to respond. It is a free world. Furthermore; I have nothing against the vast majority of these radio experts most of the time, as long as they understand my views. Nobody disagrees or agrees with them on every topic. Some people like FM Freddie have valid points about different topics such as Spin FM, or Newstalk. I have learn’t something from their interesting and informative postings.

Some commentaries are written to appeal to novices or people that would like to develop an interest in radio or already have a genuine passion for this great medium. I am the first one to admit my knowledge on certain aspects of radio would be very basic, while in other areas I would have a little more knowledge. This site is set up to appeal to all people interested in radio, whether they are Managing Directors of radio stations or making tea for the presenter. I am sure our very fine Administrator John Fleming would agree with this. Everybody should learn from each other. Sure I would acknowledge that some of my postings have not being very clear and probably were misinterpreted. Often they were unfair or irresponsible about certain aspects of radio. Mistakes are made, and we learn from them as best we can.

In relation, to Lite FM and other stations obsessed with their automation of certain programmes in their radio stations, I still think it is a disgrace and highly irresponsible which shows they have little regard for the listener. After all, that is the prime function of any radio stations to win new listeners and maintain existing ones. How the hell can Lite FM or other stations justify being listener friendly station when they go and do all this pre-recorded stuff?. They have no loyalty to the listener, so what happens, requests don’t get played, songs don’t get played, and the word circulates that Lite FM never honour their pledge of satisfying the listener by way of requests or songs. It is a poor showing.





In addition, it is very bad publicity for Lite FM and other stations to operate such a policy as this. I tell you why, human nature as it is dictates, that if a listener rings up and asks for a request or a song to be played and it is not played due to the obvious fact, that there is no presenter in studio as the programme has being pre-recorded. What does the pundit do? He is naturally and rightly annoyed. I would be if I were he or she. I was in that situation before. Do I listen to Lite Fm anymore? Not as a listener but more for analyzing different programmes.

The Love Affair show on Lite is popular, can you imagine the amount of people that may have called via telephone looking for a request or song, over the last two years and being told, “your request may be played tonight,but there is no guarantee or promises, we will do our best”. Not good enough I’m afraid Lite FM . Of course the technician in the studio looking after the automation and equipment will say they will do their best. He has being told by the station management to say this. In reality, he has to say that to get rid of the caller. Of course the request won’t be played that evening, but the next evening or the next evening. Who knows!

This scenario reflects badly on Lite FM and their policy of doing a pre-recorded programs such as the Love Affair. It is also bad public relations for the station. Potential advertisers that advertise with the station have the right to listen to their commercials considering they have paid for it. So what stops them from ringing up to get a request or song played? Nothing I guess? The problem is if the potential advertiser rings up when the Love Affair is on one night and never hears his request. What does he think of the station? Not very much I dare say. He may rightly assume are Lite FM not capable of playing my commercial if they can’t play a request for my until two nights later. My main point is the listener and advertiser is number one all the time. Stations like Lite FM should remember this before they embark on adopting wooden and rigid automated pre-recorded programs.

Just a final note of reference, you may remember a year and half ago Lite FM had a respectable 18% of audience reach in Dublin amongst their target audience of 35- 54 plus. At that time there was 7%, which was very good for advertising purposes and for the station as a whole. Why then have they their audience reach decrease from 18% down to 15% and finally down to 12% in the last JNLR survey in February 2002? To be fair to Lite FM most of this decline would of being attributed to curious listeners checking the station out for the first time and listening to it for a couple of months. In addition, as they opened in May 25 2000, there would of being a certain tourist element attached to this initial 18%. Anyway once the summer was over most of these gone home and so they took a decrease have about 3% down to 15%.






I guess the remaining 3% is due to my above conviction that their failure to play requests or songs has lost them listeners or a mere 3%, which leaves at 12% at present. Word gets around when a station neglects to show a certain degree of loyalty to its listeners. It is basic common sense. Lite FM may have saved money by not employing any presenter for their Lover Affair show Sunday- Thursday, but you can bet they have and will continue to loose listeners until they address this problem which they see as minor or trivial. It will be interesting to see the next JNLR- Joint National Listener for Radio and see if Lite FM has declined further. I hope they can rectify this situation. Let us hope they do. Aside from this the station is a good alternative to the other mainstream channels if you like easy- listening music which some people do.

I would be interested to hear some feedback commentary from people.


Good Luck


Euan Roberts

[Earl Gray]

“I have worked in radio but only in one tiny element of it.”

So you used to make the tea for Al Dunne? We all had to start somewhere.

”I am the first one to admit my knowledge on certain aspects of radio would be very basic, while in other areas I would have a little more knowledge.”

Translation: “I have no idea what I’m talking about, but I make a lovely cup of tea.”

“This site is set up to appeal to all people interested in radio, whether they are Managing Directors of radio stations or making tea for the presenter.”

Yes, a lovely cup of tea. Was that two sugars, Mr.Dunne?

"How the hell can Lite FM or other stations justify being listener friendly station when they go and do all this pre-recorded stuff?”

By delivering quality, friendly programming that’s of interest to the listener, who doesn’t really give a damn whether it’s live, or recorded. All they want to hear is the music.

”The Love Affair show on Lite is popular, can you imagine the amount of people that may have called via telephone looking for a request or song, over the last two years and being told, “your request may be played tonight,but there is no guarantee or promises, we will do our best”. Not good enough I’m afraid Lite FM.”

If they listen to Al Dunne on Monday night, chances are they listen on Tuesday and Wednesday too. I can almost guarantee that their request will be played on one of the following two nights. When they hear it, they’ll assume he had sooo many requests the night they called in that it had to be held over until the next night.

That said, the vast majority of listeners NEVER, EVER call a radio station. The very few who'll call Al for a love song will listen out for their request for a certain length of time before going asleep. If they fall asleep before hearing it, they’ll assume the DJ played it after you fell asleep. Remember, a lot of listeners hit the ‘sleep’ button on their clock radios and fall asleep to the love songs.

You got to listen to the radio like a listener, Euan, not an analyst.

[Removed Member]

Honestly, the show sounds grand the way it is.

1. He's providing music without the waffle.

2.He's a great jock from the good old days with a good track record

3. He doesn't sound voicetracked because he's a professional.

4.I'm sure LITE have extensively researched all your reservations Euan and do you seriously think Al would voicetrack his show?

5.Some stations in the UK voicetrack similarly and it is accepted as par for the course.So I really don't see what the MASSIVE problem is.

6.He still pulls more listeners than some stations who have been on for at least 10 years before LITE signed on EVEN at off peak hours on weekends.

Enough is Enough.

[US Radio Jockette]

THE ART OF VOICE-TRACKING by L.J. Smith

Great voice-tracking takes more than a great automation system and a talent with extra time on their hands. It has many requirements that must be met before your station can be running at 100%, 24/7.

And yes, believe it or not, your voice-tracked hours can sound as good (if not better) than your live hours. However, there are many things you must know and learn before that can become a reality for you and your staff.

From talent training to the recording room's environment and ambience, we old dogs must learn some new tricks before we attempt to master the art of voice tracking.

Techniques of Voice-Tracking

Getting that real-time feel with the absence of "live" phones and instant feedback from the audience can be difficult. Jocks must learn where to find and how to add these elements to their VT show, so the 'stationality' can remain constant throughout every daypart.
Of course, if you're a liner-card station, you're half-way home. Otherwise, talent must re-learn what it means to be creative entertainers.

Having the same demeanor in a recording studio as in a live one requires a new way of thinking. It takes a positive attitude and lots of practice. Successful VT jocks are those that understand the art of voice acting as well. Have your jocks listen to tapes of their live shows and recreate that same attitude and delivery while tracking.
Preparation Critical
Prep is Critical. While voice-tracking saves money, time and resources, the one thing that can't suffer is the amount of show prep that goes into making great radio. In fact, great VT hours can often require even more show prep than a live shift.
Make sure your VT talent has adequate time to prepare. Also, be sure to provide access to the same material as your morning show or other live dayparts, to insure there is no loss of stationality, information or entertainment related content between the shifts.

Phone Calls
If you agree that live phones are a part of great radio, then you'll agree that we absolutely must have them at all times. After all, there's never a good reason to do bad radio, right? When I find VT talent not using phones, it's usually because they either don't have the proper equipment configuration to make it possible, or they simply don't know how.
Let me first say that if your recording studio doesn't have live, phone-to-system capabilities, then it's time to have a conversation with your higher-ups. It is absolutely imperative and a requirement for producing voice tracks. However, if it's a matter of lack-of-knowledge, it's time to put away everything you've ever learned, heard, practiced or created about how to use phones on radio.

First, phones do not have to be "live" to have quality, be spontaneous or create excitement. In fact, by pre-recording phones, you take control of your show and content and make it perfect. Think of your live show as your "opportunity to dare and take a risk" and your VT recording time as a "chance to be perfect."

Two Ways To Get Phones For Non-Live Hours:

If you pull a live shift, think ahead and save calls for the VT hours. Use parts of conversations you didn't air live. Also, by planning ahead, you may solicit extra responses from callers that pertain to specific breaks in your VT hours.

Make outgoing calls. Buck Head, a VT expert for Clear Channel in Las Vegas, voices about 10 shows per day, plus pulls the live night shift in the gambling capitol. He's one of the best. Guesting on a panel at the 2001 NAB, Buck urged talent to "think outside the box" and realize that things change and "your mindset must change with the times."
He makes enough outgoing calls per day to secure callers to fill in the required number of breaks (varies per station) for all 10 shows. The result is a show that even the trained ear of a consultant couldn't tell was tracked. Tomorrow's radio stars will be the ones who understand the art of voice tracking and voice acting -- those who can adapt and do both.

Localism Is Still King


Most PDs argue that the reason they don't like the idea of satellite or voice tracked hours is the loss of control of localism. Truth is, local content in most shows consists of the weather and a remote broadcast mention once an hour. If you're entertaining the idea of using an outside talent to voice track your station, there are a few things you must do on the station end to make it seamless and local:

Have someone on staff that feeds local information to the talent on a daily basis. Include local events, news stories, weather, station happenings, winner's names, etc. It's important for the VT talent to have access to everything your live jocks have at the station.

Include the VT talent in all memos, meetings and programming decisions.

Set up a delivery system for feeding him/her audio clips of listeners, promos and anything that will make the talent feel "at home."

Give constant feedback. If you feel the VT jock isn't giving you what you need, tell them.
The art of voice tracking isn't something that comes naturally to most of us. It takes time, practice and consistency. Most of all, it takes a renewed attitude towards this thing we call live radio. Once we understand that we can elicit the same emotions and reactions from our listeners, whether we're live or Memorex, maybe then we can set our own ideas, emotions and feelings about radio on the right track to better radio.
In a nutshell, it's what comes out of the speakers that counts. How it gets there is irrelevant.

[Euan Roberts]

Earl Gray whats your agenda, are you so taken back that someone has the courage to criticise what bad radio the Love Affair is or are you merely flattered by my commentaries that you have to repeat to me and other anoraks. I don't need clarification from you particularly when your post is riddled with personal sacrasm about me and your wild and inaccurate assumptions about me making tea for Al Dunne.

To satisfy your curiousity, i have never made tea for Al Dunne,yes i have met Al, and he is a nice guy and he is a good presenter, because i uset listen to him on Q102 years ago. I totally disagree with you when you say this voice- tracking system that Lite and other stations doesn't affect listeners in the long run. You obviously know very little about radio programming and branding of a station if you are so naieve as to suggest that listeners don't mind not having their request played there and then. Listener loyality is essential and it must be central to a station growth and development. It is a bit you or me going into a shop and asking for a pint of milk. The shopkeeper says sorry you can't have that till tomorrow even though you paid it. Would he lose that customer, of course he would amongst many others, so in other words, the listener has gone to the trouble of ringing a station, has put his or his faith in the station that they expect the person at the end of the line to l be polite, and play their request the same night not a week later. This is a business, so you gotta be nice to the listener and the advertiser without going off the point. I repeat this is not about stations suits themselves by installing voice-tracking systems it is about giving the listener what he or she wants.

Ten years radio stations survived without this voice-tracking system and got on fine. Creative radio is the name of the game not some rigid computer automation system that takes the beauty out of radio. The key to radio is that the listener whether he be occasionally is actively listening can hear the his or her personality coming through over the radio.

Furthermore, i don't subscribe to Us Radio Jockettes complicated post. There is no substitution for good old-fashioned radio despite his very detailed and interesting commentary. I just think voice-tracking makes radio sound too clinical, too structured, too predictable, and lacks any spontantanity. Radio is meant to be real fun not some big ordeal. Voice-tracking is like a presenter going on a computer course every night. YOu say voice- tracking can sound better than the live thing. I doubt that very much even with all your fancy technology.

Good Luck


Euan Roberts

[252cart]

Last Wed. night Rick O'Shea voicetracked his 9-11pm show....."All my E-Mail and Text message system is down..." and he just did the links and played the tunes for 2 hours....

Apparently, he was at a showing of the new Spiderman in London that Wed. night.....

...When he was due to start his show the following Thursday night at 9pm, Dusty had to fill in for him..His flight was delayed and could not make it on air at 9.

Now we know why he was voicetracked Wed. night....At the time I thought he was genuine in saying all his communication methods were down...

[Removed Member]

And it is also A BUSINESS.

I have to say your sentimental comments are all very diplomatic and inoffensive,however I think if you go back and read US Radio Jockette's post again you may actually learn something about the business of mainstream commercial broadcasting in the year 2002.

There are some good points on how to do "live calls" in a Voictracked shift.

It is often even written into some contracts that you voicetrack a certain amount of shifts.
Voicetracking has ALWAYS been a part of broadcasting - the technolgy has just made it a little easier that's all(therefore you don't need a spinner nowadays you can just leave the PC running and somebody to babysit)
US Radio jockette's posting may have seemed "complicated" to you - but I understand all the points made in it from start to finish.

And Euan, LITE will continue to voicetrack HUGE CHUNKS of it's schedule I'm sure no matter how much you protest!!!
Nasty isn't it?

Go to the UK and see if you can spot how many shows are voicetracked or not - I put it to you that the only reason you started this thread is because someone was foolish enough to TELL YOU that Al voicetracks his gig!!! - (methinks that otherwise you'd have been as happy as a sandboy and blissful in your ignorance of Al's wonderful pre-recorded show):)

[Euan Roberts]

ON the Button, now you are off the button ever so slightly. If i gave that impression that i was oblivious of The Love Affair with Al Dunne not being Voice-tracked well, you are wrong. I was always aware from day one. How? Very good contacts in the station to be honest with you. I just came across as a novice to Radio Anoraks when i made my first post on this contenious subject that we have being discussing over the last number of days.

I enjoy reaction and controversy which i'm sure you do when you post a commentary. Without being cocky to you, I was pretty certain a subject such as this would stir up some debate amongst more experienced and more knowledgable people than myself. I am sure your knowlegde along with US Radio Jockette of voice-traking is better than mine.

Nevertheless, On the Button, you are right in one sense I cannot do anything about Al Dunne's show, no matter how much i or other people protest on this forum. However, as you can appreciate, I feel strongly about this and other topics and will continue to exert my democratic right to air my views even if some people do not agree with them. I respect opinions no matter what. Furthermore, you are correct also in saying that i should read US Jockettes summary again about what's happening on US Radio in relation to voice-traking. I will read it. I still don't buy the very concept of Voicetracking no matter how natural it may sound to you. Do you work in a radio station? Are do you work in a technical area of the business?

I think the whole concept of voicetraking sets a bad example to future presenters. Because they can literally do for example a four hour show in less than 30 minutes flat, and basically they don't work, they can't develop their personalities and creativity on the air, because it is all about doing your links,setting up your live calls and that it. What does a listener do if he or she rings up half through the show and wishes to speak to the presenter? She wants to get a request played for her Wedding Anniversary that night. What does the Technical operations do? He or she feeds bullshit to her and that's it. She will not listen to that station again. Why because she has been let down by the stations lies. Lies in the sense of the Tech operator telling her, they will do their best to get their request on before the end of the night. She listens no request is played what does she do? She doesn't listen anymore. Do i blame her? Hell no. So Voice-tracking does have a disadvantage in the sense of listener loyality and listener retention. There are only so many times you can fool a person, even a passive listener listening for 15 minutes. To be honest with you the presenter is out of the studio. Bye, Bye. Where is the beauty in that. No listener interaction, no listener loyality, no Fun, or laughs, no jokes, no challenges no real radio. I just disagree with you "on the button".


Good Luck

Euan Roberts

[Removed Member]

The presonality side/live feel does suffer a bit.

However as I keep saying, 7am-7pm Lite are Live and the rest is automated.
Al's show plays lovesongs,that's not brainsurgery.
And I'm sure that in a lot of cases people are not disappointed about their requests.

Please,it's clear you have a bee in your bonnett about voicetracking so maybe you should go to the UK where The Radio Authority will only allow stations to voicetrack a certain amount of hours of their daily schedule!!

Look,it would be great to hear Al do the show live and maybe oneday he will, however, he also has other responsibilities at Lite and therefore he would be working there all day also....

So you want the man to never be home to see his wife and kids eh??

[Euan Roberts]

98FM on a Saturday afternoon is Enda something or other...

FM104 on a Sunday afternoon - a few weeks ago I heard Adrian Kennedy there --_-- what the hell...

Who cares about Fm104 or 98Fm for that matter. I have come to the sad conclusion that all weekend programs are probalby voice-tracked. so what's left just news, and that has more than likely has being recorded.

In fact i would say Dave redmond and Enda Murphy given the little amount of speech that comes out of their mouths have voicetracked their show 20 minutes before their shows starts and gets one of their resident technical opertions people to look after the desk while they watch the football or go to the pub for the afternoon. Our voicetracking brigade. Fire the lot of them and hire Dj's that have to do live gigs and have an on-air personality.

[Guest]

Euan you couldn't be more WRONG,most of the weekend shows on FM104 with Dave Redmond are based live on the road hog,unless 104 are using holograms aswell i think the show is very much live!
Also the jock who is working on 104 from country is Stephen Keogh,he was filling in for AK on the 80s show.

[Guest]

Euan you have this obsession with Voice-Tracking and just to point out both 104 weekends are not voice tracked all the time . We have heard from 104 and as far as 98 is concerned Enda Murphy is live , Barry Dunne does a fine oldies Show live, Una Power is live , AfterDark is live, .

Anything else you want to know about? Voice tracking is there for good whether you like it or not . What difference does it make if three links every half hour on some hot chart show is voice tracked .You can be sure the listeners have no idea and thats all that counts.

[Euan Roberts]

A pretty predicable answer. What's my obsession with voice-tracking over the Radio? It is immoral and bad for radio, not that radio in Dublin is good it is bloody awful. Music, Presentation, Vo's News everything. What a waste? Then,you tell me that I am obsessed with voice-tracking! Oh its okay if we put up with terrible radio stations in Dublin, but then to make matters some of these shows are recorded. Do you like this radio? Where is your taste? What a corrupt set of radio stations we have here. Fair enough, I don't doubt you when you say104 and 98 or live. Sure, I was just checking with someone that new some inside knowledge. Stations such as Lite and 2Fm are definities as i know people in there. I guess an assumption may have been made about 98 &104. However, that doesn't excuse there disgraceful quality as radio stations. I will post something more detailed soon.

Euan Roberts.

[NoelRock]

Originally posted by Terry
AfterDark is live, .



Unless they predict my constant e-mails and are able to voice imitate me - then AfterDark is most certainly live (great show BTW - but that's not the point ;))

[Euan Roberts]

Love Heart, I think you must be in love with Lite Fm or else it is the presenter. His name is Brian Lambert and he was live. Al Dunne was on vacation for a week. Hey, i guess he needs it with all the Love Affairs he has done. My god, 4 hours every night. Unfortunetly, not the case, Al Dunne was at home or in the pub. Love Heart i hope you enjoyed Brian Lambert, because the recorded Al will be back sunday.

So enjoy listening to Lite FM's very sophisicated ENCO Dad technology that they use for the voice-tracking of the Love Affair. Lite FM have proved how terriblly bland and repititive radio can become. Lite FM should permenantly turn off the lite. Where is good creative radio Lite FM management? What the hell are you serving up to the Dublin audience? Pure Shite, its the pits.

I rest my case


Euan Roberts

[Guest]

Slate Lite Fm and its automation all you like but is it true that it has MORE listeners on a sunday night with an automated Al Dunne than the Live DJ Barry Dunne on 98fm? Looks like one of 2 things is contributing to this situation. Either 98's show and presenter is second rate or Al and his VO skills and Trusty Harddrive are doing the bizz????

Answers anyone??

[Guest]

I have to say that I agree with Euan..

Some of you guys are obviously involved in commercial radio and can't see beyond your paychecks to appreciate what the guy is saying....

The fact that Euan may have difficulty explaining himself in a logical manner does not detract from his aguement.

98FM does automate almost half of their weekend programming - they do it well, but does it excuse it? I think no.

Today FM and 2FM cop out and play automated links and music overnight - is that a cop out? I think so.

The only station that does not use automation is FM104 - not, I suspect, for any strategic reasons, but because the haven't got the equipment to do it. Colm Hayes always swore that 104 would never automate but I'm sure that Dave would sell the station down the swaney if he thought that doing so would ingratiate himself with Dermot...

Couple of questions - why do 98's jocks go into automation even when they're there? Why does 2FM - the national pop radio station - pre-record its overnights, even though they still pay the jocks normal rate...and did Lite FM mention in its licence application that they would only be live for 12 hours per day?

I dont think that anyone could disagree that this is a worrying trend for the larger stations??

People are jumping up and down to try to shout Euan down but you're not really thinking about what he's saying - just because voice-tracking is used a lot in the UK does NOT mean that it's right. Maybe you should consider that you are actually talking yourselves into unemployment???

SB

[Guest]

The reason 104 don’t use it is as you rightly pointed out they can’t afford a new system at present but if they did you could be sure the overnighter would go.
I still stand by what i said that is on 98 the majority of the weekend is live. As for your point about DJs putting it in to automation whilst they are there, I have spoken to two of 98s jocks and they have never heard such nonsense so I don’t know where you got that. All jocks would have the system in live assist.
I can understand Euan point and i think everybody else understands the point he makes but you are forgetting one thing radio is a commercial business and if the station can get a Midweek Jock to voice track a two hour weekend gig and save themselves the hassle of paying a shift rate to some nobody well so be it as long as the end product on air sounds credible, which it does in most cases.

Always remember people radio is a business not a hobby for anoraks.

[Guest]

Where did he say they can't afford it??

[JNLR man]

Actually, Barry Dunne has more listeners for Backtrax on a Sunday night than Lite FM has now - thats according to the most recent full JNLR figures. 98 and 104 were neck and neck with Lite FM being wayyyyy behind.

[Euan Roberts]

Hi Spunk Box, at long someone has recognised my points, not I was sitting at home waiting for someone to agree with some of my points with this contensious topic of Voice-tracking and the quality of our presenters on Dublin commercial radio stations, such as 104,98,lite fm.

In relation to my the way i express my points, your right, I do have some difficulty i guess, they call it a learning problem. Hey, i'm looking for self-pity, just to point that some of my sentence can be misintrepreted the wrong way. Sorry anybody if you are having difficulty making out my points. I'm getting there. Thanks for your well-made points about Voice-tracking and Presenters. At least you understood Spunk Box.

Anyway, just want to say Spunk Box made a great point about DJ's not seeing beyond the paycheck, that is true. They take full advantage of this luxury by copping out by voice-tracking or being too damn lazy to add a bit of flair and creativity to their links. I guess being a presenter as you all know entails being an entertainer to the listening public. You gotta sell yourself in order for people to like and appreciate your show whether that be talk or a music-based program. More personal and engaging personalities is one of the key components to any successful station. I am sure owners and management of 104, 98, lite, are fully aware of this, but take the easy way out, by indulging in voice-tracking shows, having bland and boring presenters. And you know the worst thing about all this bureaucy in radio, these presenters are paid jolly handsome sums of money, ie 50 and 60 Euros to utter a few links on very predictable subjects such as the latest film or who is in bed with you. That is fine to talk about, but it depends how you say, and how entertaining you are prepared to be.

Radio presenters by the very nature have bloody big echoes and tend to indulge in self-praise and self- worth alot. In order words, they are best thing since sliced bread and nobody else could do their job as well as them. This is much too evident in radio stations and that is one of the problems with getting real talent on the radio. Men in their forties and fifites, who have put in 20 years experience as presenters on radio stations, and think because they have become a big name in radio and with some of their audience they are happy to sit on their asses and say very little but to spout out the same repititive links everyda.y It is so terrible beyond belief. Some of them should do broadcasting courses to teach them the art of how to be a good radio presenter. Instead of being told by their bosses what to say and what not to say and what not to play on the radio. In other words presenters are brain-washed into told it is not good to say very much on the radio, it looks better to let the music do the talking literally. I seriously hope this line of thinking is going to change very soon, because if it doesn't radio will just even sound more like a jukebox or an automated computer.

Presenters get paid well to perform for an audience not to say nothing or to talk rubbish like some of them. Lite , 104, 98, 2fm and today fm. All have some terrible presenters and should get rid of them. In fairness a couple are good such as Tom Dunne, Ray Darcy, Ian Dempsey, Jason Maine, Liam Quigley and Mike Moloney. The last person is good but he is wasted on Lite.


Finally, in relation to voice-tracking what do the management of these radio stations take the listening audience to be? Idiots or something. From far it, we are not, eventhough 95% of people t do tune in for a max of 15 minutes as an active listener and the rest as a passive one. That does not give them the right to play any old shite and serve us bad presenters on the radio. Scott Williams of Lite, Dermot Hanrahan of 104, Dan Healy of 98, Willie O'Reilly of Today FM and John Clarke of 2Fm, wake up and stopping pissing around with the minds of your loyal audiences or as Spunk Box rightly said, you won't have any audience left if you guys don't change your ways. I realise you have to make money and a profit, but not at the expense of offering the public a shameful kind of radio this is short on content.

Take a leaf out of BBC Radio 2 listen to how they make great and produce great radio.

Good Luck

Euan Roberts.

[DJ BassBox]

I wonder if Tim Kellys show on Today fm is voice tracked cos i keep hearing the same jokes(?) & comments every time i hear him on.

[Euan Roberts]

I guess it looks like i have stumbled across another one of those Love Affair freaks, where their music knowledge is a wide as my grannys ass. You call Celine Dion, Dion, Westlife, Boyzone, or Foreigner. Music thats overplayed and overplayed, how pathetic. its is played on bloody computer,and even worse its being voice-tracked. To be honest, with you, not that there is any truth in what you say, that Lite have more listeners than 98's Backtraxx on a sunday night. If you are right, i'd much rather listen to some good old gems on 98 than pure shite on lite at night. In addition, concerning your comment that Barry Dunne is voice-tracked, he is not, i checked, so there you are. Get your facts right. By the way i don't work for any radio station.

[Euan Roberts]

Ya, DJ BassBOx I guess Tim kelly forgot to change the page of his newspaper or script since he started on Today Fm. His links sound all the same and yes he is voice- tracked to make matters worse. Another thing, Tim should of noticed he is on radio not with his mates where he is more likely to get with such bad jokes. On radio his links are just full of flaws and obviously doesn't like talking too much. I surprised today Fm haven't given him his p45. Ah well thats commercial radio for you. Another guy being paid too much for such little work.

Euan Roberts

[Loopy Producer]

Euan

I'd like to know where you got your information. Tim Kelly is not voice tracked.

When do you think he changed to this. Euan I have nothing against you personally but perhaps you should wait until you have all your facts right until you go spouting facts.

Thanks for listening

Loopy

[Tim]

Not only is Tim Kelly NOT voicetracked, but Barry Dunne IS - apart from his daytime weekday shows.

Whoever is feeding you your info Ewan, is either misinformed themselves, or their taking the p**s out of you.

[Euan Roberts]

Personally Tim, and Loopy Producer, maybe it is you that are a bit niaeve about the amount of presenters that are voice-tracked. It is so well-done, where most of the time it is extremely difficult to notice any difference in the producation aspect of each show. As I was saying in my previous posts, creativity is stiffled, the listener can't get his of her reques played on the same night. Its basically Lite, Today FM, 98, 104 and 2Fm taking the cheap and easy route. It just makes of how low standards have become in national and commercial radio.

Can i also say Timmo, Are you suggesting that someone i have known for 20 years would take the piss out of me. I don't think so

Euan Roberts

[NoelRock]

Barry Dunne's weekend shows are definitely voicetracked.

Not sure about some of the night ones - especially over the Summer, because I e-mailed him a good few times with requests and they were read on air ... (?)

[Brian O'D]

Yeah, I think he voicetracks some, but not all, of his overnights.

[Guest]

Barry hasn't been on overnights for several weeks now, his 80s show is normally live, but he has been known to put the last 30 minutes into the computer and go home early!

[Tom]

Once again Euan,104 don't voicetrack,the only shows that aren't live are the best of shows,i think they are the only station,legal,that even have a totally live overnight show.

[Euan Roberts]

Tom,

Glad to hear, but it doesn't excuse the fact the station in general is pure shite, in addition its calibur of presenters, vo's and news. Not voice-tracking shows doesn't make them a better station. I know you are not suggesting such a thing, nor did you mention it in your posts. However, let me tell 104 they should seriously start looking at a complete radio make-over which should include most it not all of the above mentioned.

Apologies, if i strayed off the point, but why oh why is radio so bad, so pathetic in Dublin? What is their excuse? Oh i,m sorry they are in business so they have to make money and a profit. Hey wait a minute not at the expense of offering a diet of over- played chart sounds, to the stale format of the chat show. So they have 22% of the audience reach, big deal, doesn't make them a good station, just a station that has brainwashed its listeners through very effective markeing tools that's all.

Euan Roberts

[Terry]

Your postings are well thought out but then you go and say that “Dublin radio is shite” or that “Fm104 IS SHITE”. These are very general statements. Remember the listeners to both fm104 and 98fm for some obscure reason seem to be loyal and that shows in their respective figures over the last couple of years. As for the 22% figure you quoted well that speaks for itself in a city the size of Dublin, I don’t think that’s to bad.

You also mention the late night talk on both stations well it still beats the ratings in Dublin for any music show in the same time slot so it appeals to somebody and that’s what counts. You did mention that radio must appeal to different sections of society.

Do you have an axe to grind about Dublin radio because you really have nothing good to say about it? You spoke many times of how crap all the stations are so tell me what’s your ideal type of station, your dream team so to speak. I am

[Euan Roberts]

Terry,

All i was saying was Radio in Dublin is so uncreative with little or no imagination from any station to do something different and risky. Yes, risky, people in Dublin radio are afraid to be daring and stretch the boundaries in terms of music and presentation. Because if they do they would lose all those brain-washed listeners initially, but would probalby gain a whole new audience for whatever they decided to embark on. Do you see, most people listen to the radio in active form for 15 minutes, the rest is as a passive listener. No wonder, radio stations can get away with so much rubbish, such terrible presenters, quality of music, and news output.

Of course when a listener is active within the 15 minute segment, they will notice positives and negatives about the performance of a station. As you know, people in radio are very intelligent and can get into the minds of the listening public by playing certain tunes that will appeal to a female audience for advertising and retention purposes. It is a form of conditioning. It is the scientific end of radio. Radio programming consultants are big into this, but sadly their science tends to concentrate on the less creative side of radio such as the " Classic Hits " Format such as 98, or fm104 with their more Contemporary Hits Format. Sure these guys are employed by radio stations on a twice yearly basis to either reprogramme the music on the station, or to make certain songs more appealing or attractive to a specific female age category.

As for your comment about what would my ideal station be, well, something on the lines of BBC Radio 2. High quality mid-tempo up to date chart sounds, mixed with some good oldies from the 60's, 70's and 80's. Then you have a fine selection of very personable and engaging presenters that makes the listener very important. Of course you will have Vo's and station id's and presenter id's. Musical jingles preferalby catchy ones with male and female artists singing them. Remember Radio Nova's, those kind of ones. How about some Entertainment, Comedy, Listener review panel, and listener loyal rewards, you name it.That is for starters.


See what you make of that?


Euan Roberts

[Removed Member]

Euan, I love BBC Radio 2 also.

Why don't you ask RTE or THE BCI why we don't have one in Ireland?

[Monkey Man]

For the last time! You are really getting on my wick! You keep posting assuptions about station, jocks etc.

Well here it is from a jock: Barry Dunne used to be voice-tracked on overnights. Tim Kelly is live ALL THE TIME, if you listen carefully, there is a difference, you can hear background noises such as a pen clicking in his/her hand, air conditioning working away in the background- WHATEVER but you have to stop posting whatever you feel like. If you want to have a stab, have a go at Spin- they are the most voice-tracked, pre-recorded station on air. Even bloody Energy FM is live overnight! And stop saying crap like 'they're all taking the easy way out'. I can almost see you crying into your keyboard over radio- does it effect your life THAT much??? Finally, 104 do not voice-track shows. Whether it be that the powers in there won't pay for software or damn well want a live jock 24/7 THAT'S THEIR BUSINESS but jesus man, will ye just chill, sit back and try enjoy radio- seen as it seems to be the thing that floats your boat!

GOODNIGHT.

[Euan Roberts]

Hey at long last Monkey Man has surfaced from the jungle. That is nice of you to suggest I am getting on your wick. OH i am sorry I posted you some home- truths about the poor quality of our radio stations and the fact that some radio stations voice-track certain shows. Your now obsessed with voice-tracking, have i given you the voice-tracking bug or something? Or maybe my commentary is too much for you to handle. I enjoy making assumptions, because reaction comes out of doing that. Your right Tim Kelly is not voice-tracked. Does it really matter if he is or if he isn't? He's a weak presenter that offers little input to his listeners. Dustin could even manage a better job of presentation than Tim.

As for saying all stations are crap, they are Monkey Man. Are you crying on your keyboard now? Everynight I cry and cry, it is so depressing and emotionally difficult dealing with such a personal thing such as Radio. I'm attending a phyriarist of late to deal with this problem of being obessed with radio. He thinks i'm crazy and he reckons i'm heading for stardom. He reads my postings and cries to himself that he could have such a weird person like me as one of his clients. He embarassesd to talk when i ask about it at his weekly sessions. So radio can have a positive effect on one's life, if you call telling your phychriast about your radio obession. He's my biggest fan. Its great. I have converted a pysyriarst to the whole concept of radio.


Anyway, Monkey Man, Spin 1038 will get hammered by me in the next few days, because they have really asked for it literally speaking.

Happy Posting

ps: Don't be offended by my unusual commentary tonight, its all done in the best possible taste, honestly.

[Guest]

A few points -

Monkey Man - you obviously havent got the intellignce to engage in this debate - you have a fundamental inability to understand even the basic tenets of the discussion here. Your need to resort to abusing Euan demonstrates this. I'd say you'll be one of the lackeys who eventually drifts out of radio in a few years disruntled because there are no opportunities for you to get on air anymore as all the stations will be in automation. Your attempt to ally yourself with station management is risible as you are obviously not management material..

98FM DO automate the majority of their weekend programming.
Barry Dunne's overnight show is automated and he does leave at 9.30 on a Sunday night..- why is this? Would it hurt to hang on for the extra half an hour? The breakfast shows are automated at the weekends, Enda Murphy can regularly be seen marauding around the Stephen's Green Centre on a Saturday afternoon and I even saw him once having a haircut while his voice was playing out of the speakers in the Green - can anyone tell me this is right????

From 5pm on Saturday until 10AM the following morning 98 is in automation..

Get the facts right!

You may think that Euan is an easy target but there are big issues at stake here, not least the degeneration of radio programming in Ireland into recorded pap..

And why do 2FM automate ovenight when they pay full shite rate???

And, does anyone know if Lite told the BCI that they would be automated 50% of the time??


Real answers only please!

[Euan Roberts]

Hello Spunk Box, 'd like to agree with you concerning Euan's Very interesting commentary of late. He may not of made some points very clear but i guess he was doing his best and full marks to him.

I think the likes of monkey Man, are just running scared now the fact that a person like Euan can be honest enoughabout the terrible state of radio in Dublin. For example Voicetracking many shows, are badly put together , Poor quality of music, and bascially awfully bad presenters who many are in this business to make money and be as uncreative as possible. I blame management for this. Most of these people in the radio hierachy have bloody big egos and should quickly learn to lose them. I met some of them and they digust me with their Superior attititudes towards other people like me that may not be blessed with being an expert on radio. I am happy i'm not.

Concerning spunk Box's valid points about voice-tracking, yes the majority of 98 weekend programming is voicetracked. In adition, lite Fm apparently voice-tracks their Sunday Arts show at 8am and Weekend Magazine program at 9am. These shows are recorded on Wedneday that week. As we all know already. the majority of the love affair shows are voicetracked during the week. What a cop out these stations engage in. Then they wonder why we the listener are so sick of hearing the same links, music, and vo's everyday.

One last point, lite FM's branding of its station in terms of jingles and vo's is a joke. They have never once changed their jingle package since coming on air in May 25 2000. These jingles sound very cheesy and bland and i guess they suit the repitive and terrible music output of lite Fm at present.

Spunk box i'm not sure about this 50% voice-tracking from lite FM. I guess they are far off it at present. But there may some truth in what your saying about lite

[The Real Stuttering John]

Voicetracking, the death of radio?

From Sunday's New York Times: "If Clear Channel, the largest owner of radio stations in the country, gets its way, live radio in New York may no longer be live. Or from New York. The company, which owns five popular stations in the city, wants to replace live disc jockeys with prepackaged shows that use voice-tracking...

"'They want to destroy local radio,' said Peter Fuster, a New York negotiator for the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists...

"The practice, which some call cyberjock, is neither new nor untested. The difference is the sophistication of digital editing, the distribution of high-speed networks and the conglomeration of stations.

"Clear Channel, which owns 1,230 stations and is present in 90 percent of the nation's radio markets, already uses voice-tracking in every one of its 255 markets except New York. That's because stations in the city have union contracts barring its use...

"But the union contracts for Power 105.1 (WWPR-FM), Lite FM 106.7 (WLTW-FM) and KTU (WKTU-FM) have all expired, and Clear Channel is refusing to renew them unless voice-tracking is permitted...

"Depending on the market size and stature, an on-air personality can make $5,000 to $70,000 a year voice-tracking a show for an outside station. 'We don't mind the concept of voice-tracking in the sense that we'll gladly export our voices,' said a D.J. from Lite FM, the city's highest-ranked station. 'We just want to be the talent pool.'

Will voicetracking eventually kill Radio in Ireland and elsewhere and the jobs that go with it except for thr big voices who will earn more? I know the UK has restrictions on voice tarcking. what about here?

[Liamo]

I love it when there's a new name for old hat!

"Voice tracking" is basically pre-recorded shows (with particular sentences thrown in to make it seem "local")

The old pirates used to do that! And Terry Wogan was slated for doing it on Century!

Hopefully the owners and managers of the Irish stations (I think that amounts to 2 companies in total) will realise that Ireland has more cop on than the yanks and would detest it!

Sorry if the above is an over-generalisation, but some of the American trends are so annoying and hair-brained......

[Pierce]

maybe they can voice track the overnight programming but during the day when they get most listeners they need real live dj that you can call with your requests. Ireland need to set some rules on voice tracking. What are the uk Rules?

[Anorak]

Originally posted by Euan Roberts
Personally Tim, and Loopy Producer, maybe it is you that are a bit niaeve about the amount of presenters that are voice-tracked. It is so well-done, where most of the time it is extremely difficult to notice any difference in the producation aspect of each show.

Can i also say Timmo, Are you suggesting that someone i have known for 20 years would take the piss out of me. I don't think so

Euan Roberts

Anyone else miss Euan? No me neither, but I have been reading through old posts and came across this gem. If voice-tracking is so well done that you don't notice the difference, what exactly was Euan's problem with it?

The personality makes the radio link work or fail, whether s/he's voicetracked or live.

[frankie says relax]

Euan dose make some valid points but he strikes me as a very jealous failed wannabee wholl have a go at anybody .
NOOOO i dont miss him ........

[NoelRock]

In my opinion, Euan may be still here... either in a lurking, non-posting stance. Or perhaps under a new name and identity - keeping his views more low-key than before...

[Billy Dane]

I don't think Euan would be ABLE to stay lowkey. He tried it before but he always ended up losing it.

Voice tracking is here to stay...can't see the problem with it for most shows actually.