Frequently Asked Questions

Why Hire Chad?

Chad has been a radio announcer since the age of 19. While in Los Angeles, he was a radio Program Director for a station in the Los Angeles metro area. He has been trained by some of the nation's top video game directors and radio consultants.

Chad is also a professionally trained stand-up comedian and has performed in showcases at the Comedy Store in Hollywood, CA. This gives him the creative edge to bring your script to life. He has taken several public speaking and writing seminars including Greg Dean's Comedy and Writing Workshop.

So when your project absolutely has to be done on time and within budget, without sacrificing quality, Chad Letts produces results that will exceed expectations.

Can I hear what the product will sound like before I buy?

Yes. Upon request, Chad will send you mp3 demos for you and/or your client to review, and if you have a script, he will send you a sample read before any kind of commitment is made. That way you know what you’re getting up front.

What kind of equipment do you use?

Many industry standard software and hardware applications are used, such as an M-Audio High Definition soundcards and recording interfaces, a Behringer Eurorack Mixer, AKG Mics, and digital voice compression in Pro Tools 8, SoundForge 10 and Audition 3.0, along with several plugins, including AutoTune 4 (for the "T-Pain" effect).

How long does it take to receive finished files once I email a script?

Generally speaking, projects are finished in less than one business day and files will be delivered to you within 24 hours of reciept of your script. For larger projects that require special effects or post-production editing, the process may be slightly longer. Call or email today to discuss your project for a more exact timetable.

What file formats does Chad use?

It is recommended--and most clients prefer--to have your files delivered in high quality .wav files. It offers the most clarity, plus the flexibility to save in other formats.

That being said, you can also have files deliverd in the following formats: .aa3, .aif (AIFF), .dig, .vox, ac3, .flac, .ivc, .msv, mp4, .m2v, .m2t, .mpa, .mpg, .mp3, .au, .ogg, .raw, .rm, .wav, .mxf, .pca, .w64, .avi, .wma, and .wmv. If you're looking for a format that is not listed, chances are it can still be delived in your desired file format. Just ask!

Can you produce a radio commercial?

Yes. I have been in radio broadcasting since 1999 and have produced thousands of radio ads in that time. All files are created using a digital audio production facility where music and effects can be added.

Whether you need that professional sound that you're just not getting from your local radio station's production guy, or you need a hard to find sound effect, I will deliver big market results.

I need numerous small voice files such as station liners or phone prompts. Am I charged per file?

No. The files are billed as one project, so the final price depends on the length of the project. There may be an additional fee if you want files individually saved and formated with specific names to insert into an IVR or phone system, as this can be time intensive. All pricing will be agreed upon before work starts so there will be no surprises or hidden fees.

Do you charge for revisions?

The first client revision will be done at no extra cost, but each subsequent client revision will be subject to a revision fee based on the size and length of the project.

How do I know how long my script is?

At a natural speed, the average spoken word per minute (WPM) is somewhere around 160. Sometimes clients want to squeeze a little extra information into a radio or TV commercial, so to make it all fit, the pace of the read has to be increased. Keep that in mind as you write your script.

In order to ensure your script is read the way you want it to be, spell everything out as words, particularly phone numbers (ie, 2324 can be spoken as “two three two four” or “twenty three twenty four”), and put any notes for pronunciation, tone or emphasis at the top or in the margins of the page.

Do you shoot and edit video for TV commercials?

No. Chad's area of expertise is in audio recording and editing. However, Chad works closely with Los Angeles based videographers. If you would like more information about TV commercial production, Chad can often negotiate a discounted price. Found out how by contacting Chad today!

How will you bill me and how do I pay?

Bills and invoices are sent via PayPal so you can pay with a credit or debit card. You do not need a PayPal account to pay using PayPal. If you are part of a larger organization such as a cable company or advertising agency, a regular invoice/check system can be set up once the business relationship has been established.

Can I use you for production but use someone else's voice? Or vise versa?

Absolutely! I have relationships with many voice actors coast to coast and produce commercials with their voices on a regular basis. If you have a voice actor you've worked with in the past, just send an uncompressed .wav file to have your radio commercial produced. It's that easy!

If it's the other way around, you can forward the dry voice file to your producer or ad agency and they will take care of the rest.