Next- on the Sonic Society

Did you all have that announcer/narrator-voice in your head? I did, but then again that is how I do all my thinking- in the "announcer-voice".

"Today- we find Dani on an excursion she will not soon forget- to the bank. But NO! You think she is going to withdraw money... when in fact the tables turn and she finds herself actually depositing funds into her account."

OK.... It's 1:30 in the morning- this is what you get. There is a reason I listen to radio drama, and do not write it. ;-)

OK, before everyone runs off screaming and I fall asleep on my keyboard- there is an old friend of the Society returning for some more B-movie fun... Schlock Theatre and "House of Wax".

Then, before the next episode of Yankee Clipper, there is an interview. I'm confused on exactly who the interview is with however... as the show notes tell two different tales. I for one am going to root for the latter of the two that I saw in the notes. Otherwise I'm just going to have a red embarrassed face all evening... (now ya wanna look, don'tcha?)

Well, the only way to find out the truth in this dilemma is to LISTEN! Tonight! 8pm eastern!

Geez, I gotta get to bed.. I haven't been this incoherent since my wedding day.

LINK

New Audio Drama Podcast Directory

Found this bit off the Podcasting news site:


Dramapod- where you can find, listen to, and review audio drama podcasts.
I see a few addicts have made it in the directory all ready... and I see I've got a few to add... :-)

LINK

Battlestar Galactica Fan Project

It's a good information day for the addict! Did y'all know there is a Battlestar Galactica Fan Series out there? Well- there is! (Forgive me if everyone is saying "well duh we knew that", I'm a little slow on the sci-fi front... )

Anywho... the authors of this 12-part series are looking for a few good voices. Here's an idea of what they are looking for:

Episode 1 is narrated by the author and includes selected voices from some of the leaders of Galactican fandom. Other key fandom personalities will appear throughout follow-on episodes.

30-ish military commander – overly stiff in his voice deliver (a fairly extensive role through two episodes).

A 50 year old military commander, distinctive leadership voice (one scene). A 20-ish male investigator (one scene).

A Moses type, powerful voice with overwhelming pursuation (plays a minor role in one episode and is a key figure in two more).

A happy-go-lucky rogue with a slight Jamaican accent (key figure throughout several scenes in entire series).

A female officer who can perform the caring, motherly role with a (correction: with sympathy) tone. (she is a secondary character throughout the series)

A snakish politician who can deliver good sounding statements with an aura of being a con-man (also a secondary character but one that exists throughout the entire series).

A goddess (literally) with the sweetest and most sensual voice an actress can muster (a key role in one episode).

A commanding voice with a very slight British accent. Failing this, we could go for a hint of an Eastern European accent. (A key role in two episodes).

For more information:
LINK

More goodies! New teasers from DRE

Jonithan Russell and the gang at Dream Realm Enterprises have been working their collective boo-tays off to get some awesome new shows out for our listening pleasure. The first being a new episode of their Dr. Who series.
You know, I keep denying that I'm a sci-fi fan... yet I'm starting to think I'm as big of a hypocrite about that as most politicians are about their talking points. ;-)

Listen to the "War Torn" Trailer

Also, a teaser is out for something that is RIGHT up my alley! Shadows and darkness, a tickle from the hairs on the back of your neck standing, and mysterious night creatures...

Listen to the "Soleil" Teaser


You can get more information on these and other excellent shows coming our way by DRE at their main site!

LINK

New website offering FREE audiobooks

Ooh. Now THIS was a find. The authors of "Podcasting for Dummies" have created a website featuring FREE serialized audio books- and FREE of digital rights management. All authors featured on the site have given their permission, and have their own rights to their work.

"All the files you find here on Podiobooks.com are and will remain DRM free, if for no other reason than this: we want you to be able to enjoy and share the files forever, and to be able to share them with others," notes the Podiobooker blog. "Our model for success does not assume everyone downloading and sharing files are criminals, nor are we hanging our hats on single-unit sales of anything. Share and enjoy!"


I noticed that Paul Story's book "Tom Corven" is there- I first learned about this author from The Small World Podcast, and it's a great book! There is also a section for publishing your own audiobook on the site- heads up writers!

~drool~ So much to listen to... so little time....

LINK

Blog updates... and a shameless plea

Been working on the links... added a few new ones I hope you will all take a peek. If anyone can think of others to add, please comment and let me know!

For those who listen to Sonic Society on the radio... you might want to check out this week's podcast. Because of requirements with other esteemed Society members, they have to mix up the podcast a bit. So as a special treat they are running the Addict's Addicts' (there is an English jumble for ya- please feel free to correct it) personal favorite- Biff Straker and Spaceways!

It's a 6-parter, so make sure you keep checking in to the podcast, and I'll of course keep you informed of when they are uploaded. ;-)


Now for the shameless plea part (pulling out her grotesquely cute photo) I want to link with you!
I've been doing this blog now for, well 7 months now... and I am loving how it has taken a life of its own. It's gone so much further than just a fan blog for one show- it has become exactly what the Society set out to do- get the word out about the one thing we all have in common and love- radio drama. I've tried to even go beyond that with making this place as informative as possible about all things audio as well.

So, if you agree- show everyone who hits your websites and blogs how awesome you think this blog is by linking to me! See that kitten? Take a good look at the kitten... You can't deny the kitten.. that's exactly the look in my eyes right now...

As always, your comments and recommendations are encouraged and appreciated! I get some great emails, but remember you can leave your thoughts right here for everyone to see!

OK- plea over. Time to work on my next blog. :-)

Dani

New Web Look, Same Great Radio Drama

Lookie! Jack left everyone a note on the newly-designed Sonic Society webpage!
Go and see... it looks great!

The podcasting is still coming along famously, and you can now link to either Radio Memories OR directly to the Sonic Society podcasts. So, catch up on the shows you have missed, and subscribe so you can continue to get shows in the future! Feeds are up on the Sonic website, or just glance a little to the right to get to them from here. :-)



Then there is the show in store for us Tuesday! We go visit our friends at Decoder Ring Theatre for another adventure with The Red Panda. Then we continue to sail the mysterious seas in the 4th episode of The Yankee Clipper.

Whew! Lots of things happening with the Society! But once that snowball starts rolling, it's hard to slow it down.

And that's a good thing. :-)

~Dani

Cars becoming more audio addict-friendly

"Play radio drama playlist" could be the words my children hear coming out of my mouth in the near-future, according to a CNet article I found today. A bit from the article:

"Last week, for example, Toyota partnered with a relatively unknown voice-search specialist, called VoiceBox, in Bellevue, Wash. In development for roughly three years, VoiceBox's technology differs from established voice tech on the market because it allows people to speak conversationally to operate car electronics, rather than having them memorize and deliberately sound out commands.

The two companies are developing natural-speech technologies for Toyota's cars, but Pisz would only say that they'll become more common in cars within the next few years. "We're evaluating it at the highest levels," he said.


VoiceBox recently signed a major deal with XM Satellite Radio to add voice-search capability to its channel-rich service, which is available to more than 6 million people in the United States, many of whom listen in the car.

VoiceBox has also teamed with Johnson Controls, one of the biggest technology suppliers to the auto industry. One early product of their deal is a node that lets people search music on Apple Computer's iPod by voice in the car. The product is expected to be available this year.

"Wherever you have a large menu of files to choose from--song files, phone contacts, local directories--voice technology is inevitable," said Veerender Kaul, research manager for advanced auto technology at Frost & Sullivan, a research firm.

Certainly, for car navigation systems has been around for years, as it has for call centers. Many high-end to midrange vehicles like Lexus and Honda's Acura include voice command features for driving directions. But those technologies have long delivered a frustrating experience to consumers, thanks to a limited vocabulary of commands or poor recognition of synonyms and accents."

Hmm.. I wonder if I should just set up a playlist to the command "Don't make me pull this car over!"
~Dani

LINK

Sonic Society Podcast Returns

Very reliable sources tell me that podcasts of Sonic Society are up and running again! You can find them through the very generous and wonderful Radio Memories Network's Channel Three. Two previous replacement podcasts are back up, as well as Meeting 14 from back in December. More will be on their way- keep checking the Radio Memories link, or subscribe!!

Links:
Meeting #2
Meeting #9
Meeting #14

Radio Memories Home Page


Happy Listening!
~Dani

Oh geez how could I forget??

You know how when you stop and change your focus you remember something very important that you missed before?

Wellllll... silly me went away to make my kiddies lunch... and well as I was slapping the PB on the J I realized I COMPLETELY FORGOT TO MENTION THE INTERVIEW PORTION OF THE SHOW!

*smacks forehead with hand*
So- for those of you wanting to hear the interviewers interview themselves about their beginnings, and what they are dreaming about for the future (and I know that you do), this is yet another great reason to tune in to the Sonic Society tomorrow night! ;-)

OK, I'm late for my electric-shock therapy- later!

Tuesday's Installment of Sonic Society

OK, I'm having a block- I can't think of anything catchy or witty for this entry about tomorrow's show- so I'll hand the reigns over to our humble host, and his always well-written show notes.

I will say that if "Jack Hardcastle" is anything like Texas Radio Theatre's "Dragon Song" then we are in for yet another great evening of radio drama.




Perhaps I just need a vacation! (yes I know I just got back from one... )

However, stowing-away on the Yankee Clipper and being a part of that adventure sounds very appealing right now... :-)

Since I can't escape in reality, I guess I will just have to escape in my mind, and through my ears tomorrow night.


Well, what do you know, there might have been something a bit catchy there...

...and speaking of satellite radio

Get out of your car! Apparently that is where most people do their listening. It's true! I have many a morning after taking my kids to school, sat in my driveway finishing a segment on my favorite morning talk show. Sure, I could turn it on in the house, but quite frankly in your car you are a captive audience.

Satellite also understands that when people are not in their cars, they are still listening- just not to them. So they solved the problem, with portable satellite players no bigger than an iPod or other mp3 player.

They are also attempting to make this affordable. They had better, after all you are all ready paying $12.95 a month for the service to begin with, as well as needing a receiver all ready. Some devices start at only $50.

Me? Well I'm not ready to make the jump to satellite yet. (doesn't that sound practically sci-fi?) I'll stick to my mp3 player and all my podcasts.

Actually what will be sci-fi turned reality is when we just have radio chips planted in our heads to listen. No more annoying earbuds. It's coming people, and you heard it here first!! ;-)

LINK to article

Tension growing between music industry and digital radio

Well it seems the music industry is now worried about digital and satellite radio, and the ability to make copies of songs heard through radio streams. From the CNET Article:

"At issue are new devices that can record and save high-quality digital copies of tunes as they're being broadcast by these new networks. Recording executives are worried that consumers might increasingly opt to make such copies instead of purchasing the music on a commercial CD or from a download store like Apple Computer's iTunes."

"For now, the most pressing issues focus on whether digital broadcasts can be legally recorded and archived. For instance, a new device from Sirius radio called the S50 lets people save individual songs. Sirius and the RIAA are in negotiations over this device.

XM Satellite Radio pulled a PC-based radio receiver from the market last year over music-copying concerns, and the company says none of its devices can now be used to transfer and store content on a computer. XM says it is happy to continue talking to the record industry about its products.

"The year 2006 will be one of negotiation between satellite radio and the music industry," said XM spokesman Nathaniel Brown. "Music is an important partner for XM, and we look forward to continuing our discussions with them in hopes of arriving at a business solution that fits everyone."

Similarly, radio broadcasters are worried about RIAA proposals to change the way digital radio is sent over the air. Labels have proposed several ideas, ranging from a "broadcast flag"-like marker in digital broadcasts, which would prevent recordings from being traded online, to wholesale encryption of radio streams to prevent recording."

This will be an interesting debate to follow. I know I have recorded shows before that are streamed, and there are several programs around ( as I am sure any true audio addict knows all ready), to aid you in editing as needed. It may be the music industry worrying at the moment, but this could potentially effect anyone who has a radio show streamed on the web or satellite.

LINK to article

This Show Has Soul!

Oy... getting your life in order after being away for over two weeks is a SLOW process. But I am back to my labor of love, and sit here happily posting as I am finally getting around to listening to last week's episode! Quite interesting so far... based on the description- I believe I have a couple martians in my neighborhood! Come to think of it, there's a faint smell of Old Spice in the air every time I step out the door in sunny Arizona... :-)


I had to make sure I listened before tomorrow's show- I realized that Yankee Clipper has begun, and I certainly do not want to listen out of order! Before that however, we head back to the bowling alley where the Divine ladies of the Soul Patrol take us on another adventure into the spiritual unknown, as well as introducing us to a new recruit who is certain to shake things up from now on...

I'm so excited to get back on track with my Tuesday evening addiction! It's nice to take a vacation now and again, but it's always good to come home to the things and routines I know and love.


You know where I'll be tomorrow- come and join me!
~Dani

Happy New Year!

Just a short post to say THANK YOU to the "addict's addict" (teehee you're so cute Dave) for keeping this place hopping while I was away!!! I loved coming on to the blog and feeling like I never left- thank you thank you THANK YOU!!!

I also can't wait to catch up- at this very moment I have gone back in time and am listening to the December 20th broadcast! But I will hold off on the show from this past Tuesday, that way me and my favorite listening buddy can sync up our computers and listen together. :-)

Then it's back on track with next Tuesday! WoooT!

It's good to be home, I only wish I could have brought the snow with me...

It is a NEW YEAR, from the addicts addict

Martian Music (Martian Trombone and Yankee Clipper Episode 1)

This upcoming episode I am highly anticipating. Martian Music will be something new to my ears. The Yankee Clipper I have heard too. But that was a taste, and what I now anticipate is the full menu.

I can't wait. Hopefully I'll be awake, working graveyard gets in the way of my sonic enjoyment. This Martian Music should be interesting as well. Life on Mars being familiar to life here, but you don't miss the cold. For climate warm fuzzies, Minnesota has the comforts of home. Climate that is. One of the problems that beget Mars was global freezing. On the other hand, the assimilates here are guaranteeing a warm climate for themselves in global warming.

"There is no dark side of the moon, in fact, it's all dark" says Pink Floyd.

Could be where the Martians are camping out. I mean look at them, thin, gray, huge eyes. No pigmentation, no need to eat, and the peepers allow them to see in the dark. Ever wonder why they are only sighted at night, hmmm, privy?

In the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy there is a heading, I believe in section two, sub a, Galaxy Dept: "It is highly advised that no one visit earth at this present time". Fair heads up I guess, too late for me though. I have been assimilated now for nearly 47 years.



Have a great New Year