Previously, I was a reporter and producer with KALW, WSJ, Spotify, GBH, Reveal, PRX, etc; and I now currently do freelance audio journalism and podcast production work throughout the Bay Area. I’ve conducted dozens of tape syncs and hundreds of interviews in all sorts of sonic environments. Tape sync and recording clients have included Audacy, CBC, Freakonomics, Kerning Cultures, PBS, Pineapple Street Studios, Saveur, Slate, Sonic Union, The New Yorker Radio Hour, Ultraviolet, WaitWhat, WYNC.
I take pride in being able to help interviewers and interviewees figure out unforeseen issues — and technology — on the fly, and make needed adjustments for the best interview and recording quality possible. This includes carefully listening to the surrounding environment to ensure no planes, trains, sirens, buzzes, fuzzes, flubs, or blips interfere with the interview. And I always make sure to come into a guest’s home or personal space with warm professionalism.
Additionally, if needed, I can put on my ‘reporter hat’ and capture any ambi / b-roll / scene tape if you’re working on something more sound-rich and need those ‘live action’ sounds and scenes for your production.
Here are MP3s of raw tape from syncs I recorded using 1) both a Sennheiser MKE600 Shotgun Mic and a RE50B mic (for options) for a Freakonomics story 2) a SM58 mic for a Pineapple Street Studios story, and 3) a RE50B mic for a CBC story. I prefer the sound and cardioid integrity of the shotgun mic for tape syncs these days, but whatever you’d like to use works for me!
I have my own car to get on-site, and I work with the following equipment:
- Zoom H5 Recorder
- Zoom H1n Recorder
- Sennheiser MKE600 Shotgun Mic
- Shure SM58 Cardioid Dynamic Microphone (2 are available for a two-way interview)
- Electro-Voice EV-RE50b Omnidirectional Dynamic Microphone
- Sennheiser Headphones
- Mic stands
- Macbook Pro (2021 OSX Ventura)
- Pro Tools
I like to arrive at least 30 minutes early to get set up and deal with unforeseen issues. 1 – 2 minutes of room tone will always be collected at the end of the interview. Turnaround of raw .Wav files is within 24 hours. You can let me know your preferred recording specifications (e.g. 16-bit/44.1kHz).
A couple additional / bonus things. I can patch my ZoomH5 directly into a guest’s computer (as an audio interface) if you want the microphone to feed directly into Riverside, Squadcast, or another remote/local podcast recording service; a backup .WAV file recorded directly to the computer will be included, as well. I am also equipped to record a 4K iPhone video of the guest (on a tripod positioned in front of them) if that is helpful to your production.
Regarding fees: I try to follow the Tape Syncers United Fair Rates Guide for fees (if you haven’t already provided a rate). Instant upload of interview recordings/files can be provided for an additional $40. 4K video can be provided for an additional $100 fee. Fees for additional ambi / b-roll / scene tape can be discussed. 48 hours notice requested for cancellations.
Please let me know if you have any questions. Happy to schedule this time as soon as you are. If you’d like to confirm, please let me know, and I will book the time! And if you could please tell me in a sentence or two what the interview/episode is about, that would be great.
Cheers!
Jonathan Davis
hi@radio.jdavis.online
305.282.0522