That "Internal Clock" do you still use yours?

Michael Strah

It was enlightening to see LaFontaine talking at the tail of that interview in the other post about the "internal clock". Probably still one of the best skills you can develop. I prefer to use mine over any count up or count down clock. It's fun to watch a producer's face when you tell them how long a passage was without having a timer.
So who still uses theirs in this modern day?
And if you don't have one yet, I recommend developing it for all times and not just 10 or 30 sec blocks. You'll be glad you did.

David Oxford

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007, 06:32 (GMT) Post subject:

My intuitions on hitting '30's are still pretty good. But, I let ProTools do the confirmation.

Besides, there are few occasions where a single take on a '30 is even necessary anymore.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007, 06:40 (GMT) Post subject:

I'm still pretty damn good at nailing a 60. I don't like pickups. It's pretty amazing when you read something and the engineer says... damn... 60 on the nose! Makes you feel good.

Connie Terwilliger · Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007, 06:45 (GMT) Post subject:

59 and a half...

Frank Frederick · Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007, 08:24 (GMT) Post subject:

Amen Connie.

I enjoy seeing the producer's face also when you hit it right on, and then they ask for another take "a little shorter, say do it in :58 so we can let the music swell", and you nail taht one too. Priceless!

Toodles

Frank Frederick
"The Voice" tm

Lee Gordon · Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007, 09:18 (GMT) Post subject:

I still use the ole internal clock but not as much as I used to in the days before digital editing.

I do remember one time being in the studio cutting a spot that had a particularly tight time requirement (what else is new) and I did one take that was a bit long so the engineer asked me to do a faster take. So I cut one that was something like 2.2 seconds faster but it sounded rushed and I really only needed to pick up 1 second. The engineer asked for one that "split the difference" and the next take came out exactly 1.1 seconds faster than the original and 1.1 seconds slower than take 2. We allowed the client to believe that I was capable of precision timing down to a tenth of a second when, in fact, it was pure dumb luck.

Kara Edwards · Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007, 14:25 (GMT) Post subject:

I often hear my biological clock ticking...is that the same thing?

For the record, I had to develop an internal clock while in radio...but I'm not nearly as precise as many of you!

Michael Strah · Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007, 15:26 (GMT) Post subject:

"I often hear my biological clock ticking...is that the same thing?"

Not unless you have a family of 15 or 30!

Lee Gordon · Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007, 17:35 (GMT) Post subject:

Kim White · Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007, 19:22 (GMT) Post subject:

Yes, my husbasnd was very frustrated during my radio days. He said every time I "hit the post" it left a dent in the van. How nice it was to be able to feel what :07, :19, and :23 were...

Michael Strah · Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007, 21:52 (GMT) Post subject:

"How nice it was to be able to feel what :07, :19, and :23 was..."

My wife says the same thing, but I think she is talking about something else.

David Oxford · Posted: Sat Sep 08, 2007, 21:55 (GMT) Post subject:

Matt Cowlrick · Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007, 12:55 (GMT) Post subject:

Does anyone have any suggestions on how you can further develop your internal clock?

I gradually find myself having a better idea of where 30 seconds is and at what pace I have to read something to fit it in or stretch it out. I have a lot of trouble picking 15secs...you'd think it would be easy, being half of 30...

Is that the key to getting the hang of it? Again and again and again and again etc.?

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007, 13:13 (GMT) Post subject: