Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are they called “Figures”?

A: For many years, in the world of competitive Figure Skating, skaters had to learn and execute certain Compulsory Figures, such as the Figure 8, that demonstrated their technical skills and physical and mental control.

Similarly, EVT Figures for Voice™ are exercises used to learn and demonstrate the many elements of voice production—the Estill Voice Model in action!

Q: What is the difference between a Course and a Workshop?

A: EI-certified Courses include Level One—Figures for Voice, and Level Two—Figure Combinations for Six Voice Qualities. These Courses, though valuable to any audience, are required for anyone pursuing EVT certification, and as such, workbooks are required, attendance is logged and attendance certificates are issued. A Workshop is a less formal Estill learning experience and is not part of the certification path.

Q: I studied Estill Voice Training™ Levels 1 and 2 several years ago, and I have the old books. I am trying to buy this year's books, since I know that they include new aspects, but I can't find them in your web site. Can you please tell me how I can order these books?

A: The new workbooks are sold only in conjunction with Level 1 and 2 Courses.

Q:  How do I become certified in EVT?

A:  There are 3 possibilities for certification in Estill Voice Training™: 1) Certificate of Figure Proficiency, 2) Certified Master Teacher, 3) Certified Course Instructor.  Click this link (cert-at-a-glance) to learn more about each of the levels.  We advise taking Estill Level One & Level Two courses at least once before proceeding to certification.

Q:  Is Jo Estill still teaching?

A:  After years of exhaustive teaching & research, Jo Estill has retired.  Her appearances at current Estill events are cherished.

VI  VOICEPRINT™ - ESTILL  VOICEPRINT™+

Q: Do you recommend a certain microphone for use with Voiceprints?

A1 (simple): Almost any inexpensive microphone that plugs directly into your computer will do. You local electronics store (Best Buy, Radioshack, etc.) should carry a variety of models. The main thing to look for when purchasing a microphone is that it has an impedance of 600 Ohms or less, which should be clearly marked on the package.

A2 (technical): The most important characteristic of a microphone to be used with a Windows computer and the Voiceprint™ program is its electrical characteristic of impedance. Impedance is measured in Ohms, which is the electrical resistance of the microphone circuitry. Most Windows computer sound cards are designed to be used with a microphone having an impedance of 600 Ohms or less. If the microphone impedance is more than 600 Ohms, its performance with the sound card will be very poor regardless of the cost or quality of the microphone. The usual symptom of such a mismatch is a nearly inaudible audio signal from the sound card.

Inexpensive microphones with impedances of 600 Ohms or less are widely available. In the United States, the Radio Shack® stores carry a large selection of these microphones. Generally these are consumer grade microphones with a reasonably accurate frequency response from about 60 Hz to 15 kHz. Such microphones are adequate for use with the Voiceprint™ program and have the advantage that they can be plugged directly into the computer sound card without the need for an external preamplifier.

Professional grade microphones are also available with improved frequency response from approximately 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This improved frequency response is desirable but will have little noticeable effect on the Voiceprint™ displays. The difference in the audio spectrum below 60 Hz might be a decibel or two, and the audio spectrum above 15 kHz is of no concern since the Voiceprint™ upper frequency display limit is 5 kHz. Also, professional grade microphones will almost certainly require the use of an external preamplifier since they will generally have a high electrical impedance of thousands of Ohms. Performance of these microphones without a preamplifier will be disappointing at best.

Still, many users will prefer a professional grade microphone due to the added assurance of manufacturing quality and well-documented performance, and in this case a high quality preamplifier must be acquired. Fortunately, a large selection of preamplifiers designed mainly for the music recording industry is now becoming available. Though not the only source, M-Audio at http://www.m-audio.com has a good selection of preamplifiers designed specifically for use with professional microphones and computer sound cards. The "Audio Buddy" model is a good, basic preamplifier and the "DMP3" model is a first-rate professional preamplifier. Similar models can be found from other manufacturers on the Internet.

Q: Can Estill Voiceprint™ be used with a Mac?

A: Voiceprint™ can be used on the new Intel-based MAC's that are able to emulate Windows using "Bootcamp."  The older MAC's are not able to run Estill Voiceprint™. Bootcamp is a Macintosh program that allows Windows programs to be run on the new MACs that use the OSX operating system.  A good article about Bootcamp and its requirements can be found on Wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boot_Camp.

Do you have specific questions about the voice that have not been answered here?