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ISDN Voiceover Studio in Bath for Hire

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ISDN, Source Connect and Cleanfeed, Air Conditioned Voiceover & ADR Studio in Bath. To book call 01225 470011 or use the contact form below. Email: jono@soundsvisual.com
Audio can be recorded and delivered straight after session – 24bit raw or edited.
Microphones include Neumann U87, Sennheiser MKH416, Beyer201, Rode NT2A, ElectroVoice RE50, Beyer M10 and Shure SM58.
Sound Devices and Focusrite Clarett 8 pre Audio Interfaces, Logic Pro & Reaper DAWs, Davinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro. ADAM monitoring.
Audio editing and sound design services available as well as comprehensive music and FX library.

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Some of the best sites for finding the sound effects you need fast

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Here’s a useful list of some of the best sites for finding and downloading sound effects for your production.

Terminolgy…and the small print

Royalty free when applied to sound effects usually means that you purchase the sound for a ‘flat fee’ and then you the ‘purchaser’ can use that audio on any number of productions without paying further fees or royalties. However you need to check the licensing terms before purchase to be clear what you can and can’t do. For example with Pond 5 you can use their sound effects on any number of productions, and as with most libraries that licence is restricted to what they refer to as 1 ‘seat’. With Pond5, a “seat” is a ‘single user, person, or computer, hard drive accessible to one person. A “seat” cannot be shared, or passed along. Each new user of the content is an additional “seat” and that licence is limited to one person using it.’ If you need more seats you can buy an extended licence.

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Pond5

Explore the world’s largest collection of royalty-free stock video and creative assets.
https://www.pond5.com 

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”AudioJungle” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_color=”rgba(224,153,0,0.18)” border_radii=”on|1px|1px|1px|1px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#bfbfbf” custom_margin=”10px|10px|10px|10px” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ background_layout=”light”]

AudioJungle | Envato

Audiojungle have huge amount of sounds from just $1. The licence covers you for use of that sound in one ‘end product’ production only – if you want to extend that to unlimited end products / productions you need to select an extended licence.
https://audiojungle.net/

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Sonniss” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_color=”rgba(224,153,0,0.18)” border_radii=”on|1px|1px|1px|1px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#bfbfbf” custom_margin=”10px|10px|10px|10px” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ background_layout=”light”]

Sonniss

Professional sound effects libraries for use in films, games and interactive projects.
https://www.sonniss.com

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Sound Ideas” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_color=”rgba(224,153,0,0.18)” border_radii=”on|1px|1px|1px|1px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#bfbfbf” custom_margin=”10px|10px|10px|10px” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ background_layout=”light”]

Sound Ideas

https://www.sound-ideas.com

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”AudioBlocks” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_color=”rgba(224,153,0,0.18)” border_radii=”on|1px|1px|1px|1px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#bfbfbf” custom_margin=”10px|10px|10px|10px” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ background_layout=”light”]

AudioBlocks

AudioBlocks.com is the first subscription-based resource providing UNLIMITED downloads of royalty-free production music, sound effects, and loops.
https://www.audioblocks.com

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Partners” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_color=”rgba(224,153,0,0.18)” border_radii=”on|1px|1px|1px|1px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#bfbfbf” custom_margin=”10px|10px|10px|10px” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ background_layout=”light”]

Partners in Rhyme

General sound effects, public domain sound effects, free royalty free sound effects
https://www.partnersinrhyme.com

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Soundsnap” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_color=”rgba(224,153,0,0.18)” border_radii=”on|1px|1px|1px|1px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#bfbfbf” custom_margin=”10px|10px|10px|10px” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ background_layout=”light”]

Soundsnap

250,000 SOUND EFFECTS AND LOOPS. UNLIMITED POSSIBILITIES. SEARCH NOW.
https://www.soundsnap.com

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”YouTube” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ background_color=”rgba(224,153,0,0.18)” border_radii=”on|1px|1px|1px|1px” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#bfbfbf” custom_margin=”10px|10px|10px|10px” custom_padding=”10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset1″ background_layout=”light”]

YouTube

YouTube has its own library of FREE royalty free sound effects and music. You’ll need a YouTube account and once logged in you can search for sounds and download them. See the YouTube royalty free licensing terms.
https://www.youtube.com

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Royalty-Free Stock Video at Pond5

[/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta admin_label=”Call To Action SVM” _builder_version=”3.0.106″ title=”Looking for free non-mcps production music?” button_text=”Click here to find out more” button_url=”https://www.soundsvisualmusic.co.uk” url_new_window=”off” use_background_color=”on” background_layout=”dark” custom_button=”off” button_icon_placement=”right”]

If you make broadcast productions then you can now get access to the Sounds Visual Music production music library. Refreshing new music – non-mcps and free to use on broadcast productions.

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10 tips for better on-hold telephone hold audio

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Top 10 tips for keeping your customers happy on-hold

 

No-one likes being kept on-hold but it’s fair to say that these days, to a certain extent, we mostly put up with it, as long as it’s done well. By that I mean we’re not left waiting in silence with no idea if anyone is coming back to us, or bombarded with aggressive loud music, or irritated by an annoying voice trying to flog us something else while we wait…

 

So here are 10 top tips for keeping your customers reasonably content when they are on-hold…

 

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Use a professional voiceover.

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Choose music or a soundscape that represents your brand rather than something you like.

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Think about your customers. Apart from reassuring them that you won’t be long… what information would actually be helpful for them to hear.

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Keep the voiced messages short and concise.

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Avoid the phrases that drive you mad when you’re on hold. Surveys have suggested that phrases along the lines of ‘your call is really important to us’ irritate customers.

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Making  your messages personal creates a connection between the company and caller. For example you could mention a staff member by their first name and their department.

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If you’re unsure of your writing abilities it’s worth paying a professional to script up your prompts / messages. Your on-hold production company will be able to help.

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Don’t be afraid of humour. If it’s  appropriate for your brand, a little light-heartedness could keep your callers amused and in a more receptive mood.

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Plan to change your on-hold messages when necessary to keep them up to date with your business.

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See No 1

[/et_pb_blurb][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.101″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_team_member name=”Jonathan Slatter” position=”Producer at Sounds Visual” image_url=”https://www.soundsvisual.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/JS-Studio-Oct-2017.jpg” linkedin_url=”https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanslatter/” icon_color=”#606060″ _builder_version=”3.0.101″ background_image=”https://www.soundsvisual.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/faded-telephone-small-pond5.jpg” border_width_all=”1px” border_color_all=”#e2e2e2″]

Jonathan has been producing telephone hold audio for UK businesses for over 20 years. To discuss an on-hold package for your business call 01225 470011 or contact Sounds Visual here.

[/et_pb_team_member][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.0.101″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_cta title=”Get a free on-hold demo for your business” button_url=”https://www.soundsvisual.com/order-free-hold-audio-demo-business/” button_text=”Cick to order yours now” _builder_version=”3.0.101″ /][et_pb_contact_form _builder_version=”3.0.105″ title=”To discuss on-hold audio for your business please use the contact form below, or call 01225 470011. Direct email jono@soundsvisual.com” email=”jono@soundsvisual.com” captcha=”on” use_redirect=”off” custom_button=”off” button_icon_placement=”right”][et_pb_contact_field field_title=”Name” field_type=”input” field_id=”Name” required_mark=”on” fullwidth_field=”off” /][et_pb_contact_field field_title=”Email Address” field_type=”email” field_id=”Email” required_mark=”on” fullwidth_field=”off” /][et_pb_contact_field field_title=”Message” field_type=”text” field_id=”Message” required_mark=”on” fullwidth_field=”on” /][/et_pb_contact_form][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]

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Flex Pitch and Flex Timing at Same Time in Logic X

If you have a vocal recording that you wish to adjust the tuning of with flex pitch, can you also make some timing adjustments with one of the flex time algorithms and have them act on the audio file at the same time?

The answer is yes.

Flex Pitch in action in the tracks area

Now change the flex mode to flex time and you’ll get this warning…

So whilst you edit the timing of your vocal, your flex pitch adjustments will be suspended and then reinstated once you return to Flex Pitch Mode. So to have both processes take affect at the same time you have to be in Flex Pitch mode.

Flex pitch and flex time together
Flex Pitch and Flex Time working together on an audio file

 

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SoundDevices MixPre-3 and Audio-Technica BP4025

Stereo Location Sound

Audio-Technica BP4025 Stereo Mic
Audio-Technica BP4025 Stereo Mic

I’ve been recording sound effects and soundscapes for 25 years, and over this time have used a variety of kit. Previous stereo kit has included a Sennheiser MKH 30/40(60) M-S array and HHB Portadat as well as my ‘trusty until it broke’ Sony D50 and I often use my back pocket kit which is a Tascam DR-05 with a pair of low noise Primo EM172s.

My current go to combo for going out into the field to record soundscapes comprises a Sound Devices MixPre-3, Audio-Technica BP4025 X/Y Stereo Microphone and the dependable Rode Blimp II. The Sound Devices MixPre-3 features in a separate blog post so I will concentrate on the BP4025 here.

The BP (Broadcast & Production) 4025 is a singe point large diaphragm stereo mic with an innovative coincident capsule configuration. AT BP4025 stereo microphone capsules
Despite the angle of the capsules there is surprisingly no apparent energy drop in the centre front of the mic, and it produces an accurate wide stereo image with a really smooth detailed sound full of depth. For nature soundscapes, the low self noise of the BP4025 combined with the super quiet Kashmir preamps on the Sound Devices MixPre-3 can yield some excellent results. The compact size of the lightweight BP4025 also means it fits very neatly in the effective yet affordable Rode Blimp II, as well as being suitable for camera mounting.

Listen to some example nature recordings using the BP4025 in the video below

Large-diaphragm capsules offer pristine sound quality and exceptionally low noise
Phantom power operation—for use with professional equipment
Switchable low-frequency roll-off and 10 dB pad

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Update for the Sound Devices MixPre-3

Location recorder
MixPre-3 Recorder from Sound Devices

The excellent MixPre-3 portable recorder from Sound Devices has a new firmware update to v1.51 with lots of fixes and improvements.

Changes

  • Date/Time settings moved to System Menu plus simplified method of entry.
  • New Project folders are now only created when the first file is recorded, preventing the SD card filling up with empty folders.
  • USB keyboard shortcut [Shift + 8] performs the * Button function. (MixPre-6 only)
    On the MixPre-10T, the Shift + 8 shortcut performs the * (left toggle) Switch function, and Ctrl + Shift + 8 performs the ** (right toggle) Switch function.

Fixed

  • Activating Record is now prevented while in USB File Transfer Mode. (MixPre-10T only)
  • Improved battery type detection.
  • MixPre-3 Input Delay values now hold over power cycles.
  • Files can now be selected for playback from the File List while the MixPre is still playing back a file.
  • Cleaned up typos and incorrect messages in various popup dialog boxes.
  • Corrected three sample offset between isolated and mix track recorded files.
  • Virtual keyboard screens were not saving and exiting on the first press of the enter key.
  • Channel knob and gain range values could be wrong after changing a channel source to Aux In or switching Aux In Mode between Mic and Line.
  • Time is now updated on the Status Bar if left as the active display.
  • Rare system lock up that could occur after hours of using Camera timecode.
  • External UBits are now stamping correctly as hex values.
  • With Channel 1 set to USB1, lInking 1-4 would assign channels 1-4 as USB1, USB1, USB2, USB3 instead of USB1, USB2, USB3, USB4.
  • Multiple other system enhancements and improvements.
  • Invalid Path error messages would pop up intermittently when creating a new Project folder.
  • Audible noise on L and R Out when adjusting Stereo Out level from -21 to -40 dB.
  • Input type was incorrectly getting set to the incorrect USB Channels when Channels 1-4 are linked. (MixPre-6 only)

If you reed any custom location recording please contact Jonathan on 01225 470011 or email jono@soundsvisual.com

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Using Source-Connect with Logic Pro

Source-Connect is an application produced by Source-Elements to enable two studios to remotely connect over the internet, and send and receive high quality audio. It’s the replacement for ISDN lines and codecs,  and due to its excellent picture sync features, like RTS – Real Time Sync – it’s the go to app for the tv & film post production industry.

Using Source-Connect as a standalone product is a breeze, but what what about if you want to use the app with Logic Pro, or for that matter any other DAW? Well that’s easy too, with a plugin called Source-Connect Link, that is automatically installed when you install the software.

source-connect link
The Source-Connect Link plugin running in Logic Pro X

To connect your Logic Pro DAW to Source Connect is just a case of using an instance of Source-Connect Link and using a few busses and auxiliaries. Below are videos produced for Source Elements showing how to do it – including one how to use RTS (Real Time Sync) in Logic Pro. And at the bottom of the page there are 2 templates for Logic – one in stereo and the other in mono.

Source-Connect Logic Pro

Source-Connect Logic Mono Template

Source-Connect Logic Stereo Template

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Source Connect Link with Focusrite Scarlett

I came across a strange quirk of using the Focusrite 6i6 2nd Ed with Source Connect ‘Link’.

So I can route talkback mic and talent mic from within Logic X, I use the Source-Connect Link plugin which comes with Source-Connect.

Armed with the ‘ID’ number of the Source-Connect Link I have inserted, I can then route the audio in and out of the Link by selecting the ID number in the Audio Options of SC.

All fine except I have a strange problem where the output of SC will not route to the Link as expected if I select the Link ID when the previous selection was the Scarlett interface. The fix for me was to select the internal audio options for the input / output and THEN select link and for some reason that does it!