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Alternatives to ISDN for voiceover recording

The days of using ISDN to connect studios and artists together may be numbered, but it’s still used by studios, radio stations and voice artists around the world. However, there are now many excellent alternatives that use IP connections rather than ISDN.

isdn for voiceovers
BT ISDN Connection

The alternatives to ISDN for connecting to remote studios

Source-Connect
Not to be confused with Source-Connect Now, (see below) Source-Connect by Source-Elements has been around for a long time and is well established as a high quality, full-featured app for connecting studios and artists. The deep feature set includes extensive facilities for working with audio and video including RTS (Real Time Sync)

Source-Connect Now
This is a free popular option that works in the Chrome browser using the high-quality codec ‘Opus’. The free version allows 4 studios to connect in stereo at up to 512kbps (kilobits per second) (256kbps mono)

ipDTL
ipDTL is billed as an ideal replacement for ISDN. We use it at Sounds Visual for live broadcasts with the BBC World Service and it has proved to be super reliable and easy to use. Notably, when broadcasting live, we now run ipDTL as the main connection to the BBC and have a separate ISDN line using Audio TX as the backup. That’s simply because ipDTL has proved to be rock solid, whereas ISDN can be temperamental – usually when using different codecs at each end.

As with ‘Source Connect Now’, ipDTL can run in the Chrome browser, but ipDTL also runs in the Opera and Yandex browsers, and now has its own dedicated ‘ipDTL Browser’. There is an excellent feature set depending on the subscription type you take out. Options include the ability to receive and call ISDN numbers, justifying their claim to be an ideal replacement for ISDN.
If you only occasionally need ISDN or a phone patch for recording phone interviews, the ipDTL Day Pass, which gives you access to all ipDTL features including receiving and calling ISDN numbers, is an affordable option at just £10 + vat per day.

Session Link Pro
High quality bi-directional audio connection with low latency through a web browser. Session Link Pro also offers an add-on for video sync and another add for high-quality video and audio conferencing.

Cleanfeed
Cleanfeed also utilises the Opus audio codec to enable remote studios to connect high-quality audio in real time. There is a free version and Pro version available.

AudioTX Communicator
AudioTX has been around for quite a while and provides a software solution for using your PC as an ISDN codec, however, it also features an excellent IP codec.

Skype
The appeal of Skype is that it’s free, easy to use and pretty much everyone has it. The quality isn’t good enough for broadcast but for situations where the voice is recording the audio their end, and just need a connection to be directed, or so the client can clear the read, then Skype is invaluable.

At Sounds Visual we use ISDN, ipDTL, Source Connect, Source Connect Now and Skype for remote voiceover sessions.

ISDN studio available for hire as used by the BBC in Bath for voiceover recording and ADR. Call 01225 470011 or email jono@soundsvisual.com

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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 

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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

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Sound Ideas

https://www.sound-ideas.com

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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

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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

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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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Recording tips for using the Rode NT1

The Rode NT1 is an incredible microphone – incredibly quiet noise floor (5dBA), incredibly priced, looks and sounds great and unsurprisingly it’s incredibly popular.

The original NT1 was replaced by the NT1-A (anniversary edition) and now there is an all new dark grey NT1. Some people find the mic, especially the NT1-A, can sometimes be a little brittle and harsh – sibilant when working with some voiceovers & singers. Below is a video produced by Rode showing how to change your angle on the mic to reduce these problems.

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Voiceover ISDN ADR recording studio services for Theatre Royal Bath actors

If you’re an actor on tour at the Theatre Royal Bath, you might find it useful to know that there is an ISDN, Source Connect and ADR voiceover studio near the theatre.

Sounds Visual Voiceover Studios has a voiceover booth, ADR room and can hook up to any studio in the world using ISDN, Source Connect, Audio TX and phone patch. There’s also an ADR room for replacement dialogue jobs, and we have a track record of providing a quality, cost effective professional service.  See the PDF flyer below more details.

We also offer sound design and sound effect audio for theatre productions, a voiceover and singing showreel service as well as audio repair and restoration using iZotope’s RX5 Advanced.

For more details see the PDF flyer below or call 01225 470011. Email Jonathan on jono@soundsvisual.com

Download the PDF information sheet for voiceover recording studio services in Bath

Take a look at the Theatre Royal Bath website

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The Airliner creative

Sounds Visual produced a set of creative radio commercials for a recruitment company based around the idea of communications that you would hope not to hear from an airliner pilot. Nothing too scary just a few tongue in cheek scenes to catch the listeners’ ear and plant the idea of having the right staff and training in place to carry your business onward and upward… Take a listen and let us know what you think.

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Spotify advert for business success

Spotify adverts created and recorded for your business
Whilst Spotify users can pay a premium and avoid having their music interrupted by audio adverts, those choosing to use the service for free will have their listening interspersed with the occasional (every 15 minutes) 30s commercials. Advertisers can target their audience by location, age, sex and time of day.

Spotify advertising

A Spotify advert allows you to also have a picture which is clickable and can take the listener direct to your website…

Spotify Advert
An advert running…

No need to worry about the listener having to remember your phone number or URL  – they can just click if interested.

To find out more about creating an Spotify advert please contact Jonathan on 01225 470011 or use the contact form here.