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ISDN
- Thread starter Nelz
- Start date
I'll chime in here..I have ISDN and a Telos Zephyr Xtreme rack unit. It is expensive, and not used much at all. Used to be that all TV clients used ISDN for thier topical news promos and for tri-weekly movie intro sessions etc. Now, as I sit here..I use that expensive box very little..BUT..and it's a BIG BUT...
The vast majority of national spot work that I do IS done via ISDN. The reason is mostly political and all for show. Most sessions (that I do at least) have a producer, and an engineer...a rep from the agency, and at least one or two people from the company/client that the spot or project is for. They like to "go to the session" and they also like having a live voice to "direct" in real time. The alternative used to be (gulp) getting dressed..in real clothes, not gym shorts, and driving to the commercial studio. Some union jobs still require that, but make sure you are compensated for travel etc. The ISDN is a great alternative and nets (I think) a better sounding product, but it can be pricey. The Zephyr that I have was around 4500.00 to purchase. The ISDN line charges are around (for here in NC with tarrifs etc) 72.00/month for a standard service...plus time connected. This gives the user two SPID numbers (two separate phone numbers that the user on the other end has to dial to connect to you)
In order to get maximum fidelity it takes two 64kbps lines, coupled to run at 128kbps mono usually at MPEG Layer 2 or Layer 3 and then the Zephyr (or other compatable codec) can be connected to a console so you can hear the producers and all of the other folks in your headset. You feed the Zephyr with a program or audition feed from a console..OR you can run the mic DIRECTLY to the Zephyr.
This all sounds like a lot, and it is..but this is where the higher priced spread projects seem to be. Columbia Pictures Television does them that way..Nutri System does em like that, so does Turtle Wax, Wendy's a lot of others. Its just the politics of this business..but again it beats the bratwurst out of having to go to a studio and "dance for the nice people"
If you anticipate any use for the ISDN see if you can work a deal with a radio station that might have one, or a studio that might cut you a break. It is not uncommon for the ad agencies to compensate you for studio time and ISDN connection if you go to an outide studio.
BTW. I heard that in SOME markets the telco people have stopped installing any NEW ISDN circuits..because it is 30 year old technology and they don;t want to support it any more. Not sure how true that really is.
The vast majority of national spot work that I do IS done via ISDN. The reason is mostly political and all for show. Most sessions (that I do at least) have a producer, and an engineer...a rep from the agency, and at least one or two people from the company/client that the spot or project is for. They like to "go to the session" and they also like having a live voice to "direct" in real time. The alternative used to be (gulp) getting dressed..in real clothes, not gym shorts, and driving to the commercial studio. Some union jobs still require that, but make sure you are compensated for travel etc. The ISDN is a great alternative and nets (I think) a better sounding product, but it can be pricey. The Zephyr that I have was around 4500.00 to purchase. The ISDN line charges are around (for here in NC with tarrifs etc) 72.00/month for a standard service...plus time connected. This gives the user two SPID numbers (two separate phone numbers that the user on the other end has to dial to connect to you)
In order to get maximum fidelity it takes two 64kbps lines, coupled to run at 128kbps mono usually at MPEG Layer 2 or Layer 3 and then the Zephyr (or other compatable codec) can be connected to a console so you can hear the producers and all of the other folks in your headset. You feed the Zephyr with a program or audition feed from a console..OR you can run the mic DIRECTLY to the Zephyr.
This all sounds like a lot, and it is..but this is where the higher priced spread projects seem to be. Columbia Pictures Television does them that way..Nutri System does em like that, so does Turtle Wax, Wendy's a lot of others. Its just the politics of this business..but again it beats the bratwurst out of having to go to a studio and "dance for the nice people"
If you anticipate any use for the ISDN see if you can work a deal with a radio station that might have one, or a studio that might cut you a break. It is not uncommon for the ad agencies to compensate you for studio time and ISDN connection if you go to an outide studio.
BTW. I heard that in SOME markets the telco people have stopped installing any NEW ISDN circuits..because it is 30 year old technology and they don;t want to support it any more. Not sure how true that really is.
M
menotti1
Guest
AT&T is migrating away from POTS and ISDN in favor of packet based technology, Audio over IP.Newer platforms to replace the older ones..
Those with Pro Tools, and studios with PT on the other end, now have Source Connect.
You want to translate just what that means in english to those of us in "The Great Unwashed"?
You want to translate just what that means in english to those of us in "The Great Unwashed"?
Comrex Access does fantastic for us.
Holy crap, Jeff! That's exprensive! But all you've said is, in a nutshell, what I've read and heard. Thanks for sharing.
I read an article on Michael Minetree's website (minewurx.com), where he interviewed Don LaFontaine about many things including VO technology. I'm paraphrasing, but Don said ISDN will morph into something else and he'll need to follow suit.
Source Connect? Comrex Access? I guess I have more homework to do. Let's all hope it gets cheaper and better!
I read an article on Michael Minetree's website (minewurx.com), where he interviewed Don LaFontaine about many things including VO technology. I'm paraphrasing, but Don said ISDN will morph into something else and he'll need to follow suit.
Source Connect? Comrex Access? I guess I have more homework to do. Let's all hope it gets cheaper and better!
H
Hart
Guest
I just bought one of the older Zephyr 9202 models. BellSouth, well, now At&T will still install here. Even though I'm in NC too (Raleigh) they want $120 a month plus install. I think that is $300.
There is a version of source connect that will work with Audition 2.0 and other software as a VST plugin. And there are now companies that will bridge it to ISDN for a fee. I've talked to some people who love it and others who are still iffy. There are other ip based software solutions coming online too. Soundstreak, http://www.soundstreak.com/, is now in beta testing. Ispeek, http://www.ispeek.org, will be along at some point. And of course there are hardware based ip solutions coming up too.
There is a version of source connect that will work with Audition 2.0 and other software as a VST plugin. And there are now companies that will bridge it to ISDN for a fee. I've talked to some people who love it and others who are still iffy. There are other ip based software solutions coming online too. Soundstreak, http://www.soundstreak.com/, is now in beta testing. Ispeek, http://www.ispeek.org, will be along at some point. And of course there are hardware based ip solutions coming up too.
Goat Rodeo Cowboy said:Those with Pro Tools, and studios with PT on the other end, now have Source Connect.
You want to translate just what that means in english to those of us in "The Great Unwashed"?
IP based technology that works like ISDN or Vector but using the internet and plug ins. To my knowledge only works between Pro Tools users. My buddy uses it. Just did a session from home with a studio on the east coast. Worked like a charm.
As Brian pointed out I guess Source Connect now available as a VST plug for Adobe 2.0. IMO Adobe 2.0 is a pain in the a$$. I'm using 1.5 b/c it works better.
Source Connect is not an inexpensive plug.
I guess I'll have to break down and get PT LE Mini... only $300.
H
Hart
Guest
VODood said:
I agree.
V
voiceguy
Guest
i have invested in Source Connect...I have a friend at a studio in Chicago who will rent ISDN studio time to me if I need it at an amazing $50 per half-hour...I travel to New York alot, and have found a studio that a great number of New York promo talent use in Mid-town that also charges a staggering $50 per half-hour of studio time.
That includes an engineer, their studio space, the ISDN line, etc...whoever dials into you, pays the line charges.
I have considered getting ISDN for quite some time. But honestly, I do work for Fox in New York, I just signed with a large affiliate in Philadelphia, and NEITHER of them use ISDN.
In fact, the new affiliate I signed, got RID of their ISDN technology, because it was expensive.
When you can get better quality audio from an mp3...and you can listen in on the phone line...and have the audio delivered within 5 minutes of the end of the session or less...
It seems like the "Endgame" is nearing for ISDN.
And with newer VOIP technologies emerging every day, it's only a matter of time before the ISDN goes the way of the dinosaur...or the Chinese made toy without lead contamination...
Anyway, even in larger markets, there are plenty of options to not HAVE to own your own $5000 ISDN box, with expensive monthly charges, "in case" you need it.
I always tell a potential client, if they ask, that I have ISDN "available"
That seems to be all they need to hear. You don't have to tell them where it's "available"...in your home studio, at a radio station, or at a commercial recording facility.
Doesn't matter to them...and you just build the cost of the rental into your price.
So, if you don't HAVE to have it...don't get it.
Source Connect, for what it's worth, IS an excellent plugin...if not a little on the sluggish side.
The latency between your end, and the producer's end is a bit like Layer 3 on an ISDN...it's around a second...
But, to REALLY get the best benefit of Source Connect, you need to get the EXPENSIVE version...because then you can have dedicated paths between you and your client.
Otherwise, with the lower version, you're kinda up to the whims of the rest of the internet.
It sometimes likes to crap out on you.
Anyway, just some additional food for thought.
And you don't HAVE to have ProTools to run it anymore...it's becoming available in a wide array of other formats soon...but is available in VST for now...
Mike Bratton
Voice Guy
www.mikebrattonvoice.com
That includes an engineer, their studio space, the ISDN line, etc...whoever dials into you, pays the line charges.
I have considered getting ISDN for quite some time. But honestly, I do work for Fox in New York, I just signed with a large affiliate in Philadelphia, and NEITHER of them use ISDN.
In fact, the new affiliate I signed, got RID of their ISDN technology, because it was expensive.
When you can get better quality audio from an mp3...and you can listen in on the phone line...and have the audio delivered within 5 minutes of the end of the session or less...
It seems like the "Endgame" is nearing for ISDN.
And with newer VOIP technologies emerging every day, it's only a matter of time before the ISDN goes the way of the dinosaur...or the Chinese made toy without lead contamination...
Anyway, even in larger markets, there are plenty of options to not HAVE to own your own $5000 ISDN box, with expensive monthly charges, "in case" you need it.
I always tell a potential client, if they ask, that I have ISDN "available"
That seems to be all they need to hear. You don't have to tell them where it's "available"...in your home studio, at a radio station, or at a commercial recording facility.
Doesn't matter to them...and you just build the cost of the rental into your price.
So, if you don't HAVE to have it...don't get it.
Source Connect, for what it's worth, IS an excellent plugin...if not a little on the sluggish side.
The latency between your end, and the producer's end is a bit like Layer 3 on an ISDN...it's around a second...
But, to REALLY get the best benefit of Source Connect, you need to get the EXPENSIVE version...because then you can have dedicated paths between you and your client.
Otherwise, with the lower version, you're kinda up to the whims of the rest of the internet.
It sometimes likes to crap out on you.
Anyway, just some additional food for thought.
And you don't HAVE to have ProTools to run it anymore...it's becoming available in a wide array of other formats soon...but is available in VST for now...
Mike Bratton
Voice Guy
www.mikebrattonvoice.com
Mike..now THAT'S the way to go. But as you may know I live in a rural town and it's a 3 hour drive to Atlanta.so I guess I'll have to keep the ISDN for awhile..at least until the occasional agency doesn;t want to lay thier game.
BUT I am interetsed in Source Connect..what is a website with info?
BUT I am interetsed in Source Connect..what is a website with info?
H
Hart
Guest
V
voiceguy
Guest
Hey...just saw on the Source-Elements website, that they're offering up a beta of a new Windows Standalone audio application for use with the Source Connect and Source Live plugins...
That should be pretty cool for you cats runnin' Windows without ProTools!
Word up...
Mike B.
http://www.source-elements.com/Desktop/
That should be pretty cool for you cats runnin' Windows without ProTools!
Word up...
Mike B.
http://www.source-elements.com/Desktop/
so the other end MUST also have Source Connect..not sure there are enough facilities that have that yet. I saw the list of "clients" that have bought it, but so far, none of the studios that I need to deal with have it. Not sure what to do..I wonder if i should invest in it so ti will be available..OR! I could be a "source Connect/ISDN BRIDGING studio" and charge a little for the bridging service...hmmm
thanks for the info on this.
thanks for the info on this.
V
voiceguy
Guest
With Source-Live, the other studio DOESN'T have to have Source Connect...they can just dial into your stream, and record it any way they like...
However, talk-back is an issue with that system...it involves keeping the client on the phone for feedback.
Source-Connect, the other end either has to have it, or you can use a bridging studio to handle the transfer from your Source-Connect to the client's ISDN.
And of course, just roll that cost into the cost of the session...
However, talk-back is an issue with that system...it involves keeping the client on the phone for feedback.
Source-Connect, the other end either has to have it, or you can use a bridging studio to handle the transfer from your Source-Connect to the client's ISDN.
And of course, just roll that cost into the cost of the session...
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