Technology

ISDN, Source-Connect, and Remote Connection Tools for Voice Actors in 2024

Newcomers to the voice-over career field have lots of lingo to learn. Two technical items they’ll come across are ISDN and Source-Connect.

Keaton Robbins | August 1, 2023

An animated image of a hand holding up a smartphone with little icons and lines showing how each is connected

In today’s world, not only are there a wide variety of tools we can use to connect remotely, but we’re more comfortable with it than ever before.

Whether you’re a voice actor or a creative producer who needs to collaborate with voice actors in real-time, you’re bound to find an option that will work for you from anywhere in the world.

In this article

  1. What is Zoom?
  2. What is FaceTime?
  3. What is Google Meet?
  4. What is Skype?
  5. What is ISDN?
  6. What is Source-Connect?
  7. What is Phone Patch?
  8. What is ipDTL?
  9. Pros and Cons of Live Directed Session Technologies
  10. Relying on Local Studios’ Tech
  11. Learn How to Connect With Clients Remotely

ISDN, Source-Connect, and a Phone Patch are a few of the traditional technologies that used to dominate this remote-connection space. It was reliable and, especially for voice actors, ensured the audio within the connection was high quality too. 

However, options have emerged from the proliferation of remote work and the days of clients needing to record the voice over themselves during the call has shifted. Voice actors simply record their reads during the live-directed session and use a file sharing tool to deliver the file to the client. The decent audio quality of a Zoom call, a Facetime call, or a Google Meet call, are good enough for clients to hear all they need to hear from voice actors during a live-directed session. 

Nonetheless, there are still clients using a vast array of remote connection tools. It helps to know the basics of how each one works, as well as the pros and cons that come with each option, so you can work with these clients efficiently.

What Live Directed Session Option is Most Popular?

In our State of Voice Over report, voice actors reported using Zoom as the main tool for connecting remotely with their clients.

While these remote recording tools surged in popularity during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, most clients are now opting for a communication technology to simply provide direction and feedback in real-time.

For this reason, you’ll notice from the chart above that Zoom, Skype, FaceTime and Google Meet are by far the most popular tools that clients use to communicate with talent during live recording sessions.

Read up on the features of the various technologies you can make use of to connect remotely for a live-directed session:

What is Zoom?

Zoom is a cloud-based video conferencing, online meeting, and group messaging platform that has soared in popularity since the beginning of the pandemic. It requires you to create an account and download the free software for the mobile and desktop versions of the platform. Zoom allows screen sharing and up to 1000 participants can take part in a call, meaning Zoom is definitely beneficial when you require a large number of people to be present for the recording. 

Having surpassed the $1B revenue threshold in 2021, Zoom has big plans for innovation and updates to its video conferencing platform. To say they have worked out the kinks experienced back in the 2016/2017 era of Zoom is an understatement. 

That said, for the purposes of live-directed sessions, always aim to use a hardwired internet connection for a sense of security that the video call won’t be dropped.

What is FaceTime?

FaceTime, Apple’s video-telephony software, launched in 2010. One big plus associated with FaceTime is that it already comes built into Apple products, so if voice actors and clients will be collaborating exclusively using iPhones, iPads, or Macs, then they’re all set. They’re even granted the ability to transfer between devices mid-call. 

All in all, FaceTime is extremely user-friendly and doesn’t require the user to download any additional software. However, it is limited to Apple users, which can present a real problem when you’re working on larger projects and more parties are involved who may not have access to Apple products and services.

What is Google Meet?

Google Meet is Google’s proprietary video communication software. Released in 2013 as part of the G Suite line of products, Google Meet is a cloud-based app that allows you to chat with a number of users at once through text, audio, and video. One major advantage of Google Meet is that it’s free to access with a Google account and its interface is mostly intuitive for people who have experience using other Google software. 

There are a few features that differentiate Google Meet from Google’s classic chat video calls. For one, classic chat only allows for up to 25 participants in a call, while Google Meet allows for up to 100—if you need space for even more participants, purchasing a license for G Suite Enterprise or Enterprise for Education will allow for up to 250 participants in a call. 

While classic video chat lacked the capability to record meetings, G Suite Enterprise and G Suite Enterprise for Education come equipped with recording capabilities, which is a major bonus for those conducting voice over work using that technology. You can compare the different feature options between classic video calls and Google Meet with this handy chart. 

Just make sure that you have a strong internet connection because lags in audio and video can easily arise and have the potential to jeopardize your voice recording. Google Meet’s most favorable aspect is probably its user-friendliness, but due to the prospect of connectivity issues, you may want to use it with a hardwired connection.

What is Skype?

Group video chat on laptop

This telecommunications app is so well-known that its name has grown into an eponym: the term ‘video chat’ is synonymous with Skype, whether you’re using the actual Skype application or not. Like Google Meet, Skype is also free, but in this case requires that you download software. 

To facilitate the prime conditions for a live recording session over Skype, a voice actor ought to find a USB-compatible microphone and set up the audio input on Skype so that the client will hear exactly the same track that’s being recorded on a voice actor’s computer. This way, they can offer real-time direction regarding delivery, as well as notes on audio quality. 

Voice actor Ryan Sitzberger said Skype or other conference call software has always done the trick for him.

“The client has heard the quality of the audition, so they understand what they will receive quality-wise,” Sitzberger says. “In the cases of live sessions I’ve done for clients, they are simply looking to be able to direct my tone and pacing as I record. I think it’s easier on the client end as well as there’s no learning curve for them to figure out.”

In addition to voice calls, Skype allows for the ability to communicate via text and video chat. Multiple parties can simultaneously connect in a Skype call. This allows for multiple stakeholders to be able to weigh in on a read.

What is ISDN?

ISDN stands for “Integrated Services Digital Network.” It’s a telecommunications technology that both voice actors and their clients can use to connect and take part in a recording session together. 

ISDN supports the transmission of voice (a conversation) and data (a recorded voice over file) at the same time. Through an ISDN line, a client is able to record live audio as the voice actor performs the voice over, rather than have the voice actor send over an audio file after the fact.

The audio connection is so seamless that it’s as if the voice actor were recording in a client’s in-house studio.

Let’s walk you through the primary benefits of ISDN:

  1. Voice talent is left with little to no follow-up work with a client after a recording session through this digital connection because all of the work is already completed in the session.
  2. The client is able to provide in-the-moment artistic direction, eliminating the need for retakes and any back-and-forth communications. The client gets exactly what they need, with no further delay of deliverables.
  3. Because the call has better sound quality, the client can truly hear the nuance and inflections that a voice actor incorporates into their performance. This helps the client provide enhanced creative direction to the talent, and makes it even easier to appreciate flair in the voice actor’s read.

However, there are a few main disadvantages of ISDN that are always worth keeping in mind:

  1. The ISDN line service comes with an expensive monthly bill through your phone provider.
  2. To enable ISDN, you must also purchase a codec to connect the line to your recording system. Without going into the nitty-gritty, the codec is a piece of hardware that requires an initial investment in the thousands of dollars.
  3. Connecting with a phone company that can offer you ISDN is becoming more and more difficult to find.

Though ISDN has begun to experience a phasing out over the last five to seven years, there are still a handful of production houses and ad agencies, in the USA specifically, that are happy using this older, yet reliable, technology.

However, that doesn’t mean that ISDN is a necessity for voice actors, or that agencies and production houses must equip themselves with the technology. There are now more cost-effective alternatives that allow connectivity to an ISDN line.

What is Source-Connect?

Now an industry standard, Source-Connect is an ISDN alternative that enables all of the above benefits without any of the above pitfalls, as it is a reasonably priced, monthly subscription software.

Source-Connect allows its users to bridge into any ISDN line, rendering the need for an actual ISDN line obsolete. Source-Connect also boasts audio quality on par with that of an ISDN line, enabling every user to achieve the connectivity required for smooth audio project management.

Available for Windows and Mac, Source-Connect makes remote recording sessions achievable from anywhere in the world. It even offers a plugin that allows users to connect directly to Pro Tools and pull audio files from Source-Connect into Pro Tools for post-production work.

“Using Source-Connect is a reliable, hassle-free way of being there with the client’s creative team”, says voice actor Brad Avenyou.

“Much of our work as voice artists is solitary. Working with a director, producer, and writers in a studio setting, however, is a golden opportunity to learn, contribute, and grow. If you can’t be in the studio with the team, working remotely is the next best thing”, Avenyou explains.

As a voice actor, it’s critical to offer clients a way to connect with you and record professional-grade recordings of your voice from their end—especially with the growth in remote freelance work where clients and talent are collaborating from across the globe. Source-Connect is a more attainable and realistic option for voice actors who want to provide this level of service to potential clients.

“Anybody can use it. And if you both have a good internet connection, you can get a great quality signal with no further hardware or setup”, Avenyo continues.

Gain additional insight into the difference between Source-Connect and other connective technologies in this excerpt from a Mission Audition podcast interview with multi-award-winning voice over artist Toby Ricketts

Listen to the full episode, Nailing Your Live Directed Session With Toby Ricketts, here!

What is Phone Patch?

Phone patch is another tool that enables the transfer of high-quality audio recordings to a client. Much like Source-Connect, a phone patch has the benefit of facilitating in-the-moment feedback and collaboration. A phone patch, in its proper form, requires the purchase of a telephone audio interface. This hardware allows you to connect your call to your recording booth, route the conversation through your headphones, and lets the client record only your voice over read.

This initial investment makes the phone patch option a bit more expensive upfront than the monthly subscription of Source-Connect.

Sometimes, the term ‘phone patch’ is used synonymously with online calling services and conference lines like Skype or Zoom. While these services definitely enable collaboration and have revolutionized how voice actors and clients can communicate, they differ from a true phone patch from an audio quality and reliability standard. Especially when relying on a wireless internet connection, online calling services can experience dropouts and cut-offs that cause hiccups and delays in the audio recording and project management process. Of course, this problem can be solved by using a hardwired internet connection!

What is ipDTL?

While ISDN has been the industry standard for more than 30 years, ipDTL has proven to be a solid, cost-effective alternative.

ipDTL stands for ‘IP down the line.’ The system was created by former BBC sound engineer Kevin Leach after he discovered that Google Chrome’s web browser came with an open-source codec. ipDTL is a peer-to-peer format just like ISDN. However, it uses a high-speed internet connection instead of an ISDN line to connect your computer to the client with ipDTL on their computer.

ipDTL offers audio quality from 72 kbit per second mono for voice actors, 320 kbit per second stereo for outside broadcasts and 3 mbit per second video link at 1080p for high-quality video.

At the time of publication, prices for ipDTL are listed at around $80 per year for a starter mono subscription, $160 for the high-end stereo audio and $250 for the video subscription. However, the cost depends on the setup you require. You can visit the ipDTL website for a cost estimate on setting up ipDTL.

While the price point for ipDTL is reasonable, the main setback is the current lack of clients using it as a form of connecting to voice actors for live recording.

Pros and Cons of Live Directed Session Technologies

TechnologyProsCons
ISDN• The audio is recorded live, so there is no need for follow-up
• The technology replicates the high sound quality of the voice actor and their client being in a studio with each other
• The technology is costly and has begun to grow outdated
• It requires two studios, on both the talent and client ends, to be ISDN-equipped (which necessitates large amounts of setup and maintenance)
Source-Connect• Accessible anywhere that you have internet access
• Has the option for a plugin that connects directly to audio editing software Pro Tools
• Requires a paid monthly subscription
Phone Patch• Connects directly to your phone line
• High-quality, low-latency recordings that rival ISDN
• Phone patch receivers range in price from $150 USD and upward

 



ipDTL
• There are a number of available subscription prices, allowing you to pay by month or annually
• No ISDN line required
• ipDTL is only as good as your microphones and internet connection
• The user interface is a little chaotic, which makes it harder for first-time users
Google Hangouts Meet• Free with a Google account
• Highly user-friendly
• Works best with Chrome-based browsers
• The prospect of lagging and delay makes it more favorable to use for casual conversations than for important voice recordings
Skype• Well-known and trusted around the world
• Available to anybody to download for free 
• User status shows when others are online and available for calls
• The recording quality is not strong enough for broadcast work, like TV or radio spots
• There are a lot of bells and whistles on the desktop app (emoji reactions, status updates) that may distract from the primary purpose of your directed session
• Signal issues can greatly impact the connection quality, and the service has been known to shut down

FaceTime
• Highly user-friendly interface that supports video calls 
• The software already comes built into Apple devices
• The app is exclusive to Apple users, and is not supported by Android
• Record a call using FaceTime requires the downloading of additional software
Zoom• High number of participants able to take part in the same call
• Easy to use 
• As a paid subscriber, you gain the ability to record audio and video to the Cloud
• Zoom has received criticism over privacy concerns
• While a convenient way to connect with one another, audio recordings are low-quality

Relying on Local Studios’ Tech

Finding a local recording studio can be a valuable option if a job requires ISDN, Source-Connect, or a phone patch.

This option may also make sense for voice actors who seldom come across clients asking for live-directed sessions and live recordings. Rather than investing in any of the three options for your home studio, it may be more affordable to book a recording studio for these far and few between jobs. 

Food for thought: the downfall of this option is that it can create a delay in recording as you and the client wait for a time slot to be booked at the studio. If another voice actor is able to meet the demands of the client quicker because they are equipped with one of the above, this delay may cause the client to choose the other voice actor.  

Learn How to Connect With Clients Remotely

It has never been easier to audition and complete voice over jobs from the comfort of home. Whether you’re a voice actor with access to audio software and a quiet space to record, or a client in need of a script read to meet a tight project deadline, the emergence of connective technologies has enabled a vast portion of the voice over industry to migrate online. These technologies range from high-end telecommunications technologies, like Source-Connect and ISDN, to commonly-known video conferencing tools, like Zoom and Skype.

Have you already committed to one of these options? How is it working out? Let us know in the comments below if you’re loving the decision you made, or if you’re beginning to look at other audio connection options.

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Comments

  • Avatar for SomeAudioGuy
    SomeAudioGuy
    February 11, 2008, 10:28 am

    It’s been mentioned before, but if all you need is phone patch (meaning you’ll record locally and send the audio some other way), then Skype will be your best friend.

    Reply
  • Avatar for Janet
    Janet
    December 4, 2009, 1:25 pm

    I’ve found that ISDN was totally worth the money spent on it. I think that it opens your variety of business. Clients don’t always have recording studios to work in, some don’t mind when you work from your own studio and some even prefer if you go in and work with their people. Either way, it allows you to adjust your rates for you being your own recording engineer and eventually could lead to more money in your pocket.

    Reply
  • Avatar for Keaver Brenai
    Keaver Brenai
    March 19, 2019, 1:10 pm

    Thank you for the bog article, Niki! I use both ipDTL and Source Connect Standard and find them easy to use as standalone or syncing to ProTools.

    Reply
  • Avatar for Keaver Brenai
    Keaver Brenai
    March 19, 2019, 1:11 pm

    Thank you for the blog article, Niki! I use both ipDTL and Source Connect Standard and find them easy to use as standalone or syncing to ProTools.

    Reply
  • Avatar for Lizet Vásquez
    Lizet Vásquez
    April 10, 2019, 3:09 pm

    That is very useful information. Thanks! It’d terrific if you could expand some information about Source Connect, since it has three different versions. I’d like to know which one is the most requested by studios and clients. Regards, Lizet.

    Reply
    • Avatar for Kay Shelton
      Kay Shelton
      October 16, 2022, 3:52 pm

      I would like to know that as well, because I am getting back into VO, and I was looking into getting Source Connect, but a bit confused about which of the three to purchase.
      Thanks,
      Kay

      Reply
  • Avatar for Traci Godfrey
    Traci Godfrey
    March 24, 2020, 2:25 pm

    I’d like to get Source Connect for my V/O business. I currently have a Whisper Room and use Audacity to record auditions…etc.. How do I go about getting this?

    Reply
    • Avatar for oliver
      oliver
      April 15, 2020, 4:12 pm

      Hi Traci,

      Good question! You can get access to Source-Connect software by visiting their website. They have a Downloads and Pricing page that conveniently compares the various Source-Connect options and how much each will cost you, and they also offer a step-by-step guide to the software. I know I found it handy.

      Wishing you success in your voice over business,
      Oliver

      Reply
  • Avatar for Amy Weis
    Amy Weis
    April 30, 2020, 10:35 am

    Great information! I use the professional version of Source Connect when my clients are working with another studio, but most of my directed sessions are held through a conference call. I have a dedicated studio phone number through my GMail/Google phone. My microphone is connected to the computer where the call originates so my client can hear – in real time – the sound of the audio that they will receive. Works like a charm!

    Reply
    • Avatar for oliver
      oliver
      May 1, 2020, 11:40 am

      Hey Amy,

      Thanks for sharing these tips! It’s so valuable to gain insight into the various technologies voice actors are using right now, and it sounds like you’ve got a pretty foolproof setup.

      Take care!
      Oliver

      Reply
  • Avatar for Shippley Watson
    Shippley Watson
    October 9, 2020, 12:39 pm

    I feel like a lot of these options assume that voice talent will be responsible for recording their self. As an audio engineer/producer, that scenario always brings me anxiety. Expecting a voice talent to also be an audio engineer is a gamble that I will avoid at all costs.

    Reply
  • Avatar for Kenneth McCamish
    Kenneth McCamish
    March 5, 2021, 1:30 am

    What level of Source Connect does the VA need to use? Is the standard good enough or is pro needed/expected by the client?
    Thanks.
    Ken

    Reply
    • Avatar for Oliver Skinner
      Oliver Skinner
      March 5, 2021, 11:31 am

      Hi Kenneth,

      Source-Connect Standard is more than enough in most cases. You can always wait until you have a session that requires it, at which point a client may specify whether they require Standard or Pro. Since it can be quite expensive, they also offer a fully-featured 14-day free trial that you can test out. Hope that helps!

      Reply