VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

I’ve avoided it for oh, about a decade. I’ve always worried that if I paid $1500 or so for an ISDN unit, (plus monthly phone line charges) that in 6 months I’d be stuck with an obsolete and very expensive doorstop. But ISDN always keeps chugging along.

I’m having a new VO demo produced by a well-known engineer in the Midwest whom I respect very much. Until recently he has been very vocal against talent who own studios, but now he has finally accepted it. While we were recording my demo a few weeks back, he said to me “I should kill myself for saying this, but you really should get ISDN.” So now I’m seriously thinking of taking the plunge.

There are those in this forum who say “wait until you get a regular gig that demands ISDN.” My concern about that strategy is that I won’t even be considered for those types of gigs if I don’t already have ISDN. Also, I wish to promote myself to talent agencies across the country, and think that already having ISDN will give me a major advantage. …if I buy it, they will come…..

Any drawbacks to my strategy? I'm okay with the financial risk, since I have been a full-time talent for nearly 15 years and work a lot, have had my own studio since 2003 and have recorded hundreds of sessions since then (though 95% non-broadcast work). I’d like to work even more.

I’m pretty sure I’m going to go ahead with this, but I am basically doing my “due diligence” here by looking for other opinions first. I'm a PC guy, so Source Connect is out, especially after hearing of Courvo's crisis with it. FYI, I do know about Dave Immer at digifon, and he will be the first call I make if I move ahead with this.
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Bill Campbell · DC Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 621

You're in Chicago. I would just hire a studio on those occasions you need ISDN. I'm sure if you become a regular, they'll give you a good rate.
You could also offer your voice in trade.
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Lizden · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 11:56 am Post subject:

Tom,
Yes, it's one of those "if they build it, they will come" and/or Chicken & the egg scenarios.

My personal story is:
I finally got ISDN in July of 2009 and have not regretted it at all.
It has easily surpassed my investment and I have been considered for (& booked) jobs that I otherwise would not have been, had I not had the setup.

I DO feel that it opens doors.

I have had many ISDN sessions that were of the "can we record this now?" type (including this morning) which can be a bit of a downer if you have to book an outside studio.

Anyway...you've been doing this a while...if you feel it's time for YOU...it's time .
Laugh

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Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

asnively · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 12:40 pm Post subject:

You'd think being able to go down the street to a studio would be good enough. I'm in L.A. where there are as many ISDN studios as there are yogurt shops. But, like Liz, if you advertise that you have ISDN, then a lot of people will say "Lemme get the client on the line. Can I dial you up in about an hour? " Or, can I dial you up right now?"
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Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

Amy and Liz, you are both hitting on an issue that I think is undervalued, and that is fast turnaround. Being able to provide it has gotten me work that I otherwise would have gone to someone else. For example, I did a lot of political voice work this fall, and those folks REALLY appreciated my quick turnaround.

Bill, I hear you - that certainly is less risky financially. But I think if I tell clients, "I have reasonably priced ISDN studios nearby," a lot of them don't even consider me if they require ISDN. I say this because I have never actually landed a gig on my own that needed ISDN. So while theoretically your idea is possible, in my real-world experience here, it doesn't seem to work that way. Might be different in your market.
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Tom Test
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cyclometh · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 12:59 pm Post subject:

About how much does ISDN cost in terms of service and equipment? Ballpark, that is.
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Lizden · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 1:05 pm Post subject:

The per month service charges depend on where you are.

Here in Northern NJ I pay $80/month for the lines & long distance (you need long distance just in case you ever have to call OUT, although 99.9% of the time clients call YOU)

The Codec/box runs about $1700 used on eBay to $4500 NEW
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Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

Dan-O · The Gates of Troy Joined: 17 Jan 2005 Posts: 1638

bobsouer · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 2:31 pm Post subject:

Tom,

Don't worry about what "should have been done" in the past and just move forward. Having ISDN will open doors of opportunity to you that you can't even see right now. Convenience IS a significant factor. The "can we dial you in 10 minutes" thing does happen.

I do think, though, that you may be confusing Source Connect and AudioTX. Dave Courvoisier's challenges earlier this year were with AudioTX, a software/hardware option that provides ISDN service using a Windows PC. Those challenges seemed mostly related to his using AudioTX with a Win7 PC. (By the way, I use AudioTX with 32-bit Windows 7 Professional all the time. Rock solid for me, for which I'm very grateful.) If you have a WinXP machine, it will almost certainly work for you. On the other hand, there is something nice about having a solid piece of equipment you just plug in to so please get what you are most comfortable with.

Having Source Connect (an Internet-based alternative to ISDN that can be bridged to ISDN using a bridging service) is a good thing. At least for me it has been. 5 times this year when a client's ISDN service was down, we were able to go ahead with sessions via Source Connect instead.
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Tom Test · DC Joined: 23 Jan 2007 Posts: 629 Location: Chicago, IL

DONE!

I called Dave Immer and got the ball rolling. I found a Telos Zephyr that had recently been serviced and given a clean bill of health for only $1200. Seller has 100% feedback, has sold ISDN and similar gear the past few months so I'm confident that it's not a hijacked account. By early January I should be good to go!

Thank you all for your thoughtful advice! I'm very glad I asked around before pulling the trigger.

(And yes, Bob, I was getting a little mixed up about Courvo's problem, thanks for straightening me out on that. It seems getting an ISDN codec might be more reliable and accepted than either Audio TX or Source Connect.).

I'm excited!!!!! Sarcastic

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Best regards,
Tom Test
"The Voice You Trust"
www.tomtest.com

bobsouer · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 3:44 pm Post subject:

Tom,

Good for you. Working with Dave Immer was a great experience for me last fall when I was moving my studio. I'm confident you'll have a similarly good experience.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

Pam · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 6:52 pm Post subject:

BTW, +1 for Dave Immer. You'll find our charges here in Chicago are about $127 per month through AT&T and then an additional ~$17 per month from Sprint for the long distance charges.
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Now what did I come in here for?

JTVG · Backstage Pass Joined: 21 Jun 2007 Posts: 433

Tom, if Dave can't hook you up, EdNet probably can. You're in Chi-town so it'll likely be a seamless process. (Riggghhhtt)
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Lizden · Posted: Wed Dec 08, 2010 8:05 pm Post subject:

Wow Tom!
Now THAT'S taking action!
Good for you!
Laugh

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Liz de Nesnera O.A.V. ~ Livin' The VO Dream!
English/French Bilingual VO w/ ISDN
HireLiz.com / liz@hireliz.com

georgethetech · Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 12:27 am Post subject:

+2 for Dave Immer. I trust him enough to promote him on my website:
http://eldorec.com/isdn
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