A company called Source-Elements created Source Connect (SC). As it concerns us VO talents, there are two versions of the technology: Source-Connect Standard (paid version) and Source-Connect Now (free).
If you’re recording voice acting auditions these days, whether through agents or pay to play sites, you’ve heard the term.
The technology allows the transmission, in real time, of very high-quality audio from one location to another via a high-speed internet connection. As such, it allows a commercial studio to receive and record the microphone feed of another studio, in a different location. Clients typically use it when a voice actor can’t come to the studio in person
Studio-to-Studio Connectivity
In the old days, if you booked a job that was meant to record in New York, but you were in Houston, the client might have sent you to a studio in Houston so that their studio in New York could connect to it (via the SC app that both studios had). That allowed the client in New York to record you as if you were in their studio.
The technology is fantastic: you talk into a microphone in Houston, the internet transmits the high-quality audio signal, and the New York studio receives and records the performance as if you were talking into one of their microphones. The studio in New York has full control of your microphone feed. In the voice over industry, we call this “recording remotely”.
When was Source-Connect created?
SC was created in 2005 as an alternative to its predecessor, ISDN. The army developed this technology in 1986, initially for military use, then for broadcast TV and radio
ISDN still exists today and works via phone lines (land lines). Though it transmits excellent audio, it’s extremely expensive and difficult to set up. In fact, phone companies are phasing this technology out. Source-Connect is much more affordable and flexible. To use it, two parties simply connect via a wired internet connection (and the SC app of course).
To make SC work, you’ll need high-speed internet of at least 3MB upload speed. For best results, connect a traditional RJ 45 internet wire between your modem and your computer (wireless connections don’t work). Note that if you aren’t paying for high speed internet, you probably won’t have enough bandwidth. In fact, paying for higher speed internet is often required for studio-to-studio sessions.
Why Clients Use Source-Connect
If you have your own home voice acting studio, you may think: “I have a voice over booth I record from, why is there another studio in the mix? I can record the audio and send it to the client.” Or: “Clients can just call me while I record, and I’ll send them the audio file right after.”
When clients hire a commercial studio to connect to yours it’s generally because that studio is in charge of all the audio on the production. This is true whether they’re producing a commercial, narration, animation, video game, or other. For instance:
- The audio engineers at the commercial studio may be composing music or sound effects for the client;
- Engineers may want to put high end effects on your voice;
- Clients may also want to hear you as if you were right there in the studio with them. With SC, clients hear you much better than on Zoom.
- A commercial studio will also be able to mix your audio with the client’s video in real time. This allows the client to make last minute changes to your script or performance.
All of this gives clients full control of the production. The higher end the production, the nit-pickier clients are, and that’s often when a technology like SC comes in. By the way, others exist, like iPDTL, but it’s more common in Europe, where it was created.
Source-Connect vs Zoom or a Cell Phone.
When clients call into your studio via Zoom or a cell phone, they miss many nuances in your performance. That’s because the connection doesn’t transmit all of the audio. To get an idea, just listen to the audio quality of a voicemail; it’s sub-par.
Also, when clients aren’t using SC, there’s a delay in production. They have to wait until you email them the audio files, and until someone mixes it into the production to see the finals. This process may not suit a client who is hired to make a production sound flawless in one session.
In fact, poor sound quality and an inability to mix audio and video in real-time is the reason phone sessions can trigger so many revisions (script and performance). Clients aren’t spending the time or money to get it right the first time.
How Can You Prepare for Source-Connect?
Due to the quality of the audio an SC session transmits, you’ll want to make sure your VO studio’s room tone is very silent. You also want an analog (XLR) VO microphone before subscribing to the service. Also, be sure you’re booking jobs before buying this, as you won’t need it until then. That said, you can prepare for it. To do so:
- Look into getting a high-speed internet connection (how long does it take to get the service if you needed it right away?);
- Get the RJ 45 internet wire out of your old wire bin (or order it) and make sure you can plug it into your computer (if not, get an adaptor);
- If the computer you’re using to record audio has a fan that can turn on intermittently, be sure it sits outside of your recording space);
- Look into Source Connect Now (free version).
If you have everything ready, you’ll be in a position to pull the trigger when you book a job. Keep in mind that you’ll most definitely need help from customer service before being able to use SC and their department may be backed up, so plan for that.
What Kind of Client likes Source-Connect?
As far as which clients use it most, and what connection they prefer, some union clients have been working with actors who have the free version (SC Now). But the paid version (SC Standard) has become the norm. Either way, SC sessions are much more common in the union sector than in the non-union sector.
Want to know more about setting up a great home studio? Read about the best voice over equipment for beginners. I also recommend learning about acoustics and soundproofing.
My name is Lili Wexu. I’m an actress, a voice talent, a coach, and an author. Want to boost your visibility online and help more clients find you? Join the Voice Actor Power Directory.
