ISDN - Is it worth it?

Simon Thorniley · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007, 11:50 (GMT) Post subject: ISDN - Is it worth it?

Hi
I was recently told that unless I had ISDN facilities and Codec (whatever that is, lol) then I stood no chance at all of being a voiceover artist. I'm based in the UK. Whilst I think this isn't strictly true - what do others out there think of this comment?

Ed Gambill · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007, 12:14 (GMT) Post subject:

Here in the states I had a friend that got on the ISDN bandwagon and scored some big gigs. It’s a hard call to make. ISDN is more readily avail be to you via BT (or at least it was) than here in the states. My sister-in-law live in Germany and her regular telco service is ISDN.

These two links my help some http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6519681.stm and

http://www.audiotx.com/

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007, 12:21 (GMT) Post subject:

I have access to a buddy's studio just down the road and he runs ISDN. In Calgary, I lived right next door to a major studio and had ISDN access there.

Occasionally, a V-123 Seeker will be offering a hundred-dollar lead and have ISDN as a requirement. Duh-lete.

ISDN is now considered "old school" technology and... it ain't cheap. However, major studios have it and are still protecting their investment ... which is substantial.

If a "phone patch" isn't good enough for a cheapie-read, we aren't doing business.

If I end up running over to my friend's studio too often, I'll consider taking on the expense.

Plus, Ed's new, most recent post (above) offers excellent material.

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007, 13:22 (GMT) Post subject: Re: ISDN - Is it worth it?

Allen Brown · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007, 14:53 (GMT) Post subject:

Simon -

ISDN is simply another tool in our toolbox.

For me it has been, simply, one of the most important and lucrative investments I've ever made.

I've made thousands and thousands of dollars off of that box. I do multiple sessions per week. I also make money renting the service to other production companies, voice talents and broadcasters like National Public Radio. I've connected coast to coast in the US and to studios in Australia, Amsterdam and others.

I know of one voice talent who had a weekly gig and was asked by the producer to make the investment in ISDN. He refused. I have that gig now.

Keep in mind that I think it's likely my business model is different from most on this board. I've invested in many professional tools over the years that some might dismiss as superfluous by the minimalist standards of the internet model.

Like any business, I keep the tools that make money for me and get rid of the ones that don't. I make money with ISDN. Can you? It all depends.

There are those here who obviously feel there would be no return on the investment at all. That seems to make sense for their business model. For mine, ISDN makes sense because it makes money.

As J.S. Gilbert has pointed out many times on this board, most people are not going to make enough money doing voice work to cover the expense of an extra telephone line for their business, much less ISDN equipment.

Bottom line - - is ISDN worth it for your business? Depends on your business. If your business is good, and growing, another question to ask is "Can I afford NOT to invest in this tool?"

Ronald T Robinson · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007, 14:58 (GMT) Post subject:

And then, there's Allen's experience... which also makes a ton of sense. Smile

Jacob Ekstroem · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007, 15:14 (GMT) Post subject:

Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007, 15:36 (GMT) Post subject:

In the UK if you want to make money from the local radio commercial market you need ISDN, no doubt about it.

Taking things a stage further if you want to move from the bread and butter league to the higher paying gigs you need ISDN and a good quality studio. My last session yesterday was ISDN with a studio in Philadelphia.

If you are making a good living as a voice over you will make more with ISDN but you need to be as sure as you can be about your market and your potential within that market.

Bob Bergen · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007, 16:38 (GMT) Post subject: Re: ISDN - Is it worth it?

Colin Campbell · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007, 16:53 (GMT) Post subject:

I want ISDN but the cost is so prohibitive, it's hard to decide when my efforts have risen to the point where I can justify (or even afford) the expense. We're talking about $3000-$5000 and something like $90 a month.

I know it's a requirement if you even want a chance at being with StudioCenter. So, what do I do... dump $4000 and get turned down by them?

Ed Gambill · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007, 17:09 (GMT) Post subject:

Colin:
Many folks are using [url]audiotx.com[/url] from Joe Dutton. My friend George Lee was doing the MP3 thing for a long time. He was also going to studios in Charlotte and Greensboro on short notice. He got the AudioTX software, $925.00 and put a isdn modem in his computer. He told me it was worth the cost. He agonized over that for a long time before he took the plunge.

He landed a regular gig with a NASCAR type show on Speed Vision and got pretty busy with other work.

Buying a hardware box is pricey and the line is pricey as well. In my case the TELCO can't stretch the string tight enough to get me ISDN without a big install fee.

Colin Campbell · Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007, 17:44 (GMT) Post subject:

Yes, Ed, I've been looking at AudioTX.

David Lawrence · **Voice Seeker** Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 117

If I'm not mistaken AudioTX is incompatible with Mac; bummer.

Nelson Jewell · Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2007, 22:24 (GMT) Post subject:

Hey Guys,

I've had similar conversations with other VO artists, and the word on the street is that ISDN is quickly becoming a dinosaur. Many telecom companies are not longer offering it as an option...they're phasing it out. Source Connect is the new technology that's all the buzz. It's a helluva lot cheaper with equal quality.

nelz

Allen Brown · Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007, 16:11 (GMT) Post subject:

I'll be happy to switch to an IP solution to replace what I use, as soon as one is as dependable as ISDN. For now, my little black box/dinosaur rings the cash register quite nicely, thank you.