VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Dave DeAndrea · Been Here Awhile Joined: 22 Jan 2008 Posts: 206

Anyone have any experience with SoundStreak? If so, what are your thoughts on it?
_________________
Dave DeAndrea
Voice Actor & Producer
www.davedeandrea.com

heyguido · Posted: Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:26 am Post subject:

Check out the recent EWABS episode featuring Beau Weaver. He's apparently been talking with the devs, has played with the a Hobo Tounge

, and has some informed opinions about it. Worth watching.

Apparently, the a Hobo Tounge

, unlike ISDN or SourceConnect, does not transmit the actual audio files in real time, only the monitor feed. Kinda like a Skype directed session where you FTP or DropBox the files afterward.... but automated within the software.

Beau seemed to think the idea was an acceptable workaround, but that the business model was flawed..... and that the devs needed to rethink that.... or fail....

Check it out and see for yourself. As usual, Beau's fairly straightforward about what he thinks. Guy doesn't mince words. Wink

_________________
Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

Mandy Nelson · Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 9:07 am Post subject:

Dan and I are going to be testing it later today in our studio and will test again on Wednesday with another studio. While they haven't set pricing yet and that could prove to be a drawback, I don't see any real problems from the voice talent side but I haven't played with it yet!
_________________
006 member of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Mic. Bonded by sound.

Manfillappsoc: The Mandy and Philip mutual appreciation Society. Who's in your network?

Have you seen my mic closet? ~ me to my future husband

Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Isn't the whole point of ISDN/Source Connect that it's a live feed so the editors can grab the keepers on the go so nobody sits around afterwards? Otherwise, everyone would just phone patch/Skype & deliver. I have the a Hobo Tounge

and I like it, it's a nice interface...but I don't see the point and I don't think clients would see the value in it at all.
_________________
Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too!

Jason Huggins · Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 10:50 am Post subject:

I did a test session a while back, and I couldn't stand anything about it. The login scheme is terrible, aesthetics remind me of Windows 3.1, there are multiple steps on the producer side that aren't real intuitive in my book, and compared to Source Connect, it is completely different from what studios are used to working with. IMO, if something is going to take over the ISDN seat, it HAS to be almost identical or better (according to those who use ISDN regularly) in function, features and especially workflow. No one likes to change what works... but if the change is super easy, THAT is the solution that's gonna come out on top. Well, as long gone as that solution isn't obscenely expensive.

Bish · Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 11:35 am Post subject:

Jason's points are well made (I tried it as well). I'm also going to jump in on my favourite hobby-horse here and say that ISDN and Source connect are NOT the same (although they always seem to be muttered in the same breath). ISDN uses a direct dedicated connection with fixed bandwidth and latency. Anything that uses the internet (even SC bridging to ISDN) is subject to the vagaries of public internet connectivity and (regardless of new magic codecs) will need some type of buffering or store/forward technology. They are not a consistent real time solution. If SoundStreak can crack the UI experience and make it transparent with real-time monitoring and transparent session delivery, then they have a chance. Something as simple as starting a Skype call then hitting a "start session store/forward" button would work for me.
_________________
Bish a.k.a. Bish
Smoke me a kipper... I'll be back for breakfast.
I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls... I will not feed the trolls.

heyguido · Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 12:04 pm Post subject:

From my perspective, the technology is OK, but the interface could use some work.

The big problem, however, is the business model. Unless they fix that, it's a non-starter.
_________________
Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

I just got the email from Soundstreak and uploaded the new 1.0 version. The main changes is that now you buy a prepaid session token of 90 minutes use that can be used over a 12 hour period with the same people. The other big change is that you can send the take files while you are recording. That seems to make it much more worthwhile.

https://www.soundstreak.com/pricing for more details.
_________________
Skype: globalvoiceover
and now, http://lanceblairvo.com the blog is there now too!

heyguido · Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 10:27 am Post subject:

It's the subscription model that is the killer.

For production houses, it could get rather expensive, compared to ISDN. Gasp

_________________
Don Brookshire
"Wait.... They wanna PAY me for this?"

ChrisMezzolesta · Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 12:49 pm Post subject:

I think they are already approaching that situation based on comments on LinkedIn, no longer the $60 they originally stated - if they find a comfortable price point for studios then who knows how it could catch on. I did a test session today and frankly it was pretty awesome. Still a bug here n there to get thru, but what works the very first time out?? I hooked up w Anthony Gettig and he was pretty amazed at the ease of getting the keeper takes sent over, and again, removing the packet loss problem from the scenario could, if they get the biz end down, make a splash...Free for the talent is sort-of about time, since we've been paying for all kinds of wastes of time & money...Doing another test in a few minutes, will see how that goes.
_________________
Chris Mezzolesta, Voice Talent
800.356.5519 www.voiceatile.com

Jason Huggins · Posted: Thu Aug 08, 2013 2:38 pm Post subject:

Personally, I think the picking takes part is an added step that doesn't need to be there. Same with the sharing script section or sending files. As Bish said, all it needs to be is Skype with the addition of storing and sending full res audio. Interestingly though, I've actually received more requests for Source Connect from studios recently.

I am starting to think that (I understand the differences fully) people who have used ISDN for a long time see SC as a reasonable replacement. It "acts" the same way that ISDN did (even though its actual inner workings are totally different), making it seem familiar. Also, bandwidth is getting to the point where packet drop is not really as big a deal as it once was. I have 8 meg up, 40 meg down service for a whopping $28/month, and all my SC sessions have been loud and clear with no packet loss or audio issues.

ChrisMezzolesta · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 6:07 am Post subject:

Turns out all the glitch was, was Windows firewall initially blocking it - once I let it thru it was flawless. In fact on a call with their support (actually a session), they were able to send picture so that I could do a test record live to picture, and have control over not only the audio from the video but also my takes. For some that could be useful. It brings together the elements of the process into one interface. And yes, it is basically Skype but with the added benefit of no packet involvement in the recorded audio. Even my SC session with the LA studio to record my demo had some dropouts (they insisted on SC not ISDN, and I am on 100 down, 5 u Hobo Happy

- the ability to select takes strikes me as having more control for the producer (with the client behind him or her "I liked that one, I didn't like that one...) - there is also the option to just have it send across all takes automatically. Hey if there's no cost to talent, why not just keep it in the arsenal rather than just condemning stuff out of hand.....
_________________
Chris Mezzolesta, Voice Talent
800.356.5519 www.voiceatile.com

Jason Huggins · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 6:48 am Post subject:

Hey, don't get me wrong, I've got it and I have it set up and ready to roll. I just don't see it catching on. Smile

Kristin Lennox · Flight Attendant Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 858

Humor a question from someone who knows nothing about Soundstreak, please...

Is this something that needs to be monitored by you at the computer as you record? Or can you just hit a button to start the process and let it roll? I ask because I don't have any computer equipment in my booth -- I hit record, then go in and do my thing, then hit stop when I'm done.

In other words, if it needs eyes and hands on the computer while recording, it wouldn't work for me.
_________________
Always look on the bright side of life.

Dee doo. Dee doot doot doo dee doo.

my website

Jason Huggins · Posted: Fri Aug 09, 2013 8:03 am Post subject:

As a talent, you can (for the most part) just enter the session and then the producer does all of the take picking and stuff. If they need to send you a script or send a video or something else, then you have to be at the computer to view or listen to it. For the most part, all you have to do is log in as a talent.