Episodes

2025 has been a big year for The Pro Audio Suite, so this episode is a full end-of-year wrap up with Robbo, Andrew Peters, George “The Tech” Whitham, and Robert Marshall. We look back at the biggest moments, the most downloaded episodes, the conversations that sparked the most reaction, and the industry shifts that actually mattered. From the launch of the PASport VO and real-world use cases, to persistent Source-Connect confusion, to the realities of AI in voiceover and audio production, this...

This week the team dives into one of the strangest mics we’ve ever had on the show. A client of George’s sent through a full placement test of the Aston Element, the active moving-coil oddball with its own made-up technology name, the Rydion capsule. Aston claims it blends the bottom end of a dynamic, the clarity of a condenser, and the smoothness of a ribbon. Big call. We compare it directly against a 416 and a TLM103, and the reactions in the room say everything. Does it punch above its weigh...

This week we’re digging into the skills that used to define the studio, back when audio wasn’t just about tools and tech but the craft behind the session itself. Punch-ins, drop-ins, reading along with yourself, directing talent, matching pitch on the fly, using feel instead of formulas… so much of this has disappeared from the modern workflow. Robbo, AP, George and Robert swap stories from the tape era, pick apart why many of these skills are fading, and talk about what VO talent and engineers...

Breaths — they’re natural, emotional, and sometimes downright necessary. But should they always stay in your voice tracks? This week, the crew dives into the great de-breathing debate, inspired by a post from voice actor Toby Ricketts on how breaths act as “unseen punctuation.” Robbo, AP, George the Tech, and Robert Marshall discuss when removing them improves clarity and when it strips away the performance. Along the way, they touch on AI voices, happy accidents, and the fine art of keeping t...

Finally! Apple’s latest iOS 26 update gives users control over which mic their iPhone or iPad apps use. Whether you’re recording with AirPods, a PASport VO, or your favourite external mic, you can now select your input per app — a massive leap for voice actors, podcasters, and mobile content creators. The team also unpacks the new AirPods Pro 3 and their surprisingly usable mic quality, adaptive noise reduction, and hearing-aid features. As always, the conversation goes off the rails (in the be...

This week, the crew takes a hard look at reflection filters — those curved bits of foam and metal you often see sitting behind microphones. Do they really make your recordings sound better, or are they just clever marketing? George “The Tech” Whittam, Robbo, Robert Marshall, and Andrew Peters break down what reflection filters actually do (and don’t do), why they often make voiceovers sound worse, and what to invest in instead if you want to improve your room sound. From the SE Electronics RF...

Ever wondered what those strange wooden grids on studio walls actually do? In this week’s episode, the guys dive into diffusers — how they work, when to use them, and why your small booth might not be the best place for one. We also chat about the brand-new Austrian Audio CC8 Supercardioid — the latest addition to their small-diaphragm condenser range — and how it performs in real-world sessions. From quadratic and skyline diffusers to the mysterious Fresnel-style designs, we break down what e...

Levels mysteriously rising and falling with no changes in your setup? In this episode of The Pro Audio Suite, we go hunting for those dreaded signal-chain gremlins. From flaky TRS connections that drop a balanced leg and cause sudden 6 dB losses, to patchbay switches that “moved themselves,” to the quirks of send/return jacks on interfaces like the Audient iD series—we unpack the common culprits behind random level swings. We also share a practical, step-by-step troubleshooting method called b...

This week on The Pro Audio Suite, the team dives into a question every engineer, producer, and voice actor has wrestled with: is outboard gear still worth the space and the spend? From vintage LA-2As and Neve compressors to Avalons, VariMus, and the rise of clones and plug-ins, we break down: Whether classic hardware really goes up in value Why collectors, commercial studios, and voice actors see things differently The surprising role of AI in modeling old gear When plug-ins are “close enoug...

We’re busting some of the biggest myths still floating around VO and podcast studios. From noise gates that wreck your takes to USB mics that promise “pro quality” but rarely deliver, we cut through the nonsense and share what actually works. In this episode: Noise gates: why they usually cause more harm than good Noise reduction: AI vs old-school fingerprint NR USB mics: when they fail and why they’re limiting Expensive mics: shiny gear doesn’t fix a bad room Coaching: how much do you real...

George heads out on a time-sensitive PSA to capture wild VO lines at an actor’s house — and rebuilds a lean, one-case kit on the fly. We dig into what made the rig work, why he chose an onboard recorder for redundancy, mic choices (NTG-4 vs NTG-5), and a stack of road-tested tips from our early days hauling DA-88s, DATs and Franken-booms. What we cover: Packing everything into a Pelican 1510 (laptop, interface, mic, stand, boom) Primary vs backup: PortCaster with onboard record + laptop DAW W...

Ever been caught in a panic when Source-Connect 3 won’t talk to Source-Connect 4? You’re not alone. In this week’s Pro Audio Suite, the team dives into the Source-Connect Bridge—what it is, why it exists, and how it can save your session. Robbo shares a real-world case of a talent stuck between versions, Robert explains how the Bridge works behind the scenes, and George breaks down when it’s the best option (hint: travelling VO talent on Windows, we’re looking at you). We also get sidetracked ...

This week on The Pro Audio Suite, the team open up their plug-in folders and share their favourites — from free finds to trusty old processors and some surprising new AI tools. Robbo kicks things off with TDR Nova, a free dynamic EQ/multiband compressor that’s perfect for VO artists working in home studios. Robert digs back into his bag of tricks with Waves C4/C6, still unbeatable for multiband control after all these years. George brings Acon Extract Dialog to the table, showing how modern AI ...

Latency, it’s that tiny, annoying delay between what you say and what you hear back. In the studio, online, or even in your own headphones, it can trip you up, wreck your timing, and make you feel like you’re talking to yourself in slow motion. In this episode of The Pro Audio Suite, Robbo, AP, George, and Robert dig into: What latency really is (and why it’s not just a tech buzzword) How it sneaks into your recording chain The difference between “good” latency and “bad” latency Fixes you c...

This week on The Pro Audio Suite, Robbo and AP pull apart one of the most alarming AI voice contracts we’ve ever seen. An offer of $2,500 USD for perpetual, irrevocable rights to your voice? Sounds tempting… but here’s why this could destroy your career. We dig into: The fine print that locks your voice away forever How AI voice deals strip away future earnings Why SAG-AFTRA and other bodies are pushing back The long-term cost of a short-term payday Before you sign anything, listen to this...

AI voices are popping up everywhere , from audiobooks to YouTube explainer videos, but SAG-AFTRA has just drawn a line in the sand. In this episode, the team dives into the union’s new “no contract, no work” order against companies using AI voice replicas without being signatories. We unpack: What the new SAG-AFTRA policy means for voice actors. Why YouTube is demonetizing AI-driven “headless” channels. The growing issue of AI-generated bands and synthetic music on Spotify. The human factor...

This week on The Pro Audio Suite, we pit two Austrian Audio mics head-to-head: the compact CC8 pencil mic versus the classic OC18 large diaphragm condenser — both run through the PASport VO interface. The results? Surprisingly close. AP takes the CC8 for a spin in his booth and on the road, while George and Robert weigh in on specs, noise floors, travel setups, shotgun myths, and why mic placement matters more than mic price in many situations. We also dig into the legacy of the Sennheiser 41...

Lab-tested. Pro-approved. And unless you speak up… gone for good.

A deep dive into the world of plugins and a peek at the new NoiseHub platform

Inside the battle to protect voice actors from AI misuse

How Christy Harst is breaking barriers for women in promo, sports, and commercial voiceover with Building Doors.

Behind the Booths, Beyond the Buzz — NAB Like You’ve Never Heard It

In this week’s video episode of The Pro Audio Suite, AP's got his ears on the new Audio-Technica R70xA headphones, and the team dives into a full-blown can convo. He shares his first impressions after two weeks of use — lightweight, comfy, and...

In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest and most talked-about voiceover events on the planet — VO Atlanta. Andrew, George, Robbo, and Robert break down the experience from every angle: Is it still the king of VO conferences? What's...