I S D N    S T U D I O    A N D    V O I C E    L I N K - U P S


This will print on A4 - scroll down for rates.     See also our SOURCE CONNECT page

As far as sound studios are concerned, ISDN is a wide bandwidth digital data line enabling real-time transmission of 2-way STEREO BROADCAST QUALITY audio in real-time between two points - with the correct equipment. There are various incompatible standards.

We have:-
- CDQ 2001, MPEG layer II. 15kHz stereo. Compatible with Prima, Zephyr etc
- CDQ 2000, MPEG layer II. 15kHz stereo. Compatible with Prima, Zephyr etc
- Centauri 3001 - almost all encoding algorithms inc. AAC.
- APT Worldnet Tokyo - covers almost anything. Multi-algorithm, ISDN and IP codec offering
  all popular coding algorithms, including both Enhanced and Standard apt-X® for low delay
  live broadcasting. Up to four ISDN lines may be used to acheive high bit rate connections.
- APT-X 128 (Nica 128), 15 kHz mono. (Less processing delays than the CDQ
  & very common in the Netherlands)
- APT-X 64, 7.5 kHz mono x 3
- G722, 7.5 kHz mono x 3
- Pronto 3 - G722, ISO MPEG Layer II Mono 64 Kbps, Joint stereo 128 Kbps, ISO MPEG
  Layer III Mono 64 Kbps and Joint Stereo 128 Kbps
- In our studio in Wales, Audio Tx software codec.

Some London studios will charge £5 per minute "connection charge" regardless of whether the call is UK or international, incoming or outgoing. We prefer to be honest about costs - on outgoing calls (only), we charge BT Business Tariff call costs + 20% to cover handling & admin.

INTERNATIONAL ISDN CALLS  Please note that in the UK British Telecom charge data rates (not cheap voice rates) for overseas ISDN calls - very expensive, and can be between 6 & 48 (!!) times more expensive than equivalent normal voice calls.

For example a 2-channel ISDN link to the US during our daytine will cost around 58 pence per minute per channel - plus our 20% = £1.39 per minute. South Africa - £3.44 per minute. Paris - £0.88 per minute. (Prices change - please check with BT for current ISDN Data charges)

It's often cheaper for the overseas studios to dial into us - then there are no call charges charged by us, it's as simple as that.

  • Timecode can be sent between compatible 4-line or 6-line units.
        Or down one leg of a 2-line unit. MOV video files can be controlled by
        a remote studio with the right gear.
  • An alternative to simple wild voice sessions via ISDN is to produce via
        a 'phone patch, and then we FTP you the recording.
  • Another alternative is Source Connect. An IP-to-IP solution for Pro
        Tools, Nuendo etc - which can be used to simply contribute remotely
        to a session - or can be used for common video file sources,
        machine control, final audio delivery etc.
  • To find an ISDN studio to connect between ourselves & the rest of
        UK, Europe & the world - broadcastisdn.net

    As well as linking-up between studios and/or voices, ISDN is also used for "multibroadcasts", "down-the-line", "studio-to-station" links. All these terms mean the same thing and usually use restricted bandwidth mono codecs - APT-X 7.5kHz or G722 7.5kHz mono units. An interviewee in one of our studios is sequentially linked to various UK BBC/Commercial radio stations - and sometimes overseas radio stations.

    RATES for ISDN link-ups: (min booking 1 hr)
    Outgoing ISDN calls (BT Data rates) charged at BR Business Tariff + 20%

    - Studio + 15KHz 2-line mono/stereo units - £150 p/h + call charges + VAT
      (Extra codecs for bridges etc - add £50 p/h per codec)

    - Studio + G722 (BBC)/APT-X (ILR) (both 7.5KHz mono) - £130 p/h + call charges + VAT
    - Studio + 15-20KHz 3-4 line hook-ups - £180 p/h + call charges + VAT
    - Studio + 15-20KHz 5-6 line hook-ups - £200 p/h + call charges + VAT

    With picture as "guide" or synched to:

    - with MOV/MPEG/Beta SP, add £20 p/h to the relevant rate above.
    - with DigiBeta, add £50 p/h to the relevant rate above.
    e.g. A six-line ISDN hook-up with DigiBeta will cost £250 per hour + call charges + VAT where applicable.

    • E & O E. © Geoff Oliver and The Sound Company Ltd 1993-2008

      Just north of Oxford Street,
      The Sound Company Ltd
      offers 7,500 sq ft of audio
      facilities for voice-overs and
      audio post-production - in
      English or any language.
      To picture, or just wild.


    The Sound Company Ltd

    Six studios for voice-overs
    & audio post-production - inc. 6 x Pro Tools studios,
    1 x Sadie
    -
    Skype & Phone patches in all studios

    WiFi access in reception & most studios

    750 sq ft studio for rehearsals, tv media training or as a 4-waller

    www.sound.co.uk




    E & O E. © Geoff Oliver and The Sound Company Ltd 1993-2008