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 really need once you’re working?

• Booths & acoustics: why treatment matters more than a box, and why high ceilings aren’t the enemy

Hosts: Andrew Peters, George Whittam, Robert Marshall, and Robbo
Sponsors: Proudly supported by Tri-Booth and Austrian Audio

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

• Why the NTG-4 worked (once the low-cut was off) and when the NTG-5 is nicer

• Quiet-room scouting at talent’s home (carpet, bookshelves, sofa placement)

• Redundancy paranoia that saves the day (and the gig)

• Old-school sync and remote workflows: clapper slates, Boom Recorder, Reaper, DA-88s, DAT, Ramza/Fostex rigs

Gear & software mentioned:
Pelican 1510, Sentrance MicPort Pro, PortCaster, RØDE NTG-4/NTG-5, Grace Lunatec V2, Sony & Tascam DAT, Boom Recorder, Reaper, DA-88, Fostex 9624, Ramza 8-bus.

Sponsors:
TRI-BOOTH — use code TRIPAP200 for $200 off your Tri-Booth.
Austrian Audio — Making Passion Heard.

Credits:
Recorded via Source-Connect. Edited by Andrew Peters. Mixed by Robbo. Tech support from George “The Tech” Whittam. Got an audio issue? JustAskRobbo.com

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 on long VO sessions, Apple’s memo banning typewriters in 1980, and why agencies sometimes make a 10-second tag take two and a half hours.

Whether you’re a studio, talent, or just someone who’s had “version hell” ruin your morning, this episode is a must-listen.

🔗 Find out more at www.proaudiosuite.com

Sponsors:

• 🎙️ Tri-Booth – Get $200 off with code TRIPAP200 at tribooth.com

• 🎤 Austrian Audio – Making passion heard