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question:  ISDN - what is it?

answer:

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a system of digital phone connections, which allow recording studios to 'link up' digitally, and share and transmit audio files simultaneously around the world with digital quality. Specifically, ISDN connects the voice-talent, who is at one studio and the client (producer) who is at another studio. Because they are digitally connected, both parties hear the recording in real-time, with perfect quality, and have the ability to record the audio. This allows the producer to hire voice-talent regardless of their location, produce them as clearly as if they were at the same studio, and have the recording when the session is completed (as opposed to having the voice-talent email or FED-EX a recording when complete).

ISDN is very popular in the voice-over industry. In fact, many full-time voice over artists generate the bulk of their voice over income by using ISDN.

Therefore it may be advantageous to offer this ISDN to your clients.

However since an ISDN set-up is rather expensive (at least $2,000 for the ISDN unit, plus a few hundred dollars to have your local telephone company hook up ISDN phone-lines into your home-studio, plus standard monthly fees from your telephone compnay), it may be more beneficial to make a deal with a local studio to use their ISDN unit. While you'll need to pay this studio "out of pocket" each time you have a client that requires ISDN, you will save all the expense and learning-curve of ISND technology.

When you have enough business that requires ISDN, then perhaps it is time to purchase and set-up your own ISDN unit.

On a final note - a few companies now offer computer software that simulates ISDN units and works through your Internet connection. While the software tends to cost around $1,000, special hook ups from your telephone company are not necessary, as a fast Internet connection is all you need.

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