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 weight? Is it just a quirky USB-era gimmick? Does it actually compete with entry-level VO mics? And most importantly, would any of us actually buy one?

We also wander into proximity effect, capsule placement inside shotgun mics, and George literally dismantles an NTG4 on air. Good fun.

If you're a mic nerd or you love oddball gear, you'll enjoy this one.

Brought to you by Tri-Booth and Austrian Audio. Tri-Booth discount code: TRIPAP200 for 200 bucks off. Austrian Audio, making passion heard.

Episode recorded and produced by The Pro Audio Suite.

Listen, explore, connect at proaudiosuite.com

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 can learn from the old way of doing things. From casting realities to coaching blind spots, and even how quickly a demo gets skipped in a session, it's equal parts fun and brutally honest.

We also touch on Toby Ricketts' blog on breath control and unseen punctuation https://www.tobyrickettsvoiceover.com/blog/unseen-punctuation-how-breath-control-engages-eardrums

Thanks to our sponsors TriBooth and Austrian Audio. Use code TRY200 for 200 dollars off your TriBooth.

Recorded using Source Connect, edited by Andrew Peters, mixed by Robbo. Join the chat in our Facebook group.

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 things human — from Sting's laugh on Roxanne to Chad Smith breaking a drumstick mid-take.

They also chat about Austrian Audio's new CC8 Supercardioid — a small-diaphragm beauty George currently has in front of him.

Is it time to stop editing the life out of your sound? Tune in and take a breath.

#ProAudioSuite #VoiceOver #AudioEditing #DeBreathing #VoiceActing #AIvoices #SoundDesign #Mixing #PodcastProduction #GeorgeTheTech #AustrianAudio #Tribooth

This episode is brought to you by TriBooth and Austrian Audio. Use the code TRIPAP200 to get $200 off your TriBooth. Austrian Audio — Making Passion Heard.

• Toby Ricketts' Blog: "Unseen Punctuation – How Breath Control Engages Eardrums"

• Austrian Audio CC8 Supercardioid

• The Pro Audio Suite Website

• YouTube Channel

• Spotify

• Apple Podcasts

• Amazon Music

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 best way) with plenty of laughs and gear talk.

🎙️ In this episode:

• Choosing your mic per app in iOS 26

• AirPods Pro 3 mic tests & live translation

• Adaptive noise reduction that actually works

• Using iPhones for auditions (and why it's fine in a pinch)

• iFixit teardown & the repairability debate

• Chaotica Eyeball + iPhone = quick VO setup

🎛️ Hosts: Andrew Peters, George 'The Tech' Whittam, Robert Marshall, and Darren 'Robbo' Robertson

🎧 Sponsors:

• TriBooth — use code TRIPAP200 for $200 off

• Austrian Audio — Making passion heard

🔗 Join the conversation: Facebook Group: The Pro Audio Suite Podcast Group Website: www.proaudiosuite.com

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-X to the Aston Halo, the team compares designs, materials, and real-world results — and offers smarter, more effective alternatives for both travelling and home setups.

🎧 Recorded using Source Connect 🎚️ Edited by Andrew Peters. Mixed by Robbo.

This episode is brought to you by: 🎙️ Tri-Booth — the portable vocal booth used by the pros. 💰 Use code TRIPAP200 for $200 off your Tri-Booth at tribooth.com.

🎧 Austrian Audio — Making Passion Heard. Check out their full range of professional mics and headphones at austrian.audio.

🌐 theproaudiosuite.com 💬 Join the conversation: Pro Audio Suite Facebook Group 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music

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 each type does to your sound, and why diffusion is often misunderstood.

George shares insights from a beautifully treated garden-shed studio (yes, really), Robbo recalls diffusers hanging as ceiling "clouds" at Foxtel, and the crew even take a detour into restaurant acoustics — because if you can't hear your dining partner, maybe they need better room treatment too!

Whether you're building a home studio or just want your booth to sound a little bigger, this one's packed with real-world advice (and a few laughs along the way).

• Austrian Audio CC8 Supercardioid (and upcoming release)

• Quadratic, skyline, and Fresnel diffusers

• Tube traps and hybrid panels

• Auralex and GIK Acoustics products

• RPG diffusers

• Blackbird Studios Nashville

• Soundprint App (for measuring restaurant noise levels)

Tri-Booth — Get $200 off your Tri-Booth with the code TRIPAP200 at tribooth.com Austrian Audio — Makers of the OC818, OC18, and the brand-new CC8 Supercardioid. Making passion heard.

🎧 www.proaudiosuite.com 🎥 YouTube: @proaudiosuitepodcast 💬 Join the discussion: Pro Audio Suite Facebook Group

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 binary reduction: change one thing at a time, ideally from the middle of the chain, and halve your suspect list with every move.

What you'll learn:

• Why XLR usually outperforms TRS for reliable, balanced connections

• How to "exercise" or clean jacks to stop intermittent dropouts

• How the Return jack on the Audient iD bypasses the preamp (and why the Send is half-normalled)

• Why patchbays and inserts can be both lifesavers and headaches

• The simple logic of binary reduction for solving audio mysteries fast

Mentioned: Grace m101, Audient iD22/iD44, Mackie inserts, Apogee Duet, phantom power quirks, Behringer patchbay switches.

Sponsors:

• TriBooth — use code TRIPAP200 for USD $200 off your TriBooth

• Austrian Audio — Making passion heard.

Credits: Recorded via Source-Connect. Edited by Andrew Peters. Mixed by Robbo. Tech support by George "The Tech" Whittam. theproaudiosuite.com

This week the guys take a quick dive into one of the biggest factors that can make or break your booth sound: the room itself. From walk-in wardrobes to DIY blanket forts and even apartments in Rome, we talk about what really matters when it comes to room size, shape, reflections, and treatment.

Spoiler alert: bigger isn't always better, but dead is definitely good.

Thanks to our sponsors TriBooth (use code TRIPAP200 for $200 off) and Austrian Audio – making passion heard.

Edited by Andrew Peters. Mixed by Robbo. Recorded via Source Connect with tech support from George "The Tech" Whittam.

Got your own audio issues? JustAskRobbo.com. Join the conversation in our Facebook group or drop us a note at theproaudiosuite.com.

voiceover booth, recording booth, room acoustics, voice acting tips, home studio setup, soundproofing, Pro Audio Suite, George the Tech, TriBooth, Austrian Audio

#ProAudioSuite #VoiceOver #HomeStudio #RecordingBooth #TriBooth #AustrianAudio #SourceConnect

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 enough"… and when they're not

• Tales of gear that doubled in value (and some that didn't keep up with inflation)

Join Robbo, AP, George the Tech, and Robert Marshall as they debate if that rack of gear is an investment or just taking up space.

Recorded with Source-Connect, edited by Andrew Peters, and mixed by Robbo.

🔗 Find us online at proaudiosuite.com

Thanks to our sponsors: 🎤 Tribooth — use code TRIPAP200 for $200 off 🎙 Austrian Audio — Making Passion Heard

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