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.
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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