2025 has been a big year for The Pro Audio Suite, so this episode is a full end-of-year wrap up with Robbo, Andrew Peters, George "The Tech" Whitham, and Robert Marshall.

We look back at the biggest moments, the most downloaded episodes, the conversations that sparked the most reaction, and the industry shifts that actually mattered.

From the launch of the PASport VO and real-world use cases, to persistent Source-Connect confusion, to the realities of AI in voiceover and audio production, this episode ties together the themes that defined 2025 for working audio pros.

We also talk gear myths, room realities, video versus audio podcasting, career curveballs, and why experience still beats prompts every single time.

If you've followed the show this year, this is the episode that puts it all in context.

• The biggest Pro Audio Suite episodes of 2025

• PASport VO real-world workflows and lessons learned

• Source-Connect 3 vs 4, and why the bridge episode mattered

• Why AI still struggles with direction, nuance, and repeatability

• Gear matters less than people think, but understanding it matters more

• Room setup and monitoring mistakes that keep catching people out

• Audio-only vs video podcasting, what's worth the effort

• Career curveball gigs from the hosts this year

• Why experience still wins over automation

Thanks to our sponsors:

• Tri‑Booth

• Austrian Audio

Recorded using Source-Connect
Edited by Andrew Peters

Mixed by Voodoo Sound

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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