Case Study: Crafting the Ultimate Voiceover Experience at Hoot Studios
Introduction
At Hoot Studios, we understand that achieving a stellar voiceover performance requires more than just a great microphone—it demands a meticulously designed space that prioritizes both comfort and technical excellence. That’s why we collaborated with Smart Studio, a company specializing in the construction of high-end acoustic spaces tailored for audio post-production. Together, we have created a state-of-the-art voiceover booth that not only enhances performance but also ensures an exceptional recording experience for both talent and engineers.
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A Space Designed for Performance
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Our voiceover booth is far from the standard enclosed box—it is a spacious, air-conditioned environment designed to keep talent comfortable throughout their session. Unlike many recording spaces that can feel claustrophobic, our booth features custom acoustic windows that allow natural light to enter while simultaneously deflecting external sound waves. This unique feature keeps talent connected to the outside world, reducing fatigue and enhancing performance quality.
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Optimised Acoustics & Seamless Integration
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The booth is fully integrated with the control room next door via XLR patch bays and Dante, providing flexible connectivity for seamless operation. Whether recording voiceovers for TV, film, commercials, or online content, we’ve ensured that every technical element is in place for a smooth workflow.
A 65” low-latency Samsung QLED screen serves as a critical tool for both talent and engineers. Acting as a third screen from the control room, it allows for real-time visual cues, script display, or video playback—ensuring precise timing for ADR and commercial voiceovers.
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Precision Recording with Industry-Leading Equipment
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To capture every detail with pristine clarity, we have equipped our voiceover booth with the Neumann U87—a legendary microphone trusted by audio professionals worldwide. Paired with our PunchLight cueing system, which is fully integrated with our Pro Tools templates, voice actors receive smooth, intuitive visual cues, enhancing both efficiency and performance.
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An Experience That Elevates Performance
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Comfort is a key ingredient in achieving a great voiceover session. Our spacious booth, fresh air circulation system, and ergonomic setup ensure that voice actors can focus solely on their performance without distractions. Meanwhile, our recording engineers benefit from a well-thought-out system that guarantees reliability, efficiency, and most importantly, exceptional sound quality in both the booth and control room.
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Conclusion
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By combining cutting-edge acoustic design, industry-leading technology, and a performer-centric approach, Hoot Studios has established itself as a premier destination for voiceover recording. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a first-time talent, our purpose-built studio provides the perfect environment to capture world-class voiceovers with confidence and ease.
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Looking for a professional-grade voiceover recording experience? Get in touch with us today!
Case Study: Elevating Podcast Production at Hoot Studios
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Introduction
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Podcasting has rapidly evolved into one of the most engaging forms of media, requiring both high-quality audio and seamless production workflows. At Hoot Studios in Cardiff, we’ve designed a state-of-the-art podcasting space that ensures a premium recording experience. Our purpose-built Smart Studio, initially designed for voiceover and ADR, also doubles as the ideal space for podcast recording and production. Whether you're an individual creator or a large production team, our facilities allow you to focus solely on your content while we handle all technical aspects.
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A Purpose-Built Podcasting Environment
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A key factor in capturing exceptional audio is the recording space itself. Our professionally designed acoustic studioensures that podcasts are free from external noise and unwanted reflections. The booth is spacious, air-conditioned, and designed for comfort, making it perfect for long-form discussions and high-energy debates.
Unlike many traditional podcast setups, our space provides multiple configurations, allowing for flexibility based on your podcast’s format:
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A comfortable sofa/single chair setup for intimate conversations and interviews.
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A large round table format, perfect for panel discussions and group podcasts.
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With these options, we accommodate everything from solo hosts to four-person discussions, ensuring that every guest feels comfortable and at ease.
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A Hassle-Free, Fully Managed Production Process
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One of the biggest concerns for podcast creators is the technical side of production—we’ve eliminated that worry completely. Our team manages all aspects of recording, allowing you to focus on the conversation while we ensure a flawless production.
Key features include:
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Multi-camera HD video recording, perfect for creating engaging video podcasts (vodcasts) for YouTube and Spotify.
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A 65” Samsung QLED screen, allowing remote guests to seamlessly join via Zoom and be fully integrated into the conversation.
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All audio and video feeds recorded separately (ISO tracks), giving us full flexibility in post-production.
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Industry-Leading Recording Equipment
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We use Rode PodMic microphones for warm, broadcast-quality sound, but we’ve also embraced the growing demand for DPA 4060 lavalier microphones, offering a discreet, natural-sounding alternative.
Our studio is equipped with a fully integrated Pro Tools and Avid Media Composer workflow, allowing us to efficiently produce high-quality podcasts and vodcasts.
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Seamless Post-Production & Client Collaboration
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Once recording is complete, our expert post-production process ensures a polished final product:
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We edit each episode on a dedicated Avid Media Composer rig, creating an initial full-length cut.
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This version is uploaded to Frame.io, where clients can provide feedback, request edits, and mark sections for removal.
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Based on client revisions, we refine the cut and finalize the video before transferring the session to Pro Tools for mixing.
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The final broadcast-quality WAV file is re-synced to the high-resolution video before final delivery.
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At the client’s request, we can also create promotional teasers for social media, helping maximize audience engagement.
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Optional subtitling services are available for full accessibility.
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Delivering High-End Podcasts with a TV-Grade Workflow
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Our production pipeline mirrors the high-end workflows used in television, ensuring that each podcast episode meets professional standards. Whether you're producing an audio-only podcast or a full HD vodcast, our expertise in sound, video, and post-production guarantees outstanding results.
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Conclusion
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Hoot Studios provides an all-in-one podcasting solution in Cardiff, offering top-tier recording, professional editing, and seamless post-production workflows. With our cutting-edge technology and expert support, clients can focus entirely on delivering great content while we take care of the rest.
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Looking for a professional podcasting studio? Get in touch with us today!
Case Study: Precision ADR Recording at Hoot Studios
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Introduction
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Automated Dialogue Replacement (ADR) is a critical aspect of post-production, requiring a technically advanced yet comfortable space to ensure actors can deliver their best performances. At Hoot Studios, we have designed a state-of-the-art ADR recording facility, integrating our Smart Studio booth with a fully optimized control room. Every element of our setup has been carefully engineered for seamless ADR recording, ensuring both talent and engineers experience an efficient, stress-free workflow.
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A Comfortable Space for Performance
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Performing ADR often requires standing for long periods, but our booth is designed with comfort in mind. It is spacious, air-conditioned, and equipped with fresh air circulation, ensuring that actors remain comfortable even during extended sessions. The custom acoustic windows provide natural light, preventing the enclosed feeling that many ADR booths create.
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Cutting-Edge Multi-Microphone Setup
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Capturing the perfect ADR performance requires multiple microphone options to match the original production audio. Our booth is equipped with a variety of industry-standard microphones, allowing for maximum flexibility:
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Sennheiser 416 – A widely used shotgun mic for film and television.
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Schoeps CMIT 5U – Known for its clarity and natural tone.
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DPA 4060 – A high-quality lavalier microphone for subtle, detailed recordings.
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Neumann U87 – Available upon request for specific ADR needs.
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Advanced Cueing and ADR Preparation
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At Hoot Studios, we believe that ADR success is all about preparation. We meticulously set up sessions before the talent arrives, ensuring that every technical element is in place. Our preparation includes:
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Downloading all client assets, including DNxHD video files, to ensure smooth playback within Pro Tools.
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Organizing split audio stems for dialogue, music, and sound effects, providing complete control over the actor’s monitoring experience.
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Configuring our low-latency Samsung 65” QLED screen to display ADR cues using Sounds In Sync EdiPrompt, a professional-grade cueing system that functions much like a sophisticated karaoke setup for voice actors.
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Seamless Connectivity for Remote ADR Sessions
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In today’s global production environment, remote ADR has become increasingly common. Our studio is fully equipped to connect with other studios worldwide, using:
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Source Connect Pro, pre-configured to send and receive audio with absolute sync precision.
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LTC (Linear Timecode) integration, ensuring real-time synchronization between studios.
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Zoom connectivity, allowing directors or sound supervisors to oversee sessions remotely.
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Before any remote ADR session, we always conduct a test connection to verify:
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Sync accuracy across both studios.
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Clear communication between the ADR mixer and remote teams.
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Optimal mic levels and monitoring configurations.
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Optimised Pro Tools Workflow for ADR Recording
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Our ADR recording templates are designed for speed and efficiency, allowing engineers to work intuitively. Key features include:
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Pre-configured sends for talent headphones, Zoom, or Source Connect Pro.
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“Select” and “Alt” tracks that enable the ADR mixer to instantly drop in the best take based on the director’s or sound supervisor’s choice.
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A structured take management system, ensuring that all takes are clearly labeled and organized for easy reference.
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Secure Delivery & Post-Session Workflow
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Once the ADR session is complete, we take security and efficiency seriously. Our secure file delivery process ensures that ADR recordings are protected and easily accessible by the production team. The final session exports include:
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All Select & Alt takes, along with raw takes, neatly organized for the editorial team.
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Delivery via Aspera, Media Shuttle, or other secure transfer services to maintain industry security standards.
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Training & Precision: Ensuring Flawless ADR Execution
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ADR sessions demand a high level of accuracy—even the smallest mistake in patching or routing can create major issues. To eliminate errors, we provide:
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Comprehensive training for our engineers and ADR mixers to ensure they are confident with all systems.
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Industry-leading tools and software, allowing for a seamless, professional ADR workflow.
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Conclusion
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With our high-end ADR facilities, world-class microphone selection, advanced cueing system, and robust remote recording capabilities, Hoot Studios provides a seamless, stress-free ADR experience for both talent and production teams. Whether recording in-studio or remotely, our carefully designed workflows ensure that every session runs smoothly from start to finish.
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Looking for a professional ADR recording studio? Get in touch with us today!
Case Study: High-Quality Audiobook Production at Hoot Studios
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Introduction
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Producing an engaging audiobook requires a quiet, comfortable, and acoustically optimized environment, along with a seamless production workflow that ensures clarity and consistency. At Hoot Studios, we specialize in delivering broadcast-quality audiobooks, leveraging our state-of-the-art recording spaces and industry-leading post-production tools.
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Purpose-Built Audiobook Recording Spaces
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To accommodate the growing demand for audiobook production, we have two professionally designed voiceover booths:
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Smart Studio Booth – A spacious, air-conditioned environment designed for premium voiceover and ADR.
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Studio Bricks VO Booth – A second, equally well-equipped booth, specifically optimized for long-form audiobook recording.
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Both booths are fully air-conditioned to keep narrators comfortable during extended recording sessions. They are also acoustically treated to provide an ultra-clean and controlled sound environment, ensuring pristine recordings with minimal background noise.
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Premium Equipment for Pristine Audio Quality
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Our audiobook recordings utilize Neumann U87 microphones, a gold standard in the industry, capturing every nuance of a narrator’s voice with exceptional clarity.
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To further enhance recording quality, we provide:
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A large iPad Pro for script reading, eliminating paper noise and improving efficiency.
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Industry-leading noise reduction tools such as iZotope RX 11 Advanced, which removes unwanted clicks, plosives, and mouth noises for a polished final product.
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Comprehensive Audiobook Production Workflow
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Our full audiobook production package includes:
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Recording – Capturing clean, high-quality narration in our optimized booths.
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Editing – Removing errors, breaths, and inconsistencies to ensure a seamless listening experience.
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Mastering – Finalizing audio to meet Audible and ACX specifications.
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Final Delivery – Providing clients with broadcast-ready files, ensuring compatibility across all major audiobook platforms.
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We have successfully produced dozens of audiobook titles in both English and Welsh, utilizing our native-fluent Welsh-speaking team to cater to bilingual projects.
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Structured Pricing & Flexible Recording Options
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We offer transparent and competitive pricing based on the total word count of a book, with fees charged at a Per Finished Hour (PFH) rate.
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Additional services include:
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Pick-up sessions after the initial edit and quality control (QC) process to ensure perfection.
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VoiceOver artist sourcing, if an author prefers a professional narrator for their book, also charged at a PFH rate.
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Meticulous Pre-Production & Workflow Management
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Like ADR and VoiceOver, preparation is key in audiobook production. Our structured workflow includes:
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Detailed recording templates, ensuring consistency across chapters.
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A checklist system for each chapter, ensuring every step is followed precisely.
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Custom track presets saved for each title and narrator to maintain consistency.
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Character lists provided by authors, including guidance on accents if required, ensuring authenticity in performance.
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Conclusion
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With high-end recording facilities, industry-leading equipment, and a meticulous workflow, Hoot Studios is the ideal partner for audiobook production. Whether recording your own narration or hiring a professional voice actor, our team ensures an effortless process from start to finish, delivering engaging, high-quality audiobooks tailored to Audible’s exacting standards.
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Looking to record your next audiobook? Get in touch with us today!
Case Study: Mixing & Audio Post-Production at Hoot Studios
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Introduction
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At Hoot Studios, we take immense pride in delivering broadcast-quality mixing and audio post-production servicesfor Film, TV, Radio, Commercials, and Online Content. With significant investment in cutting-edge technology, including a newly built Dolby Atmos Home Entertainment studio, we have established ourselves as a premier destination for immersive and high-quality audio post-production.
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State-of-the-Art Smart Studio
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Our flagship mix facility, built by Smart Studio and fully integrated by HHB London, is designed to handle the most demanding Dolby Atmos and surround sound projects. This world-class studio is equipped with:
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Genelec 8300 Series Monitoring for pristine and immersive sound.
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AVID MTRX Studio interface with full Dante connectivity.
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16-fader AVID S4 console with an extra 3D pan module, ideal for Dolby Atmos panning.
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Calibrated monitoring at 79dB for broadcast and 85dB for cinema environments, ensuring industry-standard accuracy.
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Avantone monitors for critical mix checks on lo-fi playback systems such as laptops, small TV speakers, and mono devices.
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Optimised for Remote Collaboration
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We recognize the need for flexibility in modern post-production workflows. Our remote patch-in capabilities via Source Nexus Suite allow directors and producers to join sessions in real-time, with HD video playback and high-quality audio streaming. This means clients can review, approve, and provide feedback remotely without compromising on quality.
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Industry-Leading Mixing Workflows & Tools
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Our well-structured mix templates are designed with flexibility in mind, capable of handling projects ranging from simple online commercials to full feature films. We have invested in a comprehensive suite of industry-leading plugins and tools to ensure the highest quality in every mix:
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Noise Reduction & Dialogue Enhancement
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CEDAR DNS 1 & 2 for real-time dialogue noise suppression.
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iZotope RX 11 & Waves DX Revive for advanced dialogue restoration and clarity.
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Immersive Sound Design & Reverb Processing
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Altiverb 8 & Stratus 3D – Full 7.1.4 reverb processing for Dolby Atmos and surround sound projects.
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Dedicated B-Format Ambience Library, enhancing spatial realism in immersive mixes.
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Extensive Sound Effects Library
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A 2TB+ sound effects (SFX) library, covering everything from custom Foley to cinematic atmospheres.
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Specialized Dolby Atmos SFX, designed for immersive productions.
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Delivering High-End Mixes with Flexible Stems
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Our detailed mix template system allows for multi-stem delivery, ensuring flexibility for broadcasters, filmmakers, and content creators. Whether delivering stereo, 5.1, 7.1, or full Dolby Atmos mixes, our workflows are designed to meet any post-production requirement seamlessly.
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Conclusion
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At Hoot Studios, audio post-production is our passion and our core service. With our Smart Studio’s Dolby Atmos capabilities, cutting-edge equipment, and refined workflows, we provide clients with the highest standard in film, television, radio, commercial, and online audio post-production.
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Looking for expert mixing and post-production services? Get in touch with us today!