How Remote Voiceover Sessions Work with ipDTL

Introduction

You do not have to travel to a recording studio to direct a professional voiceover.
Using ipDTL, you can listen to my London studio in real time, speak to me between takes and guide the
performance from almost anywhere with a suitable internet connection.
This guide explains what ipDTL is, what you need and what happens during a remote voiceover session.

What is ipDTL

ipDTL stands for Internet Protocol, Down the Line. It is a browser-based system designed for professional audio
connections, including radio interviews, remote broadcasts and voiceover sessions.
In its simplest form, it connects two computers and provides two-way, low-delay audio. The platform uses
professional audio technology including the Opus codec and SIP connectivity.
Current technical information lists Windows, macOS, Linux and ChromeOS support, with Chrome, Edge and
Opera among the supported browsers. Compatibility can change, so use the joining instructions supplied for your
session or check the official ipDTL website at https://ipdtl.com/. The old article's statement that ipDTL only works in
Chrome is no longer accurate.

Remote voiceover and the connection method

A remote voiceover session means that the voice artist and client work together from different locations. ipDTL is
one of the platforms that can provide the audio connection.
The professional master is still recorded in the voice artist's studio. ipDTL allows you to listen and communicate
while the recording happens.

Why use ipDTL for a voiceover

Email and written briefs work perfectly well for many projects. A live connection is useful when the performance
needs detailed direction or immediate approval.
• A producer wants to hear each take
• The script contains difficult pronunciations
• The recording has to match a video or music bed
• Several performance styles need to be explored
• A commercial must fit a strict duration
• An agency or client needs to approve the recording
• Multiple versions are being recorded
• Feedback could otherwise require several rounds of email
Decisions can be made during the session, reducing ambiguity and unnecessary retakes.

What the client needs

• A computer
• A stable internet connection
• A supported web browser
• Headphones
• A microphone for talkback
The microphone built into a suitable laptop may be sufficient for giving direction. You do not need a studio
microphone because your voice is not being used for the final production.
A wired internet connection is preferable, although a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection may work. Close
unnecessary applications and downloads before joining.

How the session works

Book the voiceover
Send me your script, brief, usage, deadline and preferred session time. I will confirm the quotation and availability.
Receive your link
Before the session, I will send the ipDTL joining information and any browser instructions.
Check your equipment
Connect your headphones and microphone. Open the link in the recommended browser and allow it to use your
microphone when prompted. Join a few minutes early so we can check that we can hear one another clearly.
Direct the performance
You hear the studio feed while I record. Between takes, you can comment on the pace, tone, pronunciation and
emphasis. You can also explain how the words fit the pictures or what the audience should feel.
Receive the finished files
The high-quality master is recorded locally in my London studio. After the session, I edit and deliver the agreed
files in WAV, MP3 or another required format. Client talkback is not normally included in the finished recording.

Tips for a reliable connection

• Use a wired internet connection where practical
• Wear headphones rather than using computer speakers
• Close cloud backups, large downloads and unnecessary browser tabs
• Allow the browser to access the correct microphone
• Join early enough to solve any connection issue
• Keep a phone number available as a backup
• Send the final script before the session
• Mark difficult names, acronyms and technical terms
• Tell me if the read must fit an exact duration

Who records the final audio

For my normal voiceover workflow, I record the master locally in the studio. This protects the quality of the
recording if the internet connection briefly fluctuates.
Some broadcasters and production facilities may use ipDTL differently, including recording the received audio at
their end. If your production has a particular technical workflow, explain it before the session.

ipDTL and phone patch sessions

ipDTL can also support phone and SIP connections. The appropriate setup depends on who needs to join and
where the audio needs to be recorded. For a standard client-directed voiceover, the browser link is usually the
simplest arrangement.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to install software

ipDTL works through supported web browsers, so a conventional software installation is not normally required.

Does ipDTL only work in Google Chrome

No. The current ipDTL technical information also lists Edge and Opera. Follow the instructions sent for your
session because supported browsers can change.

Do I need a professional microphone

Not if you are joining to listen and direct. A suitable built-in microphone may be sufficient for talkback. Headphones
are strongly recommended.

Is the final voiceover recorded over the internet

The master is normally recorded locally in my London studio. The internet connection lets you listen and direct the
performance.

Can more than one client join

Potentially, but the session should be arranged in advance. Tell me how many participants are expected when
booking.

What happens if the connection fails

We can reconnect, use a backup communication method or continue from the agreed written direction. A short
interruption does not normally affect audio already recorded locally.