VO Weekly Workflow – Remain Flexible

Software may seem solid and dependable, but is often ephemeral. It’s helpful to consider whether your studio could still function if core tools went away. Flexible and redundant systems are a key aspect in any business. Because we have to be our own IT departments, it’s easy to lose sight of how dependent we can be on specific pieces of software.

Why worry about this? I received a few concerned emails and messages last week regarding the status of Native Instruments. While you may not be familiar with that company, it does have potential to impact our VO studios. Native Instruments are the owners of Izotope, the developer of the RX production tools that many of us utilize to clean up client deliverables. There’s no need to panic today. Izotope RX is not a service that will suddenly disappear without warning from your computer. At some point you would have downloaded and licensed the software, so it will continue to function until it is no longer compatible with your computer operating system. It’s just that many don’t realize there has been a steady conglomeration of smaller audio companies over that past decade.

It’s not a new story. Big companies got bigger by buying smaller companies. For example, in 2006 a company called KristalLabs developed recording software that became Studio One after they got acquired by Presonus back in 2009. Then in 2021, Fender Musical Instruments Corporation bought Presonus. I’m not saying this was good or bad, but it was one of many corporate consolidations that brought small developers under the umbrella of larger groups. You see this in hardware and software companies as they pull together a range of products that compliment each other.

Still, this shook up a few of you who knew the connection between Native Instruments and Izotope. It should reinforce the idea that maintaining additional options helps us remain nimble. Even if we depend significantly upon particular tools, it’s necessary to have other options. That gives us resilience in the face of changes, as any company can experience a rise and fall in fortunes. Having a few other plug-ins handy or keeping current with a backup recording software option is always a good plan.

For example, as an alternative to Izotope RX, Acon Digital has been quietly refining their restoration tools for many years. I’ve talked about their powerful Extract Dialogue tool for removing noise before. Acon has built solid core tools which is offered in their Acoustica restoration suite.

The other benefit of being a bit flexible with tools is that you might just decide you like something else a bit better.

Further Resources:

Production Expert recorded an in-depth Interview with Stian Aagedal of Acon Digital back in 2023

Production Expert has also been tracking and updating the details of the Native Instruments judgement situation on this site resource.

Posted 2/10/26

If you have found this resource helpful or inspiring, please feel free to share or link to this resource using one of the buttons below. If you would like to receive these weekly posts directly to your email, you can sign up here.

Have you tested your studio’s audio quality to make sure it meets professional standards? For a free review of your vocal recordings, please use the upload tool on my Audio Review page.