10-hour long AudioBooks? 40-module E-Learning projects? 100-slide PowerPoint Presentation?
Oh, and did I mention, the client wants all the finished production in .wav files? You know…the best quality, and the BIGGEST size?
Today’s Voice talent has to be a whiz at sending big audio files with dependability, ease, and speed. You may have already seen some of the solutions in the list below, or maybe you can comment to this blog with a suggestion that others could benefit from. {Ed. note: be sure to read all the way to the bottom, as several readers have made subsequent suggestions after seeing a gap I’d left on the list}
THE OBVIOUS
One of the oldest and most rock-solid solutions is to “FTP” (File Transfer Protocol) your file. Your client may already have this set-up from their end, in which case they’ll send you their sign-on information, and all you have to do is log-on and upload. You may have your own FTP site, in which case you can upload the files, then send your client the log-on information, or just send the URL from your domain name. (eg: https://courvo.com/audiofiles/Toyota/JulyPromo.wav)
FTP on a Windows OS system takes place from the Windows explorer screen, not the browser (exceptions, see below). FTP can be dead simple (98% of the time), or it can get complex if you want to use different parameters. #1 site for FTP tutorial. #2 site for FTP Tutorial.
If your comfortable with accessing the control panel of the entity that hosts your domain name (GoDaddy, HostGator, etc.) they almost always have a way to transfer, upload, and download files from within their user interface.
Finally, if you want to FTP using a browser-based solution, here are a few:
FileZilla
Egnyte
CoreFTP
SmartFTP
FTPX
FlashPeak
EASY, POPULAR AND FREE (to a point)
DropBox and Box.net are near-identical services that have devised ways to make file transfer easy, for people as untech as oatmeal. Both have plans that are free up to 2 Gigs… then it starts getting into monthly or yearly plans that add-on features and more storage.
DropBox is probably the more popular and easy…but honestly, Box.net now has an agreement with Google Docs that certainly makes it a real consideration, and you can post your demo’s on your LinkedIn profile with Box.net.
Both can be run from your local computer, or “in the cloud” (web-based). Even if you aren’t sending large audio files all the time, you really should just get a free DropBox account. You’ll start finding ways that make it real handy.
Securing a paid account with either of these services means you get more storage and more features.
Honorable mention in this category: Microsoft’s SKYDRIVE, and SugarSync.
The advantages to SkyDrive are many. You can access from a web browser anywhere…the free account includes 25 Gigs of storage (not a misprint)…and it’s integrated into Microsoft LIVE, and Microsoft Office. I used it to send a bunch of project files to a client in a folder where I store a ton of audio files, but with security protection, he could only see and downlo
ad the file I designated from that online folder…no other files.
SugarSync is more DropBox-esque, and offers a feature that resides on your desktop called “Magic Briefcase” that works much like DropBox. It’s also operated from a browser “in the cloud”, but any files you change on one machine immediately changes on the other machines where you have SugarSync installed.
BTW for you Tablet-enabled VO’s: DropBox, Box.net, and SugarSync all have apps for the iPad and Android. SkyDrive files are accessible through the QuickOffice apps.
BRAINLESSLY EASY, POPULAR AND FREE (to a point)
YouSendIt.com is just about every voice actor’s default favorite. A parallel, equally-easy site is DropSend.com.
With both services, you can be on the site, add your file (up to 2 Gigs), put in an email address, send within a minute or two, and not even have to sign-up or subscribe. Dead simple.
YouSendIt lets you try any of their 3 plans free, full-featured for two weeks. DropSend lets you send up to five files free every month and never join or pay (but you have to put up with some slowing ads).
{Here’s what I do…I double up on these free sites using different email addresses. So with SkyDrive, I have two accounts = 50 Gigs!!!, and with DropSend — again two free accounts — up to 10 free file transfers every month.}
WORTHY ALTERNATIVES:
(I’m less familiar with these, but each has it’s own niche that may be right for you. All are web-based and work with Mac or Windows).
ADOBE SENDNOW (only up to 100Mg, and only first transfer is free…but they DO handle multi-media files)
TRANSFER BIG FILES (claims to be the worlds fastest. Also used https and encryption if you want)
Author’s note (8-3-11): Eldorec.com owner, and everybody’s favorite hi-tech audio expert — George Whittam — reminds me in the comments below of Ge.tt a site that not only transfers big files for free, but the client can begin downloading the file before you’re even done UPloading it. Too cool!
ALSO glealned from comments:; Manish M Shah recommends FileApartment.com, and Dave Fennoy reminds us all that Skype handles large file transfers. From Skype’s FAQ files: “…there is no limit to the size or number of files you can send using Skype, and if you lose internet connectivity while a file is being sent, sending the file will automatically continue after the connection is re-established, even if one or both of you go offline for a while…” Spiffy!
Beau Weaver (8-4-11) writes to say he uses MediaFire with great dependability. I hadn’t heard of that one, either, so let’s add it to the list.
“Shannon” (2-2-12) writes to suggest Binfer works great. http://www.binfer.com
Kevin Hill (3-15-12) suggests ShareFile. He says: It’s easy to use and includes security and management options, plus white labeling, that make it ideal for businesses. It’s web-based but also has some nice tools, like a desktop widget and outlook plugin, as well as mobile apps for all the major devices. It’s not free, but there is a free 30 day trial period.
David Menashe (9-28-12) mentions on FaceBook: https://wetransfer.com/
Keith Massy (5-8-13) mentions in comment section: http://www.thruinc.com/products-services/managed-file-transfer/
(Justin Hawley 2-12-14) http://www.getalink.com/
Which ones did I miss? ‘Got a favorite? Let me know by commenting below, and I’ll add it to the list.
CourVO
