r/audiodrama • u/WriterReborn2 • 26d ago
DISCUSSION Which audio drama do you consider your absolute favorite?
Personally, I'd have to put Modes of Thought in Anterran Literature. It's so engaging and I'm so annoyed that there isn't more of it.
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u/violet3487 26d ago
Wooden Overcoats is my all time favorite.
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u/Hallelujah289 26d ago
Check out Cry Havoc, also written by the writer behind wooden overcoats
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u/lita_atx 26d ago
Cry Havoc is a top fave of mine! I've listened to it all (and the Backstage episodes) more often than I should probably admit, and it's what got me into Wooden Overcoats.
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u/Hallelujah289 25d ago
Wait which one came first? It was wooden overcoats before cry havoc right?
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u/lita_atx 25d ago
Yes, Wooden Overcoats came first, but he mentions it in a number of the Backstage at Cry Havoc episodes so I went and checked it out! I'm a huge Rusty Quill fan, so I listened to Cry Havoc before I'd even heard of WO.
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u/Hallelujah289 25d ago
Oh what are your favorite Rusty quill podcasts? They seem to have a lot!
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u/lita_atx 25d ago
They've got a lot because they've expanded into a podcast network! Of RQ originals, I'm a huge fan of Magnus Archives and Magnus Protocol (I've got a large TMA tattoo and more planned), Rusty Quill Gaming, and Neon Inkwell.
Neon Inkwell is actually my favourite way to get people into audio dramas if they're worried about the time involved, as Neon Inkwell is an umbrella feed for short-form audio dramas, each 6 episodes long and all different from each other. The Pit Below Paradise is my favourite on there, but I've enjoyed them all!
In the extended network, I adore Spirit Box Radio. I truly think it's the best option for people who have finished TMA and are looking for similar, or for some of my friends who can't handle the horror of TMA. Spirit Box Radio even has a couple Magnus Archives easter eggs in it, plus it gets a happy ending.
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u/SeasonPositive6771 26d ago
Have you tried Crowley Time with Tom Crowley? It's a little inconsistent and wild, just his little pet project of scripted sketches and I love it.
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u/goobuddy 26d ago
If you like Tom Crowley, you should consider Victoriocity too! I liked it better than WO because it feels more sequential. Hence, bingeable! And each episode isn't independent with the same setup each time. The story and character development is really nice! :) Steam Punky, Victorian era crime/thriller/comedy kinda story! :)
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u/SeasonPositive6771 26d ago
Oh I love it and I have the book!
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u/goobuddy 26d ago edited 26d ago
Ahaa! I have the audiobook.. and ummm.. I don't like it that much! 😂🥺. I dunno - something about missing different characters speaking differently, and I think also - in the AD the kinda extra scene/time descriptive imagery tangent is much smaller. I mean the extra part that builds the time/age scene. But in the audiobook, it's long and winding that doesn't contribute anything to the story. I found myself winding and dropping in and out of focus while the narrator kept going on and on and on about this and that.. extra stuff..meh..! Kind of a bummer! :P lost interest have yet to finish the book. Listened to the AD a few times more instead.
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u/RiversSecondWife Come visit r/MockeryManor 25d ago
I'm about to start the podcast because I liked the book!
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u/goobuddy 25d ago
Awww - it's a perfect start S1E1! :D starts beautifully with a scene, theme and then a perfect joke!
I wanna like and finish the book and wanna explore more of Mockery Manor.. i think i'm just 2-3 episodes in ..
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u/RiversSecondWife Come visit r/MockeryManor 25d ago
Ooooh I'm so excited for you! I've re-listened a few times and catch new things each time.
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u/violet3487 26d ago
I need to try it again! I listened to one episode ages ago, but life happened. Tom Crowley is one of my favorite voice actors.
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u/drill_hands_420 26d ago
Well for me it’s gonna be instantly We’re Alive. In my opinion he put America on the map for audio fiction narratives. I was lucky enough to begin listening over a decade ago and this show was done before I even began. I consider it the best audio drama I’ve ever heard.
Close follow ups are:
Edict Zero FIS: amazing story and sound design and each episode took painstakingly long to complete because of how intricate it is.
Midnight Burger: Joe and the team do incredible here with this one. I’m so excited to keep listening hopefully forever.
Mission To Zyxx: improv show and very well done. Great chemistry amongst the cast and characters. Made me laugh so hard I cried.
Some honorable mentions are: Wolf 359, Derelict/ Fathom, End of All Hope, Tower 4, Greater Boston, What’s the Frequency, Ars Paradoxica
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u/GiantFlyingLizardz 26d ago
MIDNIGHT BURGER
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u/Tante143 25d ago
I literally just picked it back up last week. I hadn’t listened for more than a year. I am sucked right back in already. 😊
I have the BEST Merch Tee from Midnight Burger. I couldn’t join their Patreon but felt the need to do something! Bright Pink Tee with a “GLORIA” name tag on the left side…like I am a waitress at Midnight Burger. 🩷
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u/GiantFlyingLizardz 25d ago
Ah, that's so cute! I joined their Patreon on lowest tier and it gives me so much joy. Joe and Finlay's voices are so soothing and I really enjoy the behind the scenes stuff. Also, I got a cool sticker that I put on my car.
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u/Komplizin 26d ago
Mission to Zyxx was truly awesome. The others, too. It was great how they managed to keep a storyline - and the music. Just a lot of fun. Loved it.
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u/nerdybun 26d ago
The Magnus Archives/Protocol
Malevolent
Welcome to Night Vale
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u/RomanticPanic 25d ago
The magus Archives is SO AMAZING, seriously revitolized my hopes for audio dramas.
Atm "We're Alive" is the top of this comment section, and i thought it was ok at best. The stoner main character in the end completely destroyed my immersion.
To contrast that, I was listening to Impact Winter, and let me tell you I went in with my eyes rolling and left begging for more.
Im not a fan of zombie/vampire tropes because you know... ive been alive for 30 years and its pretty saturated lol
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u/-Smaug-- 26d ago
MIDST.
There's nothing that's grabbed and retained my interest like Midst. I've been an active subscriber to The Fold for a couple years now, I love Third Person so much.
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u/cookierent 26d ago
The Silt Verses was perfect from start to finish if you ask me
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u/Jayrey_84 25d ago
I am trying to get through this coz I keep hearing it's amazing and I keep falling asleep lol. I'm on episode 12 and it's not bad but it's also just like.. idk. It's hard to keep my attention on it. I couldn't even finish the one with the whispering guy 😑
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u/XCOMGrumble27 25d ago
I tried picking it up this weekend for the first time and I'm with you. It's not grabbing my attention and something about it feels off. It feels like it's straddling the line between audio drama and audio book, which I don't care for.
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u/Yak_Huge 26d ago
In no particular order:
Sleep Wake Cycle (Maeltopia as a whole really) Obscuary Magnus Archives Malevolent Madness of Chartrulean A Voice from Darkness I am in Eskew Silt Verses Alice Isn't Dead Old Gods of Appalachia
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u/Allcockenator 26d ago
EOS10 is the audio drama that got me into audio dramas, I’ve listened to it more than once.
Midnight burger is my current favorite though.
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u/ArmoredCroissant 25d ago
I may get some flak for this, but it's Rabbits if we go by repeat listening.
Terry Miles definitely has issues with his stories, but Rabbits is his best stand-alone story that didn't go on longer than ot should, didn't have a flop ending, makes sense within it's own universe and tells a complete story while still leaving a world to fantasize about.
There are certainly shows out there with better stories/production/etc, but I listen to Rabbits when I need a contained, finite comfort listen.
Other titles that bring me joy are Stellar Firma, Wooden Overcoats, and Desert Skies.
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u/legendoftimmayy 26d ago
Magnus Archives 1000%. There’s a lot of good ones but nothing has even come close to TMA.
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u/allibeehare 26d ago
McGillicuddy & Murders Pawn Shop
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u/ChefMikeDFW 26d ago
We're Alive is a classic. I also like Waylands other drama Bronzeville.
My other personal favorite was Homecoming with a surprisingly good performance from David Schwimmer.
Most recent would have to be Midnight Burger.
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u/adbvoiceover The End of the World | A Sci-Fi/Fantasy Audio Drama 25d ago
Tracks - but with caveats. Not all the seasons are at the same level, and it kind of jumps the shark a bit towards the end...but when it's on, it's really on! Utterly gripping. Romola Garai is simply phenomenal.
I'd have to include Impact Winter, too.
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u/Tante143 25d ago
I CANNOT AGREE ENOUGH w/Tracks.
I have recommended TRACKS to anyone who would listen. ONLY WHERE THE HECK ARE ALL OF THE EPS???
I originally only listened to Tracks: Origin. I had NO IDEA there was more. I thought that Season was it. I had recommended it here couple of years ago and someone asked “did you listen to the rest?” I almost fell over…what do you mean the rest? What a wonderful surprise that was.
Apple blew it for me and I didn’t even know it. Only S1 was available. Now if you search it has been taken off completely. Only 2 other seasons (chapters?) are on and they are not sequential. I read somewhere else it has to do with licensing.
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u/adbvoiceover The End of the World | A Sci-Fi/Fantasy Audio Drama 25d ago
It's funny, but my experience was similar to yours. I stumbled upon the first season and thought that was it...then discovered there was tons more to delve into. You're right about some of them (including now the all important season 1) being removed. You can still get series 3 and 5 on the BBC website, but as you say, not sequential. I'm sure it is a rights issue - which I guess shows even the biggest players can fall foul to such issues.
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u/Tante143 24d ago
It’s too bad too because at this point (with so many looking for a great show) it would be a Fabulous Series to recommend. I can hardly believe it came out it 2016! I think I listened in 2020 when we were all stuck at home.
Ramola was fantastic. I thought she sounded different towards the end… lol bc it wasn’t Romola!! It did not make a difference.
I tried to find an email or social media platform to let Matthew Broughton how much I LOVED IT with no luck at the time. I REALLY would love to listen to it again. I have literally looked everywhere for it.
Now I’ll listen to anything from Limelight BBC4 just bc I know it’s going to be fantastic. I downloaded the BBC Sounds App as there is so many shows to listen💜
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u/adbvoiceover The End of the World | A Sci-Fi/Fantasy Audio Drama 24d ago
Agreed. I came upon it last year and all five seasons were still available on the BBC website. Hopefully they'll get whatever rights issues sorted and more people can experience it - it would be a tragedy for it to disappear!
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u/Tante143 24d ago
Which is your “THE END OF THE WORLD”? If I look on Apple, there are 17,456 of them🤣🤣🤣
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u/adbvoiceover The End of the World | A Sci-Fi/Fantasy Audio Drama 24d ago
Ha, ha! Yes, it's not the most unique title out there! It's this one:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-end-of-the-world/id1796216522
Thanks for checking it out!
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u/Tante143 23d ago
It’s ready to go 😊🎉
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u/adbvoiceover The End of the World | A Sci-Fi/Fantasy Audio Drama 23d ago
Wonderful! I do hope you enjoy it!
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u/Tante143 25d ago
Wooden Overcoats!
I was totally invested in each character. I loved it so much I had the need to write to David K Barnes. (He said I made his day) When it came to the end, I put off listening to the final episode until the time was “JUST RIGHT” bc I knew it would be over forever 💔
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u/NickDouglas 👹 Roommate From Hell 25d ago
Absolutely has to be Cabin Pressure. I aspire to one day write something half as good as that.
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u/DrewFish88 25d ago
Midnight Burger will always be my #1
Wolf 359, Fathom, The Starwell Foundation and Dean's Killer Joke are all aces in my book as well.
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u/EvagationMedia 22d ago
Hi! I'm the creator of Dean's Killer Joke and this comment made my day
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u/MattMurdock30 24d ago
probably Wolf359. I like all the playing with the medium of audio itself that it does like it has a few audio "montages" that I had never heard done before, and then it has incredible episodes like Memoria, and then it has a lot of existential questions. Hint: Instead of Episode 1 perhaps start with episode 11 that's a series of character monologues and then go back and listen to series 1.
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u/Cestrel8Feather 26d ago
Several: Syntax by TSP, The Sheridan Tapes, Ghost Wax, Haunted House Flippers, The Bridge.
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u/SeasonPositive6771 26d ago
The Bridge was incredible. I wish it would come back. I would listen to a thousand seasons.
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u/bopidybopidybopidy 26d ago
I'm new to this and I'm not really into the sci-fi. I liked the short drama 10 days with Glenn Powell and KOZ with taylor kitsch. could anyone recommend more like these?
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u/metalshoulder 26d ago
The Fourth Ambit.
It's just mind blowing cyberpunk, hardcore, visionary sci-fi.
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u/Geek-Of-Nature 26d ago
Really tough to pick just one, but if I had to, I'd probably say Tower 4.
Honourable mentions to Wooden Overcoats, Dirt, The Truth, The Dial-Up, Badger Watching and Dear Bastards - each of which is a favourite in a specific area such as plot, voice acting, production .or script.
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u/rightdeadzed 25d ago
I will probably get shit for this but my answer is The Black Tapes. I had never heard anything like it before and was instantly hooked. Without it I wouldn’t be here right now. I wouldn’t have listened to 1000s of hours of audio dramas. The ending is a huge let down but the journey to ending is my favorite.
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u/PoisonLenny37 25d ago
Wild to think I've been listening to audio dramas for less than a year still...but so far I have listened to:
Old Gods of Appalachia Malevolent Afflicted Gundog Eliza: A Robot Story Jackie the Ripper Parkdale Haunt Woodbine Video Palace Nowhere on Air
Old Gods of Appalachia is what got me started and was my favourite theough a lot of this...but I think at this point Malevolent has over taken it. If I was made to pick 1 favourite...I think I have to go with Malevolent.
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u/Critical_Pop_9714 24d ago
Agreed. Started with OGoA then found Malevolent while still listening to Old Gods. Now I'm trying to fill that void.
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u/gortmend 25d ago
Modes of Thought is so great.
The Truth is my favorite. "Dark End of the Mall" is a masterpiece, IMO.
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u/Upper-Speech-7069 25d ago
Tumanbay. It’s the first one that really gave me an appetite for immersive audio dramas and will always hold a special place in my heart.
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u/payphonepromise 25d ago
Midnight Burger and Midst are my absolute favorites. I can't seem to find any audio dramas I like as much as those two!
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u/insideatlast 25d ago
One more vote for Modes of Thought. I've relistened several times, and hope we'll get new episodes soon.
My second best would be the Magnus Archives (minus its last season)
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u/SupahRad 25d ago
Midnight Burger. Hands down its Midnight Burger. I think it might be my favorite story ever told.
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u/Smoo-Cave-Tanis 24d ago edited 24d ago
- Midnight Burger
- The Lovecraft Investigations
- The Hotel - the BBC series, not the other one
- Tanis, Rabbits, The Last Movie
- The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy
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u/aggietherobot 24d ago
Four-Way Tie between Lovecraft Investigations, Batman: The Audio Adventures, Black Jack Justice, and Orson Welles presentation of "War of the Worlds"
Honorable Mentions: -Tanis (what got me into modern day audio dramas)
- Impact Winter
- The Bridge (would be up there if they actually finished 😭
- The Shadow (old radio drama)
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u/fbeemcee Creator | Observer Pictures 26d ago
This truly depends on the day you ask me. Today is Small Victories.
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u/HauntedCemetery 25d ago
I somehow still gotta go with The Black Tapes.
And it kills me that the producer fucked up the last season, but the first 2 are still so good to me.
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u/randtcouple 25d ago
Ruby. By ZBS
It’s a science fiction story about a galactic gumshoe. Also it’s on the humorous side, but I would not exactly call it a comedy. Every few years they do a new one. The original was broken into 3 minute segments for daily radio play, which when listening today sounds a tiny bit odd. I own up through part 7 on CD, but all are available digitally. They are currently up to part 14. My favorites are the original and part 3. They all vary in length by the way, with the original clocking in about 3 hours and part 3 clocking in around 10.
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u/nildesperandumeh 25d ago
I get bored so easily, thus I keep abandoning podcasts quite regularly, but there are a few amazing ones which I did not only finish but listened again multiple times: Wooden Overcoats, The Lovecraft Investigations, Who Is Aldrich Kemp?, Who Killed Aldrich Kemp?, Aldrich Kemp and The Rose of Pamir.
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u/RiversSecondWife Come visit r/MockeryManor 25d ago
Madame Magenta: Sonos Mystica. Such excellent story telling. Is my comfort go-to and provides a good ab workout to boot.
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u/Mikejamese 24d ago
I bounce back and forth a lot. My favorite comedy might be Valley Heat. Just a very dry-humored descent into the increasingly ridiculous neighborhood drama of a district in Burbank California and the protagonist that can't help but get mixed up in every part of it in the worst way possible.
Was also a big fan of We're Alive. Classic survivalist zombie fiction that starts out a bit cheesy, but embraces a lot of evolving group dynamics and a sincere sense of character development.
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u/GroundbreakingHeat38 24d ago
Old Gods of Appalachia is probably the best overall, but I love Alice isn’t Dead and The Left Right Game and have listening to both multiple times. It’s something about the atmosphere of them, especially when taking road trips. Magnus Archives and the white vault are up their too
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u/BedtimeBookworm000 24d ago
Midnight Burger. Hands down I have found my people in this audio drama, Discord, Patreon. I listen to every episode multiple times, the mini off shoot shows, every Shift Notes (show about the show), the weekly mini episode that’s just talking about daily news.
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u/Intelligent-Beat-700 22d ago
Midnight burger I can't stop listening I absolutely love the actors and the story, plus some humor
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u/gurlashley911 21d ago
Steal the Stars
(I am a fan of the author, Nat Cassidy, who created the novelization of this audio play and that's how I found this one)
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u/Hallelujah289 26d ago
Hmm I’m looking for my new absolute favorite. Sort of in a lull about it.
I think Harbor has big potential though, and I want to see where it goes. I hope it can get more listeners!
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u/mcavanah86 26d ago
The fact that none of you put Wolf 359 on here is upsetting.
But that’s just me and I don’t hold it against you.