Posts Tagged ‘recording’
A handful of years ago, I recorded a CD of my own songs with a friend who had built his own recording studio room. As a way of attaining experience and “seat time”, he had invited me to take all the studio time I required for free, and he would record and mix the music for me.
This is actually my first official recording experience despite that fact that I’ve recorded a few demos years back using a rather vintage four track cassette recorder. My friend was one of the few individuals who got their hands first on the innovative concept called digital recording and this friend of mind had one of the first sets ups used for recording straight into the computer hard drive. It absolutely was an amazing experience. I observed how my buddy did microphone placement for vocals, guitar amplifiers and drums; how he placed instrumentalists in different rooms so they could play live “together” and he could record several tracks without audio bleed-over; how he solved problems on the fly when things didn’t go as he’d planned. I paid close attention during the mixing procedure, as my friend would make the smallest modifications to the track volumes or equalization to enhance the sound. I kept asking queries about the procedure and my friend would patiently explain the whole process to me and at the same time answer all my queries. Collectively we created a recording we can both be very pleased of.
I do not think I realized just how much my first recording experience taught me until years later, when I was put into a couple of situations that drew upon my knowledge. The first one was as a small-time music performer, in hosting events where there was no sound engineer or sound person; if I intend to make it sound good, it was up to me. It was actually astonishing when I was able to manipulate the sound equipment and manipulate the sound mixer with ease. My first recording experience provided me with all the basic knowledge that I need.
The other scenario that drew on my know-how was when I became the audio engineer and wrote the music score for two short movies my son wrote and directed. By my own criteria I believed I was not competent, but with the knowledge I gained from my previous experience I was able to manipulate the sound elements in order to create ear friendly music and sound effects. In addition to that, I found a way how to remove those unwanted noise in the background from the film and this is very much helpful whenever the background noise affects the movie quality.
In taking on these tasks (which at the time I thought were more than I could manage), I found out just how much that my first recording experience had taught me. With that experience I was able to conclude that you actually learn a lot when you start applying what you’ve learned in real life setting.
An audio engineer, who is a buddy of mine made me a proposal that no aspiring musician can say no to.. “Come to my recording studio and make a record,” he said. “We can work on it up to the point that you find it acceptable. Take all the studio time you need.” In return, we decided that after I printed the record, I’d give him a part of the sales. This gift was a result of friendship and at the same time a desire for more experience.
So for a couple of days at a time, every month or so, I’d drive two hours to his studio, sleep there nights in a bed he’d set up, and record during the day. In fact, I ended up composing most of the record in the course of off times in the studio. While recording I paid attention on how he arranged the microphones and played around with on different things like switching gears when they fail. I watched as he went through the mixing procedure and as he made remedies for problems that come up at random. My friend would describe what he was doing, and why, and would constantly answer my queries.
The record by itself actually did not go anywhere. However, what I mastered during that experience and others like it has carried me through many different jobs and projects since that time. In those moments when I do not have a sound tech handy, I am no longer completely lost; I can work with the equipment on hand to figure out what I need at the moment. Moreover, the experienced trained my ear to listen to tracks that are not well mixed and at the same time it also helped me gain enough understanding to handle such mishaps. At present I am now capable of detecting what is really wrong with the track rather than just knowing that something is wrong.
I’m not a sound engineer, and have no dreams to be one. The essential point, though, is that what I learned in the recording studio was learned by doing – through a combination of mentorship and experience. This is because audio engineering is largely learned exactly that way – by someone displaying you the ropes, and through practice and experience.
My friend with the recording studio had in fact been to school, and he had learned a lot of methods he probably would not have picked up on his own. Nevertheless, I find it interesting that even after obtaining that education, my friend was compelled to offer me unlimited free studio time so he could gain experience running his own studio – even after going to school for it. Despite the advantage he got from his education, my friend still finds it insufficient and he wanted more experience.
The results are more important regardless of where you got your education. This is what I realized in the recording studio.
Every performer’s dream is to have a crystal clear voice on stage and a crisp tone in the studio. Well Blue’s Encore series of microphones is about to change the way microphones perform, on and off stage.
Take a look a the new mic from Blue, the Blue Encore 100 Dynamic Vocal Microphone.
Blue microphones are known for its distinctive look as well as its impressive ability to capture a wide range of sounds. Over the years, Blue has also been successful in crossing into other product lines such as the Snowball and Snowflake. Nobody expected that Blue will take another bold step, until now.
Blue now explores the live stage with its new Encore Series of hand-held microphones. The Encore series stand out from rest of the hand-helds because of its mere beauty and impressive sound quality. And being the pioneer model among three, the Encore 100 has already gathered the thumbs-up after a series of real world tests, onstage and in the studio.
The phrase “ruggedly constructed” will not give the Encore 100 justice. The first thing that you notice the moment your hold the microphone out of the box is its weight it is not uncomfortably heavy, but is clearly more solid than any other hand-held dynamics available today. Its body fits perfectly into the grip and its slip-resistant feature helps prevent those accidental drops due to profuse sweating of the hands during performance.
The Encore 100 is equipped with Blue’s Aria dynamic capsule, an element that is specially tuned for modern audio systems. The Encore 100 is unique from other hand-helds because it is capable of producing crisp highs and upper mids without the shriek. The capsule’s cardioids pickup patterns provide a good isolation as well as an admirable feedback rejection in a real-world setting. On top of that, the Encore 100 provides functional proximity effect you get a lower end when you get close but you do not sound dull at all.
Under acoustic conditions, the Encore 100 can provide an impressive vocal articulation without having to go to your graphic EQ for adjustments. It flattens your upper midranges and reduces feedback while enhancing the sound of your instrument. In the studio on the other hand, the Encore 100 gave a lot of detail to the sound without sacrificing warmth. This means that the Encore 100 is well-fitted for both worlds. It delivers nothing but the sound that you deserve, and so much more.
The Encore 100 gives you nothing but the crispest and the clearest sound possible, on and off stage. So why buy anything less? Order the Encore 100 now!
Read more about the Blue Encore 100 Dynamic Vocal Microphone.
As years come and go, music industry evolves and we have to adapt to its modern changes. Stop holding on to your usual products that produces less quality audio. Steinberg created a complete audio midi software that is useful for your music career. Being professionally designed this product contains all features that leaves all consumers frustrations from their previous products.
Check out the Steinberg Cubase 5 and some promo.
The Steinberg Cubase 5 has extended features compatible for musicians who ought to be more creative with their music. It has a world-class feature that surpasses every music producer’s quality expectations. Giving opportunities for the musicians to be more creative with their own music. The unique Vari Audio feature gives this software an edge. It enlightens the musicians, music producers and anyone who have tried using it by the use of different effects on the vocals. Changes with its pitch and tone can be done if you desire. If you are not good in singing, you can improvise your voice through this software. You can create beats out of different genres since it has the Groove Agent ONE that add more special effects in your beats. The Steinberg Cubase 5 is all-in-one audio software. The basic instruments have been stuffed into this audio software. It has all the basic instruments that you no longer need to bring the actual instrument with you. You can read the the Steinberg Cubase 5′s whole review to know its complete features.
The Steinberg Cubase 5 is a must in a musician’s and music producer’s software. With this, your music creativity would be extraordinary. It is just so complete that this software contains basic musical instruments that you need for a music production. It is time-saving in a way that you do not need to use and open a lot of software in making music. One software is enough to make full-band music. Music producers have spent a lot of money investing in softwares that could not give all. The Steinberg Cubase 5 is really a worthwhile investment for music producers and simple musicians who strive in making their own music as well.
Get another Cubase 5 Review.
Boss is one of the undisputed leaders and produces the best high end musical gadgets in today’s times. Keeping the trend alive is their latest creation – the Boss RC20XL Pedal. This product is sees some superior upgrades from the RC 20loop station. The features of this model are largely modified and fine tuned to produce some of the most amazing real time music with orchestra like effects.
You can get the Boss RC 20 XL Loop Station at your local musical instruments store.
The most striking capability of the product is the loop recording length which is a good 16 minutes. Quite fascinating.That’s an absolutely marvelous feature. But this feature is so amazing that it has liberated the musicians who were until now bogged down by the limitations of the length of time a phrase could be recorded. This feature is truly amazing and it helps the professionals to add that extra punch to their music.
Another fantastic addition to this upgraded model is the number of loops that can be saved. The number of phrases or loops that this model can store at a single time is close to a dozen loops. This gives you the added benefit of running multiple various one after another. This makes it a fine product that any musician would love to lay his/her hands on without any second thoughts.
This feature allows the musician to repeatedly store multiple loops giving him the much needed time and the technology to experiment with the kind of musical notes that inspire him. Creating orchestra style with ease and convenience is only possible with the RC 20 XL. Moreover, this piece of gadget enables you to create original work without any disturbance from the other effects.
If you thought that’s the end of the features of the RC 20XL, well here’s more – you can easily store the music that you play on the loop station. This comes in handy just in case you forgot the exact notes you used to play the first time. That’s an impressive feature as it will ease your burden, so you can put your energy on playing the music you want to without having to remember the notes you played as you can always come back and play. An artist plays what comes from his heart, and while doing that it’s hard to get down to the technicalities of the music like writing down notes. The pre-recording function of this gadget helps him overcome that drawback. Moreover, the artist can also play, edit or mix any tunes/phrases as and when needed.
There are several other features to the BOSS RC 20XL loop station, such as modifying the tempo of a loop anytime in the sequence, editing one specific loop without editing the other loops, that make it a worthy investment.
Being a successful entrant in the music industry is not an easy task. Branded instruments could really be extremely overpriced and buying them could prove to be daunting. Equipments like the Marshall MXL V67G Condenser Microphone are thankfully much more affordable. Moderately priced, there are no doubts about the quality of the product as well. You can easily buy it by yourself without borrowing any money. You need not disturb your savings either, for owning it.
Take a closer look at the MXL V67.
A condenser microphone is meant to amplify your voice and present it with distinct clarity amidst the chorus and background scores. One which does nothing but blends your voice into the resounding chorus is not worth spending money on. Unless you are knowledgeable enough, you might select the wrong one, which leads to severe dissatisfaction. Careful selection is hence mandatory. Procure a microphone that has a flat frequency. A flat frequency emphasizes voice quality, making it distinctly audible. This will prove instrumental in singling it out from the instrumental accompaniments.
The MXL V67G incorporates several advanced features which is representative of its superior quality.When you bring one home, you will also be provided with accessories along with the main equipment. The accessories can prove to be of immense use for several purposes. The instrument comes with a carrying case which can be used while traveling with it, for safe and comfortable transfer.
The equipment is ideally suited to the female voice. If you are a lady, wanting to make a successful entry into the music industry, this one is your ideal companion. The highly sophisticated design of the MXL V67G condenser microphone lends a classy look to it. Even though moderately priced, it can easily blend with the other variants which are considerably dearer.
When you buy a Marshall Microphone package, you get only one instrument accompanied by several useful add-ons. You cannot buy them in pairs. The affordability would decrease if they were sold in pairs, as costs would definitely climb up.There might be some negative impact on the quality of the product, if sold in pairs.Selling them in pairs could actually hamper the quality of stereophonic recordings, which are done with the help of this instrument.
The MXL V67G microphone fulfills all possible prerequisites that are expected of a microphone. It is impossible to find any flaws in it whatsoever. It suits the needs of almost all singers. The pricing is extremely affordable and competitive as well. Therefore, you simply can’t complain. As a complete package, it proves to be a superlative product with unique features.
In retrospect, the Marshall MXL V67G Condenser Microphone is an excellent product to bring home. You can enjoy high quality stereo recording facilities with this one. Moderate pricing never allows the demand to dwindle. The advantages clearly out weigh the negatives of this product.
Even though customers find it extremely satisfying, a 3 year warranty is also provided.Free trouble shooting service is provided to the customers for negligible malfunctions. These world class features distinguish the MXL V67G from the hoards of modest representations in the market.
Another opinion about the Marshall MXL V67G..
Native Instruments brings to the modern musician, a compact and robust audio interface that delivers superior performance. The impressive Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 USB 2.0 audio and MIDI interface has been built to address a range of needs of mobile musicians. Along with its ideal features, the Audio Kontrol 1 (AK1) delivers superlative performance which makes for a truly world class experience.
Check out the specs on the Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1.
The NI Audio Kontrol is an audio interface driven by 2-input 4-input bus-power. The outer covering of the AK1 is a blend of metallic shine and shimmering black plastic which gives it an enticing appearance. The AK1 is a compatible unit which can be easily carried along with other stuff, in your laptop bag. A light yet durable aluminum case is made available for safe and convenient transportation.
The front panel of the unit is occupied by audio inputs, level controls, mode buttons, and headphone output, which ensures easy access to these controls. The 4 main balanced outputs on the unit’s rear panel are controlled by four additional knobs on the front panel. These knobs act as universal controls and are able to control sound output levels of the headphones and level of direct monitoring. When operating with a solitary input, the “MONO” button activates direct monitoring which connects input signals directly to one of the output signals.
The top of the AK1 consists of a control board along with a main controller knob and additional 3 buttons which are not only used for adjustments, but are also capable of transmitting instructions. You can send MIDI messages or single-keystroke messages from the computer keyboard through these controls. The diversified functions of the controls make them compatible in forming unique combinations with other controls. As many as ten functions can be adequately carried out by the panel which comprises if four knobs including the main controller knob.
AK1 allows sampling of up to 192kHz, which ensures high sound quality. It also incorporates the world class Cirrus Logic AD/ DA converters. The AK1 records and monitors sound very efficiently.
AK1′s ‘Bundled Software’ features three software packages, for three different applications. Laptop DJs can use the Native Instruments Traktor 3 LE, guitarists love the guitar amps and cabinet combinations and the B4, FM7 and PRO-53 synths constitute the express combinations. Xpress Keyboards and Guitar Combos do not go with Intel Mac comps, however.
AK1 is very easy to install. A CD is used to install the software.Restart your computer on completion of installation, connect it to the AK1 device, and you are ready to go. You need internet accessibility for activating the software. I had an easy go when I connected the interface to my Intel Core 2 Duo 2.4 GHz capacity with OS X 10.5.3.
Versatile controls, rugged design, monitor switching, and ‘Bundled Software’, make this gadget from Native Instruments ideal for DJs, guitarists, and live musicians. Audio Kontrol 1 from Native Instruments definitely rates as a highly-recommended choice of audio interfaces.
Read another review of the Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1.
The new advanced next generation of RP5 has been launched by KRK. It is popularly known as the KRK RP5 Rokit G2 and is a budget monitor with high decibel delivery. The brand claims to provide studio standard monitoring with the regular set of speakers. Experts believe that the powered monitors will provide the technology to extract only the original music from the effects added by the equalizer.
Buy the Rokit Powered KRK RP5 Rokit G2 at your nearest recording equipment store.
The curved baffle design added to the front of the panel is an improvement on the older version. This change in the design of the speaker helps in lowering the diffraction effects and in handling a phenomenon called as smearing. The curve increases the frequency response improving the stereo images.
The input to the system is through the headphone jack. Because of this technology, one can now send any music from the iPod and the MP3 through this monitor but the only drew back would be that there is very high volume. Higher-frequency can now be produced on this model because of the modifications made to the tweeter. Retaining most of the features of the earlier version, new feature like the rubberized footing is introduced to absorb the coupling effect. The brand works in the ranges of 52 Hz to the subsonic level of 45 Hz. The speaker has been tweaked to satisfy the wide cross-section of listeners. This is the perfect choice of model if you want to hear to pure music. Usually the quality of the music is distorted and low but this can be resolved by these speakers. If connected to the studio monitors, the sub woofers produce excellent output.
This model allows the customization of volume and the HF. The additional features of this system allows one to use it and display its high performance capabilities. This budget monitor is true value for money. The popularity of this model is due the superior quality of output along with the different kinds of music it can play.
The input array at the back of the monitor allows one to gain the maximum output from the system. This model is compatible with most of the latest gadgets. The KRK RP5 G2 is definitely the best model in this category because it has the best of the technology as well as the best sound engineering design to produce the most amazing output.
Despite using regular speakers, the monitor has the technology like the five inch woofer and the one inch tweeter to produce quality output. This combination of speakers is ideally suited to produce the best quality music using this Rokit powered KRK RP5 G2 monitor.
Focusrite is a popular brand in home and studio music solutions. They have, over time, carved a name in this niche backed by their cutting edge technology. Their latest offering, the Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 is for the pure pleasure of those interested in recording and mixing music.
Learn more about the Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 at your closest musical instruments store.
This high performance kit consists of several hardware components like the internal drivers and interface along with quality software to help produce some amazing music. If that was not enough, you also get 1GB of loops absolutely free, for you to experiment your newly bought Focusrite Saffire PRO 24.
At the heart of the gadget are two crucial technologies – the interface and the pre-amps, that have been seamlessly integrated. The innovation of the pre-amps to subdue the distortion occurring before amplification is indeed very novel and has led to a series of awards, in recognition of the musical and sound engineering genius of the creators of the Focusrite Saffire PRO 24.
If you thought, that’s the only good thing about the Focusrite Saffire PRO24, then you’re wrong; another cool thing about this product is the audio interface that has the capability to make gives even the simplest of sounds a hi-fi touch. For those who want to create music from scratch, there’s good news in the form of the Firewire software that helps create your own sounds/music. You have the options to use either the analog output or the input, depending on your requirements.
The Focusrite offers several facilities to increase the productivity levels as well as the quality of the music produced. Hence one could do the mixing stage independently by simply being connected to the computer and keeping the Firewire interface open.
Music production was never as is as it is with the Saffire PRO24. It also helps in enhancing the music and giving it the finesse of professional music through its various modules and facilitating software. The instrument is decently priced and seems a value for money investment. The Pro 24 is ideally suited for the knowledgeable musician who would like to use the technology available in the market today to produce as well as to record music.
If you use a turntable and a microphone during your music production, the pre-amp function will help in reducing the distortion levels that tend to arise with the use of an amplifier. The pre-mixer is another great addition to the gadget; it brings to you a wide choice of pre-loaded music, and you can use these whichever way you like and also mix them with your own sounds to create your own music.
The kit offers superior music creation technology suitable for a pro as well as an amateur artist, and will keep you hooked for hours. It’s a highly recommended product, that will do wonders to your music production capabilities.
Open your ears to what music has to offer you these days. Providing you with the best quality in recording tracks, your satisfaction will always be assured. KRK RP5 G2 Studio Monitors is leading the way when it comes to producing performance level music with accurate and great sounds. Another breakthrough in music industry for recording studio monitoring.
People have been busy looking for the best provider that gives best quality of sound. It is just frustrating to crash in to monitors that does not meet with our standards. Good thing KRK came up with a good monitor. Sound professionals do recommend this monitor. So this could be the answer to what people had been looking up for.
Providing the best products such as RP5 G2 is KRK’s way of giving thanks to their patrons. It is covered up with features that soothes up your interest in music. It is designed to resist from problems that most monitors encounter such as sound diffraction and phase problems. Through the performance of this monitor, it enable you to provide a good mood for a recording. Highs’ and lows’ are not being distorted unlike other monitors do.
Take a look at its physical components, its appearance which is also significant to its sounding quality. The RP5’s curved shape allows music to travel in a broader angle. Designed especially for closed room studios for you to appreciate music has to offer.
KRK has been giving their name a sweet scent of reputation by providing good quality and trusted products throughout the years. If people are happy with KRK’s latter products, how much more with its new progressed model,
The system will enable you to be accurate with its sounding adjustment buttons with its corresponding functions, correcting to your own sound preferences. If the music outcome is not as pleasant to your eardrums, you can adjust and change it to your preferable sound, just the way you want it. Sound engineers can benefit largely with this kind of monitor with its unique assets.
Therefore, if you want to enjoy a great sounding monitor which could give your recording quality at its best, KRK RP5 G2 could be deliciously in line with your melodic interest. Juicing up your tracks and appreciating your own music has made easy through this discrete advance way that KRK provides you.
Check out the KRK RP5 G2 at your popular music store.