Search results for: audio buying guide choosing microphone your budget
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by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Bird-watching, known colloquially as birding, has quickly become one of the most popular past times for nature enthusiasts of all ages. In this fast-paced digital world we find ourselves in, getting outside and winding down to the sounds and sights of birds is quite therapeutic.
Every hobby has its fair share of essential gear,
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
If you're new to the world of audio and are wondering what a mic preamp does and whether you need one for your home studio, you're in luck. We've put this guide together to answer all of your questions.
What Is a Mic Preamp?
The mic preamplifier, or preamp, is a device that increases the voltage of a mic’s outgoing signal so it can be strong enough to be processed by other audio equipment—it takes signal from mic level to line level (often boosting between 30-70 dB). It can also add a user-specified amount of gain to the signal which in turn
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
Recording drums is an esoteric practice; even with consistent techniques, it can be difficult to get consistent results, and with so many microphones on the market, it's tough to know what gear will bring out the most life from your performance. Luckily, you don't need expensive mics to achieve a brilliant recording (but it doesn't hurt)—if you're someone who wants to know more about recording drums and which mics are best suited for the job, this article is for you!
How Do I Record a Drum Kit? Basics Before Micing
While this article is a
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
Whether you're a hobbyist making beats for fun or a seasoned professional producing music for your adoring fans, you'll want to have a MIDI keyboard to control your software synthesizers, drum machines, and maybe your whole DAW. In this shopping guide, we'll go over some of the best and most popular MIDI keyboard controllers we have in stock at B&H, their important features, and what kind of musicians they're best suited for.
If you need to know more about MIDI controllers and their affinity with DAWs, synths, and other hardware, check out
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
Among the many tools audio engineers use to sculpt and shape raw audio into a final work, most would say that compressors are in the top two most ubiquitous and useful. In concept, compressors are simple tools: they make the loud parts of sound quieter and the quiet parts louder, reducing dynamic range so that everything can be heard more clearly. They were first developed out of necessity, designed to solve critical technical problems in the early days of AM radio broadcasts—loud signals would distort, and quiet signals would be lost behind
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
Wireless microphones are an incredibly popular and convenient solution to many of the problems that come with traditional wired setups: they require far less cabling, and that means fewer issues with shorted wiring, lowered chances of cable-related tripping, and a higher number on the “Days Since Last Incident” sign. While they can be a bit more difficult to onboard, once the system is up and running, audio engineers and A/V technicians appreciate the fast setup time and decreased storage space that wireless mics afford. So, with all the
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
Now that we’ve discussed the basic gear you need to put on a live show, lets look at the specific kind of gear and knowledge you’d need to set up a professional event at a large venue, stadium, or arena. Whether you want to gain more knowledge in pro live sound or you’re just curious, you’re in the right place!
If you’re a beginner or want more context for this article, go ahead and check out the
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
The PA system is the linchpin of any venue or event space, whether it’s the hottest new night club, this weekend’s big house party, or the screening of the next indie film sensation. It’s integral to the experience of social activity—and because music and sound deserve to be clear, coherent, and exhilarating, the PA system needs to serve up the goods by being powerful, reliable, and properly scaled for the event.
In our
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
When it comes to putting on a live show, knowing the specific gear to get and how to use it can be a daunting prospect. There are tons of different microphones, speaker systems, monitoring setups, and mixer environments, all of which are suited for different types of performance settings. And that's not even including power distribution, cabling, and other miscellaneous equipment you'll need to put on a proper event. But fear not reader. In this guide, we'll go over all the gear you'll want to consider and why, whether you're putting on
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
With the days we've chosen to honor our parental units quickly approaching, it can be tough to find a gift that isn't just the same old stuff as last year. While grilling utensils or a bath kit can be the stereotypical and affordable solution, these 10 audio gift ideas can seriously impress your forbears—even if your parents aren't music lovers.
For Vinyl Lovers: Audio-Technica Sound Burger and Audio-Technica ATLP70XBT
Society writ large has decided that vinyl is back and here to stay. Whether you have parents who have collected a library of
by Steven Esposito · Posted
If you’re starting a video podcast or looking to get into live streaming, you’ve come to the right place. I have experience with both, so I speak from personal experience when I say you’ll need a capable computer to do either. What kind of computer exactly? Thankfully, the answer is simple.
For the time being, I can’t suggest building your own PC just for this. The prices of memory (or RAM) have skyrocketed due to the demands of AI infrastructure. In many cases, the price of memory has even surpassed some pre-built systems I’ve seen. The good
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
Recording is much more of an art than a science, and every recording engineer has their preferences and techniques to achieve the sound they’re aiming for. With the current accessibility of recording technology, people have created incredible, high-fidelity productions despite limited budgets and unlikely recording environments—all they needed was some knowledge, a good idea, and the passion to experiment and explore different methods. In this guide, we will explore different established recording techniques that will give you solid knowledge
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
Choosing a Digital Audio Workstation, or DAW, is a major decision. For beginners, it will define their learning curve, workflow, and operating knowledge—for professionals, compatibility, functionality, and familiarity is key. In this guide, we will give some detailed overviews of the most popular DAWs in the audio industry, what their strengths and weaknesses are, and some of their unique features.
If you’re in a rush, here’s a quick rundown of the best DAWs for a variety of common purposes:
If you’re a songwriter/producer: Ableton, Logic,
by Trevor Collins · Posted
The popularity of podcasting has skyrocketed in recent years. While many facets are involved in making a successful podcast, undoubtedly one of the most important is the microphone. However, with so many factors to consider, from budgets and solo or multi-person setups to technical specs like capsule types, pickup patterns, and onboard controls, the options can sometimes seem overwhelming.
Fear not! B&H has you covered in your endeavor to weed through the options and produce engaging content. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the key
by Steven Esposito · Posted
Breaking into the world of video podcasting can be a fun yet daunting experience. Aside from needing the motivation to try something new, you need the proper equipment. Some will say buying the best equipment available is the way to go, but for many, that approach is unrealistic. If you’re just dipping your toes in, you don’t need any extra bells and whistles. So, we are going to break down the essential equipment you need to get started while also sharing some nice-to-have accessories that will enhance your video podcasting.
The Essentials