Search results for: audio buying guide home recording studio set up guide
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by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
Whether you record demo tracks on the road, produce podcasts at home, or collaborate with other artists in random locations, having a travel-friendly audio interface is key to staying versatile in your work. An ideal interface would be small enough to fit in a backpack, laptop bag, or satchel while supporting multiple types of I/O and USB powering. Seriously, the last thing you need is to have your ideas vanish whilst frantically searching for a free AC power outlet. Thankfully, your options are plentiful in number, and I’d like to bring your
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
Let’s face it—microphones are expensive. We all want a stocked mic locker with the greatest vintage microphones the world has to offer, but unfortunately, that’s a privilege few can afford. But fear not! There are plenty of amazing and affordable microphones in production that rival or even exceed the sound of the classic studio legends. So whether you’re micing up a guitar, your voice, or a whole drum kit, check out five of my favorite mics that we have in stock at B&H.
Large Diaphragm Condenser: Rode NT1 5th Gen ($214-$228)
As a mic I
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
As the democratization of music production continues to propagate, many people have been innovating new production techniques, creating entirely new genres of music, and recording literal chart-topping hits—all from the comfort of their bedrooms. But if you’re just getting started, you might soon realize that the vocal recordings you capture in your bedroom are … less than ideal.
Getting a tight and professional sound from a small bedroom is possible—but it takes planning, preparation, constant rearrangements, and maybe a few bucks here and
by Zach Kornhauser · Posted
Creating music doesn’t have to be tied down to a large studio, or even a humble desk setup at home. While those settings are excellent choices for coming up with new ideas, you must be prepared when creativity strikes, regardless of where you are. Whether you are in band practice with your friends or trying to make hard-hitting beats on your laptop, you should have everything you need to capture your ideas.
It’s also important to consider the size and weight of portable recording tools; the last thing you want to worry about is how to carry
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
Whether you’re a musician who’s building a studio or rehearsal space, setting up an audio system at a venue or house of worship, an aspiring streamer/podcaster, or a production house, the audio mixer may be the most important (and expensive) purchase you make—but with multitudes of options, you’ll want to know exactly what you need before pulling the trigger.
This guide will help you sort through the factors to consider when searching for the perfect mixer for the job. If you’ve got a case of choice paralysis when it comes to mixers, or if
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
With their history and pedigree, tube microphones have built a reputation for being the delicate, rare, and expensive stuff only the wealthy or most prestigious of recording studios can afford to have in their arsenal. While that was true in the past (and still is for some tube mics), many audio equipment manufacturers are cloning vintage microphone architecture or producing their own designs that are affordable enough to be
by Gabby Bloch · Posted
If you’re thinking about building a home recording studio or upgrading your existing setup with better gear, there are a plethora of options at B&H that can take your production to the next level (maybe at the cost of fueling your gear-acquisition syndrome). Here are some of our favorite pieces of music technology we have on offer, covering everything you’d need to start working on your own music and recording projects, or bring your productions to the next level.
MIDI Controllers
Novation Launchkey MK4 Series—A Workhorse Controller
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
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
Realistic artificial reverbs and other time-based processors are commonplace in today’s music technology, so it’s easy to overlook how much of a technical marvel it was when reverberation could be divorced from the physical location of a performance, and how quickly it transformed recorded music. From Bill Putnam’s reamping technique using physical echo chambers, to the Brobdingnagian 600-pound EMT plate reverb machine, to the complex digital convolution and algorithmic reverbs we have today, artificial reverbs have been sculpting the sonic
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
In the business of producing music, podcasts, or live performances, one of the most overlooked tools is the humble mic stand. The stand may not steal the show, but it does have the important role of acting as a conduit between the performer and the audience. So, whether you're a hobbyist or a professional, a well-built and versatile mic stand is a key accoutrement to any audio/visual setup. In this guide, we'll cover some great options we have from Auray* as well as other manufacturers so you can walk away knowing exactly what you need to look
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 Freddy Gerngross · Posted
Equalizers affect the fundamental character and quality of sound more than any other tool in audio engineering and sound design, making it perhaps the most common and useful tool in the industry. Like compressors, equalizers were originally meant to be a corrective tool, developed to increase the range of transmission for telecommunications by AT&T engineer George Ashley Campbell in the early 1900s—a few decades before John Volkman first used the technology in the method we use today while working for RCA, equalizing the audio of early