Search results for: audio buying guide microphone buying guide
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by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
In the postmodern era of music production, most musicians, producers, and engineers rely on a computer running a robust Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) like Pro Tools or Ableton to be the studio centerpiece. But despite their power and convenience, sometimes creating in this environment can turn into a series of mouse clicks that eat away at the joy and magic of music production. There are times when ditching the DAW and going old school with a physical piece of hardware can unlock new potential, forcing you to develop alternative techniques
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
For this installment in the 500-series guide, we’ll be looking at the available offerings of effects modules in the 500-Series format. I’m also including more utility modules that aren’t necessarily an “effect,” but don’t fall under the Preamp, EQ, or Compressor categories and are quite useful, nonetheless. Some more recently released 500-series effects modules have a combination of preamps and dynamics processors or can be used as such, so if you’re looking to get started on a budget, these could be good places to start your 500-series
by Steven Esposito · Posted
If you're looking to fully immerse yourself in your favorite games, having a great headset is key. There is nothing like hearing the revving of your car’s engine as you put the pedal to the metal or the pattering sounds of footsteps of another player trying to get the jump on you. But not every headset is meant for every person, and everyone has a different level of what they like and dislike. So today we'll highlight some of the best gaming headsets for all sorts of occasions. Whether you are looking for something budget friendly or the best
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
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 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
The 500 series form factor, first innovated by API in the 1960s, has established itself as one of the most popular and convenient form factors for outboard gear—get yourself an API Lunchbox or an equivalent and you can mix and match modules, swap gear in and out, and customize the chain of your outboard gear in whichever way you please, all in a portable form factor that you can carry from studio to
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 Steven Esposito · Posted
Fathers—you can’t get them anything because they keep on buying things for themselves. But what if you can find the one thing he didn’t know he needed? Well, that’s why I’m here. Today, I am going to tell you about some of the best tech-related gifts you can get dad this year all depending on the type of dad he is. Does he love sitting back and watching his favorite shows? Is he a business professional? Maybe he spends hours upon hours playing video games. No matter what he does, we have something in mind for him.
The Casual Dad
Casual dads
Posted
Kevin breaks down various setups you can use when recording vocals at home, from entry-level to high-end. The first step: understanding basic room acoustics. You'll also learn how microphones work, how to gain stage properly, and much more. Thank you to @mattrelevo for joining us!
0:00 - What We're Covering
0:44 - Treating The Room
1:36 - Audio Interface
2:54 - Dynamic vs Condenser Mic
4:01 - Basic, Bare-Bones Setup
12:30 - Home Studio Setup
17:10 - High-End, Professional Setup