Search results for: audio buying guide usb microphones buying guide
About 109 filtered results
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 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
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 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
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
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
As a new product that caters to an underrepresented segment of the home/portable speaker market, the release of the somehow simultaneously big and small Sonos Play looks to represent the culmination of Sonos’s reconciliatory pilgrimage.
During the development of their new speaker lineup including the Play, Sonos has completely overhauled their mobile app design, seriously improved their tech support, updated
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