Search results for: pro audio industry standards
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by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
As miraculous as audio recording and reproduction technology must have been for those who witnessed its proliferation during the early 20th century, it remained a broadly rudimentary process until the late 1940s when the adoption of magnetic tape became standard.
Unfortunately, magnetic tape was invented in an extremely tumultuous time and place: German engineer Fritz Pfleumer’s 1927 invention was sequestered away from the world at large for nearly twenty years. When Germany was liberated in 1945, Allied forces were ordered to seize all German
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
Tube microphones (also known as “valve mics” to those who refer to the subway as “the tube”) are something of a venerated patrician class of microphone technology known for their euphonic sound characteristics and historical pedigree, along with exorbitant prices that induce nightmares for recording studio accountants—discontinued models like the Telefunken ELA M 250E command upward of $30,000, making a brand-new Sony C-800G
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
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
Since its founding in 1992, DPA Microphones has gained a prestigious reputation in the audio industry for their mics' exceptional quality, crystalline transparency, and rugged and reliable build quality. And while DPA's microphones have found their way onto the stage with Beyonce, onto the sets of Game of Thrones, and into the concert halls of the world's greatest orchestras, what's perhaps most impactful to our world is the contributions they've made to the scientific community: DPA's microphones have enabled advancements in medicine,
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
So, you've gotten all the hardware you need to start podcasting—the mics, production console, interface, boom arms, sound treatment, the works—but your audio quality still isn't quite as professional sounding as top podcasts. Even a recording in a well-treated room with the most expensive microphones will often need a little extra push to sound its best, especially in the crowded and competitive market of podcasting.
When shopping for plug-ins, always look for a sale, and always make sure to try out the plug-in before buying (most companies
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
Mixing audio is not an exact science—there are many ways to achieve similar results, and what works for one project may not for another. In my ten-plus years of mixing, I’ve had the privilege and opportunity to learn both common and lesser-known techniques from some of the best engineers in the world, as well as the time and practice to discover my own tricks and techniques through experimentation and a few happy accidents. We don’t gatekeep at B&H—here are ten helpful techniques you can use to bring the best out of your mix.
1. Use
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
When recording, mixing, or mastering, it’s critical to refer to meters to ensure the project is properly balanced and leveled but the nature of metering can be difficult to parse. The philosophy and mathematics of different methods of metering can produce vastly different results even when analyzing the same exact audio signal. Understanding how metering works and how to use it is key for creating professional sounding music.
In this guide, we discuss the basics of metering, the science and philosophy behind the different methods, and
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
Audio engineering is something of an arcane science. Unlike the more tangible fields of engineering, the success of an audio engineer—outside of material wealth—is subjective. When it comes to the work of an engineer, a collapsing bridge is a lot more palpable than a bad mix.
This subjectivity has led to the dissemination of some fantastical claims that defy the laws of physics, acoustics, and mathematics! We can measure nearly every aspect of audio in a tangible way—mathematician Joseph Fourier has proven that all sound can be recreated by or
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
Modern digital audio workstations usually come with some solid stock plug-ins and virtual instruments—many music software companies pride themselves in offering every tool necessary for professional audio production. In theory, a proper DAW could give you everything you need but in practice, you’ll quickly find that many third-party tools are industry standard necessities, offering the power and flexibility professionals need to compete in the market. In this guide, we’ll go over the best way to purchase and acquire audio software and some of
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
The Yamaha NS-10 is the divisive and decidedly drab nearfield studio monitor whose story serves as testament to the world-altering power that can be deracinated from the troughs of mundanity. NS-10s aren’t sexy, nor are they rare or expensive—they don’t even sound good. So, what made these humble noisemakers such a mainstay in the audio community for nearly fifty years?
Honest and transparency are two of the most desirable traits in a relationship
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