Search results for: audio recording best practices
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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 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
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 Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Content creation can be as simple as we make it, but if you truly want to make your content stand out, you’ll need the right tools to do it. Visually pleasing lighting and quality audio can go a long way to legitimizing your work and giving it a pro level feel. In this guide, we’ve put together a few kits ranging from budget friendly to higher end and everything in between.
Best Budget Kit
It’s said that the best camera is the one you have available. Odds are, you likely have a smartphone, so that’s our budget camera. Most modern smartphones
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 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
Reverb gives sound verisimilitude. Think of it as the persistence of sound after it is produced—a phenomenon of multiple clashing and diverging sonic reflections whose characteristics are defined by the surfaces and materials they contact. It reveals the nature of a physical space in infinitesimal detail.
Reverb defines the tangible nature of space and our place within it—something that sighted and hearing humans often take for granted. You can infer a ton of knowledge about an environment simply by listening to what it sounds like.
The
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
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
Posted
It takes a lot of guts to engage with a stranger on the street, ask probing questions about their struggles, and come away with a portrait and a story as a record of the human connection that was made. Now, imagine repeating this process countless times over 15 years under the moniker Humans of New York (HONY) and watching what started as a passion project take the world by storm.
Above Photograph © Brandon Stanton
In today’s show, we’re privileged to chat with this 21st
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
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 are the most powerful tool any audio engineer or musician has in their arsenal. Like many tools in the world of pro audio, while its concept and function are simple to understand, the different philosophies of a given EQ’s design and application can result in numerable sonic outcomes. Understanding how an EQ works is extremely helpful in deciding when and where to use a certain type and will work wonders for live setups, mixing, mastering, and perfecting tone.
In this tutorial guide, we’ll begin with the basics of equalization and
by Freddy Gerngross · Posted
Modern pop vocal processing is meticulously crafted to present the upfront and clean sound we’re used to hearing on the radio—oftentimes, even advanced engineers have trouble capturing the vocal clarity and presence that’s required to get on the charts. In this guide, we talk about some of the most popular gear and reveal the vocal chains of some famous recording artists, the meaning behind their choices, and how to get a similar sound at a fraction of the cost via clones.
What Is a Vocal Chain?
A vocal chain is a series of hardware used while