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Painting with a Hammer - How to Select a Microphone

Painting with a Hammer: How to Select a Microphone for Recording
by Jason Johnston

So you want to record audio and you are smart enough to know that you need a microphone. But you ask yourself, "With So many options, how do I select the right microphone?" You'll want to select the right tool for the job - just like construction: No one paints with a hammer. Maybe I've been watching too many politicians over the last couple of months, but I'm going to answer your question with three questions: What do you want to record? Where do you want to record it? What is your budget?

What do you want to record?

In a broad sweep, engineers tend to use dynamic microphones on louder sound sources, like close micing of drums and guitar cabinets, and condenser microphones on quieter sound sources that need more attention to detail like voices, strings and pianos or on more distant micing, like a room mic, a stereo choir recording or drum overheads. Here are a few typical applications and microphones used:

Source	Usual Type	Our Budget Picks	Our Higher Priced Picks
Vocals	Large diaphragm condenser microphone, usually with the cardioid polar pattern.	M-Audio Luna or Solaris, if you want multiple patterns and the Sputnik if you would like the warmer sound of a tube microphone	The new AKG C214 or the top end AKG 414, if you want multiple patterns.
Drums	Typically a host of dynamic mics plus two condenser mics for overheads	One of the Drum Mic Kits are probably the best bet - good selection and quality for the price and then add a condenser pair like the M-Audio Pulsar II	We like to mix and match in our studio: current picks - Kick: Audio Technica ATM250 - Snare Top: AKG D5 - Overheads: Se Electronics SE 3 pair
Acoustic Guitar	Usually a combo of a large and small diaphragm condenser mics	A combo of the M-Audio Pulsar single and the M-Audio Solaris is nice.	Small diaphragm we like the Se Electronics SE 3 single and for large we like the AKG 414

(These are just typical examples - in the end use what sounds good! )

Where do you want to record it?

In a live concert situation, one would typically using dynamic mics, close to their sound sources to avoid picking up background noises, the main speakers or monitors and other instruments (in a multitracking situation). In a more controlled studio room, you have the luxury of using condenser microphones that are more sensitive and will pick up nuances of the source, like a vocal.

What is your budget?

You've heard it said, "You pay for what you get." This is essentially true. Although you may find a few exceptions, a lower price microphone will typically yield less dynamic range (the width of frequency it will pick up), less detail (the clarity of those frequencies) and higher self-noise (the internal noise that every microphone creates to varying degrees). Spending a little more money will gain you the opposite. I say this is "essentially" true because there is also the law of diminishing returns involved. Once you break the $900-$1000 level on a microphone, it will take a lot more money to get noticeable results.

Pick and Pick Again

There is one word we use a lot around the store and studio: "Typically." These mics are just typical suggestions, but in the end you need to use your ears and imagination to get your desired results. Don't be stuck in the idea that "I must have this mic" or this "this mic always works for such and such." Focus on the principals rather than a cookie cutter solution. Use your head and what you have on hand until you can afford more. Because there is another saying we have: You can never own too many microphones!

Jason Johnston is the leader of the Revolution, musician and part-time professor of Music Technology at Sheridan Arts College.

ATH-ANC7 Noise Canceling Headphones Review

Review of the ATH-ANC7 Noise Canceling headphones
I may never fly without them again!
by Jason Johnston

I decided to test the Audio Technica ATH-ANC7 headphones on a recent flight flight. I like to travel as light as possible, especially if I have to make connections, but decided to take the protective carrying case as well in my laptop bag since it was not that much bigger than the headphones themselves and was extremely light. (click here for more technical info on the ATH-ANC7's)

Once we were at cruising altitude, I decided to try the headphones first with my MP3 player. Right away I noticed how light they were on my head, the adjustments were easy and the earpieces nicely angled for comfort and fit. I decided to try them passively first (without turning on the active noise cancellation) and found that they cut out quite a bit of noise without even being turned on. But on the downside, I found the volume level output to be on the low side compared to my earbuds. But this, and my whole flying world, changed the second I turned them on. In one word... "Wow." It was like the entire full flight and the engine all hushed in silence as soon as I flipped the switch. The volume level as well immediately increased and I was able to turn down my MP3 player, I'm sure in part to all the outside noise it was competing with before.

The music was clear and reminded me of other top non-noise canceling headphones in it's class. I found the detail of the sound to be quite good, the higher frequencies clear but soft and the bass not too pronounced. If you like the exaggerated bass sound of cheaper headphones, the ANC7's are probably not for you. But I found the listening experience with Rock, Acoustic, Bluegrass, Folk all to be remarkable. I didn't test them on classical, but from the strings I heard in other mixes I expect it would sound great.

The ANC7's also come with some handy accessories like a 1/8 to 1/4 converter and an airplane audio adapter which saved me $3 and let me test it out on the inflight action movie. The bass was smooth, the dialog was clear and it was an enjoyable listening experience.

To wrap up, you can buy a simple pair of noise canceling headphones for less money. But if you want great noise canceling and excellent sound I would recommend the ATH-ANC7 headphones.

Find the best price for the ATH-ANC7 headphones here online

Izotope Ozone 4 Announced - shipping January 2009

Around Revolution Audio, we have found the Ozone 3 Full-Suite Mastering Plug-in (pictured here) to be an amazing tool for all of us on the front lines. So, we are very excited about the updated version coming this January. Anyone who purchases Ozone 3 after Oct. 1 -in stock and available in our online store here - will be entitled to a free upgrade in January. Check out the full press release below: IZOTOPE ANNOUNCES OZONE 4 October 6, 2008 Ozone 4 builds on the program's reputation for superior sound quality and industry-standard mastering tools with new innovations. iZotope has updated and expanded Ozone's processing algorithms, optimizing them for today's low-latency DAW environments. Ozone 4 features a new Intelligent Loudness Maximizer, Perfect Reconstruction crossovers, mid/side processing for superior control over the sound stage, and a new True Envelope dynamics processing mode. In addition, numerous interface improvements and ease-of-use additions make Ozone even more accessible to musicians and engineers who want to quickly finalize their projects. Key Features:

* Integrated mastering system combining analog warmth and digital precision * New Intelligent Loudness Maximizer mode provides full-sounding masters while handling transients with unprecedented clarity * New Perfect Reconstruction crossovers combine analog character with digital clarity * New mid/side processing adds a whole new dimension of power to Ozone's EQ, dynamics and harmonic exciter by letting you process different parts of the soundstage separately * True Envelope dynamics processing introduces a new alternative to traditional Peak and RMS-based dynamics processing for exceptionally transparent compression, expansion and limiting * Improved and enhanced preset system lets users adjust a few simple parameters to get amazing results * Many more interface and ease-of-use additions

Plug-in formats: Pro Tools 7 (RTAS/AudioSuite), VST, MAS, Audio Units, and DirectX Platforms: Windows Vista, XP Apple OS X (Universal Binary) Pricing and availability: Ozone 4 will be available from Revolution Audio in January of 2009 pricing TBA. Purchase Ozone 3 here and get a free upgrade when Ozone 4 comes out in January

Sonar 8 Recording Software for PC

Sonar 8 Recording Software now Shipping Roland / Cakewalk has announced Sonar 8 software is now shipping. Here is a brief review of what to expect in this new software. The top new features include:

Loop Explorer 2.0 view provides browse and preview of audio and MIDI groove clips and patterns; quickly drag and drop loops and patterns into the track view; MIDI groove clips and patterns can be previewed with the virtual instrument of your choice. Dedicated Instrument Track single track optimized for mono or stereo virtual synths which simplifies the process of working with virtual instruments. In the pursuit of offering users options in how they want to work, the multi-track method of using virtual instruments employed by previous versions of SONAR is still supported. In addition users can split and combine instrument tracks to/from discrete audio/MIDI tracks. SONAR Performance Optimizations with focus on functionality including improved performance at high track counts and low latencies, faster launch time, and the ability to change audio devices without restarting; streamlined communication with VST plug-ins and Improved ASIO performance with output latency compensation. User Interface optimizations smoother display when resizing windows and panes, optimized metering, more responsive zoom and scroll. Channel Tools provides easy and powerful zero-latency channel processing for adjusting L/R channel placement, gain, pan/width, and phase; sample delay for precision timing adjustment of L/R channels in recordings; Automatic Mid-Side decoding of imported Mid-Side recorded material. Channel Tools can also provide a widening or narrowing effect to stereo recordings through adjustments to mid-side gain.

They have also added a number of new instruments included, only in the top Sonar 8 Producer version:

Beatscape loop performance instrument Beatscape, the latest instrument by Cakewalk's premier synthesis architect René Ceballos takes loop manipulation and realtime triggering/performance to new heights. Beatscape provides 16-pads to load and trigger loops or samples for sequencing your productions and beats. Each pad features a full powered REX player, Rapture-style step generator, multiple effect processors, and sophisticated groove slicing and dicing tools powered by Cakewalk's own AudioSnap slicing technology. Dimension Pro SONAR now includes a full version of the acclaimed synthesizer that combines real instruments with advanced synthesis for endless sound possibilities. The underpinnings of Dimension Pro's creative possibilities is the powerful Cakewalk's Expression Engine providing several types of synthesis including multi-sample rendering, wavetable synthesis, waveguide synthesis, and REX playback and manipulation. TruePianos Amber VSTi Module One of four modules that currently ship with the full version of TruePianos VSTi, the TruePianos Amber Module will provide SONAR users with world-class, playable piano sounds through its combination sampling, modeling, and synthesis sound design. TruePianos sounds and feels great, just like a real acoustic piano, with all the important characteristics: sympathetic resonance, inter-string harmonics, repedalling and more.

And a number of new audio processors, also exclusive to Sonar 8 Producer:

TS 64 Transient Shaper a powerful tool for sculpting the transient dynamics of any percussive based source material such as drums or guitars. The TS 64 Transient Shaper employs powerful envelope/transient-detection, linear-phase filtering, and gain-shaping to control the dynamics of individual transients of any sound with amplitude variation over time. TL-64 Tube Leveler a line driver/leveling processor that employs advanced analog vacuum-tube circuit modeling algorithms to add the unique qualities of tube color and warmth found in classic recordings to whatever source material it is applied. Native Instruments Guitar Rig 3 LE S built on the latest award-winning guitar amp modeler from Native Instruments; 3 amps and cabinets, 11 effects, tuner, metronome, and over 50 presets.

In Conclusion: Sonar software, especially the Producer version, has always come packed full of extra instrument and audio plug-ins and Sonar 8 is no exception. Sonar 8 Producer is excellent value for money and has the full capabilities to be the center of any PC based recording studio and is Revolution Audio's current choice for working in the Windows Vista 64 bit environment. The full version of Sonar 8 Studio and Producer and upgrades from previous Sonar versions are available through Revolution Audio.

NEW PRODUCT: Universal Audio LA-610 MKII

In the Revolution Audio studio we love our Universal Audio LA-610, now we can't wait to hear the new LA-610 MKII preamp compressor in the very slick "black on black" that was announced this week at AES 2008. Please call or e-mail for availability. Here are more details from Universal Audio:

The LA-610 defined the affordable, ultimate vintage tone channel strip. So how can UA improve on tonal perfection and what was already a hit product? Enter the sequel... LA-610 Mk II, a second-generation revamp of the original 2005 LA-610 design. While the preamp and compressor are identical to the original LA-610 that users have come to know and love, user-requested features such as true compressor bypass, larger metering, improved output signal, an auto-sensing power supply have been added bringing the end user an enhanced user experience. The LA-610 Mk II also features the highly popular black on black cosmetics of the LA-610 Signature Edition.

• Based on Legendary Bill Putnam 610 Tube Mic Pre and EQ Used on Countless Classic Recordings
• Authentic Teletronix LA-2A-style T4 Opto-Compressor
• Complete vintage channel-strip at groundbreaking price within project studio reach
• Mic Pre with Gain and Level controls, variable impedance switching, and Instrument DI for recording tone color
• Mk II Features such as True Bypass, Larger Metering and Improved Signal Output
• UA build quality and heritage, audiophile components, hand-assembled in the USA

Click here for more information or to buy the Universal Audio LA610 MK II online

Pro Tools 8 announced - is it worth the upgrade?

Digidesign has just announced Pro Tools 8. It should be shipping in Canada by the end of the year. It may be available as a downloadable upgrade before that. New Features So, as with every software update you have to ask the question: Is it worth it? Will it give me more than just a new number at the end of my software name? At first glance, this seems like a very impressive update. Knowing Pro Tools 7, here are a few features that point to the fact that this upgrade will be worth it: Advanced MIDI Editing and New Software Instruments MIDI is the area that I felt Pro Tools 7 was lagging behind Cubase and Sonar for functionality. They have now added some more virtual instrument plug-ins right out of the box: inluding Mini Grand piano, Boom drum machine, DB-33 tonewheel organ, and Vacuum and Xpand!2™ synths. These are not just "light versions" of other full software expecting you to upgrade. There are also some new MIDI editing features that seem promising including a separate MIDI Editor window! For avid Cubase users for myself, this is a huge upgrade. You will be able to open your MIDI information in a new floating window, or split the screen (looking a little bit like Garageband, if you are familiar with that program). Pro Tool 8 also includes a "Scoring Feature." While it will not be as feature rich as Finale or Sibelius, it's nice to have for some situations. New Look Pro Tools is now starting to look like it has joined the rest of their competition in the new millennium. Looks are not everything, but it's a nice change. More Tracks The default for Pro Tools LE will be 48 tracks now. Nice upgrade, especially as computers are much more powerful now and can one could easily take up the 32 voices available before, especially I found if you are doing anything with post production. Other Features It seems they have also added a few more audio plug-ins, more control surface integration and a number of other audio editing and mixing functions. We will review Pro Tools 8 at a later date when we have our hands on it, but from the feature list and videos it is looking like a great upgrade. Available (hopefully) by the end of 2008 for Pro Tools LE, Pro Tools M-Powered and Pro Tools HD.

New AKG C 214 Mic review : The coveted C 414 at a home studio price?

ORDER THE AKG C 214 MICROPHONE HERE One of my favourite "go-to" mics of all time is the AKG C414 (specifically the B-XLII). It is super quiet, has multiple patterns and attenuation switches and just simply sounds great. The diaphragm is based on the AKG flagship microphone the C12. But having this quality with this number of features comes at a higher cost, often higher than home studio users want to spend. So, in steps the new AKG C 214. A lower cost alternative to the 414 without the sacrifice of quality. What do you get? I the package you get the mic, hardshell case and AKG shockmount. The mic sounds fantastic and has a fixed cardioid polar pattern, used most often when micing vocals or instruments. It also has a 20 db attenuation switch and a bass roll off. It's a clean, killer vocal mic without the extras. What do you miss? If you need the multiple patterns, and multiple roll-off and attenuation switches, go for the AKG C414 XLII instead. It will cost you more, but this is a lifetime investment if you take care of it that will be usable in many situations. Final Assessment If you are looking for a quality, large diaphragm, cardioid microphone that should last for a long time, the AKG C 214 is a great pick. If you need more flexibility in your polar patterns, you may want to do the upgrade or find lower quality microphone with more features in this price point. Some other competing Large Diaphragm Microphones: M-Audio Sputnik : Multi-Pattern Tube Microphone AKG Perception 420 : Multi-pattern Mic SE Electronics Z3300A : Multi-pattern LD Condenser Mic CAD M179 : Multipattern Condenser Microphone Audio Technica AT 4040 : Fixed cardioid condenser Browse all of Revolution Audio's Mics here