Featured Equipment Of The Week - Novation Nocturn 49

Novation Nocturn 49
Nocturn Keyboard is an intelligent plug-in/sequencer controller. It has a high quality 'Fatar' keyboard, with 8 drum pads and a total of 33 assignable controls, which allow you to get hands-on control of your plug-in instruments, effects and sequencer.
Most keyboard controllers have two big problems: The idea of being able to control software parameters with knobs and buttons sounds great. However, the hassle of assigning them, and remembering what they are assigned to becomes so tedious that you always end up turning back to your mouse.
Nocturn Keyboard's Automap control software solves both these problems. To assign controllers, simply click on the parameter, touch a knob or button, and it is assigned! It also enables you to keep track of what is assigned to what - instead of using a small monochrome LCD screen, Nocturn Keyboard displays control information where you really need it: on your computer monitor. The Automap software graphically displays Nocturn’s control surface. The controllers themselves also tell you what is going on: LED rings around the 8 encoders show their current settings, and LED’s behind the buttons tell you if they are on or off.
Find out more about the Nocturn 49

TOP FEATURES

High quality professional keyboard
• Velocity-sensitive, keyboard from Fatar, with assignable after-touch. The Nocturn Keyboard feels like playing an instrument rather than a computer peripheral.

Illuminated controls provide instant visual feedback
• Brightly lit 11 segment LED rings around the eight smooth encoders, and backlit buttons throughout provide instant visual feedback for every physical control.

Touch-sensitive encoders
•  All 8 oversized encoders are touch sensitive, bringing up mapping information and allowing you to ‘touch’ in automation data on DAW’s with a ‘touch’ mode.

Automap control Software
• Allows you to instantly 'learn' controllers to plug-ins. The GUI graphically displays Nocturn Keyboard's control surface on your computer monitor, enabling you to see exactly what is assigned to what, without using a tiny LCD screen.

8 Velocity-sensitive drumpads
• Nocturn Keyboard features 8 'softfeel' velocity sensitive drum pads. These can do more than just trigger notes and sketch drum patterns, all can be assigned to control software parameters.

Total of 33 MIDI assignable controls
• 8 trigger pads, 8 dials, 14 buttons, modulation wheel. Sustain and expression pedal control can also be added.

Speed Dial
• The 9th encoder is a unique 'Speed Dial' which allows you to instantly change the value of any parameter the cursor is pointing at, with no assignment needed whatsoever.

USB Powered
• Nocturn Keyboard is powered by USB saving valuable plug sockets. It can also be powered down without being unplugged, preserving battery power in laptops.

Find out more about the Nocturn 49

What's your favorite Vocal microphone?

Continuing with our theme of vocal recording this month, I thought I'd ask your opinion.

What is your favorite vocal mic?

I've had great results with a variety of mics over the years but the one that stands out in my mind is the M-Audio Sputnik Tube condenser. For the money, that mic is phenomenal. It's a little dark but there's still loads of detail, and does this sort of natural compression thing when you hit it hard. It's got a lot of character that works great for rock vocals. I'd love to have for my own studio.

Of course, there isn't a mic that's perfect for every situation, for recording crisp voice-over, an AKG 414 XLII is a much better choice. The AKG D5 is a great dynamic vocal mic for stage and studio. In my own small production studio I'm using fairly low cost mics, either a Rode NT1A or Audio Technica AT3035 (replaced by AT2035), one of those mics is clearly better in a given situation and I'm happy to have the options.

One mic I'm dying to try out is the Lauten Audio Horizon Tube Condenser it's getting great reviews.

Let me know in the comments below what your favorite vocal mic is.

5 tips for better vocal recordings

Last month we shared 10 tips for guitar recording, this month we will focus on Vocals.

5 tips for better vocal recordings

Try to isolate - Most home recordists can't afford the cost to construct a vocal booth, or simply don't have the space for one. The next best thing is some acoustic treatment that surrounds the mic such as the VoxGuard. These help reduce the sound of the room in the mic, getting you closer to that tight, dry vocal booth sound and quite affordably.

Always use a pop filter - A pop filter in an absolutely essential accessory for vocal recording. A pop filter doesn't look like much but they very effectively stop blasts of air from distorting the mic. For the pop filter to be effective it needs to be at least a few inches away from the mic*.

Use the right headphones - The best headphone type for vocals is circumaural** closed-back. Why? Isolation. This design blocks outside noise, and let's you listen as loud as you want without the music leaking into the mic. Semi-open heaphones can be used but watch out for sound leakage.

Choose the right mic - Set up all your mics and record a few phrases with each one***. Listen back and decide which one has the best tonal balance and least sibilance. You may be surprised that your most expensive mic isn't always the best mic for a particular song. Taking some time to experiment and choose the best of what you have is well worth it, also allows the singer to warm up a little.

Find the right distance - A vocal right up close on a mic can sound cool, it can sound good but not natural. The further away (within reason) the better the tonal balance the mic will have. 12-24 inches back from the mic is a good balance of closeness, and naturalness. The further back you are the less drastic tiny changes in angle and distance are compared to a few inches away. This helps the singer because they don't have to worry about staying in precisely the same position while singing, moving around a little is ok once you take a step or two back.

Try out these tips the next time you record vocals!

Notes
* - The technical reason is turbulence. It takes some space for the turbulence to dissipate after the air hits the filter.
** - Circumaural means around the ear
*** - This is called a shootout