About.com Home Recording

The rumored Apple Tablet: how would you use it?

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:23:26 +0000

As a dedicated Apple user, I've been really excited about the prospect of the rumored Mac Tablet. It'd be a really great thing to have in audio, at least for me -- I'd use it for both recording and sound analysis for live mixing.

A small, Mac compatible, affordable tablet would be great -- especially at the rumored $600 price point.

So, if the $600 Mac Tablet comes out, how would you use it in your recording setup? I'd like to hear from you!

The rumored Apple Tablet: how would you use it? originally appeared on About.com Home Recording on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 02:23:26.

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Blue Microphones announces Yeti USB Condenser Microphone

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:08:59 +0000

Blue Microphones -- a popular brand of microphones for budget-conscious recording engineers -- has announced the release of Yeti, a THX-certified, multi-pattern condenser microphone with USB connectivity.

Yeti offers a proprietary triple capsule array with four selectable patterns (omnidirectional, cardioid, stereo, figure-8) alongside zero-latency headphone monitoring and hardware-based gain adjustment.

MSRP on Yeti is $149.99, and availability is expected in December.

Blue Microphones announces Yeti USB Condenser Microphone originally appeared on About.com Home Recording on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 11:08:59.

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Modifying Your Gear: Your Tricks?

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:27:45 +0000

I'm a big fan of modifying your own gear. There's some really good microphones and preamps out there at really good prices -- that sound many times more expensive once you modify them.

Personally, my favorite mod is the inexpensive ribbon mic mod I've written about before. What are your favorite mods, and what's made the biggest difference? Join the discussion in the Home Recording Forum.

Modifying Your Gear: Your Tricks? originally appeared on About.com Home Recording on Thursday, November 12th, 2009 at 04:27:45.

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Focusrite releases Scarlett plug-in suite

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:05:56 +0000

Focusrite has introduced Scarlett, a do-almost-everything plug-in package compatible with RTAS and VST plug-in suites.

Scarlett features top-quality compression, gating, reverb, and EQ in a single package. Designed as an affordable step up from included plug-ins, Scarlett is available at most music retailers starting immediately.

Scarlett is priced at $99.

Focusrite releases Scarlett plug-in suite originally appeared on About.com Home Recording on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 04:05:56.

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Recording musician? Join the Public Record

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:43:29 +0000

This is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while!

Tommy Lee, the legendary Motley Crue drummer, is recording a new album, and giving recording engineers and musicians around the country the opportunity to add their touch.

On Tommy Lee's The Public Record website, you can download raw tracks to remix and jam alongside. Record yourself adding whatever you want, and Tommy and his producer will consider it for possible inclusion in the album.

This marks one of the first times fans have been allowed to literally "be the band".

Are you planning on submitting? I'd love to hear your story!

Recording musician? Join the Public Record originally appeared on About.com Home Recording on Thursday, October 29th, 2009 at 05:43:29.

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WaveMachine Labs releases iGOG drum sampler for the iPhone

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:55:59 +0000

Wow -- this has to be one of my favorite products I've seen in a while!

WaveMachine labs, makers of the famous Drumagog drum replacement and sampling software, have released iGOG, a fantastic drum sampler for the iPhone.

iGOG delivers stunningly realistic samples in one of two ways: either via the on-screen drum pads (which are velocity- and touch-sensitive, an industry first for iPhone), or, my favorite method, via Trigger Mode with the iPhone's built-in microphone.

Using Trigger Mode, you can sequence -- including a click-track -- entire drum recordings by tapping any available surface near your iPhone. And suprisingly, it sounds great!

I'll be getting hands-on with a copy of iGOG this week. Stay tuned for a full review!

WaveMachine Labs releases iGOG drum sampler for the iPhone originally appeared on About.com Home Recording on Thursday, October 22nd, 2009 at 02:55:59.

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AES 2009: New Microphones from AKG

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:26:14 +0000

At this past week's AES convention in New York, some exciting introductions from some top microphone manufacturers.

Audio-Technica, a leader in value-priced, high-performance microphones, has released the AT4047MP and the AT4050ST microphones. The first is a multi-pattern, large-diaphragm condenser with a wide frequency response. The AT4050ST is a stereo version of the AT4050, offering both cardioid and figure-8 elements for a mid-side recording setup.

Audio-Technica also has released the AT4080, a spectacular sounding ribbon microphone designed primarily for vocal and orchestral recording.

AES 2009: New Microphones from AKG originally appeared on About.com Home Recording on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 02:26:14.

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127th AES Convention opens in NYC

Sun, 11 Oct 2009 03:47:16 +0000

This weekend, the 127th AES convention opened in New York City, bringing together the best products for the recording & live sound industries along with special sessions geared towards every level of professional.

This week, we'll be running a special feature with the highlights of this year's AES show. We'll be showing off some of the best gear direct from the show floor -- but to get it, you'll have to be subscribed to the About.com Home Recording Newsletter.

If you're not signed up for the newsletter, join today!

127th AES Convention opens in NYC originally appeared on About.com Home Recording on Sunday, October 11th, 2009 at 03:47:16.

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Live sound engineers: What's your "tone"?

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:12:49 +0000

I was recently working with a fellow engineer -- a top-notch mixer whom I share a lot of work -- and he mentioned that his "tone" was very similar to mine: Heil microphones through QSC speakers. Talking to him, it was obvious that I was, too, felt like that was my "tone" -- and when not mixing with those tools, I feel a little shorted.

So, what's your "tone", on stage or in the studio? What are the tools you can't live without when mixing, and what makes your "signature sound"?

I'd love to hear from you!

Live sound engineers: What's your "tone"? originally appeared on About.com Home Recording on Sunday, October 4th, 2009 at 22:12:49.

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Review: Sennheiser E904 Drum Microphone

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 02:00:21 +0000

This week marked a year since I first started using a set of Sennheiser E904 drum microphones. As a fan of the Sennheiser MD421, I was really surprised to find that they sounded nearly identical -- with a very big price difference!

Check out my review of the Sennheiser E904. They're great mics with a great price, and offer phenomenal performance on drums, percussion, and horns.

Review: Sennheiser E904 Drum Microphone originally appeared on About.com Home Recording on Monday, September 28th, 2009 at 02:00:21.

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