Audio Gear Review

KRK Rokit 6

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 14:05:00 +0000

Studio monitors can be one of the most important pieces of gear in the recording studio. Your speakers are what you will reference everything you hear too, and make judgments on your mix based on what you hear. If you are using monitors that do not represent a flat Eq then you are hearing the sound altered by the speaker and not what it actually sounds like.

I have had the opportunity to test and experiment with several different studio monitors including the KRK Rokit 6's. At a first listen they sound nice and full with a good presence at the low end. Listening to hip-hop and R&B they sounded great. When I switched to rock and more classical music, the KRK’s seemed to be coloring a large amount of the song. I soon discovered that the Rokits come built in with a frequency curve that is pre determined by the company. This may be good when trying to enjoy some music and just playing it back in your living room, but when mixing in a studio it is far from ideal.

I continued to listen to different genres to see how they would sound out of the KRK’s. It seemed pretty consistent that these speakers favored bass heavy songs. We then played the same songs out of some Yamaha HS80M studio monitors to compare, the difference was night and day. The Rokits lacked the high presence that is required from studio monitors and boosted to much lows which is a unnecessary when properly trying to mix music.

Overall I would say that these are great party speaker. If you are trying to listen to loud music on the couch these are the speakers for you. If you are in the studio trying to accurately mix your music, I would recommend staying away from the KRK’s and find something that represents the sound more accurately.

Universal Audio 710 Twin-Finity

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 12:21:00 +0000

When capturing sound there are three main components in your signal chain. Your microphone, the pre amp to boost the microphone signal, and your recording device, weather it be a computer or a tape machine. Each part of the chain plays a vital role in how the real sound will translate into a captured medium. The pre amp is arguably the most important part of your signal when it comes to capturing clean precise sound. A quality microphone is preferred, but you can get a way with a lower end microphone and very high-end pre amp and still get quality sound.

The Universal Audio 710 Twin-Finity is one of the best sounding pre amps I have had the pleasure to work with. It features both a solid state and tube amplifier that can be blended together for optimal sound. Like most pre amps it offers 48v phantom power, a pad, and a low cut filter. What separates it from the crowed is the warm and rich sound you can achieve when properly blending the solid state and the tube amplifiers together.

I had the privilege of recording through a Neumann TLM 49 and converted my audio through RME ADI 8, probably one of the best sound chains you could possibly but together, but nether less adding the universal audio to the chain made a world of a difference. Instantly while recording the same artist, the vocals sounded big, bright and were filled with presence. It returned the traditional analog sound to a digital recording. When recording acoustic guitar it made the highs crisper and the mids and lows have more warmth and presence. Overall it’s not for every recording application, but when used for vocals or acoustic instruments the 710 Twin-Finity is in a league of its own.

I would recommend this pre amp for anyone looking to create professional recordings on a budget. It may have a larger price tag at medium of $800, but for the money spent there are very few pieces of equipment that can dramatically improve the overall timbre of your recordings.

Business Plan Tips 2

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 12:23:00 +0000

Taking in consideration what Mr. Powers and Mr. Nathanson mentioned about business plans, it is important to revise your business plan to make sure it is fully satisfactory to your liking. After reading and watching videos from Mr. Nathanson I realized how important it is to have a good team surrounding you, and to be able to have full communication with your partners and workers.

I have been known to keep secrets of my own that I believed to be great ideas, but it turns out when you share your ideas you get more insight and opinions regarding the subject. People will be delightfully surprised to find out how much their colleges actually know. Having a truthful and open full relationship with your workers helps establish a comfort zone in the workplace that ultimately leads to better work ethics and happier employees.

Another common mistake mentioned was the under capitalization of a business during startup. In order to make sure the business runs smoothly in its opening months, capital will be needed in order to keep the company above water. Very rarely do new businesses generate a profit when they first open, in fact most report losses their first quarter, so to have proper capitalization upon opening is essential to survive your first year of business. If personal funding is not enough than money will be sough after from investors.

The right investor can help make or break your business so it is very important to be honest and represent the business as accurately as possible. Investors rely heavily on the financial of the business plan and are expecting to make a return on their investment. Having proper quarterly income statements can help paint a better picture for the investors, and when they might expect to see some money in return. As long as your numbers are accurate and honest investors can determine if it is worth their time and money to help you open and operate a business.

Business Plan Tips

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Sun, 02 Sep 2012 00:15:00 +0000

Creating a proper business plan, which can be used for guidance, can be the difference between succeeding and failing in the industry. After watching several videos by John Powers, attorney at law, and Dan Nathanson, School of business UCLA, there are several important factors that they mention when creating a business plan.

First mentioned by John Powers the inadequate capitalization to start a business is usually the most uncalculated part of the business plan. It is crucial to be very accurate and precise to not overlook anything when putting the numbers together on the plan. The most common mistake is to underestimate the cost of operation for the sake of spending less, and making the plan look better financially. This may look good on paper but in realty drives the business into the ground. Since the business plan can be a guide for time to come, starting up your business with wrong numbers is like talking a boat into the ocean with holes in it. The business is bound to sink before it has ever opened.

Dan Nathanson mentions another common mistake made when creating a business plan is to keep to much secrecy. Entrepreneurs think they all have the billion-dollar idea and do not want to share the full extent of their idea. When creating a plan that involve many people, it is crucial to be honest so no detail is overlooked. Keeping important information to secret means it is overlooked in the books and not accounted for in the financials. If the entrepreneur shared the idea, they could not only get the correct financial for it, but get feedback as well. Individuals in the field that have experience can help with the idea and may see areas that have been overlooked before. It’s the small secrets of a corporation that can ultimately lead to the failure of a big business.

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 15:01:00 +0000

Cascade M39 Review

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 07:04:00 +0000

Cascade is a fairly new microphone company that is making some buzz around the recording industry. With their high fashion designs, their microphones are definitely an eye catcher, leaving an impression of elegance. Having such classy looking microphones, at such a low costs, leaves one to wonder if they have sacrificed sound for show. I got my hands on a pair of M39s and was excited to try them out.

Knowing that it is a shotgun style, large diameter, condenser microphone, it was meant to capture more in the high frequency range. The M39 comes with a 10db switchable pad and a -10 db attenuating low pass filter. It has standard unidirectional cardioid pickup pattern and requires 48v phantom power. Out of the box the M39s where ready for some symbol and overhead recordings.

Our first pass we used a stereo set of M39s in a spaced pair capture technique, putting the microphone the same distance apart from the center of the snare. We recorded a full set of SabianAAX symbols and high hat to see how the M39s sound. Surprisingly for a set of fairly low priced microphone, cascade has preserved the classic large diaphragm sound with great clarity. The symbols sounded large and open, and the highs were crisp with minimal distortion. The high hat sounded a little too pingy and missed the 10k response that high hats need. Overall it sounded great and defiantly had me impressed.

After recording several runs, the Cascade M39s performed amazing with great natural sound. Cascade has created a great product that can compare to the Shure SM81 and the AKG C430 with half the cost. A stereo set of the M39s cost $159.00 and can be purchased directly from cascades website. This is a great microphone and I would recommend it to anyone on a budget looking to capture some great overhead sound. I can't wait to test some more of the cascade lineup!

Choosing The Correct Tom Mic

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 04:14:00 +0000

When it comes to capturing the best sounds out of your tom drums the microphone options are endless. There are a few that are preferred and stand out from the pack, so I went ahead and compared their strengths and weaknesses. The models tested were the Sennheiser 421, Sennheiser e904, Shure Beta 56A and the Audix D2.

The first mics tested were the Sennheisers 421 and the e904. The 421 is the industry standard that has been used to mic toms for over 35 years. The tone was precise and the low end was full and warm. It lacked mid range pop but is overall a great sounding microphone. The e904 was not far off with similar fidelity in the high end and great response in the lower frequencies. The e904 performed greater under higher SPL delivering more precise sound.

One of the more affordable tom mics the Shure beta 56A is a standard in any small recording studio. The microphone has a nice warm sound with a good punch in the mid range. It lacks the low end that one looks for when capturing larger floor toms but makes up for it on the smaller toms with its high punch sound. The last mic tested was the Audix D2. The D2 instantly had a noticeable higher noise floor compared to the rest of the microphones. The low end was real large and thumpy with not to much accuracy. The mids were nice and warm but the high end lacked fidelity and clarity.

Overall every microphone has its own personality and unique sound that can be used in different circumstances. If looking for the most precise clean sound I would pick the e904 or the 421. For dirty more grungy sound the beta 56A would suffice, and for muddy low end rumble the Audix D2 is a winner If you’re looking for the best sound and don’t want to sacrifice, I would recommend using either of the Sennheiser microphones.

How To Get More Fans Online

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:53:00 +0000

Since the transition to digital all kinds of music is widely available and it has become really hard to separate yourself from the pack. With how easy it is to find music on the Internet today how do you separate yourself from the rest? One major game changer is to have a strong online presence and following.
You must create a site for your self, a blog where you can let people know what you think, and a fan page just to get started. It is very important to constantly stay on top, responding to people comments and questions. When people realize they can connect with you and get to know you a little better, it helps establish a stronger fan base. If you have access to a camera it is greatly beneficial to record some video of yourself and place it on YouTube for promotional purposes. Make a short intro telling a little about your self and why you are in this industry. Let people know what your believes are and what you hope to achieve through your art. The more content that is out there for people to see the more likely it is for people to like something and connect with you.
Keep your fans interested and up to date with information on upcoming events that they can attend or a twitter where they can follow your moves and know what you are up to. If you keep persistent with your fans they will respond and your fan base will grow. Having links to your music on everything you do online is also a must. People can find your work from all kinds of different relocations on the internet and you want to make sure that no matter what site takes the consumer to you, there should always be a link to let the consumer access your work. Using these simple tips you can start building and connecting with your fans right away.

How To Distributing Your Music

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 14:51:00 +0000

The music industry is changing and is not what it was twenty years ago. In the traditional industry in order to get your music out to the public it was a long road of agents and labels. You had to find a talent agent to shop your work to the major labels in hopes that they might like it and decide to market and distribute the work. The chances were far and few since not everyone knew an agent that had connections to get their work on the labels desk.
This has all changed since we transitioned into digital and it is now possible to completely bypass the major labels. Thanks to new technology like iTunes, amazonMP3, and Spotify to mention a few, the way consumers purchase their content is now mostly digital. This allows us to put our music on cloud hosting and make it widely available to anyone in the world. Instead of relying on major labels to distribute out music, it is now available on all major download sites and can be purchased by just about anyone. Site like cdbaby.com and tunecore.com are making it very easy for anyone to self-release their music with out the need of a major label.
If you have copyright protection on your work you can use one of these sites to help place your music in all the major distribution points across the Internet. Now all your fans can go online find your work and buy it with the ease of a click. The best part is that you get to keep almost all the money on sales of your work. Where in a deal with a major label you will only receive fractions of what your music is selling. The industry is changing for the better, and the sooner artist find out how to release and distribute their own work the better off the industry will be.

Interview with Brad Schram

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 02:00:00 +0000

I had the pleasure of speaking with Bradley Schram whom is an attorney in the general Detroit area. During our conversation we spoke about zoning and running a small business out of a home. I started by asking Bradley if I wanted to run my business from home, what is best way to go about it? He first stated that in order to be able to have a home business you must first check in with the homeowners association to make sure you have permission to do so. Once you are clear from your HOA Bradley then mention you have to go to you local state office and register the type of business you are looking to open.
Those are the first two basic steps to securing a business at home. I then asked him if my HOA will not allow me to operate from home is there any way it is still possible? This can make or break some small businesses that do not know the law. You can create a business under another address and do operation out of your home. For instance if I purchased a office downtown and registered my business there, I could still keep inventory at my home. We then spoke about what is the next step once you have your business registered.
He advised once you know what you would like to call your company to apply for a federal trademark and have protection of your name. I asked him why not a state trademark to find out since my business will have heavy internet marketing and music sales across state lines it is important to have a federal mark to protect you. In all I learned almost anyone can open their own business with a little knowledge on trademarks and your local city law. Once your business is registered and trademarked you are ready to compete with any business in the nation and the possibilities are endless.

Label Liabilities

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 23:55:00 +0000

There are many branches and division that fall under a recording label. Recording, legal distribution, and marketing are just a few of the perks that a record label can help the artist out with. After reading several articles about liabilities a label can face, it leaves one to contemplate the legal team that works for these labels. The Wallace Collins article raises an excellent point about lost or stolen recordings, and who is liable for them. Once a master recording is made, it is the final copy of the artist work. Countless hours have been spent into the creation of the music so now that it printed down, it is imperative to have back-ups and to know where your master actually is. Placing a price on music that never hit the airwave can be complicated since you cannot prove that these tracks were not going to be the next hottest tracks. Major record labels have a system in place to prevent these events from occurring but smaller label do not. Another big liability that needs to be addressed is the actions of employees signed under the label. In Birdmans case a woman is suing for sexual assault in the studio. The owners of the label may not have committed the assault, but they are still liable for their employees action under their roof. This is a massive reputation buster and someone has to be held liable. Knowing you employees and having good insurance is a good start to protect yourself from incidents like this one. One of the most important parts of having a label is the band or artist you will be signing. There are many places a label can be held liable and the artist are no exception. “One Direction” a boy band that was signed by Simon Cowell under his Syco Entertainment label is now being sued for using a bands name that already exists. Due to the nature of the beast a label is responsible for its artist and their image. Research must be done to know that you are not infringing on others rights. These are just a few liabilities a label can face and if your thinking about starting a label, these situations should all be kept in mind.

Interview With Rudolph Zwaans

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:10:00 +0000

I was fortunate enough to get to meet Mr. Rudoplh Zwaans who is a recording engineer and music producer right here in Orlando, FL. Mr. Zwaans is best know for his one of a kind music and raging live shows in the downtown area. I was able to sit with Rudolph and have a discussion about the entertainment industry. The first topic we discussed was his process of getting live shows and how he gets what he fells like he deserved. One very important point he mentioned when selling yourself is to show how you can benefit others. Instead of focusing on your strengths and all that you are good at, he mentioned to try and focus on how you can help others. This demonstrates your skills and at the same time shows how beneficial it can be to have you around. It is very important to keep a good image of yourself and a clean reputation. We then continued to talk about getting the money you are asking for. The best way he descried it was you “will only make as much as you think your worth”. This theory is a little different due to it has no solid supporting facts, but there is still lots of truth told. In order to get a larger payday you have to sell yourself as a very valuable asset. If you come into a negotiation with only half your confidence then you will not show your value and you will not be rewarded. If you show how much of a crowd pleaser you are then your value just skyrocketed, as did your pay. Last we discussed the matter of ethics in a negotiation. Rudoplh mentioned how important it is to always keep your composure and never let your opponent see your weakness. If you let emotions into a deal the oppositions can read you easier and exploit your weaknesses. To sum it all up when entering a negotiation one should be prepared with background of the opposition, have confidence in oneself and be able to show the value you are bringing to the table and how it can benefit others. If you can demonstrate these values you should have a much easier time in your future negotiations.

Information about the Industry

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:44:00 +0000

After listening to several podcast about the entertainment industry I found some very important information one should be aware off. One of the important things mentioned in the Trademark Productions podcast is how to avoid having your business hacked into and have your information stolen. They mention how hackers protect their identify by hiding their IP using proxy servers to avoid having information tracked back to them. This can be used in reverse to your advantage and help you protect your files from the hackers. You can block your IP and use FTP severs to transmit files over the Internet with almost no trace. This is very important when sending highly confidential information that you don’t want anyone to see. Another great point was mention in the Employment Law podcast, which talked about having to sign contracts that have provisions. Some very important points mentioned include, know why the provision is being made, know what was the original contract and know what has been changed from it. You should never sign any contract unless you fully understand all of the terms. The last podcast interviews recording artist Moby about the future of the music business. He has several interesting points about the industry including how he feels record labels are doing more to keep people from listening to music instead of promoting it. This may sound crazy but there is a lot of truth behind this statement. He mentions how Labels need full control of to music to such and extent that if a radio stations play a song at a time not mentioned by the label they go and send cease and desist letter to the station. Music has become primarily digital and the record labels are at a constant fight against piracy. They used to be the primary source where consumers would get their music from but now with the Internet they are loosing the battle. It is important to know how to protect yourself from hackers but it is also as importance to know where to industry is headed so you don’t get left behind.

AKG C414 Review

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 18:41:00 +0000

The AKG C414 is one of the most popular, and easily recognizable, large-diaphragm condenser microphones used in the studio and for live recording. Designed to handle a wide range of recording situations, the unique sound and durability of the microphone has made it a standard for decades. Because the pattern switching is electronic, the microphone must be attached to a phantom-power source in order to change patterns. It takes half a second for the new setting to take effect, and the microphone retains it when you turn off the phantom power. You can put it in Lock Mode if you want to disable the onboard controls so the settings won’t get changed accidentally during a session. On the rear of the microphone are three switchable low-cut filters (0, 40, 80, or 160 Hz) and three pre-attenuation pads (0, –6, –12, and –18 dB). The 40 and 80 Hz filters have a 12 dB/octave slope, while the 160 Hz filter’s slope is 6 dB/octave. The C414 XLS can handle SPLs up to 140 dB without the pad engaged, and up to 158 dB with the –18 dB pad. The microphone offers an overall dynamic range of 134 dB. What distinguishes the C414 XLS from earlier models is its potential for handling beefier instruments in more settings. With its extra patterns and ability to handle higher sound pressure levels, the C414 XLS could even be used on a snare drum in a live setting, a fairly non-traditional use for a condenser microphone. I was also able to get a sense of how this model sounds as a room microphone. I set up the C414 XLS about 13 feet away from my acoustic guitar while I close captured the instrument with a small-diaphragm condenser. The added ambience of the room captured by the C414 XLS was a nice addition to the mono track, with the slightly out-of-phase signals merging to create stereo-like depth when panned slightly off center. The C414 XLS was one of the best sounding microphones I’ve used for this test. AKG knows not to mess with a good thing, and they’ve definitely maintained the classic sound of the C414 in the C414 XLS. With the addition of four intermediate polar patterns, the company has increased the microphones versatility, making this an attractive microphone for studios in need of a top-notch, multipurpose condenser. I would rate this Microphone a 4.5 out of 5 and recommend it to anyone that has the budget to afford it.

Allen and Heath GL2400

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:36:00 +0000

The Allen & Heath GL2400 Live Console is loaded with the features you need for all kinds of mixing applications. The GL2400 is within financial reach of most people, even those just starting out. It’s quite possibly the best mixer than money can buy in its price range. Other console similar to it that serve the same purpose and have the same quality can sell up to $100,000. This is a massive difference because a 32-channel version of the GL2400 sells for around $2,500. This offers people who want that professional sound but cant afford to buy a Amek or SSL console an a affordable option. For the small price you pay for the GL it offers 4 subgroups, 6 auxiliaries, and LR mixes, enhanced 7x4 matrix, multi-source stereo channels, and aux-fed subs capability. It has great microphone preamp circuitry (with an extended 74dB gain range) with massive headroom (up to +34dBu). Its responsive 4-band EQ, and every other element of circuit design have been carefully engineered to ensure the best sonic performance possible. If you have ever used analog console before you know the difference the gear makes over digital when it comes to sound quality. These consoles are used around the world to run sound in major shows and are trusted to work. The GL2400 also has an option that if you open the console in the back you can move jumpers around to reroute how the signal flow of the counsel will work. This gives you the capability to convert a primarily front of house console to a project studio-recording console. You have the option to reroute how the aux sends work and where in the signal flow will place the direct outs, which will be used to go to a multi-track in a studio. With the option to expand channel stripes by 8 at a time this console makes a perfect addition to any small or expanding studio. Overall the GL2400 is a top buy for the money. I would rate it 5 out of 5 and recommend it for anyone looking for a great sounding reliable console.

TED: Steve Jobs - How to live before you die

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 16:33:00 +0000

After watching the Steve Jobs commencement speech at Stanford University lots of different thoughts went through my head. He mentioned how he was attending college with no reason in mind and that he actually dropped out to be able to drop in on the classes he liked. Its these little events that really interest me because such a turn of events at the time may seem like a huge risk but no one can tell what it will lead to in the future. It amazing to contemplate how such a small move in anyone’s life can have such a dramatic impact on the future of his or her existence. Steve also mentioned how getting fired from apple was the best thing that could of happened to him. It’s strange how something that most people would look at as a tragedy he looked at it as opportunity. It is this love and passion for his work that really sets him apart. It shows that if you really love to do something and are passionate about it there is nothing and no one that can stand in your way from achieving that goal. The fact that apple let Steve Jobs go helped turn his life around and made him create some of the best creations we have on the world today. If it was not for that drastic turn of events in his life, Pixar Studios would have never been created and animated films may not be what they are today. Another way to look at it is if Steve were never fired from Apple he would of never entered the most creative years of his life and the company Next would have never been developed. This could have had a huge impact on Apple and they way they are perceived today. It amazing how time continues and the small events that take place can have the greatest impact on the future.

The Recording Academy

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 22:18:00 +0000

The Recoding Academy is one of the most respected premier outlet for honoring achievements in the recording arts and supporting the music community. The Grammys awards are the only peer presented award to honor artistic achievement. Being part of the Grammy community is huge opportunity and lets fellow peers see your work. In order to become part of the community you must have received technical or creative credit on at-least twelve tracks in the past five years. All recordings must have been commercially released in the U.S. either through traditional distribution channels or recognized online retail settings. When becoming a member of the Academy you are given the right to vote on the Grammy Awards, speak out collectively for your rights as a music maker, attend events and network with others who take their passion for music seriously. Amongst the member of the academy there are more than 5,500 producers, engineers, mixers, and manufacturing professionals that you can collaborate with. The Academy is located in twelve cities including, Atlanta, Chicago, Florida, Los Angeles, Memphis, Nashville, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. Being in the recording industry myself becoming part of this community will open doors for me that otherwise i would never even see. The people in this community are all like minded Professionals who all have the same passion for music. Networking and meeting individuals like theses will help establish a name for myself and help put my work on the map. With out this community I would be stuck were I am now which is recording music and wondering how to get it out to more professionals for opinions and feedback. Once a member of this community the opportunity for your music to be heard and noticed is tremendous. Anyone in the music business who qualifies for a membership should join immediately because you never know who in the industry will need you or when you need a professional opinion on your own project.

Art Pro-VLA II

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 15:17:00 +0000

The ART Pro-VLA II is a tube driven Vactrol-based compressor/leveling amplifier designed for tracking, mixing, mastering, live sound, or broadcast situations. By using an opto-electronic design, (as opposed to a more typical VCA driven level detection circuit) the Pro-VLA II allows more compression to be added to an audio source with a more natural, musical sounding output and virtually transparent dynamic leveling. This VCA-less design coupled with a 12AT7 vacuum tube in the gain stage makes the Pro-VLA II an ideal dynamic control device! ART’s Pro-VLA circuitry is a hybrid design utilizing the latest and most advanced analog and tube technology. Using a transformerless design throughout, the Pro-VLA maintains exceptional signal integrity and extremely low noise. Its VCA-less design utilizes optical electronics coupled with a 12AX7 vacuum tube gain stage for superior musical performance. You have the option of switching out the stock tubes and replacing them with aftermarket tubed of your choice for total control of sound coloration. The Pro-VLA also is a soft-knee leveler and, although capable of providing a fully squashed signal, it excels where transparent expressively musical dynamics control is desired. It has full control of Variable threshold, ratio, and output controls. It features fully balanced XLR and 1/4" TRS Inputs and Outputs. With its high quality components and transformerless design you would expect this compressor to be in the price range of a typical DBX compressor. The amazing thing about the Pro-VLA II is that it retails for around $300 which is an exceptional buy. Your not going to find any other product out there on the market that can compete with the quality of the ART compressor for the money you pay. Overall I would say this is a great buy, not only for professionals in the industry, but for home studios as well. I would rate this piece of gear a 5 out 5 and would recommend it for anyone looking for a great compressor at a great price.

RME ADI 8

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 16:54:00 +0000

The recording world has flipped from analog to digital in the past 10 years and how we convert our audio is crucial to great sound. There are many kinds of interfaces from compact to large studio format. If looking for top of the line conversion than RME ADI 8 is the way to go. Let's have a short walk over the front panel from left to right. Setting up the ADI-8 PRO starts with an input sensitivity that perfectly suits your needs and maintains the excellent dynamic range of the AD-Converters. Input Level lets you choose between Lo Gain, +4 dBu, -10 dBV. Each analog input has its own Signal Present and Clip led, so levels and Overload are easy to check. The key bit split allows to spread the 24 bit signal on two outputs. This technique allows two 8-channel 16 bit tape recorders to record 8 channels in 24 bit resolution. Bit split works with both TDIF and ADAT. RME's intelligent clock control provides professional features you won't find anywhere else. First set the clock of the AD-Converter, choose between internal, external or input. The internal clock can be 44.1 or 48 kHz. The DA-Converter has the same settings available. The current state of locking and clock synchronization is shown by blinking or constantly lit leds. The next key digital input determines the used digital input, and the clock source in case input was activated. The RME ADI 8 is a reference-quality, 8-channel A/D and D/A converter in a compact 19" 1U rack mount enclosure. It has 3 gain levels, making it compatible with a wide range of studio equipment - loss is avoided before the signal gets to the A/D converter. It employs a special damping technique: using latest hi-grade electronic switches, the gain switch is placed in the best possible position within the signal path. The ADI 8 has ADAT optical inputs, TDIF 24bit low jitter PLL, Dither, and a virtual sample buffer. All in all this is a top of the line conversion unit. If you have high quality microphones and still cant achieve that professional sound you were looking for than you need a RME converter. I have recorded music for over 5 years and cant believe it took me this long to realize the actual quality of great conversion. I rate this piece of gear a 5 out of 5 and would recommend it for any recording application.

Neumann TLM 49

noreply@blogger.com (George Simeonov) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:43:00 +0000

The Neumann TLM 49, a large diaphragm cardioid condenser microphone, is a great versatile microphone for almost any application. The TLM 49 uses the K47 capsule, which is also used in the M49 and the U47. The capsule provides a cardioid directional pattern with characteristics of a super cardioid, due to the special capsule construction. With a 34mm capsule diameter, following the example of the M49, high frequencies are more directional. When first purchased out of the box it was a legendary vocal microphone that very few could stand up to, so I did the exact opposite and recorded everything other than vocals to start. First off I recorded a guitar cab with mild distortion. The frequency curve on the microphone gave it a nice presence while having less bite than expected. Next I recorded a Epiphone EJ-200 placing the capsule towards the lower portion of the body pointing at the bridge. The sound was very warm with more presence in the mid range. I continued to test the TLM 49 over multiple instruments including a banjo, slide guitar, cello, violin, xylophone and a bass. A lot of these instruments would normally require two microphones to capture the full spectrum of the instrument, but the Neumann held up to the test.
After testing every instrument I have available in the studio I had to bring in a vocalist and see this microphones true ability. I called in my friend Eliso who was excited to come and run some tests with me. From the very start there was that famous brilliant sound with amazing clarity. I have a locker of very well know vocal microphones and the Neumann blew most of them out of the water. It was the sound I was looking for which made all the difference to me. My signal path is a Universal Audio 710 Twin Finity pre amplifier running threw a Allen and Heath GL 2400 console converted by RME ADi8 interfaces. Overall the TLM49 is a superior microphone that comes with a superior price. For most places it sells for around $1600 US Dollars, which is a large sum for a single microphone. It may not be suitable for a most small home studios budgets, but it is always a good idea to have a Neumann in the locker. I rate this piece of gear a 5 out of 5 and would recommend it for professional vocal and instrumental recordings.