Pro Gear...Rated

Pro Tools 10

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:22:00 +0000

The recording industry is always growing and evolving with the times and the software used in the industry is no different. Earlier this year I wrote a blog comparing and contrasting Pro Tools 8 and 9. Avid has recently released its newest edition of software, Pro Tools 10. Although not as innovative as Pro Tools 9 that introduced hardware free editing along with countless other new features that added to the value of the Avid software, Pro Tools 10 has various new features that make upgrading to the new version well worth the money especially if you are still using the older versions of Pro Tools such as 7 or 8.

There are two features that caught my attention right off the bat. First, the 32-bit floating-point bit-depth audio files, which prevents your audio from dithering down to 24-bit, this process adds noise and reduces the quality of sound. The updated AudioSuite processing allows for multiple AudioSuite windows to be open at once making it easier to edit clips (regions). Aside from those two features the new clip gain element of Pro Tools is a convenient tool used mainly for the post production side of Pro Tools allows for faster more efficient sound editing and optimization. They have also introduced real-time fades with Pro Tools 10 along with a new cross-fade winder for my exact editing.

According to Sweetwater, Avid has also introduced three new plug-ins for Pro tools 10:

Channel Strip plug-in

- Taken straight from the legendary System 5 console, this flexible channel-strip-style plug-in gives you a wide range of tone-shaping power.

Down Mixer plug-in

- Which gives you amazing summing that lets you easily take a multitrack session as complex as 7.1 surround and mix it down to 5.1, 2.1, stereo, or other channel configurations.

Mod Delay III plug-in

- Which lets you add fun and creative time-based effects. Simply put, these new plug-ins alone are worth more than the price of upgrading to Pro Tools 10.

Price to upgrade to Pro Tool 10:

Pottermore Revisited (Update)

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 07:03:00 +0000

A few months ago, I posted a blog about J.K. Rowling’s new creation Pottermore. In the post I stated that Pottermore would open to the public at the end of October as was announced by Rowling herself. Yesterday it was announced that because of beta testing and the input provided by the 1 million beta testers already on the site, Pottermore’s opening to the masses would be delayed. The creators of the site are planning on implementing several new features that would improve the site and its capabilities for its grand opening to the pubic.

For those not familiar with the new concept that is Pottermore, let me reiterate what it is. The Harry Potter series is a well-known and beloved book series that captivated audiences around the world and became one of, if not the best selling series ever. According to BBC News in 2008, the books sold over 400 million copies and have been translated into 67 languages. The films have also all been ranked in the top 50 highest grossing movies of all time with the final film taking the third sport with sales of over $1.3 billion (Box Office Mojo).

J.K. Rowling, the author, decided to implement a new FREE website that brought the books to life and lets the audience interact with the characters and become part of the story. The site includes various games that integrate with the chapters and even sorts you into a house and you gain house points (Personally, I want to be in Griffindor). You also have access to your house common room, which allows for inter-house conversations and the great hall where you can socialize with other houses as well. Since there is a logical order to the books, you must complete challenges to move on to the next chapter or book. The site also requires you to purchase (with game earned money) books and all elements needed for a year at Hogwarts including a wand, making it seem like your are really getting ready to go to wizarding school.

As if that’s not enough, the author has included never before read content including character bios, for example, how Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon met and Professor McGonagall’s childhood. The site will also be the only place to purchase digital copies of all the Harry Potter books.

It was not specified when the site would be ready and available but we do know that when it is, it will be that much better.

Business Plan Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:14:00 +0000

In the last post I placed on this blog I went in to some detail about how to best complete a business plan according to some business experts. If you have read my about me page you would know that I am currently studying at Full Sail University and that I am completing my Masters program. We are required to complete a business plan by the final month of the program and I have actually implemented some of the tips from my last entry.

When I first started the business plan, I could think of nothing else except that it was a lot of work and what was the point in doing it all. After reading Paul Heyworth’s article “Do I Need a Business Plan?” one line really stuck out to me, “it is very useful to write one even if for nobody else’s benefit but your own”. It got me thinking, if I really am serious about opening this business, I am going to need to know who my competitors are and who’s going to work for me, I am going to need to know my location, or even if the business is worth it with the financials section. I is important for me to start of the business on the right foot and the business plan is going to help me do that.

I have also made a few slight changes in my business plan due to Tim Berry’s outline of a business plan. The order of a business plan does not matter but the way Mr. Berry suggested, reads better and makes more sense.

I have also learned that out of the entire business plan there are two sections that matter the most and should be planned and researched. The Executive summary is the first thing the investor will see and read. It must be straight forward and to the point while still capturing the investor’s attention. I know that it sounds hard to do, but just keep the fluff out and come up with a unique business. The second section is the financials section. The investor will be putting money, and sometimes a lot of it, n to your business. They want to know how and when they will be able to get their return on investment and when they can start making a profit. So when doing this section, be meticulous and think logically, no brand-new business is going to make $1,000,000 the first month. You want the investor to take you seriously.

Business Plan

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 09:09:00 +0000

Thinking about starting a new business? Ever consider what it takes to start a business from scratch? It takes a lot of thinking, research and planning. To be specific, it takes a lot of business planning.

In order to get funding for your business, it is required to present a formal business plan to your choice of financer. This business plan give insight in to the specifics of your company, its potential, the risk factors, your competitors and other important information that is necessary to convince a financer to fund your company, and there is a specific way to go about creating this business plan.

Paul Heyworth, helps explain the question most of you entrepreneurs ask yourselves, do I need a business plan? Heyworth is an expert in business mentoring, strategic planning and numerous other aspects of the business world at Orvia in the UK. In an article written by Heyworth, he explains the benefits of creating a business plan. He states that it is wise to write a business plan if for nobody else, for yourself. Doing this will not only bring the business into perspective but it will also set targets and goal to help you measure the success of your business.

Tim Berry, Founder and President of Palo Alto Software, is a renowned planning expert. Berry outlines in detail everything required to complete a proper business plan and a small explanation of the sections in order to clarify the meaning of that section.

For example the following is an exert from his article, A Standard Business Plan Outline:

Simple business plan outline

1. Executive Summary: Write this last. It’s just a page or two of highlights.

2. Company Description: Legal establishment, history, start-up plans, etc.

3. Product or Service: Describe what you’re selling. Focus on customer benefits.

4. Market Analysis: You need to know your market, customer needs, where they are, how to reach them, etc.

5. Strategy and Implementation: Be specific. Include management responsibilities with dates and budgets. Make sure you can track results.

6. Web Plan Summary: For e-commerce, include discussion of website, development costs, operations, sales and marketing strategies.

7. Management Team: Describe the organization and the key management team members.

Financial Analysis: Make sure to include at the very least your projected Profit and Loss and Cash Flow tables.

He continues in the article but giving examples of possible subsections for each section to make the business plan more detailed. Berry also gives reference to allBusiness.com for more information on business plans.

With the resources provided, it should be very easy to come up with a very well planned and researched business plan that will get you noticed by investors and well on your way to business success.

V Control Pro for iPad

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 11:12:00 +0000

V Control Pro for iPad, is a multi-touch control surface for digital audio workstations. V Control Pro is compatible with Pro tools 7, 8, 9, Logic 9 and Logic Express 9, Cubase and Nuendo.

In more detail, V Control Pro for iPad allows you to do multiple actions for the software that would be otherwise controlled by a mouse or a control surface (interface) such as a 003 for Pro tools.

The down side of the Interface is that it can only be controlled while in front of the device or the actual computer. V Control Pro allows for the user to be portable with the use of the iPad over Wi-Fi capabilities. A free software program that is installed on to the computer allows for the integration of the iPad app with the DAWs.

With the use of V Control Pro the user can actively do the following:

- Adjust volume using large, touch-sensitive faders
- Solo, mute, record tracks
- Pan controls
- Flip mode send editing
- Dual surround pan controllers
- Metering
- Jog / scrub / shuttle control
- Automation mode controls and display
- Automation and group suspend buttons
- Automation and group status display
- Automation write enable controls
- Plug-in editing
- Input monitoring switch
- Big counter display
- Save and Undo buttons
- Pre-roll / Post-roll buttons
- I/O assignment
- Zoom presets
- Window display controls
*Keypad popover provides access to many Pro Tools features 

The video above gives a brief overview of the function of V Control Pro. It shows just how easy and efficient the program is and just how much you can do while in another room completely. the reviews for the V Control Pro are all positive and seems like a great buy for any audio engineer on the move. The price for V Control Pro is only $49.99 in the app store and is well worth the money.

External Resources:

http://www.neyrinck.com/en/products/v-control-pro

Blue Kiwi Condenser Microphone

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 01:30:00 +0000

I have recently been looking into purchasing a condenser microphone for vocals that would fit my needs. While researching professional condenser microphones, I stumbled upon a Blue Kiwi. It's been a while since I have seen one and it just so happened that it fit my requirements. The Blue Kiwi is known for it's unique sound that is built directly into it's hand crafted large diaphragm capsule and provides a rich low end, beautiful airy highs and a countered mid-range. The Blue is a great sounding microphone that works well in the professional setting. The microphone picks up frequencies from 20Hz to 20kHz, which consists of the entire frequency range that can be heard by a human. The microphone also features 9 different polar patterns including Omni, Cardioid, Figure of eight and several in between.

Bellow are some of the specifications for the Blue Kiwi Microphone:

- Transducer: Pressure Gradient Large Diaphragm Condenser
- Polar Pattern: Omni-directional, Cardioid, Figure of 8 with variations of each pattern for a total of 9 patterns
- Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz
- Dynamic Range (Typical): 75dB
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: CCIR468-3: 76dB
- DIN/IEC 651: 87dB-A
- Maximum Input Sound Level: 0.5%: 133dB
- Power Requirements: 48V Phantom
- Output Impedance: 50 Ohms
- Output Connectors: XLR-3M Type
- Pad: None
- Low Frequency Roll-Off: None
- Dimensions: 8.66 x 2.36" (220mm x 60mm) LxD diameter
- Weight: 31.74 oz. (900 g)

Although a low frequency roll-off would have been nice, the Blue is an exceptional choice for a vocal condenser microphone. It will bring any professional recording to life. In the hyper link provided both on the words Blue Kiwi and at the bottom of the blog, there are examples of what the recording would sound like on both male and female vocals and an instrument. And as you can see in the picture bellow, the Blue Kiwi is also visually appealing and would be a great addition to your studio, home or otherwise.

The only down fall of this microphone is that it is on the more expensive side of vocal microphones. It typically runs around the $1,999 range and it does include a shock mount specifically designed for the microphone called "the shock" and a cherry wood case for storage.

http://www.zzounds.com/item--BLUKIWI

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Kiwi/?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=recording&utm_term=blue_kiwi&adpos=1t1&gclid=COGiy6rt-qoCFY9S7AoddF9-1w

http://www.bluemic.com/kiwi/

Pottermore

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 08:55:00 +0000

I actually did a presentation about this in class but I thought that it was newsworthy enough to include in my blog. I am a huge Harry Potter fan and since this website opens up to the public by October 31st, I figured it would be worth a mention.

Pottermore is an interactive website that brings the Harry Potter book to life with animated inserts to the book while you read and actual game play that goes along with each chapter and book of the series.

When you first enter the site, your first task would be to answer a few questions that would let you be sorted by the sorting hat in to your house.

The website also provides tasks that needs to be completed by the reader/player to be able to continue with the series. For example, you have to earn money to place in to gringotts bank so that you can purchase books and robes for your year at Hogwarts. You can also purchase your own specialized wand. The shopping will take place in a virtual Diagon Ally. Readers will also learn spell as they go along and progress through the books.

The website also includes Character bios that are not available in the book or anywhere else for that matter (ex. how Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon met and fell in love and Professor McGonagall’s childhood)

The website also offers the Exclusivity of eBook purchases for the entire Harry Potter series. This will give the website traffic for many years to come seeing as it is also the only exclusive place to purchase future works for the series if Rowling decides to write a continuation.

The site will also serve as its own social media site because it includes online chats within the houses called the common room and online chats that span all the houses called the great hall.

Below is a video from author J.K. Rowling herself explaining what to expect from Pottermore that leaves you wanting more.

http://www.pottermore.com/

Is pirating music really worth it?

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 02:15:00 +0000

I have decided for this post I would not be reviewing any equipment or providing information on music copyright. Today in class we had a presentation on how Jay Z and Kanye West have come out with an album that has not been leaked. Well this presentation started a discussion about pirating music. I actually got really frustrated because it got me thinking. I am about to finish my master’s degree in entertainment business and I am about to head out into the industry. The music industry, incase you didn’t know, is dying. Customers, well I can’t really call them that, so I’m just going to refer to them as robbers. Robbers are going online, purchasing one copy of this album and then distributing in through torrents. Now a days, this is such a common thing that it doesn’t really make anyone think twice about downloading this stolen material.

What these robbers don’t realize is what they are actually doing is de-motivating these artist from creating music at all. These robbers are starting a slow downward spiral for the entire music industry.

It costs a lot of money to create an album and with out sales of these albums, those artists that you love so much are soon going to be unable to afford going into a recording studio.

Eventually, what is going to happen is that these artist are going to get fed up with the whole industry and its “customers” that they are just going to lose the will to actually create music for greedy music robbers who don’t deserve these artist to spend their lives creating music that they are not going to get reimbursed for.

The real question is… if you created something that took you months to create, something that you poured your whole heart and soul into, something that cost you possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars to create, would you be happy if people where taking it for free?

I have provided some videos that show exactly what can happen to people who pirate music.

What could have cost you 99 cents on iTunes can cost you millions of dollars from a pirating lawsuit. Do you really think it’s worth it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQzbY7FB98k&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgbGhbrYbuY&feature=relmfu

Copyrights Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 06:40:00 +0000

Larry Lessig

Laws That Choke Creativity:

The video I watched on TED.com by Larry Lessig was concerning Copyright and the digital age. Lessig "has built a reputation as the king of Internet law and as the most important next-wave thinker on intellectual property" (New York Magazine, 2008). His unique look at how copyright law should be is revolutionary, not only to the owner of the copyright but also for the public that wants to use specific copy written material and does not know about copyright laws, namely kids. Lessig give examples of how kids take what is old and worn out and “remixes” it to become something new and refreshing. He explains that these remixes are a way for this new generation to speak (how this generation expresses themselves).

Margaret Gould Stewart

How YouTube Thinks About Copyright:

Margaret Stewart is the head of user experience at YouTube. Stewart explains how YouTube finds any form of copyright infringement through software that analyzes the “20 hours of video a minute and over 100 years of video per day” that is uploaded in to YouTube and how it is “referenced against the millions of content already in the database”. She then goes on to explain that the copyright owner has the right to say which videos can be posted. She then gave an example of a wedding video that used a song owned by a record company and it received over 40 million views. The song used had been off the charts for 18 month and was suddenly back at number 4 because of the allowed use of the song in the video.

Dennis S. Karjala

International Copyright in the Digital Age

Dennis Karjala is a professor of law at Arizona State University. Throughout his video he explains what intellectual property is and the differences between a copyright and a patent. He also goes on to explain just how hard it is to implement copyright protection in today’s digital age.

Together all three videos form a solution to the problem that Karjala explains. Since the internet is so vast and there are so many form of technology in the world that help the average person create a copyright infringement with the click of a button, why not embrace it instead of fight it? Stewart’s video shows how a home video brought a song that was no longer popular back into the main stream. Lessig shows that there is an up and coming generation that has grown up with the basic knowledge to “remix” content to create a fresh new concept. Putting all three aspects together will not only help the industry grow but help put a stop to the “war” that Lessig referred to in his video.

References:

Ted.com

YouTube.com

Copyrights and Plagiarism

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:07:00 +0000

I have lost count of all the plagiarism cases I have heard of in the music industry. For example, there are artists that do not pay royalties for covering another artist music or song. Of course there are other form of plagiarism, only, I do not believe that it is plagiarism.

Let me see how I can explain this. There are 7 chords in a key. And there are only 12 major keys and 12 minor keys. So there are 24 keys all together.

Now lets say that only one artist can ever use the key of b flat. That means that there can only be 24 artists that can exist today because the rest would be plagiarizing. Well that doesn’t make any since does it? The answer is no, it doesn’t make since. Therefore no one is allowed to copyright a specific key or chord progression.

This ruling is the cause of many different lawsuits throughout music history for plagiarism.

I am going to use an example that is not too old and people can relate to. The case is Joe Satriani (If I Could Fly) vs. Coldplay (Viva La Vida).

Both Coldplay and Satriani's song for you to compare.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvB9Pj9Znsw

Opinions on the Satriani Vs. Coldplay lawsuit

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5tgeaBhbtE&feature=related

I have to admit that both song sound alike but in my opinion it is just a coincidence. But the chord progression used is a common chord progression and it had been used many times before even Satriani used it. Take Cat Stevens (Foreigner Suite) and Creaky Boards (The Songs I didn’t Write). All these songs have the same chord progression and tempo but it doesn’t mean that it is plagiarism. If it was then Cat Stevens would be the owner of the chord progression and none of the songs mentioned above would be a part of our musical library.

Samples of the above mentioned songs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Z2x8q5wMfk

In the end of this intense battle between Satriani and Coldplay there was a settlement between them for an undisclosed amount. I personally think that Coldplay gave in to easily and that in time they would have won the battle. Satriani does not have any rights to the chords used in Viva La Vida.

Bellow are some other songs that contain the same chord progressions. You be the judge if it is plagiarism or not.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pidokakU4I

Video Links/ references provided under each video.

Computers

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:34:00 +0000

In a poll, I asked 10 people to name the top 5 MOST important pieces of equipment used in a professional recording. Below are the popular answers that they gave me:

1. Microphone

2. Console

3. Speakers

4. Headphones

5. Instruments

I can understand where these answers come from. When you look at any music video that takes place in the music studios, the things that take the main focus aside from the artist are the instruments and microphones and the console.

As a recording engineer, I would have to agree that the above-mentioned items are important, but even more important is the computer and software used to record the artist. The software allows for the recording and editing of the song but the computer is the powerhouse that drives everything.

Typically there is a choice of 2 computers to pick from for your recording studio, a Mac or a PC, but which should you pick?

Lets start with the Pros and Cons of each

Pros-

- More universally known

- Easier to service

- Actual computer is inexpensive

Cons-

- Thousands of known viruses and more susceptible to them

- Not as user friendly as a Mac

Mac

Pros-

- Visually appealing

- Very user friendly

- Pro Tools is Native to Mac (meaning pro tools was made for use on a Mac computer only and then later redesigned to be compatible with PC), Making Pro tools have less glitches and software problems with Mac then PC

- Higher quality sound and video processing

Cons-

- Prices for a Mac are higher then for a PC (very expensive)

I might be a little bias when it comes to picking a Computer type because I currently own a Mac and think that it is one of the greatest inventions on the planet. But actually having worked with both a Mac and a PC in the actual studio, I have learned that working with a Mac is more efficient in all aspects. It is easier to work with Pro Tools and it is even easier to configure all devices to it. I have fewer Problems with the actual software with a Mac then with a PC. It is very common for Pro Tools to have problems and shut down but it seems to happen more frequently with the PC.

So since studio time is so expensive, you want to try and minimize the amount of time you spend troubleshooting. Even thought it is cheaper to purchase a PC, in the long run it will benefit you and your future clients to purchase the more expensive Mac.

ESPN Shoot

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 02:36:00 +0000

I had an amazing time at the ESPN U shoot!!

Interview Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Mon, 23 May 2011 09:18:00 +0000

Negotiation

Horacio Daniel Cabello is a band member, music writer, engineer (mixing and editing) and producer. Besides the stated, he is also a fierce negotiator. Not only does Mr. Cabello negotiate with his band members but he also negotiates with his clients from his home studio.

During our phone conversation I asked Mr. Cabello a series of questions but he was only willing to answer some and still asked that I be discreet when posting his answers on this blog.

Below are the questions I asked Mr. Cabello and his answers or refusal to answer.

1. What is your occupation?

Mr. Cabello: I am a producer/engineer for my band and also my clients.

2. Where do you use negotiations the most?

Mr. Cabello: That is a hard question to answer. Negotiations are used in everyday affairs and I seem to use them for every occasion. But now that I am reflecting on the question, I think I use negotiations most when I am with my band. It takes a lot of give and take to make a band work together. With all the different opinions that exist between the 5 different members of the band, I negotiate with them to help keep the balance between us.

3. So you wouldn’t say that you use negotiations most with your business?

Mr. Cabello: Yes, I can see how that would be the place I negotiate the most but I have a contract that is signed by all my clients. The contract covers all of my requirements and takes away any need for negotiating with the basics of my company. If matters get complicated and the client presents an alternative to one of my pre-requisites, and it is reasonable, then and only then am I willing to negotiate with clients.

4. From the way that you have spoken about your band members, you seem to be very close to them. Is it hard to separate the people “band members” from the problem when there is a problem?

Mr. Cabello: Actually our band has been together for over 9 years and we have all gotten so close that we know that if there is a problem between us and one of us makes a suggestion to solve it, that it is not to be taken personally. If worse comes to worse though, I put aside the friendship and pretend that I am speaking to a stranger. This strategy brings the problem to the forefront and not the friendship. This allows for the bands future and security to be the main focus.

5. Do you consider yourself to have leverage and power over your band mates?

Mr. Cabello: No I do not and I do not wish to elaborate as that is a more personal question to me.

6. Do you go into a negotiation with a BATNA (Best Alternative To a Negotiated Agreement) in place?

Mr. Cabello: Yes I do. I am always prepared for the worst case scenario do I always come in with a back up plan and a back up plan to my back up plan. I do not like to lose so I take every measure that I can to ensure some kind of an agreement, even if it isn’t my first choice.

7. Is finding Objective Criteria one of the ways that you prepare for a negotiation?

Mr. Cabello: Absolutely. I think finding the objective criteria is one of the most important parts of preparation prior to going in to the negotiation. It helps both sides see the benefits of coming to an agreement.

8. Do you ever use dirty tricks or tactics to get your way in a negotiation?

Mr. Cabello: I believe very much in karma, and I know you might think that that has nothing to do with the question; in my eyes it is very relevant. If I use a dirty trick or tactic to get what I want I believe that it would come back at me ten fold. Aside from the fact that negotiating the dirty way is just not in my character, fear of karma definitely keeps me in check. So the answer is a big NO. Never have and I will never stoop so low.

In accordance with Mr. Cabello’s schedule I only had an allotted amount of phone time with him for the interview. I was only able to get in the eight questions but I think I got enough information from him to know that he is a fair fighting negotiator. He has proven to me that not everyone needs to be a ‘shark’ to get what he or she wants in a negotiation. He uses many of the tactics discussed in class in his everyday negotiations and uses them successfully.

Speakers

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 19:19:00 +0000

I think that those just starting out in the Industry (recording industry that is) have a misconception about which monitors would be best to mix and edit. Seeing as almost all the gear used in a recording studio is on the expensive side, they just automatically assume that the most expensive set of Studio monitors is the best choice. Well they could be more wrong.

When a product is more expensive it usually means either that they are made by a well know manufacturer who just charges for the name of the product or because they have high quality components inside of them that make it worth the money.

Lets take JBL as an example. JBL charges for both the name and the components. Just because JBL makes studio monitors it does not mean that they would be the best choice. They just have a well-established name with surround sound systems. The JBL LSR4328P studio monitors have the following specs:

-Frequency Response: +/-1.5 dB: 50 Hz -- 20 kHz, -3 dB: 43 Hz -- 22 kHz, -10 dB: 35 Hz -- 32 kHz

-SPL / 1m (Continuous/Peak): 106 dB / 112 dB

-Transducers: 8 in. 438H / 1 in. 431G; Self Shielded Neodymium Motor Structures

-Sensitivity +4 dBu, -10 dBV: 96 dB / 1m

-Amplification: 150 w/ 70 w

-Digital Processing: 24 Bit, 96 kHz

-Analog Inputs: XLR, 1/4 in. Balanced, +4 dBu, -10 dBV

-Digital Inputs: AES/EBU XLR, S/PDIF RCA

-Data Connections: Harman HiQnet Network, USB, RMC Mic

-Weight: 13.1 kg (29 lb)

-Dimensions (H x W x D): 438 mm x 267 mm x 269 mm; 17.25 in x 10.5 in x 10.6 in

Although they have great specification they are one, way to expensive starting at $1,539.00 a pair, and two, they are just not the kind of speaker you want to be mixing and editing on as u will find out later in the blog.

So now that we have decided that the JBL speakers are not the right choice for studio monitors, which ones are?

Everyone knows that most well known studios have a pair of NS10s as reference monitors. Yamaha has come up with a replica studio monitor that has the same clear quality as the NS10s but can also be used for mixing and editing. The Yamaha HS80Ms are amazing speakers. The quality is high and the clarity is even better. Although the low end is not as there as most would like it to be, the sub that is sold separately fixes that low-end problem. The only thing that can make these speakers better is the price. The price of each speaker is $349.99 making the pair only $700. The sub that is sold separately is also $349.99 making the total $1049. The following specs are what make these speakers the right choice if u would like a pair of brand new speakers:

-2-way bass-reflex bi-amplified near-field studio monitor

-8" cone woofer and 1" dome high-frequency unit

-42Hz - 20kHz frequency response.

-120 watts dynamic bi-amplified power.

-XLR and TRS phone jack inputs accept balanced or unbalanced signals.

-Level control facilitates precise overall system level matching.

-MID EQ, ROOM CONTROL, and HIGH TRIM response control switches.

-LOW CUT switch.

-Full magnetic shielding.

I personally own the Yamaha HS80M speakers and I wouldn’t change them for anything except a 1980s boom box.

I know this sounds crazy, but the truth is that not everyone in the world who will be listening to your music will be listening through a pair of professional monitors. They will be listening from car radios, computer, iPods, stereos and monitors that will not do any justice to the mix. So it you, as an engineer, use a boom box, a stereo or even a pair of crappy old computer speakers, you have the ability to make a mix that sounds good everywhere and not just in your studio. If it sounds good on your old boom box then it will sound amazing on a good set of speakers.

Microphones

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 04:03:00 +0000

Microphones are evidently a must for any recording studio, whether it is for a professional or home recording studio. Obviously there are a few questions that come to mind when thinking about acquiring a microphone for your studio.

First question would be, which microphone would be the best for my studio (meaning can I buy one microphone that will serve multiple purposes). The next question is how many should I get and then, of course the biggest worry of all is how much will be spent on the microphone(s).

Well let’s start with the most economical. This first microphone ( SM 57) is not only money smart, but it is also a great microphone that can pretty much be used for anything.

The SM 57 is only $99.99, and it can be used for drums, guitars, overhead, woodwinds and even vocals.

Product Features

• 40Hz - 15kHz frequency response provides clean instrumental reproduction and rich

Vocal pickup

• Uniform cardioids pickup pattern isolates the main sound source and minimizes

Background noise for clear audio transmission

• Pneumatic shock mount system cuts down handling noise

• Break-resistant stand adapter rotates 180° for optimal positioning

• Rugged design protects against normal wear and tear

• 3-pin male XLR connector provides easy connectivity

Includes swivel stand adapter and storage bag

The next microphone is a little more expensive but it can also be used for lead vocals as well as solo instruments. It is a diverse high quality microphone called the AKG C 414 XL II. This microphone runs from $749 to $999, so it is a little more on the expensive side but reasonable for a top of the line microphone that can be used for multiple recording purposes. Listed bellow is some specs:

• AKG C 414 - A legend since 1971

• Nine selectable pickup patterns enables to choose the perfect setting for every

Application

• Lock Mode: all controls can be disabled easily for trouble-free use

• Peak Hold LED even detects shortest overload peaks

• Incredible Dynamic Range of 152 dB

• Three switchable different bass cut filters and three pre-attenuation levels

• Leading-edge technology and state-of-the-art components ensure shortest signal

Path and extra protection against moisture

Designed, Engineered and Built in Vienna, Austria

Last but not least we have the top of the line Neumann U87 microphone most famously used by Michael Jackson for his entire “Thriller” album recordings. These microphones can be priced anywhere from $6000 to $15,000 or more for a stereo pair. These are classic amazing microphones and can be used for any kind of recording. This microphone would be an amazing asset to your studio and would be the showpiece. It would be the microphone to pull out when you want to compliment any singer’s vocals. Below are listed some specs:

Stereo Pair

· Two U87s are matched in sensitivity and frequency response for accurate, pristine stereo recordings.

· Three Polar Patterns

· The U87 features three switchable polar patterns. Omni directional, cardioids, and figure-eight patterns provide the flexibility needed in any recording scenario.

· 10dB Pad Switch

· 10dB attenuation switch enables the microphone to handle sound pressure levels up to 127dB.

· Low Cut Roll-Off Switch

· A low cut roll off switch eliminates hum, rumble and low frequency noise.

· Advanced Output Circuitry

· Although the microphone features the original capsule, the U87 AIMT features improved output electronics that provide higher sensitivity and improved signal-to-noise ratio.

Overall all three microphones are amazing buys, I have just provided the different prices

And what each price gives you.

Interfaces

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 05:17:00 +0000

With the release of protools 9, amateurs think that investing in an interface is pointless. These unknowledgeable beginners are under the impression that because this new version of protools does not require an interface to run, like the previous versions of protools, that they do not have to purchase one at all. These industry new comers are seriously mistaken if they think that just the software is enough to get them through to their careers.

Because this new protools system works so well with out the interface, the consensus with the new comers to the industry is that the required purchase of the interface with the software was nothing more than a ploy to sell the hardware. When in reality the hardware is the only way to record into the program and without the hardware there is really no use for the software. Yes it is true that the hardware can be pricy, but it is 100% necessary for more than 75% of the programs functions.

While there are countless interfaces out on the market, which ones are worth the investment?

Mbox Mini

Avid Pro Tools Mbox Mini (Mbox Mini with Pro Tools LE v8)

This interface is a 2-channel USB Audio Interface with 1 Mic Preamp and 1/4" Line/DI. Although this is one of the cheapest at around $330 it is very limited as to how many inputs can go into protools.

Avid Pro Tools Mbox (Mbox with Pro Tools LE v8)

Mbox

This interface is a 4-channel USB Audio/MIDI Interface with 2 Mic Preamps, DI, S/PDIF, Softclip Limiters, and Onboard. This interface give just a little more inputs than the mini but is still in the lower levels of professional interfaces. This hardware goes for around $550.

Avid Pro Tools Mbox Pro (Mbox Pro with Pro Tools LE v8)

Mbox Pro

This interface is higher up in the hardware food chain providing 8-channel FireWire Audio/MIDI Interface with 4 Mic Preamps, DI, S/PDIF, Softclip Limiters, and Onboard DSP. At $750 this interface is a little less affordable for those only willing to pay the minimum in gear.

Digidesign 003 Rack and 003 Factory

These two interfaces are pretty much the same thing only in different packages. Both interfaces are at the top of the line for protools LE users. Both offer complete functionality with the protools software.

003 Rack

Digidesign 003 Rack Features:

• 8 redesigned discrete analog inputs (4 mic/line/instrument (DI) preamps; phantom power selectable in two channel increments)

• Alternate Source Input for monitoring -10 dBV audio equipment (tape players, CD players, etc.) directly to the monitor outputs

• 8 discrete analog outputs, all balanced +4 levels, plus a separate balanced monitor output

• Improved 24-bit/96 kHz converters

• Monitor output includes dedicated volume control knob

• 2 Headphone outputs include dedicated volume control knobs

• Word Clock

• 8 channels of ADAT optical I/O

• 2 channels of S/PDIF I/O

MIDI I/O - 1 input port/2 output ports (16 channels in/32 out)

003 Factory

Digidesign 003 Factory Features:

• Eight redesigned discrete analog inputs (four mic/line/instrument (DI) preamps; phantom power selectable in 2-channel increments)

• Alternate Source Input for monitoring -10 dBV audio equipment (tape players, CD players, etc.) directly to the monitor outputs

• Eight discrete analog outputs, all balanced +4 levels, plus a separate balanced monitor output

• Improved 24-bit/96 kHz converters

• Monitor output includes dedicated volume control knob

• Two headphone outputs include dedicated volume control knobs

• Standalone MIDI controller mode

• Word clock

• Jog/shuttle wheel

• Eight channels of ADAT optical I/O

• Two channels of S/PDIF I/O

MIDI I/O - one input port/two output ports (16 channels in/32 out)

Pro Tools 9

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 05:59:00 +0000

Avid (a.k.a Digidesign), inventor of pro tools has once again out done themselves. In the past year and a half the industry standard and world-renowned DAW software pro tools, was reinvented. The company came out with pro tools 8 in mid 2009 replacing the previous 7.4 version. This upgrade was highly anticipated because of its new features that are listed below.

Pro tools 8

• Beautiful, redesigned interface with new enhancements and customizability

• Comprehensive collection of professional sound-processing plug-ins, plus 20 new effects

• Score Editor and MIDI Editor windows offer comprehensive composing tools

• Create a flawless performance using new track compositing features

• Check for Updates feature keeps Pro Tools and plug-ins up to date

• QuickTime HD support on Mac OS X-based systems

• Lock regions to the timeline to prevent them from being moved or edited

• Five new groundbreaking virtual instruments for music creation

• Expands Pro Tools LE and M-Powered systems to support up to 48 mono or stereo audio tracks

• Transpose audio regions in real time with Elastic Pitch

• Automation and Controller lanes provide easy editing access

• Windows Vista (32-bit Business or Ultimate) support on Pro Tools HD

• Use more plug-ins without bussing, with access to 10 inserts per channel

• Supports files up to 4 GB, allowing for sessions with longer files and higher sample rates

Of course, with any new software there are bound to be some problems. Well avid, the company behind pro tools does an incredible job of listening to their customers and taking their suggestions to heart. With numerous problems arising, avid started working on all the suggestions given to them and thus was born pro tools 9.

Not only did pro tools 9 (released late 2010) comply with everything that the consumers desired, but it exceeded everyone’s expectations. Pro tools 9 opened up a whole new world of possibilities but eliminating one giant factor. All previous versions of pro tools required a piece of hardware to run the software. This one feature allows the user to open up pro tools where and when ever possible.

This advancement in the software is not the only thing that was added. As a matter of fact the entire program was re-invented and now features all the elements listed bellow.

Pro tools 9

Single, Unified Version of Pro Tools

• Pro Tools 9.0 provides a single, unified installer for Pro Tools and Pro Tools HD

• New Pro Tools 9.0 PACE copy protection with iLok USB key

Pro Tools Audio Engine

• Support for Core Audio hardware (including Mac built-in audio with supported Core Audio drivers installed

• Support for ASIO hardware with supported ASIO drivers installed

• New Pro Tools Playback Engine settings

• Current Engine setting for selecting which Audio engine to use

• Pro Tools Aggregate I/O option for using the built in audio on Mac

• Delay Compensation settings for all versions of Pro Tools

• New Pro Tools Hardware settings

• Ability to select Core Audio and ASIO interfaces

• Launch Setup Application command for Core Audio and ASIO audio interfaces

Mixing and Recording

• Increased number of audio and MIDI tracks

• Increased number of internal mix busses

• New Track and Send Output selector commands for faster, simplified signal routing and mixer configuration

• Multiple Stereo Pan Depth options

• 7.1 and 7.0 standard HD surround formats (Pro Tools HD and Pro Tools with Complete Production Toolkit 2 only)

• Support for EUCONTM for controlling Pro Tools with EUCON-aware control surfaces

Import and Export Options for All Pro Tools Systems

• Advanced Import Session Data (formerly Pro Tools HD only, or Pro Tools LE with DV Toolkit 2 or Complete Production Toolkit only)

• Import AAF and OMF sequences (formerly with the Digi Translator 2.0 option only)

• New AAF import features and enhancements:

• New Locators To Import setting for importing locators from Media Composer–generated AAF sequences

• Export AAF and OMF sequences (formerly with the Digi Translator 2.0 option only)

• Avid Interplay Support with Mac

• Ability to check data into and out of Avid Interplay directly with the Interplay Access browser

• Export MP3 (formerly with the MP3 Export option only)

• Export Session as Text (formerly Pro Tools HD only)

What’s New for Pro Tools LE Users

I/O Setup Improvements

• Session and System settings

• Output and internal mix busses

• Ability to Import I/O Settings by page

• Overlapping Paths

• Improved session interchange

Advanced Digi Base Features

• Advanced search features

• Digi Base Catalogs

Editing Features

• Auto-Scrolling tracks in the Mix and Edit windows

• Advanced Beat Detective features

• Separate multiple tracks

• Collection mode

Delay Compensation

• Delay Compensation option, engine, view

• Low Latency Monitoring During Recording

• Delay Compensation on Auxiliary Input tracks, MIDI

As you can see from all the added features, pro tools 9 really stepped up its game. Combining the old pro tools software with the more advance and professional pro tools HD allowed avid to give the customers what they wanted and even what they didn’t know they wanted.

Pro tools 9 has again raised the bar on what is considered the industry standard and I can not see any of the competitors stealing that title.

Top headphones on the market today

noreply@blogger.com (Jdelcanal) — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 17:33:00 +0000

In the Recording arts industry, top of the line gear and technology is a must. With so many big name studios and personal home recording studios, the technology the studios carry is what brings in the business. It also needs to cater to today’s generation.

It used to be that the recording industry needed to make sure the deliverable content (music) was perfect for the popular medium (Record players, tape machines, CD players, ext.). Now, everyone is on the go with MP3 players and iPods. This means that the music has to be perfect for these digital mediums. This in its self is asking a lot because digital media presents glitches in music that was never a problem with analog media.

Now we must ask our selves how we perfect this media that it no longer being listened to through loud speakers but through tiny ear buds. The answer is to put the mixing engineer in the consumer’s shoes. This means mixing the music in headphones. But not just any headphones, the engineer needs headphones that will show the tiniest bit of imperfection so that no matter how high or low quality headphones or ear buds the consumers have they all get the best quality sound that they can get.

That brings us to today’s products. I will be reviewing three different, top of the line, professional headphones. First we have Audio Technica ATH-D40fs Enhanced-bass Precision Studiophones. These headphones are at the bottom of my three picks, although they do have their pros. The ATH-D40fs have an enhanced bass frequency response that allows for better hearing of the low frequencies such as the kick drum and the bass guitar. This can be helpful in many ways to the engineer but could also lead them to place those lower level frequencies to low to be heard with other headphones, seeing as only these have this bass enhancement. It would also be better if the headphones could have a larger range in frequency then the 20-28,000Hz that they have.

Next we will be looking at the AKG K701 Headphones. These headphones are a little older but are still at the top on the market. The headphones are unique all around. They are the first to ever use flat wire technology. This technology helps out with the spacing of the instruments within the headphones giving the listener a true dynamic sound. This dynamic sound will give the listener the feeling that every orchestra member is exactly where they should be in a concert hall, making the listening experience feel real. I think what also helps them achieve this is there frequency response of 10- 39,800Hz, which is absolutely amazing and almost unheard of in headphones. You really could not get much better then these until Sennheiser decided to fight back with the HD 800s.

The Sennheiser HD 800s are considered to be the Maserati of the headphone industry. These headphones are made out of top of the line parts with its Y cable made out of Kevlar-reinforced OFC copper wire for ultra durability. These headphones have everything that the AKGs have but times 10 with a frequency range of 6-51,000Hz, which I do not think exists in any other headphone. There simply remarkable design would have anyone thinking, why would I choose anything else? But this is where the price just might decide for you.

The Audio Technica headphones are in the $150 range where as the AKGs are in the $450. These are a little more expensive but considering the amazing piece of technology that they are I would pay the difference, and the Sennheisers are a whopping $1700. Although these headphones are amazing, I do not have that much money to spend on a pair of headphones.

So there you have it. I have that I have been helpful for those on the look out for a good pair of headphones.