The Gangi Sound

The Ultimate Mic Locker

2012-06-20T13:38:00.000-04:00

I was intrigued by an assignment I received at Full Sail University in a course titled "Microphones and Theory" to expand on my assignment for the blog. It has been a while since I have posted anything because I have fine-tuned this article. I encourage everyone to read this in its entirety and to comment on what microphones I may have missed, bad choices I may have made, etc. I am really digging into my education as an audio engineer and would love the feedback.

The premise behind the assignment was to fill a mic locker for a studio owner. The budget was $60,000 and every penny of the funds had to be spent on microphones. What a dream locker! It was such a wonderful assignment. I learned a lot about the internal worth of different microphone types, brand reputation, and personal opinions of users. I spent days on this assignment because I was fascinated by the knowledge I was gaining. I watched shootouts on YouTube to aurally compare the mics I was selecting. I read review after review after review. I checked the specs and carefully considered each choice to ensure I had a wide range for every musician's taste. I even called a few music stores and manufacturers to get direct feedback!

The following blog post is written as if I were actually writing this for the owner to justify the purpose for investing in each microphone. The point-of-view I take is like I am conversing with the owner making this a quick and enjoyable read despite the length of the article. I have provided sources for all of my reasoning in case readers would like to further investigate the microphone being discussed. My goal is to provide serious or beginner audio engineers with a quick reference on various types of microphones. If nothing else this article makes a great launch platform for investigating and researching various microphone types and capabilities. You never know where you will end up surfing once you begin clicking the links I have provided and doing your own digging. I wanted to give a quick shout-out to Central Florida music production facility Starke Lake Studios. A visit to their beautiful production studio only lit the fire under my "you know what" to get this article written and out to the masses of professionals, home recordists, studio gurus, and more!

So...without further delay...let me show you how I filled my mic locker!

Classic Microphone Choices:

1.) Neumann M269C (Vintage Tube Condenser) ~ $7359.08

I like the history behind this microphone. As a collector of vintage tiki mugs, I appreciate anything with a story behind it. This microphone was modeled after the infamous U-67 so it could be marketed to German broadcasters in the 1960’s. I think the Cardioid “F” pattern is interesting because it allows a combination of various polar patterns making it very versatile. It also has a dual backplate and a different vacuum tube than the U-67 that will give our studio a one-of-a-kind vintage sound. The sound is warm and full, a quality all of these classic vintage microphones possess, and the main reason I am selecting this microphone.

Source: Pucksound.nl

Sources:

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Neumann/M-269

User Review

http://www.neumann.com/?lang=en&id=hist_microphones&cid=m269c_publications (Brochure Download)

http://vacuumntubes.com/vintage-tube-microphone-neumann-m-269-c

2.) Neumann U47 (Vintage Tube Condenser) ~ $8999.00

I selected this microphone because we had a reworked version of the U-67 and I believe that a U47 would be a nice addition to broaden or Neumann offerings. As far as sensitivity and transient response goes this is one of the finest handmade pieces that I know to exist. Frank Sinatra sang on it and that “crooner vibe” is always desired in the industry. It has a dry tone at times and will shadow inflection. Being the first switchable polar pattern microphone developed this selection would set us apart from the pack. There will be challenges to maintaining this microphone, but extreme care will make this a magical choice.

Source: Record-Producer.com

Sources:

http://www.coutant.org/u47/index.html

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Neumann/U-47

https://www.neumann.com/index.php?lang=en&id=about_us_history_part_2;

Ribbon Microphone Choices:

3.) Golden Age Projects R1 MK3 (Active Ribbon) ~ $219.00

This is a nice ribbon mic of the active variety with F.E.T. circuitry and more options than its predecessor with a low-cut switch and a 10dB pad. I wanted to include at least one active ribbon microphone in our collection and for the price I couldn’t pass this baby up! Online tests reveal that it has a suave and pleasant-sounding high end and a divine mid-range frequency sound. The price is considerably low and this microphone continues to be a top-rated seller for Golden Age. My only concern is about the Chinese components, but with proper care this affordable microphone should blow some out of the water and allow us some headroom to purchase a Roswellite ribbon.

Source: 555Music.com

Sources:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec07/articles/ribbonmicspt2.htm

http://www.recording-microphones.co.uk/Golden-Age-ribbon--microphone.shtml

4.) Shure KSM313 Dual Voice (“Roswellite” Ribbon) ~ $1074.19

This is a beautiful microphone that sets the standard for durability. The ribbon is made out of Roswellite, a nanomaterial that promises to triple or quadruple the life and prevent an accident from ruining the mic. As a former sonar technician in the Navy it is easy for me to back up the designers, who specialized in medical sonar device development. The microphone will be one of our top requested microphones to use for vocalists. The greatest thing is that it looks really sharp and modern. The rejection is fantastic and will provide us with a tough and quiet microphone.

Source: Shure

Sources:

http://www.wwbroadcast.com/Shure_KSM313_Dual_Voice_Ribbon_Mic_With_Roswellite_p/tcnc_ksm313.htm

http://www.barryrudolph.com/mix/shureksm313ksm353.html

5.) American Microphone DR332 Vintage (Passive Ribbon) ~ $525.00

What a find! This is a reasonably priced vintage ribbon and dynamic microphone that was produced by Western Electric, the first company to introduce the dynamic/ribbon combo. It is like adding an extra dynamic to our collection. The vintage sound it produces will make us an attractive recording option for purists and history buffs. This should be a nice vocal mic for those trying to reproduce the antiquated 1960’s and 1970’s garage rock sounds as it has a very whiny mid-range.

Sources:

http://www.coutant.org/american/index.html

http://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/american-dr-332-cardioid-dynamic-169055699

6.) Oktava ML-52-02 (Passive Ribbon) ~ $485.00

This is a Russian beast of a ribbon that is powered actively with 48V technology. The combination of the dual filament and impressive presence make this a $1000 value at half the cost. The sound comes off as very warm and full across the spectrum providing us with a great microphone for strings, horns, piano, and vocals. The vertical grille is sick looking and people will choose this mic like some people choose bottles of wine just for the label.

Source: Oktava USA

Sources:

http://www.oktava-online.com/ml52.html

http://www.frontendaudio.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=9624&click=18920

High Quality Condenser Microphone Choices:

7.) Lucas CS-1 (Large Diaphragm Condenser) ~ $4699.00

These custom-built, hand constructed microphones started out with a simple question of why quality microphones in the style of the 40’s and 50’s classics were not being manufactured at the time. I think this is a great addition because of the wonderful value, the rarity (only 300 were made) and condition of the used piece. The fact that it was designed utilizing elements from all the classics and not just modeling the specs of another from yesteryear makes it all the more attractive. It is a very delicate and comprehensive microphone that shimmers with earnest tones. Norah Jones was the first to record vocals on this mic and we saw the success and acclaim her first album garnered.

Source: ProRecordingWorkshop.Lefora.com

Sources:

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/lucas/CS-1

http://www.compasspointstudios.com/lucas/cs-1.html

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/high-end/393357-lucas-cs-1-lets-talk-7.html

http://www.tapeop.com/blog/2010/11/27/lucas_cs-1/

8.) Manley Gold Reference (Large Diaphragm Condenser) ~ $4950.00

Manley has strapped on their microphone making boxing gloves and is ready to take on the giants! This microphone is known to have a boatload of presence and capture exactly what it is intended to capture. As a vocal microphone it has stood up to several studio shootouts. The microphone has a sharp look and compliments our vintage selection quite well. Expert craftsmanship combines with gold, gold, and more gold to make this specimen truly shine.

Source: Manley Audio Australia

Sources:

http://www.manley.com/refgold.php

http://magazine.dv247.com/2011/09/28/manley-gold-reference-microphone-dv-east-london/

9.) Neumann TLM 103 (Large Diaphragm Condenser) ~ 1069.99

This is a mic that I feel would be used a lot because of its consistently awesome sound quality. The perfect word to describe how this microphone sounds is genius. I worked with this mic one year while recording in a studio and I may be biased, but it is stunning. You can really put this condenser into the thick of things because it has a relatively high SPL range, but if you start taking risks you have to be careful because there are no pads, trims, or roll-offs associated with this piece of gear.

Source: MannLife Entertainment

Sources:

http://studio-central.com/review_of_the_neumann_tlm103.htm

http://www.recordproduction.com/Neumann-TLM103-microphone.htm

http://www.ebay.com/ctg/Neumann-TLM-103-Condenser-Cable-Professional-Microphone-/69822389#pbe-rvws

10.) Sony C800GPAC (Tube Condenser) ~ $8800.00

I dipped into the wallet a bit here on this selection. In order to set the standard in our location we needed a real shocker in our collection and investing in this expensive Sony will do the trick. I have listened to some examples and it sounds great at smoothing out the transition between mids and highs without being too metallic sounding. Having it around for the snobs wouldn’t be bad, as they do tend to spend money in the studio.

Source: GGVideo

Sources:

http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/cat-audio/cat-wiredmics/product-C800GPAC/

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

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/high-end/155044-sony-800g-microphone-vs-u47-u67-87-a-2.html

11.) Brauner Phantom V (Large Diaphragm Condenser) ~ $3059.00

This is the microphone that I selected to bring that brighter, sunny sound to vocalists. It’s got a sleek design and should be fairly easy to perform maintenance on when necessary. Painstaking engineering makes this mic a solid purchase. This should make a fine all around instrument mic as long as proximity effect sensitivity is taken into effect.

Source: Dolphin Music

Sources:

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/sep02/articles/braunerphantom.asp

http://www.mixonline.com/mixline/brauner-phantom-v/

http://www.lasvegasproaudio.com/tedpechphv.html

Kick Drum Microphone Choices:

12.) AKG D112 (Large Diaphragm Dynamic) 1 of 2 ~ $199.00

The popularity of this kick drum both in the studio and in live environments speaks for itself. Next to the e604 this is the next “cutest” microphone of the bunch but it sure packs a punch. With an awesome low end boost that can be felt more than heard. I believe this drum was solely designed for use with kick drums and it was done well. This is a no-brainer.

Source: Reference Point Recording

Sources:

http://fanoffstudios.com/microphone/akgd112.php

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggqes-_p4Yg

http://akgdynamicmicrophone.blogspot.com/2012/02/check-out-akg-d112-industry-standard.html

13.) AKG D112 (Large Diaphragm Dynamic) ~ 2 of 2 ~ $199.00

14.) Audio Technica AE2500 (Dual Element Condenser/Dynamic) ~ 1 of 2 ~ $499.00

This mic appealed to me on the concept of originality. I really like the Dual Element that houses both a condenser and a dynamic. The only problem is that they take up two channels on kick, but we got it going on with a $60,000 budget on microphones so who cares, right? Assertive and plump tonality is what you are seeking in the low end and this microphone seems like it would capture that like a dream. The frequency response is comparable to the D112 and this mic is rugged giving it a long shelf life.

Source: Audio-Technica

Sources:

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/4359efa46266c7e9/index.html

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/dec03/articles/atae2500.htm

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Audio-Technica/AE2500

http://mixonline.com/gear/reviews/audio_audiotechnica_ae_dualelement/

http://www.ips.org.uk/files/06_Audio_Technica_AE2500.pdf

15.) Audio Technica AE2500 (Dual Element Condenser/Dynamic) ~ 2 of 2 ~ 499.00

Snare Drum Microphone Choices:

16.) Shure SM57 (Dynamic) ~ 1 of 2 ~ $199.00

This Shure SM57 is without a doubt the most popular microphone for live performance due to its rugged life and toughness. Studios can be rough places and this will be my professional mic of choice for a bunch of unruly individuals. This mic can offer a more masculine tone to vocals as well as murder the snare drum. It’s a tough cookie that has stood the test of time. It’s got to be in our collection just out of pure principle. This mic can be modified for a cleaner more crisp sound as well.

Source: Yeti Muzik

Sources:

http://tweakheadz.com/reviews/review_of_the_sm57.htm

http://www.blamepro.com/mwn/reviews/sm57.htm

http://briansbedroom.org/equipment/microphone-review-shures-sm57/

17.) Shure SM57 (Dynamic) ~ 2 of 2 ~ $199.00

18.) Audio Technica AT4041 (Small Diaphragm Electret Condenser) ~ 1 of 2 ~ $299.00

The AT4041 has such a flat frequency response and can take a beating from a good dose of sound pressure so it’s got to be great for a snare. It is the Pope of the small diaphragm world because it does such an accurate job of picking up what frequencies are actually being detected rather than coloring it with fancy circuitry. It sparkles like a diamond in the world of electret condensers and that is why I bought it. Nothing fancy about this choice…it’s just a wise choice.

Source: Derek Spratt

Sources:

http://www.audio-technica.com/cms/wired_mics/b43bffe4d4295274/index.html

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1997_articles/jan97/at4041.html

http://www.turramusic.com.au/pages/CatalogueItem.aspx?CIID=163

19.) Audio Technica AT4041 (Small Diaphragm Electret Condenser) ~ 2 of 2 ~ $299.00

Rack Toms Microphone Choices:

20.) Sennheiser MD421-II (Dynamic) ~ 1 of 3 ~ $369.95

Versatility is the key word with the MD421-II. If it weren’t such a great sounding dynamic choice for toms, vocals, and guitars I’d toss it aside on looks alone. It comes with a strange, sensitive clip. I chose the MKII because the center of gravity is different making the clip hold better. However the good things outnumber the bad by far. The numerous options for roll-off, the awesome null angle response, and the numbers of requests we will get just make this a common sense addition. It’s a legend in broadcasting already so we could use it for podcasts to promote the studio and we would have a very nice sound.

Source: SK Systems

Sources:

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/professional-studio-microphone-broadcasting-microphone_000984

http://tweakheadz.com/reviews/review_of_the_sennheiser_md421.htm

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov02/articles/qa1102.asp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krqm8gd26jE

21.) Sennheiser MD421-II (Dynamic) ~ 2 of 3 ~ $369.95

22.) Sennheiser MD421-II (Dynamic) ~ 3 of 3 ~ $369.95

23.) Beyer M 201 TG (Dynamic) ~ 1 of 3 ~ $299.00

I couldn’t go on without adding a hypercardioid option to our rack tom choices. Just one look at the frequency response and you know that this mic can not only hang with pounding sound pressure levels, but has a booming low end that can really define certain drummer desires. This make is very versatile and can be used with snare, vocals, and just about anything requiring the unique pickup of a hypercardioid polar pattern. One of my gems considering the price point and what it offers.

Source: ProductionRoom.com

Sources:

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/beyerdynamic/M-201-TG

http://www.dv247.com/microphones/beyerdynamic-m-201-tg-hypercardioid-dynamic-directional-microphone--8673

http://north-america.beyerdynamic.com/shop/media//datenblaetter/DAT_M201_EN_A2.pdf

24.) Beyer M 201 TG (Dynamic) ~ 2 of 3 ~ $299.00

25.) Beyer M 201 TG (Dynamic) ~ 3 of 3 ~ $299.00

Floor Toms Microphone Choices:

26.) Audio Technica ATM25/LE (Dynamic)~ $279.00

This is a Limited Edition version of the discontinued ATM25 to celebrate 50 years of Audio Technica. Limited editions are always nice (another thing I learned from collecting tiki mugs). This guy is exactly like its predecessor and will be our option for recording really close to an instrument. It has a hypercardioid pattern which is good with toms, especially the floor toms. It’s a brand new microphone and not many have been made so this could become a collectible down the road making it a cherished option in the studio.

Source: LiveProduction.tv

Sources:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAA_frT7x0Y

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Audio-Technica/ATM25LE

27.) Shure SM7B (Dynamic) ~ $349.00

What I really like about this option from Shure is the built in pop filter. It should provide a nice touch of sensitivity to floor toms. This flexibility makes it a nice choice for pop-happy vocalists. Desired tones can be sought out and found within its frequency response that adds a shiny brilliance in the mid-range frequencies. It has been used by the industry regularly, which makes it a studio staple.

Source: Shure

Sources:

http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones/sm/sm7b-vocal-microphone

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLtleYMFX3s

http://www.coutant.org/sm7b/index.html

Overhead/Hi-Hat Microphone Choices:

28.) Neumann KM-85I (Vintage Small Diaphragm Condenser)~ $1295.00

I paid a lot of attention to the overhead and cymbal selections because minimizing bleed is crucial and the entire kit must sound good for optimum sound. My first selection was of a vintage breed sure to impress. I like the fact that it has a low roll-off that will bring out the tones of the cymbals, rides, and crashes. This roll-off does a great job in minimalizing proximity effect as well allowing a greater range of placement around the kit.

Source: Saturn-Sound

Sources:

http://www.neumann.com/?lang=en&id=hist_microphones&cid=km85_publications (.PDF Download)

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Neumann/KM-85

http://www.neumann.com/forums/view.php?site=neumann&bn=neumann_archive&key=937107765

29.) Peluso CEMC6 [Stereo Pair] (Small Diaphragm Condenser)~ $679.66

Boutique brands are nice. The intriguing option on the Peluso CEMC6 is the ability to adjust polar patterns by changing capsules. This is an investment in a solid transducer that functions as multiple microphones for a small additional cost. These microphones set a high mark and have impressed many. I intend to add this to our menagerie for the “Wow Factor” as they are rare finds and shockingly brilliant in the way they capture pure sonic quality. I tried to pick resourceful overheads so we could utilize them in many creative ways on a variety of instruments and I believe with this choice I hit the sweet spot.

Source: Peluso Microphone Lab

Sources:

http://recordinghacks.com/reviews/tapeop/peluso-cemc6-2247/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wu0OueOtiWQ

http://www.pelusomicrophonelab.com/microphones/CEMC6.html

30.) Nevaton MC49C (Small Diaphragm Condenser) ~ $899.00

Even though the Cold War is over there is a war among many microphone enthusiasts as to why the Nevaton website is down! A spectacular mic and a victor in several shootouts that I explored this mic had just the subtle differences I was looking for in my second small diaphragm condenser overhead. It offers a very flat frequency response and rises just a few precious decibels to give an even tone to the entire kit. I’ll drink some vodka to that!

Source: Audio Vengeance

Sources:

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Nevaton/MC49

http://www.charteroakacoustics.com/pressDocs/TapeOp72_SDCshootout.pdf

31.) Royer R-121 [Stereo Pair] (Matched Ribbon) ~ $2640.00

Not everyone in the world wants a condenser as an overhead. This dual ribbon microphone is one I had to drop some money on when I found it. One thing that shocked me was that the diaphragm is similar in thickness to a condenser meaning that the care taken during production is stellar. This microphone will give a surreal and warming tone to a kit or cymbals and totally change the mood of a music selection. The phase ports offer some truly amazing cancellation and it’s just a dazzling decision on my part to add the pair despite the cost and novelty of the selection. I can’t wait to hear these on a guitar session! We will have to use extreme care with these if they are too close to the kit…that is a given.

Source: Sonic Ranch

Sources:

http://www.royerlabs.com/R-121.html

http://www.mercenary.com/royerr1211.html

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/apr00/articles/royerr121.htm

Additional Instrument Microphone Choices:

32.) ElectroVoice RE-20 (Dynamic) ~ $389.63

This mic was chosen for use in special applications that may arise. What shocked me in lab is the lack of a proximity effect and the fact that you can hear virtually nothing at the null angle directly behind the mic. Rush Limbaugh has a gold-plated one; kind of a turn off initially, but nevertheless ours will not be so cocky. I see it being used in creative ways by musicians seeking to step outside of the fold. This is another excellent mic for publicity podcasts due to its popularity in broadcasting.

Source: Musician's Buy

Sources:

http://www.coutant.org/evre20/index.html

http://recordinghacks.com/2011/06/02/ultimate-podcast-mic-shootout/

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Electro-Voice/RE20

33.) Shure SM81 (Small Diaphragm Condenser) ~ 1 of 4 ~ $349.99

I have a special place for this mic in the cockles of my heart. It is such a well-engineered microphone in every way. It’s adaptability, pure tones, and longevity of use is unparalleled. It has stood the test of time and is a standard for home recording. Many clients will be familiar with this mic and desire it out of comfort alone. I won’t waste time describing its uses because this is one you will constantly see set-up in session recording. Some pretty outstanding modifications can be made to these as well making them all the more useful.

Source: JANECOREC.com

Sources:

http://www.shure.com/americas/products/microphones/sm/sm81-instrument-microphone

http://www.recordingmag.com/resources/resourceDetail/341.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcGK1N0lwP0

http://www.coutant.org/sm81/index.html

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Shure/SM81

34.) Shure SM81 (Small Diaphragm Condenser) ~ 2 of 4 ~ $349.99

35.) Shure SM81 (Small Diaphragm Condenser) ~ 3 of 4 ~ $349.99

36.) Shure SM81 (Small Diaphragm Condenser) ~ 4 of 4 ~ $349.99

37.) AKG C414-XL II (Large Diaphragm Condenser) ~ 1 of 2 ~ $839.00

I couldn’t see a reason not to purchase two of these for stereo applications. With 5 switchable polar patterns it is very handy and can suit any musician’s taste in noise response. There is a very shiny and metallic quality to this mic. It is very particular and must be used right. Just one hour on YouTube and you can see musicians from Ryan Adams to Phoenix utilizing these for very bright and emotional solo performances.

Source: AKG

Sources:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oopMYA_b6CY

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

http://www.akg.com/site/products/powerslave,id,1129,pid,1129,nodeid,2,_language,EN.html

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/nov04/articles/akgmics.htm

38.) AKG C414-XL II (Large Diaphragm Condenser) ~ 2 of 2 ~ $839.00

39.) Shure SM58 (Dynamic) ~ $99.00

The SM58 has been around for a long time and live vocalists love its refreshing sound. It captures voice nicely with a distinct cardioid pattern. What do I like about it you ask? It’s consistency. I have seen on in every studio I have been in. I only chose one since we are a studio and not a concert venue. We have plenty of options should an outdoor event arise. It’s durable and tough. This guy will ride out our years with us.

Source: DVE Store

Sources:

http://www.recording-microphones.co.uk/Shure-SM58-microphone.shtml

http://www.themicstoreblog.co.uk/2011/01/shure-sm58-review-the-worlds-most-popular-microphone/

40.) Sennheiser MD-441 U (Dynamic) ~ $899.95

How does this supercardioid dynamic gem sound? Just dandy. It is touted as the most accurate and from what I’ve seen in lab I believe it. It offers the same flexibility for vocalists as the MD-421 thanks to the 5-position roll-off, but there’s a marked difference in sonic quality. If you check out the polar pattern you can see just how good it is with rejection. We can utilize that quality with positioning if there are particular sounds we want to dissolve in a mix. Unlike other mics this has a very flat response and a unique drop around 3 KHz given a low end to screeching vocals that is very, very nice.

Source: Audio Analysis New Zealand

Sources:

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/professional-dynamic-vocal-microphone-broadcasting-instrument-MD-441_000762

http://www.coutant.org/md441u/index.html

41.) Sonotronics Sigma (Active Ribbon) ~ $405.13

With the rising popularity of ribbon microphones in recent years I found it a diligent move to stock up on a wide array of these. Sonotronics Sigma is different in many attractive ways. Low self-noise is what really sucked me in to this model. It’s got a period and somewhat historical feel that I love and the sounds that it picks up are sure to reflect that trait. Although this is something I thought I would be more likely to spot on an episode of Boardwalk Empire, I was impressed with the sugar that it can add to a voice that may need it.

Source: Sound on Sound

Sources:

http://www.sontronics.com/sigma.htm

http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/may07/articles/sontronicssigma.htm

http://www.prosoundnetwork.com/article/sontronics-sigma-phantom-powered-ribbon-microphone/8695

42.) Sennheiser e604 (Dynamic) ~ 1 of 2 ~ $139.95

This is the mic that my wife would choose if she had a band. Obviously not for it’s sound characteristics but because it’s so adorable! Drummers will love this because of the convenient clip, the proximity with which it can be positioned, and the ability to dampen or nullify bends and buckles on the low end. What shocked me was that after checking the polar pattern versus the frequency response plot it appears that the e604 can become a supercardioid mic above 2 kHz. Could this be Stevie nicks next mic of choice? Umm, I doubt it…but we’ll take a pair for our studio and probably collect a few more over the years since they are so easy to store.

Source: Bananas Music

Sources:

43.) Sennheiser e604 (Dynamic) ~ 2 of 2 ~ $139.95

44.) Neumann KM184 (Small Diaphragm Condenser) ~ $849.00

This is a mic that I would pay careful attention to placement with during sessions. If placed properly it can sound wonderful. The reason for this is the cross-slit capsule and if not placed properly it just doesn’t sound right. Technical artists will appreciate the effort of making this microphone shine. It also takes a special sound to use this microphone effectively because the frequency response is noticeably dissimilar from other Neumann models. I’m stocking the silver finish just because it’s so sweet looking.

Source: Saturn Sound

Sources:

http://recordinghacks.com/microphones/Neumann/KM-184

http://www.squidoo.com/NeumannMicrophones

http://www.musicgearreview.com/reviews.php?man=Neumann&cat=Microphones&mod=KM%20184

45.) RCA 77DX [Restored Collectible – Not Functional] (Vintage Ribbon) ~ $2195.00

Every studio needs a classic look and a show of ultimate respect for the device that captures all the music. Whether it is on display on the owner’s desk, in a display case in the control room, or at the counter where customers pay for finished product. The RCA 77DX is a famous broadcasting ribbon from the days of Ozzie & Harriett and The Honeymooners. This beautifully restored RCA has an ABC shield on it and caught my eye. It sure is a beauty and something that will get clients talking to others about!

Source: Cellar Dweller

Sources:

http://www.vintagephone.com/willms2/549L.jpg

46.) Nady SP-33 (Dynamic) ~ $19.99

Ha! For the karaoke machine at the after parties following post-production and mastering!!

Source: Musician's Friend

Sources:

http://www.nady.com/sp33.html

GRAND TOTAL SPENT: $59,995.33

So, how do you think I did? I'm expecting to get some serious debate on my locker selections! Please leave comments below and share this article with beginners or experts alike that you feel would enjoy this read! Want to take on the challenge yourself? Please do! Post your own mic locker choices in the comments section below! Be sure to hit me up on Twitter because I will be frequenting the blog more often in the upcoming weeks.

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The 10 Years of Hukilau Tiki Mugs

2012-04-19T14:55:00.000-04:00

Today marks a momentous occasion...an anniversary to remember! There couldn't be a better day for me to write a post related to tiki culture considering that Hukilau 2012 gets underway in Ft. Lauderdale, FL today! Trade gossip about the event or start your adventure into the world of tiki pop culture by visiting the Official Page for Tiki Mug Collectors today!

The Hukilau began it's Polynesian festivities in 2002 under the steadfast planning and organization of founders "Tiki Kaliki" and "Swanky." The event is an annual affair that celebrates Hawaiian and Polynesian pop culture with a retro chic and a classic "Tiki Bar" flavor. Several legends of the pop culture phenomenon visit each year to bring out fruitful and cocktail-ready crowds. The Mai Kai restaurant has long been a supporter and staple venue for the event. Music, art, and good times abound each year and although it has evolved in scope the overall vibe has remained pretty much consistent. CLICK HERE to read more about it's history and how it's chic has swollen!

Each year the Hukilau event commemorates the merrymaking by commissioning artists to create limited edition tiki mugs. The years have brought some very inspired and innovative proofs that have passed the test of time, established their eminence in pop culture, and fired up collectors for a decade. Below is a chronological history of the limited edition cocktail vessels from the Trader Vic's 2002 event to this weekend's shindig. A special shoutout is in order for the collectors and creator of Ooga-Mooga (where most of the images you will see have been dug up). Ooga-Mooga is the paramount website for tiki mug collectors, traders, and aficionados. Visit the site, which is currently being revamped and updated over the next few months, and create an account to barter your wares or display your acquired art for all to see!

2002

The 1st Annual Hukilau was hosted in Atlanta, GA as the mind-child of message board enthusiasts and featured Sven Kirsten (author of the acclaimed Book of Tiki), Saint Thomas and a plethora of hand made mugs, burlesque dancers, tiki carvers, tailgate parties, and music ranging from spy-themed surf rock to modern rockabilly. The first mug was designed by Squid and was released in an edition of 76 mugs. The tiki assumes a rare pose seen in tiki art. His knees are locked up and he appears to be rolling in jovial laughter. The textures assume the tiki is carved out of wood as you can plainly see his hands are tree limbs.

2003

This year saw the relocation of the Hukilau to it's current home in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and was motivated by the historic relevance of the Mai Kai Restaurant. The big draws were the famous Polynesian dinner show at the Mai Kai and the debut appearance of Shag at the event! Crazy Al's carvings showed face as well. Squid and Shag designed the official mug for 2003 and it was manufactured by Tiki Farm. The edition of 300 marked the usual number of mugs released for years to come (with a few exceptions noted below). It came in a brown glaze and sported earrings and diamond pattern teeth.

There were actually two mugs released for the event this year. The second, also manufactured by Tiki Farm, came in a brown glaze and was affectionately named "Ku." He has been come to known in the collecting world as X-Eyes thanks to the ornamental bands across his face. I'm not sure, but I think this mug was released in conjunction with or after the event.

2004

The event in 2004 was moved to September and featured an Italian Hula-Style rock band, King Kukulele, a dinner cruise, Maori carvings, and more Mai Kai fun. The featured mug was designed by Derek Yaniger in a limited run of 300. I feel bad for the smaller tiki considering I'm a short guy because on this mug he's being devoured by a larger one! This mug was released in two different glazes of purple and turquoise.

2005

Hukilau 2005 showcased a rare appearance by Yma Sumac and her infamous 5-Octave voice. Swanky made his resignation final and the event coordinator, Tiki Kaliki, was aided by James Teitelbaum. Pushed back to October this year featured a first-ever car show as well! They changed things up with the art this year as well offering a classic scorpion bowl and shot glass created by Derek Yaniger. The shot glasses were released in an edition of 150 and the gold-rimmed bowls numbered 100. Tiki Farm continued the manufacturing this year. The shot glass has a wide mouth for easy imbibing and came in a variety of colors: Jungle Beat Yellow, Congo Green, and Botswana Brown!

The panache Scorpion Bowl was shaped with a tiki mask on each side and two elephant tusks crossing over the tiki.

2006

The 5th anniversary of Hukilau again featured Sven Kirsten as well as Jeff "Beachbum" Berry, urban archaeologist and Florida tiki historian, Geoff Sundstrom, and Exotica disc jockey, Jeff Chenualt. The Mai Kai took a look at the past and Swanky showed an immense number of classic Mai Kai postcards that stole the show. The 2006 mug sanctioned was a Moai-shaped beast immortalizing the Mai Kai Restaurant's 50th anniversary. The top knot, black eyes, and red mouth on this creation were imagined by Barney West and Paul Nielsen (The "Pater Dominus" of Munktiki). Mugs were manufactured by new-comers on the Hukilau scene, Munktiki, once again in a 300 piece limited edition.

2007

Beachbum Berry was back this year as the event shifted back to June with his new cocktail book, Sippin' Safari. Disney's influence on tiki culture was discussed and music again featured rockabilly and more jet-set Exotica. Munktiki again supplied the cocktail chalice releasing a limited edition of 300 brown mugs designed by Kevin Kidney on one side and the Mai Kai cannibals on the other sides! A fantastic design that is different in shape and scope of the average tiki mugs you see traded and purchased from the event!

2008

Live mermaids, tiki bazaars, and more featured expositions and seminars were offered in the summer of 2008. There were scares that this would be the final event but support abounded and the Hukilau REBOUNDED! Paul Nielsen of Munktiki again designed the piece for happy hours in a set of 300 for the third year in a row. The style pays homage to the Marquesas Islands full body sculpture that stands outside of the Mai Kai. It's detail is phenomenal and the way the lines accent it give this mug a very Polynesian feel.

2009

Tikiphiles united again celebrating the return of the Hukilau! A phenomenal year for music, the Los Straitjackets provided a rockin' ambiance that is rarely found at live music venues! The economy was taking a serious dive and revelers needed to keep funds in check but that didn't damper the festivities...in fact Congressional aggression was subdued by a fire-breathing mermaid! Kevin Kidney designed a Rarotongan mug manufactured by Munktiki in the normal limited edition release of 300. Munktiki would continue to hold reign of the Polynesian goblet market! This is one of my favorite glazes, a tan-speckled brown matte that hits home. The flat nose and monkey-like ears popping out are spectacularly crafted and make this a prime edition to collect.

2010

The new decade saw another tropical jubilee to the delight of all pop culture enthusiasts beginning at the Bahia Cabana Poolside with tunes from King Kukulele and more! Shag was there to sign prints and photos. The event was jam-packed and well organized upping the standards for future events. A world premiere of the DVD Tiki was screened for the first time as well. Nielsen and Muntiki returned with a Papua New Guinea-styled tiki with tiny arms folded across his chest. Geometrically near perfect, the glaze was tinted with fabulous hues of green and blue.

2011

Increased sponsorship and rising public awareness combined with a returning glamorization of tiki culture kicked off the 2011 event in June of last year. The 1st-Annual Penthouse Party was held, the history of sailors and the art of tattoo were highlighted, and more and more mermaids kept showing up! Kevin Kidney designed Munktiki's sixth consecutive Hukilau release with sweet treat! Released in a decreased run of 150, the mugs were marketed as "Tiki for 2" and came as a pair encouraging couples to share in the joyous custom of drinking out of tiki mugs! One was "vanilla" with the orange interior glaze and one was "mint chocolate" bringing back the brown matte with tan speckles and a green glazed inside. These delectable mugs were sweet...making one anxious to stick their tongue inside for whatever tasty treat lied within!

2012 - THIS YEAR'S RELEASE!

The 2012 event kicks off today promising to be fantastic! The commemorative mug has been featured on Hukilau's site for months. I just checked today and they are still available for purchase by non-attendees if you are interested. A new designer was brought in this year: Tiki Diablo (A.K.A. Danny Gillardo). In the words of Tiki Kiliki on the site, "Danny and I talked about basing on some of Milan Guanko designs and he knew that the elements of Guanko’s signature features was something that was important to me. He sent me a picture of a tiki from carver Richard Ellis for the Tradewinds Restaurant in Oxnard, CA. This Tiki had everything I wanted and more. Danny has done an amazing job!"

Please feel free to leave comments about your adventures at Hukilau 2012 here. Share your stories!! If you have a mug memory or other "Hukilau Sailor Stories" please start the conversation. I hope you have enjoyed this brief history of the Hukilau mug tradition and look forward to bring you more exciting stories from the world of Tiki Culture!

** Mike Gangi is a tiki enthusiast and multimedia specialist living in Winter Park, FL. Please visit his website The Gangi Sound by CLICKING HERE to see how he can help you promote the world of tiki or create media for your next event!

TGS Introduces Monthly Top 40 Spotify Playlists by Genre! ♩ ♪ ♫ ♬

2012-04-04T19:37:00.000-04:00

CLICK HERE TO GET TGS #1 FOR SPOTIFY AND SUBSCRIBE!

I have taken a brief hiatus from my weekly posts to vacation for a bit in Tennessee. Road trips are so awesome. Road trips for Spotify subscribers is SUPER AWESOME! If you don't have Spotify yet or if you do but have not signed up for the paid service I highly recommend that you do so. CLICK HERE to subscribe or simply download the free Spotify player. Make sure that you download the application for your iPhone or iPad as well!.

I have decided to include an additional post at the beginning of the month and give my readers an opportunity to subscribe to some great Spotify Top 40 playlists created by yours truly! I have been collecting and listening to music for a long time. I started making mixes for people back in middle school...kind of like John Cusack did in High Fidelity. Yes. I'm that guy. I remember sitting in front of the radio and spastically hitting record when I heard a song I needed in my library come on. Then I started getting an allowance and CD's were released. It was all downhill for my wallet from there!

The playlists will be easily identifiable by the letters "TGS" (which stands for The Gangi Sound...duh). They are featured on the Share My Playlists website and all readers should feel free to subscribe to my channel HERE. New playlists will be released each month with a new genre or title as the theme. Feel free to e-mail me and request or recommend a genre or thematic idea. All of the playlists will feature 40 tracks and be genre specific. I will do my best to make these playlists full of new content that you may not have heard of yet. I encourage you to share these playlists with your friends if you enjoy them and turn them on to the awesome sounds of the TGS Mixes!

TGS April 2012 ~ Big Dust Bowl of Americana

CLICK HERE TO E-MAIL "The Gangi Sound" WITH YOUR PLAYLIST GENRE REQUEST!

After returning from Tennessee I had the neon glow of Nashville in my gullet. This first installment of TGS will include some classic and modern Americana hits, also known as ALTERNATIVE COUNTRY. Before you shy away from this playlist because of the word country I want you to know that this genre is influenced by tradition. It's roots are many and spawn collectively from folk, country, blues, and rock & roll. It is a really extraordinary genre and encompasses a wide range of music. I attempted to focus on newer and somewhat obscure songs of the genre that have propelled it into what it is today. I chose not to focus on the classic era of alternative country that defined the genre in it's skin & bones form years ago. Below is the list of artists featured on this month's TGS Top 40 playlist! Enjoy!

BIG DUST BOWL OF AMERICANA! (Click Here to Get This Playlist for SPOTIFY!)

The Devil Makes Three

Drive-By Truckers

The Felice Brothers

The Gaslight Anthem

Grayson Capps & Trina Shoemaker

Hayes Carll

Iron & Wine

Isobel Campbel

James Vincent McMorrow

Jason Eady & Band of Heathens

Jason Isbell & the 400 Unit

Ray LaMontagne & the Pariah Dogs

Ray Wylie Hubbard

Ryan Adams

Ryan Adams & the Cardinals

*** RECOMMEND, COMMENT, REQUEST, and ENJOY ***

Do You Have Fake Twitter Followers? Clues to Aid Your Investigation!

2012-03-20T20:08:00.000-04:00

I am going to get a bit off subject this week. Along with my knack for writing engaging content (~cough~) I have a set of ethical guidelines and a spoonful of good ole' sincerity that I use when trying to connect with my readers, customers, and social media fans. I'm not sure where this general concern for the human condition has disappeared to lately, but I came across some blatant "abuse" on Twitter that startled me. I AM DISGUSTED BY IT. I was instantly compelled to take a break from posting about tiki culture, sound design, or music in general so I could share my concerns with my readers (many of whom are fellow Tweeters).

I was recently asked by a company to assist with the implementation of their social media. I make no claims as a guru of web culture or as a master of social marketing at this point in my career! I just wanted to help this company and develop my skills along the way. The company I offered the assistance to already had a solid Facebook business page and a Twitter account among other things.

When I reviewed the company's Twitter account I noticed some odd things when I was checking out the followers. Look at the image below and see if you notice anything awkward:

At first glance, nothing appears odd. This is what most Twitter "followers" look like. Profile descriptions consist of short and sweet blurbs that make attempts at professionalism, humor, and kindness all in one fell swoop in a freeze-frame of 160 characters. The images all look like regular people as well...the same thing you would see on Facebook. Now look at the screenshot of these "Followers" :

Notice anything out of the ordinary? Several of the brief descriptions are identical with separate images! Are we being fooled by Twitter users or even worse...web-robots? Are companies beefing up the number of followers they have by adding "fake" customers or followers? We saw this in a nationwide news story this political season with the revelation that 92% of Newt Gingrich's followers on Twitter were phony. Now, the company I am working for was most certainly a victim of some sort of spam-bot or "Twitter-follower" genie. I'm 100% sure they did not intend for their Twitter page to be a falsification of their business status and image. Now, the question lies: Do I think that some less-than-stellar companies are using this method to gain a wider following and increase their audience? I am positive! They are the new real-estate brokers of this decade! I imagine we all have a huge bursting bubble of social media to look forward to thanks to these people! Below are more examples of trickery that I noticed:

Notice that there is no interaction on this user's part. Fake? Ummm...yes.

Over 750 followers on this company's Twitter account had absolutely NO TWEETS! These individual profiles must not be winning popularity contests either because they all had somewhere in the range of 2 - 12 followers.

The point of Twitter and other similar social platforms is to get your message across and spread the word. Somebody likes what you post and shares it with their friends. These people aren't intending to share anything! What's even more odd is that the number of people each fake Twitter profile followed ranged from 80 - 92 every time. It's my belief that even more personal businesses, small businesses, large companies, and even corporations have been targeted by this same sweep. The goal is obviously to get people to follow them back and in turn increasing the number of followers they have. It leads me to believe that all of these accounts are linked to one account and in turn beef up that one account with each follow. Definitely an ethical and privacy concern here!

The same description and picture with a different name? Seriously?!!?

Now, I am not against a company using tactics. I'm not against subtle nuances or gestures that give a company a competitive edge. Consumers have the right to decide what advertising they succumb to; the scope of advertising as a business depends on that very thing. I'm sure that this practice is common knowledge amongst the industry which is a huge reason I'm turned off by it. What I am suggesting is that individuals and businesses that utilize these social tools distinguish themselves ethically by noticing when these sorts of things happen and by following through and doing something about them! Pay attention to the people you are conducting business with and verify that they have ethical standards. You could be the one getting screwed! Pay attention to who your customers are and give them credit. They are NOT stupid. Just as YOU wouldn't watch a movie that seemed to have an awkward storyline and just didn't make sense, your customers will see your company as illegitimate or untrustworthy in the long run. Consumers are smart! It will turn them off. Trust me. In these times of misdirected honesty and falsified trust consumers want nothing more than to deal with a truthful business.

Take the time to verify your customers on your social media accounts. Make sure they are real. The true gem of social media is the interaction! You will never get there with a bunch of clones that claim to be a "devoted bacon enthusiast" or a "typical food ninja." Are you catching my drift?

Unfortunately, the only way to get rid of all these followers is to individually block them or report them for spam. If you have a whole boatload then it's going to take some time for sure. After you have reported or blocked all the fake followers click on your account settings and turn Tweet Privacy ("Protect My Tweets") to on. You will be asked to enter your password to make the changes to your account. This is COOL TO DO. I promise. Then exit out of settings, go back into settings and turn off your Tweet Privacy. When you visit your home page again you will notice that the number of followers have decreased and the unwanted followers are no longer there. Now you can start legitimately building a loyal and tangible base of Twitter-ees to follow you!

There is always going to be that bad apple: the guy that works diligently to create a virus so they can see the downfall of Apple, the internet hackers who use what could be skills to steal identities and secure information, the traitors that release government secrets on Wiki-Leaks or elsewhere, and so on. Chances are that if one or two of these exist on your profile then it just could be new users who haven't gotten the hang of it. You'll know the bad apples when you see them. Be vigilant with your accounts. They define you or your company. Distinguish yourself, your company, your idea or whatever by simply getting back to the basics and using common sense. If they aren't your friend or haven't proved themselves to be legitimate then DO NOT give them the benefit of becoming a part of your network!

Has this happened to you or someone you know? Do you not agree with my take on using fake followers? Have any ideas or helpful advice based on experience? Please comment below!! Share this article with friends and family. Encourage them to be responsible in their business methods! They will thank you in the long run!

Have Robots Emerged Victorious? The Rough Marriage of Musicians and Motion Pictures

2012-03-13T15:55:00.000-04:00

When the American Film Institute released it's 100 Years of Film Scores it became common public knowledge that the scoring of film is an integral aspect of the overall sound design of a project. Films that add music to increase or release tension, compound dramatic effect, or provide an ambiance of emotionalism to a scene such as Star Wars, Jaws, Psycho, and Chinatown have been applauded by viewers around the world and are still used and studied today as the foundations for successful scoring. The marriage of music and motion pictures was not a relationship that developed without turmoil, but it has reaped some benefits and offers up a potentially fascinating discussion.

Historically, the use of synchronized sound was generally welcomed in 1927 with the Vitaphone film The Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson. With Jolson's first synchronized spoken words audiences were captivated and erupted in applause. However, the film was not universally accepted as groundbreaking...especially by musicians. They described it as stagnant at best. They perceived it as a threat. Music in movies prior to the release of The Jazz Singer was performed by paid musicians in a theater environment, a tradition that rooted in nickelodeon's with a single organ or piano player accompanying silent films. As noted in a fascinating article posted on The Smithsonian website, artists and critics saw sound as robotic replacements for the performance of live talent. The cost of show's utilizing Vitaphone was vastly cheaper than the theater performances with an average difference in price of $2.25 - $3.00 in difference (astronomical for the times).

Economic times and the onset of the Great Depression urged musicians to be cognizant of any threat to employment. In 1930, after setting a minimum wage demanding high payment for the recording of synchronized music (a difficult endeavor at the time), the American Federation of Musicians banded together to form the Music Defense League to address the displacement of orchestras in the motion picture theaters. They fought adamantly against what they referred to as "canned music" encouraging citizens to support live performance, a sentiment that is echoed in the music industry today with the advent of social media and "free music" services that limit earning potential for artistic endeavors. The AFM spent an unheard of $500,000 on an advertising campaign attempting to smear the recording industry.

The advertisements depicted robots as synchronized sound nurturing children, physically hurting musicians, or seducing weak female characters meant to personify movie audiences. A general concern about numbing the public to the power of artistic performance existed within the music community. Concern over profits and the decreasing number of employed musicians in the film arena were main concerns as well. Predictions, often dire in nature, were made regarding the public perception of the love affair between film and live music some of which ring true today albeit with a certain element of mediocrity.

TODAY THE DEBATE SHIFTS and I encourage you to share your comments. What contrasts do you see that exist today that make this a relevant discussion? Although a very small number of musicians are dedicated to film scoring today, I believe that technology has enabled the sharing of music to thrive. In regards to recording, the advent of digital technology has enabled musicians to soar creatively in addition to creating new genres of powerful and meaningful music. Sound designers have embraced technology and now incorporate thematic elements of music within the design of the entire body of the creative envelope. The performance of live music has once again become a staple in profiteering for musicians. The evidence abounds in the monetary successes of music festivals, concert tours, and live theater nationwide. Even individuals and small businesses have been moved to create multimedia portfolios that are used to display their digital artwork, business products, or still image photography with the accompaniment of sound.

Although we may look back and laugh at this as we shuffle our iPods, blast our Blu-Ray home theater surround systems, and tune in to Spotify, this parallels several debates that exist today that generations after us may "LMAO" at [insert potential issue here]!! A successful marriage between technology and live performance is necessary to garner respect as both a musician and a sound engineer these days.

In essence, it offers up a potential brainstorm session as to how the movie industry, sound designers, and musicians can develop a wonderful harmony or marriage to introduce live performance into the arena again. Show production technology, future advances in sound systems, and a willingness to explore artistic endeavors may be the ring(s) that unite us in the cause. Comments are encouraged and welcomed! Thanks for reading!

Cool Photography Portfolio Idea: Original Score & Video

2012-03-06T19:05:00.001-05:00

Need a cool idea for a photography portfolio? The Gangi Sound creates multimedia portfolios for individuals and businesses to separate themselves from the mediocrity of the mainstream. My most recent work was for a photographer serving in the US Navy in Norfolk, Virginia and can be viewed below. My conviction is that socially, proficiently, and professionally utilizing multimedia formats within your portfolio, website, blog, etc. will help you stand out when marketing your talents or products. CLICK HERE for a great article on the benefits of utilizing social multimedia for business exposure. Want to know more about multimedia portfolios in general...CLICK HERE!!

This is a job I enjoy doing for people because it has so many benefits for both me and my customers. For the customer it's rather inexpensive (as it is a new service I am offering), very effective, and broadens the reach and scope of their portfolio, products, etc. The perks for me include original composition of music and sound and building quality relationships with people as a designer of sound and video.

I keep my customers involved throughout the entire process. The process should take no more than 3 days provided full participation from the customer. All I require is a collection of original, high-resolution photos to get started. The process for getting those files into my hands will be shared upon agreement to commission the work. Together we will work to develop an appropriate theme and style for the audio using the pictures as our thematic basis. It's important to have this unification. I will then compose a customized score and submit it for customer approval. Once the music is approved I begin the process of video editing and again send as many drafts as necessary to the customer for approval. You are provided with a high-quality QuickTime video (.mov file) to use as you wish. I do credit my company with all the work in the video for artistic credit and take great care to make it a routine and very brief portion of the final project.

I have the ability to consult my customers on how to get maximum exposure for your video and charge very little for that element to be included in my packages. Above is an example of the work that I do. If you are interested in having something like this developed for your website, blog, business, or personal use, please visit the contact page of www.TheGangiSound.com and send me an e-mail including details of your vision for quotes.

Awards, Competitions, and Recognition for Sound Design

2012-02-28T16:03:00.000-05:00

On the eve of the Academy Awards at our favorite local pub, my wife and I had an interesting conversation regarding awards and recognition in the fields of audio engineering and/or sound design. It was sparked by the article "On the Unification of Sound Awards" by Tim Nielsen and published on DesigningSound.org on February 22, 2012. It was a very well composed article that received a number of interesting and intriguing comments from experts in the field.

I remained curious as to what other awards or organizations give a bit of recognition for the time and effort that we put into creating our sound art. We do seem to get lost in the shuffle of cinematography, acting, and original score. It is interesting to me that our work is very important to the overall composition of all types of media projects and how our industry is expanding and contracting on itself. At the time of our conversation I was under the impression that very little recognition was given (with the exception of the unflattering awards received at the Academy Awards and other shows of a similar vein).

What I found upon researching the topic this week is that I was wrong. There is a strong support system for recognition within our industry and all it takes is for us to get involved. I am going to provide some links and brief descriptions of what I think is pretty cool so that my readers can explore the mission and scope of these organizations. My hope is that sound designers, sound editors, and engineers use this resource to gain some networking opportunity and a platform to submit works for recognition. Please post any comments below to cover sources that I have left out. As I mentioned their remains a lot of opportunity to get your work recognized, but if you are not active about getting your work out there then the recognition will go to those who are fervently pursuing their career in the audio field.

Music + Sound Awards 2012

This award ceremony celebrates creative excellence in the areas of music and sound design for various types of visual media. The inaugural awards event was held at KOKO in London, England on February 23, 2012. I find it interesting that all judges for each category are hand-picked making it true "field experts" that are giving the awards. The media partners include Universal, Warner, and EMI which to me screams that this will be one award to reckon with in future years. View the list of this years inaugural winners by clicking HERE! I am not sure if these awards are restricted to the UK only, but if they are then American audio professionals and artists could benefit from following this format.

The Golden Reel Awards (MPSE)

The Motion Picture Sound Editors association offers what I consider to be the most prestigious award in the field of film editing and sound design. Several of you are probably familiar with this award, but I felt it was necessary to cover solely because the organization is far reaching and very professional in their scope. The Golden Reel Awards acknowledge the year's best work in the various areas of sound editing: Dialogue & ADR, Effects & Foley, and Music. Membership is available on the site provided certain criteria are met. The site is quite informative as to how to submit entry forms, advertise, etc. Student Membership is available as well.

A' Design Awards & Competitions

Aiming to highlight the excellent qualifications of best sound designs, design concepts and design oriented products & services, the A' Design Awards honor sound designers (as well as many other kinds of designers) and provide them with a global platform for recognition. I encourage you to explore the site and contact any individuals with your personal questions. CLICK HERE for an entry form for participating in the Sound Design Competition.

The fields of sound design and audio engineering are growing very quickly, but the work is being condensed and performed by people who utilize their networking resources, know what to do and do it VERY well. It takes dedication, talent, and commitment to make it in this industry. I believe that awards will surface soon honoring sound design for a variety of medium including but not limited to: web content, attractions and theater, gaming, mobile applications, etc. Sound design has become a meticulous art and is gaining respect as digital media continues to grow and be utilized. Recognition on any level will be a key component for anyone who hopes to succeed because competition is fierce and you need to stand out. I challenge all of you to seek and USE your resources. Be proud of the work you do, stay humble, refine your craft, and find ways to get your work seen, heard, recognized and honored.

Vacuum Tube Art ~ A Tribute to Early Sound

2012-02-21T20:39:00.000-05:00

In our current era of solid-state technology it is important to remember the roots of electronics that unequivocally led to the commercialization of broadcasting music and television. These "vintage" components have been essential in shrinking our world in regards to the field of electronics, sound reproduction & broadcasting. In essence, without the invention of the vacuum tube the art of sound design, live performance, recording arts and amplification would exist in a still primitive and energy consuming form. On another tiki-related note, these cylinders have transmitted loads of lounge music to our ears, plenty of Polynesian pictures via televised signal, and a multitude of happy hour tiki drink special bar advertisements over the airwaves during our commutes home! I’m not sure if people like Nikola Tesla or Thomas Edison were ever lucky enough to be a part of tiki culture, but I know for a fact that they all had essential roles that had a profound impact on the development of sound transmission and creation.

Although many of the failures of vacuum tubes, CRT’s and the like led to it's eventual replacement in virtually all systems one can still find a use for the antique, steampunk-like devices. I’m not just speaking of vacuum nanoelectronics either. Artists around the world have begun collecting, refinishing, and refining these tubes into works of art, jewelry, and collectibles. Below are a few examples and inks to some of my favorite vendors and artists.

ElectronLuv

Of particular interest to me as a sound designer and musician is a company called ElectronLuv operated by Josh Stippich. Using a combination of analog technologies and utilizing tubes, components and circuits ElectronLuv fashions working amplifiers, preamplifiers, guitar amps, speakers, and more. The products are unparalleled in their reproduction of sound but even more intriguing is the presentation. These devices come off not only as great sound tools but works of art. Stippich’s passion is founded in years of dreaming and listening and it’s apparent: his creations are “the stuff dreams are made of” and worthy of a visit to his site.

The TubeStuffer: Peter A. Luber

I stumbled across a fantastic artist that I call "El TubeStuffer" because it's just so fitting! His name is Peter and he utilizes tubes and then stuffs them with works of art. Peter A. Luber sculpts miniatures, few of which are larger than 8 inches tall. What began as a weekend hobby to escape the confines of corporate America has now evolved into an artistic representation of his life as viewed through the shell of tiny vacuum tubes. The sculptures inside of these vintage radio and television components are very creative and it appears that he utilizes some of the old components at times. This guy is fascinated by vacuum tube technology (or is just appreciative of the images and sounds they have given us in the past) and it is evident not only in his use of them as a medium, but visually represented in paintings, posters, and key chains!

Le Modern Trinket

Now, I want to share some of my favorite pieces. These come in the form of jewelry and baubles offered by Christina Sanchez, owner and energy behind Le Modern Trinket out of SOCAL (Southern California…duh)! Christina is inspired by vintage items, art, and photography and heavily influenced by Art Deco & the Dada/Bauhaus movements. What I particularly dig about Christina Sanchez is that she is different. She utilizes vintage photography, tin-typephotos, radio resistors, vacuum tubes, capacitors, and photo flash cubes (toname a few) to conceptualize her pieces. She also offers commissioned work for those looking for that kind of special attention or personalized creation. Please visit her online store and browse through her imaginative offerings when considering your next exceptional gift purchase!

Fez-o-Rama’s Vacuum Tube

Finally, if there’s a special place in your heart for the fez then you’ll need to grab one of the Vacuum Tube Fez offerings from this awesome site! Not only is this brand comfortable and high-quality, but the image will make it look like you never stop thinking. Who knows? You could be the next Nikola Tesla despite the fact that you are spending all your time at the Mai-Kai imbibing on celebrity-style cocktails!

Where It All Started: Exploring the Kon-Tiki Voyage Firsthand

2012-02-12T16:00:00.001-05:00

In 1947, over the course of 101 days, the balsa wood raft Kon-Tiki was launched by famed Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl. Named after a legendary seafaring sun-king common to both the old Inca kingdom and the islands of Polynesia, it's purpose was that of scientific exploration. Heyerdahl was insistent on proving to anthropologists and archaeologists of the era that the Pacific Polynesian islands potentially could have been populated by indigenous people from South America. Many scientists of the day were of the opinion that the islands were inhabited by people from Asia. Their reasoning was that travel there many thousands of years ago would have been impossible because no boats could make the horrific Trans-Pacific journey. The raft was custom built by Heyerdahl and his team in Peru using methods and materials that would have been used during ancient times in South America. Kon-Tiki hoisted sail outside the port of Callào in Peru with 6 men onboard. This fascinating journey is documented in a variety of ways of which I am going to describe below for your reference.

Kon-Tiki: Across the Pacific by Raft is a book chronicling the voyage from it's inception to its astounding end written by Thor Heyerdahl. The line between scientific exploration and stupidty is thin to say the least! The writing is very captivating and it feels like you are in the raft with those crazy Norwegians the whole time! All the details are here: how they set-up communications on the boat and prevented electrical shock, how they acquired food while out to sea, dealing with the elements and standing watch, etc. Even encounters with local native Polynesian women bearing fruits and healing medicines is explained in all it's island glory! This is going to provide you with the most detailed information about the voyage and is available on Kindle as well.

For a visual feast you can watch the Academy Award winning documentary of the adventure. It is available in black-and-white on YouTube. On the Kon-Tiki DVD you have access to some very rare color footage as well. The 77-minute movie originally premiered in Stockholm on January 13th 1950. It was released on DVD (Region 1) by Janson Media in 2001 (some sites say 2006) and includes an English soundtrack. Some versions are 124 minutes and include these special features: Thor Heyerdahl: Explorer & Scientist, Photo Gallery, Expedition Map, and Rare Color Footage. The footage used for this documentary was almost lost when the raft struck a reef, but it was salvaged from the wreckage and was able to be used and edited to make this film. This picture brings to life the day-to-day struggles, discoveries, and intimacies of the very risky Kon-Tiki science project. You can hear a saltiness in the voice of Heyerdahl who provides all the narration and humor one could desire from such a voyage! Kon-Tiki was the first Norwegian film to win an Oscar when it won for Best Documentary in 1951.

If you have a little extra cash in your pocket and feel like traveling to Scandinavia and the land of the $12 pint of Guinness, then The Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo, Norway is your all-access pass to this extraordinary adventure. I visited in 2009 and began my tiki mug collection there with a purchase of a mug in the gift shop. It was a very inspiring place and opened the world of tiki to me in a very exotic and professional way. There is excellent documentation on all things Polynesia to include tiki in pop culture. The actual raft is kept here for all tourists to view and photograph as well as some stunning photography and articles of cultural significance. Heyerdahl made several voyages and expeditions in his lifetime, all of which are chronicled here. Check out the current exhibits by CLICKING HERE.

These certainly are not the only places to find information about Thor's journeys, research, and adventures. Feel free to browse the internet by searching Kon-Tiki or the man himself: Thor Heyerdahl. The amazing Ben Thompson has also written a hilarious biopic of the adventurer at BAOTW (Bad Ass of the Week).

Finding Tiki Using RSS! Discover Mixtab!

2012-02-07T18:53:00.001-05:00

First off I want to thank all my new subscribers and fans. Without you I would have no drive to continue with this blog. I also want to thank those of you who have made comments either on this site, via Twitter, or in a short e-mail. That kind of interaction is what I am seeking from this site and I thank you for that! And now onto the new news...

Are you spending way too much time browsing the Internet for articles about tiki culture, collecting, art or music? Is StumbleUpon just leading you one too many times to worthless sites trying to sell cheap plastic shot glasses or brightly colored replicas of old classic mugs sold for pennies on the dollar? Do you find out about events or tiki bar gatherings only after checking your junk e-mail? Is my site, The Gangi Sound, just not giving you all the content you desire? Are you a Mac or iPad user and use Firefox to browse?

If you answered yes to any of the above questions or have similar dilemmas trying to find tiki content online that tickles your fancy then I recommend checking out Mixtab if you haven't already. This awesome little FREE application is an RSS feed reader & display that is very easy to use. It organizes all your content and displays only what you want! If you are new to RSS feeds or simply do not know what they are here's a simple explanation: they gather posted content on a website and display it for you to read (CLICK HERE for a great article concerning RSS feeds if you are a beginner). Displaying these feeds has become an art of sorts and Mixtab has really done a great job putting together all the right pieces. Mixtab lets you decide what sites you see content from and lets you organize them into customizable categories by creating tabs. You'll have a blast arranging your content into categories and you definitely aren't limited to just tiki lifestyle (although that would be nice)! Here are a few tips to put you on the fast track as a Mixtab user.

A screenshot of my Mixtab feed collection. See my "Tiki Tab?"

Tab Gallery

They have a Tab Gallery which is a combination of feed collections created by Mixtab and user-created public feeds. When visiting the Tab Gallery simply search "tiki" and you will find a feed collection that I created which imports feeds from a variety of respected tiki websites including TheAtomicGrog, ThePeguBlog, TikiTalk, and more. The tab is named "Tiki Culture & Retro" and it should give you a great start. The great thing about the tabs is that once you have subscribed to them you can continue to add your own content simply by selecting "Tab Settings" in the top right corner.

Quickly Importing a New Feed to Your Tab

Mozilla's Firefox browser has a sweet little add-on called RSS Icon in Awesome Bar 1.4 that places the familiar RSS icon in your URL bar (next to the star) if the website you are visiting supports feeds. When clicking this icon you will be provided with a URL that you simply copy and paste into the tab while editing your tab settings. Basically, let's look at it this way...if you have installed this Firefox add-on as you're browsing or "stumbling" if you come across a content filled website that you enjoy and the icon appears you can add all future content to your Mixtab feed easily.

I encourage all iPad and Mac users to support Mixtab because it's easy, fun, and looks pretty darn good. You may see a few haters out there online but don't concern yourselves with them. Those are just tech snobs who have nothing better to do than gripe about something that's as good as it needs to be in order to just be GOOD. Thanks for stopping by and we'll see you next week!!

Tiki Music for Your iPod!!

2012-01-31T12:51:00.001-05:00

LOADS OF PEOPLE MAY FIND IT DIFFICULT to locate their favorite sources of tiki music. Spotify, iTunes, etc. all are great places to start, but what search terms do you use? You may be asking yourself who are those ethereal bands that scream "I want a Mai Tai and I want it NOW!!"

Many people refer to this genre of mystifying feel good music as Exotica (named after Martin Denny's 1957 album of the same name). The whole goal of this music is to transport you to a world of Polynesian paradise in the confines of your local drinking establishment or the comfort of your backyard tiki torch party. Congas, bongos, steel drums, mixed with elements of jazz and even every now and then a modern twist of electronic funbuggery makes an interesting mix...one to sweeten your musical palette and inspire musicians of all types.

Tiki music isn't necessarily confined to just the sounds of Exotica. The great thing about a tiki themed night of tune-age is that it is flexible. The only real goal is to consider is conveying that pseudo-tropical feeling of goodness and positivity. Hawaiian & Polynesian mixes can get the job done. Lounge music, space rock, and surf guitar anthems are a nice eclectic breed of genres that can populate a party's soundtrack and provide the perfect ebb & flow for your evening.

What I'm asking is that you look no further when trying to provide this musical service to the patrons of your next exotic shindig. Visit this website: THE QUIET VILLAGE PODCAST! The Quiet Village podcast is presented in .M4A format, allowing each episode to display constantly changing artwork and photos as well as web links in most players, including Apple iTunes. They do a great job updating with enhanced podcasts (the last one was uploaded on 1/29/12 at the time this article was written). In order to subscribe manually with iTunes to this podcast just CLICK HERE. Wanna know what their tagline is? "Exotica, Polynesian & Lounge featuring rare and vintage recordings from yesterday and today. So come join your host DigiTiki as the record lazily spins on the phonograph and we sip Mai Tais in our own private palm tree oasis." Check out the playlists...they are very specific and awesomely organized. "Crime Jazz," "The Music of 007" & "Mr. Ho's Orchestrotica" are just a few examples. The site is maintained by Mark Riddle and he gets two thumbs up from this exotic musician.

Please check it out and leave your comments regarding this podcast below. Be sure to visit Digitiki by clicking above or by looking at my list of links titled "Sites You NEED to Visit!".

How to Mic Your Ukulele!!

2012-01-24T11:04:00.000-05:00

With the emerging popularity of the ukulele stateside and the release of Eddie Vedder’s album Ukulele Songs in 2011 it is likely that in the foreseeable future audio engineers will struggle with the most efficient ways to record these “exotic melody-makers” of the guitar world. Among the challenges and considerations for recording professionals are the amplification techniques and microphone placement.

The first important selection the artist will need to make is what type of ukulele they are going to use to record. Is it going to be acoustic electric, a straight up acoustic, or (yes!) a solid body electric uke? Personally, I believe that your comfort level and skill on the desired instrument should come first. Recording and performing live are very different as well with different attentions such as movement on stage, amplification, etc.

The ukulele is for the most part an impeccable instrument being compact and wonderfully artistic at times. The acoustic electric ukulele, like a regular acoustic, is going to provide you with that hollow body thus a more rounded tone. If you record from a pickup, however, you will lose some of the instrument’s intended sound as under saddle pickups aren’t a 100% accurate reproduction of the sound. It will provide you with the projection that can be so crucial with recording and live performance. It is also going to give you a bit more versatility and cleanliness when cleaning up your tracks or adding effects with your production software since you are providing a line straight in to your recording gear.

If you don’t have the benefit of an on-board pick-up then your best option is to use an external condenser microphone. The two types to consider using are large and small diaphragm types. Large diaphragm models typically have a broader frequency range, but more importantly they have less self-noise and are more sensitive to sound. Condenser microphones operate frequently on battery or, more commonly, phantom power. Be sure to take that into consideration when making a purchase. You will have to experiment with the placement of the microphone both to minimize ambient noise and to get the intended amplification of your ukulele. Remember to have fun with it…and try to learn something at the same time!

Below is an excellent beginner’s video that discusses the major challenges of recording your ukulele. I encourage more comments below and feel free to ask any questions. Perhaps you would like to share your techniques, disagree with my recommendations, or share a recording! Contact me with all of your media and you may be showcased on www.TheGangiSound.com!! CLICK HERE!! for a phone number to an excellent ukulele resource in Madeira Beach, Florida (Compass Music). Just ask for Chris and tell him Mike Gangi sent you!

Surf Rock ~ Alive & Thriving!!

2012-01-17T17:22:00.002-05:00

How many of you out there like the song “Tequila?” You know, the one that Pee-Wee Herman danced to on a bar full of bikers? I know most of you can recall the theme song from Quentin Tarantino’s classic Pulp Fiction. Hell, if you don’t know the song “Wipeout” you should just navigate away right now! Surf rock has its roots in the music of the Beach Boys and the Ventures. Brian Wilson built his sandbox and well…it all kind of disappeared from the mainstream if you ask me...

Some bands still mystify us with surf rock and continue to thrive at tiki and surf festivals, beach bars, and the underground rock scene. The question is: Have you even listened to them? A quick hit list you might recognize: Brian Setzer, Los Straitjackets, and Dick Dale. I decided to feature a few bands that I believe have done a great job representing the style. Certain to impress and broaden your horizons, this list is pretty sweet and refreshing. You can catch a lot of these bands for around $10 - $17 and you’re guaranteed to have a killer time watching them shred. Some hard line audiophiles think this genre died in the late '90's...tell that to the groups of young musicians in the psychobilly, space rock, and indie vibe scenes that are inspired by and reviving this classic sound.

Ten Modern Surf Rock Bands You Might Not Listen To Right Now:

The Insect Surfers
Man or Astro-Man?
The Dynotones
The Swamp Coolers
The Space Cossacks
The Mel-Tones
The Messer Chups
The SG Sound
The Woggles
Southern Culture on the Skids

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Vacuum Tube Art ~ A Tribute to Early Sound

Where It All Started: Exploring the Kon-Tiki Voyage Firsthand

Finding Tiki Using RSS! Discover Mixtab!

Tiki Music for Your iPod!!

How to Mic Your Ukulele!!

Surf Rock ~ Alive & Thriving!!

Recommended Reading for Beginner Audio Engineers