I was just reading an article aimed at live-gig engineers, the folks behind the mixing board at live music shows. There are some really good tips there and if you do live PA stuff, you should check it out. But one thing I took away from it applies to folks doing recording as well.
The not-so-obvious stuff is often the most important. And the one I have been thinking about a lot is that it does not matter if you know how to work the controls inside of Reaper, or Audacity, or Pro Tools, etc. Anyone can be taught how to pan and manipulate the mixing sliders on a track, or how to add effects to a track. But that is what we are trying to teach! We are trying to teach you how to produce great-sounding audio. For that you need to know WHY to do certain things, not just how. The how is usually pretty easy.
For example, if you know why to use a compression effect, and what can happen if you overdo it, then you can do it no matter what program you use. The Same thing for EQ. Once you understand the principles behind these effects and controls, then you can take that knowledge anywhere, even into the live sound world. All you may need is for someone to tell you where the particular controls and effects are when you move to a new program, or even to hardware. And that is super easy.
Anyway, here is the original article I referred to focusing on the not-so-obvious things in live sound work – http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/not_so_obvious_its_about_more_than_sound/P2/
Archives for June 2013
Microphone Used By Chair Umpire At US Open Tennis Tournament
This was originally written while I was watching the 2012 US Open Tennis tournament. But I thought I’d go ahead and post it here because we’re currently watching the 2013 French Open, and I was reminded of these mics used by chair umpires. Keep an eye out for them again at the 2013 US Open [UPDATE – Yup, they made their appearance again for the 2013 US Open. though I haven’t seen them since then.]
I was going crazy trying to figure out what that large (huge really) microphone was that the chair umpires were using during the 2012 US Open Tennis Tournament. And no wonder I couldn’t find an answer – it isn’t a large mic at all! It’s a cover for the mic (any mic) called the Rycote Baby Ball Gag Windshield (yeah, sounds like something kinkier than a microphone attachment;)).
The Baby Ball Gag Windshield actually covers the capsule of a microphone to reduce the effect of wind blowing across it. The ball-shaped cover actually comes in two parts so if you need to cover a standard ball-end microphone like a Shure SM58, you can, though it is really designed for cylindrical mics like the Sennheiser MKH 416 shotgun mic.
The inside of the Ball Gag is made of the same kind of materials as the full-sized modular wind shields.
Thanks goodness I finally figure this out. I must have typed “what kind of microphone is used by tennis umpires?” a hundred times before finally looking at windshield attachments rather than the mic itself. Yay! If you have been wondering like I was, here’s your answer. Also, if you need to get one of these for your own outdoor microphone needs, you can get one for yourself. Just click here.