Commentary

To create great music, you have to grab it at its source. Of course, the making of that great song, or soundtrack, starts by getting the audio signal within your computer. Then, you add in some other files, or instrumentation. Lastly, you play back the results on your monitors. That initial drawing in of of the audio signal, however, starts with your mic and your interface, perhaps with a preamp, or two It only ends after you have collected the vocals and instrumentation, they’re all inside your digital audio workstation, and you’re ready to mix the results.
Depending upon the warmth, character and sensitivity your after, you can elect to go with a condenser, dynamic, or ribbon mic. There are also several basic recording techniques that you can use for best effect with your mic option.
For acoustic guitar, a good recording method is to use two mics, arranged to create a 90 degree angle, placed between the sound hole and the 12th fret. For electronic music choose a dynamic mic you like and use it positioned close to the amp. Put it near the center for a brighter sound and more towards the edge of the amp if a more mellow sound is what you’re after. For piano music, use a single mic. Place it in the middle. Or, conversely, put it to the side, knowing that will create more of a hammering sound. Finally, for vocals, position the mic just below the nose, a little above the mouth. Always use a pop shield.

Key Takeaways:

• Getting the sound into your computer starts with having a good mic and a great interface to work with.
• Depending on what kind of character, warmth and sensitivity your after you can opt for a condenser, ribbon, or dynamic mic.
• A good recording set up, with which to capture the sound and flavor of an acoustic guitar, is
  to place two mics, one at the sound hole and one at the 12th fret, so that they create a 90 degree angle.

“If you capture the perfect sound at source you will have a much better ingredient with which to produce perfect music.”

Read more: http://www.musictech.net/2018/06/essential-guide-to-recording/

Recording equipment can be pricey. That said, every recording artist wants the best possible sound they can get, preferably at a cost that won’t break the bank. Musictech.net has assembled some picks that are high on sound quality, while also including many that are also affordable too.
The list includes a few hard-working under 100 picks. These include Audio-Technica’s cardioid condenser, the AT2020, sE Electronic’s cardioid dynamic, V3, Shure Distribution’s cardioid dynamic, SM57 and Soundtech’s Apogee Jam 96k.
Lots of items made the mid-range 100-500 range, including microphones, like the Aston Spirit, interfaces, like the Audient, iD14. High end options, for those with more of a wad to blow, included mics like, Sontronics Aria, and interfaces like the Focusrite Red 8Pre.

Key Takeaways:

• When looking for recording equipment, consider funds, midrange and good microphones and interfaces.
• Aston Origin and Audio-Technica AT2020 have very capable microphones that offer good value.
• RME Babyface Pro and PreSonus Studio 192 are two models that can meet your high end needs.

“If you are looking to expand your mic selection, the Spirit is virtually a must-have.””

Read more: http://www.musictech.net/2018/06/buyers-guide-recording-equipment/

Apogee has, of course, a great reputation in the audio community. So, one would expect that the company’s new, close to 250 dollars, Mic Plus, to be worth the price. Well, according to Ask.audio, blogger, Jay Asher, who regularly takes advertising hype, as well…hype, it actually is.
First off, the USB microphone is fully functional, whether attached to your computer, or to your iOS device. It’s designed to be compatible with iPad, iPhone, iPod, Mac and PC, and to be compatible while it produces studio-level sound. After trying the mic with both his Logic Pro X for Mac and his GarageBand on iPad, Asher had to concur that the sound produced by the Apogee mic was exceptional and definitely professional grade.

Key Takeaways:

• Although I am skeptical about marketing claims, when the ad for Apogee MIC Plus said it’s “professional studio quality,” I had to agree.
• I find the feel of the mic really concrete. It is even easy to attach to tripods or clips.
• I have not compared Apogee Mic with other mics but I believe that taking its features into consideration its price cannot be surpassed.

“Like all the products I have seen that are described as USB microphones, this one is more than that.”

Read more: https://ask.audio/articles/review-apogee-mic-plus

Creators of voiceover and YouTube shows often have the arduous task of knowing how to bring harmony to having their voices clear and distinct while background music is playing. This is what is called ducking. Now Audible, an audio effects developer, has released a plugin that makes this automatic and simple. The plugin is a bundling of two applications – SpeakUp Sensor for working with voice tracks and SpeakUp Performer for working with video and audio tracks. These plugin will also be beneficial to talk show hosts who want their listeners to differentiate between audio playing in the background and advertising.

Key Takeaways:

• SpeakUp Performer is able to successfully control the volume fading in and out automatically.
• Since you should spend the most time expressing your creativity, the user controls on SpeakUp are easily accessible.
• SpeakUp is a great way for radio hosts to expand their free time for other useful tasks due to its ability to take on several operations.

“SpeakUp sprang from Audified acknowledging the need to streamline and simplify the process of voiceover and YouTube show creation.”

Read more: https://ask.audio/articles/audified-speakup-plugins-streamline-voice-over-production-with-autoducking-feaures

Choosing a headphone brand that adapts to your own personal preferences can be quite a hard task to successfully complete. You want to make sure that your entertainment needs will be accommodated while still leaving you the option of versatility. Fortunately, the MW50+ not only gives consumers the option of using over the ear or under the ear fitting features, but they can also choose between wired or wireless headphones while listening to their favorite tracks.

Key Takeaways:

• A key component of all Master & Dynamics headphones,the wired and wireless, is that the ear pads are removable.
• The ear pads are kept in place by magnets, and both stay on firmly and come off easily.
• Except for the second open, over the ear, set of pads, the newest MW50+ headset has all the features of the prior MW50 incarnation.

“Master & Dynamic’s swappable earpads make it easy to switch the style up.”

Read more: https://www.engadget.com/2018/05/15/master-and-dynamic-mw50-plus-headphones-hands-on/