Recording Gear For Use With Sonar
From Sonar
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==Microphones== | ==Microphones== | ||
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''User Comments'' | ''User Comments'' | ||
| - | *I've found this to be a good mic for recording low-frequency acoustic instruments such as classical guitar. Its lack of high range, however, produces dull, even muffled recording of higher-pitched instruments such as the [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charango charango] and mandolin. As for vocals, it records my low voice acceptably, but sounds like it has a wet towel over it when recording my nine-year-old daughter. [[User:Sms|SMS]] 17:12, 14 September 2006 (EDT) | + | *I've found this to be a good mic for recording low-frequency acoustic instruments such as classical guitar. Its lack of high range, however, produces dull, even muffled recording of higher-pitched instruments such as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charango charango] and mandolin. As for vocals, it records my low voice acceptably, but sounds like it has a wet towel over it when recording my nine-year-old daughter. [[User:Sms|SMS]] 17:12, 14 September 2006 (EDT) |
==Microphone Preamps== | ==Microphone Preamps== | ||
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==Control Surfaces== | ==Control Surfaces== | ||
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| + | ===Types of Control Surfaces=== | ||
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'''Frontier Design TranzPort''' | '''Frontier Design TranzPort''' | ||
Revision as of 21:26, 14 September 2006
Contents |
Microphones
Types of Microphones
There are two common types of microphones that are used in the studio:
- Dynamic mics
- These use a diaphragm with a moving magnet inside a coil. Soundwaves in the air cause the diaphragm to physically move, and the coil converts the energy into a tiny electrical signal. These mics are typically fairly cheap to make, and fairly hardy. However because they work by physically moving the diaphragm they are not very sensitive, particularly at high frequencies.
- Condensor mics
- These use a diaphragm that is itself electrically charged. As such there is no need for a coil or magnet to be attached, and so the sensitivity is much higher than for a dynamic mic. However, to charge the coil many condensor mics will require a battery or a phantom power source (this is a 48v power supply sent from the amplifier to the microphone).
If you have a mic that requires phantom power (condensors), you should make sure your soundcard, mixer or pre-amp supports it.
As a general guide, a few "old classics" are:
- Dynamic: Shure SM57 (instruments), SM58 (vocals)
- Condensor: Rode NT1 (general)
Specific Microphones
Shure Beta57a
- Type: Dynamic
- Pattern: Supercardoid
- Frequency Response: 50Hz-16kHz
- Venue: Studio, Sound Reinforcement
- Uses: Acoustic Instruments, Electric Instruments, and possibly vocals
- Price: Between US$100 and US$140
The Shure Beta57a is a dynamic mic promoted as being suitable for recording drums, guitar amplifiers, brass, woodwinds and vocals in a studio setting. A user guide can be downloaded from Shure.
User Comments
- I've found this to be a good mic for recording low-frequency acoustic instruments such as classical guitar. Its lack of high range, however, produces dull, even muffled recording of higher-pitched instruments such as the charango and mandolin. As for vocals, it records my low voice acceptably, but sounds like it has a wet towel over it when recording my nine-year-old daughter. SMS 17:12, 14 September 2006 (EDT)
Microphone Preamps
Direct Boxes
Mixers
Sound Cards / Audio Interfaces
Monitors (Audio)
Classes and Types of Monitors
There are two basic classes of studio monitors -- powered (active) and unpowered (passive). Powered (active) monitors come with their own built-in amplifier, while unpowered (passive) ones require that you purchase a separate, dedicated amplifier and connect the monitors to it.
In home studios you will typically find near-field monitors, which are designed to reduce the effects of room acoustics as much as possible. These monitors are smaller and less powerful that their bigger cousins, mid-field monitors, and are designed to be placed close to the user.
Specific Monitors
Behringer Truth B2031A
- Class: Active
- Type: Nearfield
- Frequency Response: 50Hz-16kHz
- Price: US$500 (MSRP)
The Behringer Truth B2031A are active nearfield monitors with a nominal frequency response of 50Hz-21kHz, with what the manufacturer claims to be an "extremely flat response". Each monitor includes two amplifiers, a 150 Watt amplifier for the 8 ¾" woofer and a 75 Watt amplifier for the tweeter, respectively. Each amplifier includes an automatic overload warning which triggers a red warning light on the front of the monitor when active, and which will turn off the amplifier in extreme cases.
User Comments
- The Behringer company has anything but a sterling reputation among audio pros and semi-pros, but I find my pair of B2031As to be excellent for their price range. SMS 17:12, 14 September 2006 (EDT)
Headphones
Control Surfaces
Types of Control Surfaces
Specific Control Surfaces
Frontier Design TranzPort
- Type: Remote
- Price: US$200
Frontier Design's TranzPort is a wireless remote control for Sonar and other audio applications. It's especially useful for home recordists that want to track in a room other than their control / computer room, typically to work in a quieter environment. It is also used by many while in the control room due to the increased ease of use it provides for working with Sonar.
The TranzPort is radio-frequency based, which means that it does not require a line-of-sight to its USB receiver unit in order to function. Nominal range is about 30 feet, though some have used the TranzPort at greater distances, while a few can't use it at more than 10 to 12 feet.
User Comments
- It may be possible to increase the TranzPort's range slightly by putting the left side of the remote unit toward the USB receiver, as the remote's antenna is located there. SMS 17:19, 14 September 2006 (EDT)
