Recording Gear For Use With Sonar

From Sonar

Revision as of 20:46, 14 September 2006 (view source) Sms (Talk | contribs) ← Previous diff		Revision as of 21:03, 14 September 2006 (view source) Sms (Talk | contribs) (→Microphones) Next diff →
Line 2:		Line 2:
	==Microphones==		==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
		+	'''Venue:''' Studio, Sound Reinforcement
		+	'''Uses:''' Acoustic Instruments, Electric Instruments, and possibly vocals
		+	'''Price:''' Between [http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=3848762/ US$100 and US$140]
		+	'''Frequency Response:''' 50Hz-16kHz
		+	'''Pattern:''' Supercardoid
		+
		+	The [http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/WiredMicrophones/us_pro_Beta57A_content Shure Beta57a] is a dynamic mic promoted as being suitable for recording drums, guitar amplifiers, brass, woodwinds and vocals in a studio setting. A [http://www.shure.com/ProAudio/Products/WiredMicrophones/us_pro_beta57a_ug 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 [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charangocharango] 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. (Scott Sadowsky)
	==Microphone Preamps==		==Microphone Preamps==

---

Revision as of 21:03, 14 September 2006

Recording Gear for use with Cakewalk's Sonar DAW software.

Contents 1 Microphones 1.1 Types of Microphones 1.2 Specific Microphones 1.3 =Shure Beta57a 2 Microphone Preamps 3 Direct Boxes 4 Mixers 5 Sound Cards / Audio Interfaces 6 Monitors (Audio) 6.1 Classes and Types of Monitors 6.2 Specific Monitors 6.2.1 Behringer Truth B2031A 7 Headphones 8 Control Surfaces 8.1 Frontier Design TranzPort 9 Outboard Effects

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 Venue: Studio, Sound Reinforcement Uses: Acoustic Instruments, Electric Instruments, and possibly vocals Price: Between US$100 and US$140 Frequency Response: 50Hz-16kHz Pattern: Supercardoid

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 [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charangocharango] 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. (Scott Sadowsky)

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 and unpowered. Powered monitors come with their own built-in amplifier, while unpowered 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

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.

The Behringer company has anything but a sterling reputation among audio pros and semi-pros, but I (Scott Sadowsky) find my pair of B2031As to be excellent for their price range (about US$500.00 MSRP).

Headphones

Control Surfaces

Frontier Design TranzPort

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.

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.

Outboard Effects

---