Aug 1, 2011,
By Matt Gallagher
Large-diaphragm condenser mics are indispensable tools in any audio facility that records vocal tracks. Possessing diaphragms that measure 1-inch or greater, LDCs were specifically designed to capture the human voice. Traditionally, engineers prefer them for vocal recording over mics with small capsules because of the greater sensitivity, low self-noise and deference for presence in the vocal range.
...
Aug 17, 2010,
By George Petersen
It’s been nearly 80 years since RCA engineer Harry Olson filed his patent (#1,885,001) for the first ribbon (velocity) microphone, and the audio world hasn’t been the same since. Long a mainstay of instrumental and vocal recordings, the popularity of ribbon microphones is at an all-time high. ...
Jun 24, 2010,
By Sylvia Massy
In order to survive in a post-apocalyptic world, you must be prepared. You must pack the essentials: water, matches and, of course, an SM58. Forget the Swiss Army knife. The Shure SM58 is a hammer, a weapon, a spoon, a pestle, a dildo, a scepter—and a damn good mic on just about everything....
Mar 1, 2010,
By George Petersen
If we examine a listing of gear used on a particular recording, the recorders and signal processing may offer a clue as to when the session occurred....
Jan 1, 2010,
By George Petersen
Every day, thousands of bands and artists around the world are getting ready to perform. With any show, there are a lot of details that need to be just...
Jul 1, 2009,
By Eddie Ciletti
Techs Files columnist Eddie Ciletti gives you tips and techniques on restoring and upgrading old tube microphones in Mix magazine July 2009...
Apr 1, 2009,
By George Petersen
Mix magazine lists new shotgun microphone products in this 2009 product roundup...
Nov 1, 2008,
By David Weiss
Large diapragm condenser microphone roundup is a sampling of microphones released after January 2007 used for music production. David Weiss writes about new condenser large diaphgram microphones for Mix’s November 2008 issue....
Jul 1, 2007,
By Robert Hanson
One of the most crucial aspects of nearly any live performance is the lead singer. Seeking musical perfection, other bandmembers spend thousands on their...
Feb 1, 2007,
By Matt Gallagher
Known for their ease of use, precision, versatility and ability to quickly deliver high-quality results, dedicated stereo microphones are sometimes preferable...
Jul 1, 2006,
By Michael Cooper
If large-diaphragm condenser mics performed identically to their small-diaphragm cousins, engineers would probably buy the behemoth versions anyway just because they look so cool. But besides the confidence that size and weight bring, recording with a large-diaphragm condenser (LDC) mic offers several practical advantages—and drawbacks—compared to capturing a performance using a small-diaphragm model.
...
Jul 1, 2005,
By Steve LaCerra
If there's one thing you'll find on just about every stage this summer, it's a handheld vocal microphone. Wired handhelds are the “grunts” of the live sound industry: Forever subject to physical stress and often screamed at, these mics put up with more artist abuse than a tired tour manager.
...
Mar 1, 2005,
By Roger Maycock
Mar 1, 2005,
By Kevin Becka
Sep 1, 2004,
By Sarah Jones
Everything old is new again. When ribbon mics emerged in the 1930s, their “natural” sound, directional characteristics and noise-reduction capabilities offered distinct sonic advantages over their predecessors in broadcast, film and music recording. A few decades later, with the introduction of lightweight, sturdy condenser microphones, ribbons were suddenly considered unwieldy and impractical, and with the exception of a couple diehards, production all but stopped. But as the microphones disappeared, the legend lived on and classic ribbons grew very difficult to come by. ...
Sep 1, 2004,
By Blair Jackson
“Finding the right mic is like finding the right lover,” says New York–based producer/engineer/studio owner Steve Rosenthal. “Because if you find the match for your voice, and people sit in the control room and then at home and feel what you’re trying to say as a singer and feel the presence of your voice in a very clear way, it’s a very special thing. It’s not easy to find that mic that translates your personality for you. Some singers are into the search; for some, it doesn’t really matter. But I think it really does make a difference and, of course, for engineers and producers, it really does matter.”...
Jul 1, 2004,
By Blair Jackson
As the signature sound of world music groups to Latin acts like Gloria Estefan and contemporary pop legend Carlos Santana, percussion plays an essential, even lead role in the mix; in some cases, even to the point of “sharing” vocal duties with lead singers. To balance the nuance of percussion's contribution, engineers have developed some very specific techniques. ...
May 20, 2004
DSP-Controlled, Adaptive-Array System Microphones...
May 20, 2004
Hot Mic Picks from Mix Tradeshow Coverage...
May 20, 2004
Vintage mics are just plain cool. Both legacy and newbie mic builders continue to study at the altar of past designs of diaphragms, backplates, housings, electronics and capsules, while breaking new ground with emulations and innovations. The majority of that infatuation has been tube- and large-diaphragm-based, but a nice crop of fresh, new small-condenser mics have popped up over the past year.
...
May 20, 2004
Studio users spend years searching for the ultimate vintage mic, but
the situation is reversed with live sound. Mics for onstage performance
keep getting better, and the market for old handheld models from the
’40s, ’50s and ’60s is virtually nonexistent. Most
performers and sound reinforcement engineers are constantly checking
out recent models, looking for the ultimate new mic....
May 20, 2004
For pro and project studios alike, no instrument is quite so vital as the microphone. From Nashville to Tokyo, London to New York, money is always well spent on better consoles, monitors, guitars and computers, but no one tool can change a voice or instrument's sound and personality quite like a great mic—whether a classic vintage or faithful modern tube condenser. Fortunately, if you're upgrading to your first really good condenser or adding to a well-stocked cabinet, there's no shortage of new tube mics to choose from.
...
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Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphones Roundup
Ribbon Microphones | The Revival Continues
Gear Stories With Sylvia Massy: Cockroaches and SM58s
Microphones Are Forever
Top-of-the-Line Handheld Mics
Tech's Files: Mysteries of Old Tube Mics
Shotgun Microphones
Equipment: Warm It Up | Condenser Microphones
NAMM 2011: Fairlight CMI
State of NAMM 2011