Posts Tagged ‘blue microphones’

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Skipper Tip: Miking guitars for specific sounds

Monday, April 9th, 2012

No Effects – Just Mics

When guitar (or anything for that matter!) is well recorded, it sits naturally in the mix without having to struggle in editing.  In today's recording, it seems that the go-to solution for achieving the right sound is to "fix it in the mix" instead of capturing that specific sound naturally in the first place. You’ve worked hard to perfect the performance; don’t lose the nuance and emotion with inattentive recording.  Let's look at some ways to use microphones with specific sonic signatures and the right technique to achieve the rich, natural sound you're looking for in a guitar, bass or even mandolin–

 

10 Different Sounds:

  • Target sound: Crunch guitars

Recommendation: Put the Cactus mic a foot away from the speakers cabinet of a heavy distorted amp

                                    Cactus
  • Target sound: A punchy tight Electric Bass Guitar 

Recommendation: Position the Mouse an inch or two off the speaker cabinet of your amplifier. Rotate the grill 10-20 degrees for the tone that suites your taste. 

  • Target sound: The top end and midrange from a Mandolin

    Recommendation: Try the Bottle Rocket Stage One with a B7 (Bottle Cap). This capsule when properly placed in the front of the instrument brings out a presence and detail of the strings as they are being picked.

    • Target sound: A Full Rich “Audiophile” Acoustic Guitar

    Recommendation: Position the Kiwi an inch or two off the center cabinet of sound hole and four to five inches away from the guitar.

     *Two Kiwi placed on either side of the sound hole in the same configuration yields a beautiful wide stereo sound.

    • Target sound: Live and heavy distorted guitar

    Recommendation: Set your Baby Bottle mic several feet back from the amp.

    • Target sound: A clean country guitar sound

    Recommendation: Position the Dragonfly an inch or two off the speaker cabinet of your amplifier. 

    • Target sound: Small Body Acoustic Guitar Finger Picking Tone

    Recommendation: Position the Blueberry four to five inches directly in front of the sound hole. This will catch the details of the fingers as well as the tone of the strings. 

    • Target sound: Live sounding “Distorted/Classic” electric guitar rock tone

    Recommendation: Position the Woodpecker three to five feet away from the guitar amp/speaker cabinet.

                                      Blueberry

    Experiment by moving the mic side to side no more than one foot for the required tone

    • Target sound: A traditional Banjo tone

    Recommendation: Position the Spark four or six inches off the center of the banjo. Press the “Focus” control in to tighten up the sound and reveal the finger picking nuances. 

    • Target sound: Crunchy-distorted rhythm electric guitar sound with a punchy bottom end

    Recommendation: Turn Reactor's capsule grille 90 degrees so that it is flush with the body of the guitar and place it as close to the amplifier speaker as possible

    • Target sound: A rich acoustic bass guitar sound

    Recommendation: Place the Reactor in cardioid pattern about four inches in front of the sound hole. Move the microphone left or right to achieve the right tone for your taste.

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    Voice Over Artist Dave Courvoisier talks Advice, Mics and Techniques

    Tuesday, March 27th, 2012

    Dave Courvoisier Talks Voice Over

    Dave Courvoisier is an Emmy award-winning news anchor on KLAS-TV (CBS), the most influential VO blogger of 2011, webauthor of SocialMediaVO.com and VOAToday.com, and the administrator for multiple LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter groups that network voice actors into online communities.  Today, he offers insight on the art of voice over. 

     

     You are an Emmy-award-winning TV news anchor and a seasoned voice actor. Can you tell us how you got started in voice over?

    It was a conscious decision.  I had time on my hands, and I knew (in my 50’s) that I had at least one more big thing in me…preferably something I could take into semi-retirement.  I don’t see me retiring…EVER.  I chose VO, because I thought it was close enough to broadcasting to be not such huge leap.  BOY was I wrong!  I jumped into it like off a cliff, and I’ve been searching for the parachute string ever since.  I believe it takes total immersion in an endeavor to make it work for you…if you’re serious about it.   I started asking lots of questions to anybody who would listen…I found mentors…I began hanging out in online forums, buying books, attending seminars.  I stumbled, I made mistakes, I forged ahead.  That’s how I got started. 

    There are many microphone and software options. What mic recommendations and tips do you have for specific applications?

    Many voice-actors are tech-heads or gear freaks, too (esp. the guys, it seems).  A struggling VO can make the mistake of believing the better the equipment he/she gets, the better they’ll sound, and that’s only true to a point of diminishing returns.  A good many of the top, agency-represented Union voice talent doing national gigs use the Sennheiser MKH 416.  Which is a directional mic.  The other Mic name that seems to get mentioned a lot in VO circles is Neumann.  Both of these mics are crazy expensive, and not necessarily the best for your voice. Any one can go test out mics in a Guitar Center, Sam Ashe music, or similar store.  That’s the best way to choose the best mic for you.  But cost?  You can find your “money” mic for between $100 – $300 in my point of view.  There are more above that range…but modern mic designers, especially Blue Microphones, are hitting a sweet spot of cost/value lately that you would be ill-advised to ignore.

    Voice over can require different sounds at different times, do you have techniques for achieving different vocal characteristics? Do you change anything other than your voice?

    Yes, any number of things.  There are, of course, all the effects and processing you can add electronically, but most clients prefer what I would call a straight, clean, neutral, plain-vanilla recording with a low noise floor, and no music.  What’s left, then, is your performance, which is as it should be.  You can certainly achieve different results with the way you position yourself ON the mic, but most of all you need to be smart about interpreting the author’s intent (whether it be ad copy or an audiobook), and true to yourself in BEING yourself and all the life experiences you bring to the mic.  You’d be surprised what comes out of you once you’ve diagnosed the copy properly, and change your state of mind accordingly.

    Do you have a favorite Blue mic? What do you like about it?

    They’re ALL my favorite! I had a snowball when they first came out, and when I sold it, I got all my investment back.  I’ve also owned the original “Mikey” for the iPhone 3G, and now the upgraded model for the iOS4 devices.  I ran a contest in September of 2011 asking VO’s what mic they used, and collectively, the Blue Yeti Pro and the Yeti THX did very well among the contenders. (see: http://www.courvo.biz/2011/10/voatoday-microphone-results.html).  After seeing the Spark Digital at CES, I’m anxious to try it out.  Basically, I don’t have ENOUGH Blue mics in my trophy case!

    What are your top three tips for the art of voice over?

     Good question, ‘cause the ART of voice-over is absolutely different from the BUSINESS of voice-over…the latter requiring a much greater commitment of time to be able to be a success.

    So, for the ART of voice over my three top tips are:

    1)     Practice all the time, on all kinds of copy that stretches you ability

    2)     Listen to TV/Radio ads, and others’ demos

    3)     Get ongoing and non-stop coaching, mentoring, and learning.

     

     For more information on Dave Courvoisier and everything VO, visit http://www.courvo.biz/

     

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    SXSW Music Events & Parties: Brought to you by Blue Microphones

    Monday, March 12th, 2012

    Blue Microphones has hit the streets and venues of Austin, Texas for South By Southwest 2012! Here is a list of events and shows brought to you by Blue, be sure to stop by and check them out:

    (Not at SXSW, be sure to follow along with some of these live streams!)

    (Thurs – Sat)Fender Sessions:

    For the 26th year, the South by Southwest music festival descends on Austin, Texas, from March 13-18, and Fender has again teamed up with Filter Magazine (and Blue Mics!) at two separate venues — Cedar Street Courtyard and Bar 96 — where both up-and-coming bands and established acts will be performing.

    Filter Magazine’s Showdown at Cedar Street (Cedar Street Courtyard on Cedar & 4th St) – Thursday, March 15 – Saturday, March 17

    Click HERE for the line-up.

    Fender Presents the Filter Magazine Culture Collide 2012 SXSW at Bar 96 (96 Rainy St.)  - Thursday, March 15 – Saturday, March 17

    Click HERE for the line-up.

    (Thursday) The Artery Foundation Showcase:

    Live on Blue enCORE:

    (Friday) BMI & Billboard Brunch:

    Live on Blue enCORE:

    (Thursday) New West Showcase:

    Live on Blue enCORE

     

    Thursday, March 15th 12-7pm

    Tom Morello:
    The Nightwatchman
    Buxton
    The Mastersons
    Max Gomez

    		  

    Ponderosa
    Wild Moccasins
    Kalen Nash
    White Violet
    and More Special Guests

    Threadgills

    301 W. Riverside Dr. ( Map )
    At Barton Springs Rd.
    Between S. 1st St. & S. Congress
     (512) 472-9304
    www.threadgills.com

    		  

    RSVP HERE

    Click HERE for more info.

    (Weds – Sat) LiveSet Sessions:

    We're on a road trip to Austin to bring you the best of South by Southwest. We're bringing you 8 days of live streaming music (sound by Blue Microphones!), and it's all completely free.

    Follow us on twitter to stay updated, or check out #liveset_sxsw on Twitter and Instagram to follow our journey.

    Click HERE for more info.

     On-Air Streaming:

    Check out videos streaming from SXSW (brought to you on Blue mics!).

    Complete schedule:

    Wednesday, March 14th
    Noon We Are Serenades
    1pm Dry The River
    2pm Daughter
    3pm He’s My Brother, She’s My Sister
    4pm Jimmy Cliff

    Thursday, March 15th
    11:30am Lights
    12:30pm The Twilight Sad
    1:45pm Bad Books
    3:30pm Say Hi
    5pm Allen Stone

    Friday, March 16th
    11am Blitzen Trapper
    Noon Alberta Cross
    2pm Rachael Yamagata
    3pm Ben Howard
    5pm Caveman

    Saturday, March 17th
    Noon Zulu Winter
    1pm The Apache Relay
    2pm Ximena Sarinana


    Click HERE to watch performances.

    Follow them on Twitter for updates

    (Thurs – Sat) Converse Rubber Tracks:

    At SXSW, Converse will provide local artists the opportunity to record at its "Converse Rubber Tracks in Austin" pop-up studio and present several showcases such as the "The Filter and Converse Rubber Tracks Showcase," the "Boston to Austin" music showcase, and the "Converse X Thrasher Death Match" which will shine a light on break-out artists who have already recorded at Converse Rubber Tracks in Brooklyn, NY.

    "The Filter and Converse Rubber Tracks Showcase," a highly anticipated showcase, takes place on Thursday, March 15 from 7:00 PM – 1:30 AM at Bar 96

    Not at SXSW: "The Filter and Converse Rubber Tracks Showcase" will also be streamed live via Facebook for music fans that could not make it to Austin.

    Converse will once again team up with DigBoston.com on St. Patrick's Day (March 17) to host the "Boston to Austin" music showcase at the 512 Bar on 6th Street.

    The "Converse X Thrasher Death Match" takes over Austin at The Scoot Inn March 14 to March 18 from 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM.

     

    (Fri – Sat) Whole Foods Showcase:

    Live on Blue enCORE:

    FRIDAY 16th

    QUANTUM COLLECTIVE PRESENTS: O.N.E. COCONUT WATER LIVE MUSIC ON THE WHOLE FOODS ROOFTOP
    (3pm – 10:30pm):

    3:00pm – Diane Birch (30 mins.)

    3:45pm – The Chevin (30 mins.) 4:30pm – The Parlotones (30 mins.) 5:15pm – The Silent Comedy (30 mins.) 6:00pm – Imagine Dragons (30 mins.)

    6:45pm – Standing Shadows (30 mins.) 7:30pm – Warner Drive (30 mins.) 8:15pm – The Cringe (30 mins.) 9:00pm – Special Guest (40 mins.) 9:45pm – Special Guest (45 mins.)

    SATURDAY 17th

    QUANTUM COLLECTIVE PRESENTS: THRILLCALL LIVE MUSIC ON THE WHOLE FOODS ROOFTOP (12pm – 11pm):

    12:00pm – The Ettes (20 mins.) 12:30pm – Allen Stone (20 mins) 1:00pm – Tommy Brunett (20 mins.) 1:30pm – Retro Stefson (20 mins.) 2:00pm – Dead Sara (30 mins.) 2:45pm – Ume (30 mins.) 3:30pm – Graffiti6 (30 mins.) 4:15pm – Quiet Company (30 mins.) 5:00pm – OK Sweetheart (30 mins.)

    5:45pm – Rachael Yamagata (30 mins.) 6:30pm – Loquat (30 mins.)
    7:15pm – Espirit De Corps (30 mins.) 8:00pm – Warner Drive / Brad Standley & the Foxflies (30 mins.)
    8:45pm – Native June (35 mins.) 9:30pm –     Special Guest (40 mins.) 10:15pm – Metro Station (45 mins.) 

     

    (Weds) Laugh Button Live!:

     


    Click HERE for more info.

     

    (Monday) Spotify Sessions:

    Monday March 12, 2012 12:00pm – 6:00pm @ Spotify House 1010 E Cesar Chavez St Austin, TX 78702

    Spotify is south-bound and opening the doors to a new world of music discovery.

    Join us at the Austin Spotify House presented by MSN. We've got everything from Spotify sessions (with Blue mics!), local food truck flavors, ping-pong, giveaways and more. Let our house be your home during the Festival, and uncover new ways to love, discover, and share music!

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    Voice Over Secrets: Home Studio, Miking and Technique

    Monday, February 27th, 2012

    Bill DeWees shares his voice over secrets

    Microsoft, Warner Bros., Hyatt, National Geographic, Sears, Whirlpool, and American Express are among Bill’s thousands of voice over credits. Today, he shares his secrets with us!

    A successful, seasoned a voice-over talent and voice over consultant, can you tell us how you got started?

    I developed a love of talking into a microphone early in life and decided at age 12 that I wanted to be a radio personality.  After college, I worked in radio for a number of years (morning personality, production director, program director, station manager).  I later became a college professor, business/marketing consultant, then VP of a corporate learning services company. 

    All that time, I had it in the back of my mind that I would LOVE to be a voice talent!  The reality was that back then, to be successful, you needed to live in a major market, have an agent, and be available during the day to go on auditions.  I didn't want to quit my day job, wait tables at night, and hope for my big break.

    Six years ago, I was downsized in my corporate job (shortly before the company went bankrupt).  I decided it was "now or never."  I set up a home studio, recorded a demo, and started marketing myself like crazy.  Within a year I had exceeded my previous job's income . . . I never looked back.

    What are your tips for creating a recording studio/home set up?

    First and foremost is a quite space!  That is really the biggest studio challenge for the "at home" voice talent (which most of us are).  Contending with kids, the TV, traffic noise, and low flying airplanes is a daily challenge.  If you have the greatest gear and a noisy recording space, you're sunk before you start.  For the first few years I operated out of the master bedroom closet.  My wife allowed me (and even helped me) drill holes in the wall so I could operate the PC from an adjacent room to eliminate the computer fan noise.   Since then I've graduate to a Whisper Room recording booth.  It's not 100% sound proof but it sure goes a long way in isolating noise.

    The next big thing is the microphone.  Your mic is what will determine the ultimate quality of recording more than any piece of gear.  It also becomes a marketing tool as many of the studios that you work with ask what your equipment is before they will agree to work with you.  I always counsel talent to be sure to take no shortcuts in recording their commercial demo and buying a good microphone.

    After that is a matter of having a good pre-amp and adequate recording/editing software.  There are lots of recording software programs on the market.  Get what works best for you needs (for me, simpler is better!)

    Check out a video of Bill's studio here:

     

    Voice over can require different sounds at different times, do you have techniques for achieving different vocal characteristics? Do you change anything other than your voice?

    My greatest tool is microphone technique.  I'm not a character voice actor so my vocal style changes are very subtle but by changing my proximity to the microphone I can achieve everything from a more intimate sound to a more powerful promo feel.  I was working with a client yesterday in recording his demo and we were trying to achieve a more gravely, manly, outdoorsy feel.  I had him lean into the mic, pull back his delivery so he was coming from deep in his diaphragm yet very soft (as if his listener was inches away)…the transformation was amazing.  A little mic technique can go a long way!

    Besides having a “great voice” – what should you consider before pursuing a career in voice over?

    "Great voices" are far overrated!  It certainly doesn't hurt to have a great voice but ultimately it's about the ability to communicate and connect with your audience.  There are plenty of "great voices" who can't get voice over work.  There are also plenty of regular, everyday type voices that make a bundle.  The difference is communication, not vocal quality. 

    I always advise to "consider the cost."  By "cost" I mean time, resources, and energy.  Building a career (of any type) is much more of a marathon than a sprint.  Make a budget (studio, demo, coaching, marketing), train well (product precedes marketing), create a world class demo, create a top notch website,  . . . and that's before you get to the REAL work.

    The greatest gap in the voice over business is between "talent' and "income."  Being good does not equate to being successful. A working business and marketing plan is essential!  All the talent in the world means nothing if you don't how to market yourself effectively.

    The voice over market has changed dramatically in the past 10 years (as has all business).  The middle man (talent agents) are slowly being squeezed out of the picture as clients begin to deal directly with talent.  Today it is equally important to both talent and businessperson.

    What are your top three tips for getting voice over work?

    1.  Killer commercial demo

    2.  Professional website that focuses attention on your demos and credits

    3.  Market yourself directly to clients (audio/video production companies, audiobook publishers, radio/tv stations)

     

    For more information about Bill DeWees or to check out his voice over training opportunities, visit http://www.voice-over-training.org/

     

     

     

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    Blue Microphones and TC Group International Announce Joint Decision to End Exclusive Distribution Agreement

    Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

    TC Group International will cease to be the exclusive European distributor of Blue Microphones effective March 31, 2012

    (Westlake Village, CA – February 22, 2012) Blue Microphones, a leading innovator of microphone technology and design, announces a mutual decision along with TC Group International, a world-leader in digital and analog audio processing, to cease their distribution partnership. TC Group International will remain the distributor of Blue Microphones in the MI and Professional Audio sales channel until March 31, 2012. Over the coming months, Blue Microphones will transition away from distribution through TC Group International by partnering with European distributors on a country-by-country basis.

    Both TC Group International and Blue Microphones have grown rapidly over the past few years and each company has acknowledged the mutual benefit of this decision. Ending this distribution partnership is seen as a natural progression by both companies as they continue to strengthen their core business and focus on their individual areas of growth.

    “TC Group has been a longstanding global partner and we wish them continued success" says John Maier, CEO of Blue Microphones. “As Blue continues to grow, we are making it a priority to focus on European expansion and support. This new distribution strategy is a necessary next step as Blue expands and we look forward to working closely with our distributor and dealer partners in each country.”

    “It has been a pleasure to work with Blue Microphones and we are honored to have been a part of their growth" says Peter Bager, CEO of TC Group International. “TC Group International will continue to honor its commitments to existing Blue Microphones customers through the transition. Looking forward, we will now be able to strengthen our focus even further on core products and essential groups of customers.”

    Blue Microphones offers an extensive line of award-winning microphones, from Blue’s flagship recording line-up, to the enCORE live series, to an array of professional desktop USB mics. Starting in April 2012 all sales and support will be provided by Blue Microphones through its selected distributor partners. Future brand representation inquiries can go directly to Blue Microphones VP of Worldwide Sales – Pro Division, Michael Huckler at mhuckler@bluemic.com.

    TC Group International is the distribution arm of TC Group which comprises of several key MI, HD, Touring and Install brands. These include TC Electronic, TC-Helicon, Tannoy, Dynaudio Acoustics, Lab.gruppen and Lake across all worldwide markets (excluding North America). Any correspondence in relation to this transition can be directed to TC Group International VP of International MI Sales Steve Russell at strus@tcgroup-international.com.

     

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