In episode 107, Rob Scalise gets on my soapbox about the potential dangers of prolonged use of headphones.
My man in Hollywood got back to us with answers to Jay’s questions from ep 106 re: movie audio.
Ernie wrote and mentioned that he prefers my AKG C3000 to my R84. He also commented on previous assertions that my podcasts were distorted, and asked about recording nature sounds with field recorders and what would be the best way to approach it.
This led me off on a discussion of how it’s not JUST the microphone which influences our perception of the recorded sound, but that the mic preamp, plus any outboard gear etc etc also play a big role.
Which then led me off an a train of thought related to Slau’s latest podcast episode where he did a shootout between a whole bunch of large diaphragm condensor mics.

sl107.mp3 [ 33:32 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

As promised, here’s a short video tour (approx 7.5MB, MPEG4) of my new mixing and editing space.
This is also where I record my podcast voice tracks.
However, I have a room on the other side of the house set up as a voice booth for those occasions when I’m working with separate voice talent.

We’re back!
The new studio, whilst not complete, is certainly functional.
So, this ep begins with a bit of a chat regarding what the last 6-8 weeks has entailed.

Then into the meat of it:
An interview with Nick Dika (Product Manager and PR guru for Izotope) about the just released version 4 of their great mastering plugin, Ozone.
If you are interested, they have a fully-functonal 21 day trial version available for download.
Also, make sure you read the pdf on the mastering process.

Then, it’s on to some e-mail, including a lengthy one from Jim Addie about the nature of VU meters, and the benefits of having a fast-attack-fast-release compressor early in your mixdown chain….
This is rather timely, as I have recently read a piece by Mike Stavrou espousing a technique which is almost identical… and which challenges everything I have always believed (and subsequently advised my listeners) regarding dynamics.

Then another e-mail, this time from another Jim, asking about:
a. external plugin processing cards (like the TC Powercore, SSL Duende and UAD-2)
b. third octave pink noise mp3 files, and
c. audio over gigabit ethernet.

And finally, an e-mail from Ron Eastwood asking about USB turntables and cassette decks,
the legal mumbo-jumbo you hear at the end of radio commercials,
plus some tips for me on geography!

sl105.mp3 [ 1:03:03 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week, an answer for Bomar who thought he heard distortion in episode 98,
another mic comparison, this time between the R84 and my AKG C3000,
Jim Addie wrote in with detailed definitions of DC offset and wave asymmetry,
plus a reminder about a great thread on PSW about digital recording levels.

Also mentioned, the Shure SM81, and Rycote wind socks.

sl099.mp3 [ 33:16 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In episode 52, an enquiry from Peet Sneakes regarding channel strips, and one from Steve Mayfield regarding live radio performances.
Also, thanks to guys at Inside Home Recording for their kind words.

sl052.mp3 [ 18:12 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This week, the last word (hopefully!) on compression and setting thresholds,
a brief description of Bruce’s signal chain and setup,
the current trend of hypercompression and peak limiting in modern music,
and subtractive eq when mixing.
Mixing with eq.doc (originally written by Robert Dennis. See his article here)
Focusrite Voicemaster Pro
Tannoy Reveal monitors (although, this link is for the new look Reveals… mine are the now superceded editions)
Home made baffles

sl007.mp3 [ 16:44 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In episode 5, Bruce mentions the interview he did with Dave Jackson of the School of Podcasting,
answers some listener questions,
and mentions a product shoot out to be covered next week (which should be of interest to most podcast listeners).

Sonic booms : How stuff works

sl005.mp3 [ 17:30 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download