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October 26, 2009
BBE Sonic Maximizer

Question: I have a 2 channel BBE Sonic Maximizer (the rack mounted version). Theoretically, it claims to "realign the frequency or frequencies" that get "bent out of shape" when being reproduced out of a speaker. When recording with a DAW, is there any reason to use it? Can it improve the formation of a digital […]

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September 3, 2009
Audio Interface/Sound Card Question

Firstly, thank you very much for this form.  It is a tremendous help. My question is about sound cards.  First, I'd like to know if the current sound card I have is good enough for voiceover work.  Are there any tests I can do or specs I can check?  I am asking this because when […]

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May 23, 2009
Condenser mic?

I'm currently in audio production school, but I'm a musician at heart and that's what led me to recording school. I'd really love to purchase my first condenser mic this summer, but I need something specific. I'm looking for a condenser mic that is around $500 (or less) and picks up female vocals, acoustic guitar, […]

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March 3, 2009
Pre-Amp Question

I have a Presonus Firepod. I quite like it. My silly question is: is another preamp necessary or are the preamps on the Firepod enough? I bought an ART MP preamp. The problem is that it is REALLY noisy. Lots of hiss. I went back to just using the Firepod preamps and the hiss was […]

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March 3, 2009
Impedence and various inputs

Can someone explain to me what impedence is? Also, I have a Presonus Firepod.  It has three kinds of inputs:  mic, line and instrument.  What is the difference between them and does it make a difference for sound quality if I plug a mic into an instrument ijnput, etc? Impedance is an electrical term that […]

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November 7, 2008
Recording Distorted Guitar

Wise One: Do you have any tips for recording distorted guitars?  When I try it, the recording sounds for ssssssizzzzly. I have a Big Muff and a Boss OD2.  I've experimented with an SM57, a Cascade ribbon and I'm about to get a Sennheiser MD421.  I have a Marshall JCM2000. Any tips would be greatly […]

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September 24, 2008
Questions on the making of Yes We Can

Hi Steve, Thanks for the email about the “Yes We Can” videos on YouTube.  They were very educational.  Everyone involved in the production did a great job. I wanted to ask you a few questions about some of my observations: 1.      I noticed you started out recording vocals with an SM7 then later […]

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September 3, 2008
How to know if something sounds good

Hi Steve, I am constantly reading reviews on the internet about different pieces of musical equipment.  Given my limited budget, I am always looking for the best values. I recently bought two MCA SP-1 microphones for $39 each after reading good reviews for them.  I have done a little bit of vocal recording with them […]

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September 2, 2008
Glyn Johns Drum Method

Greetings Wise One: Have you ever used the Glyn John's method of recording drums?  I've been trying to use it.  It seems simple but there seems to be real problems with phase coherence, in particular if you are recording in a small space. IF you have ver used it, does one place one overhead directly […]

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July 29, 2008
Blumlein Question

So if I'm recording with the Blumlein set up, do I need to set the pans to the hard right and left and switch the polarities like you do with the mid-side technique or is it something different? The Blumlein technique only requires two figure of eight pattern microphones, placed as close together as possible […]

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