BEING HEARD
AUDIBILITIES
By Emmet Robinson
King Street Recording Company
Professional Audio Services for Any Purpose You Can Think Of
Video and Photo Too!
Since 1967
Volume 73, Fall, 2019
BEING HEARD
A microphone enables a singer or musician to be heard ‘way back in the cheap seats at the rear of the hall. Microphones are transducers that convert mechanical energy (sound) into electrical energy. Microphones are generally shrouded in mystery regarding their design, characteristics and usage. Let’s try to make the topic more understandable.
There are two ways of classifying microphones.
• First, their design refers to how they are made.
• And second, their performance characteristics give you choices as to how to achieve the results you want.
Typical microphone designs include:
• Dynamic (the most popular)
• Ribbon
• Condenser
Dynamic mikes are simple, relatively inexpensive, durable and used primarily by vocalists.
Ribbon microphones use a different mechanical principle to achieve the same results. They may be more responsive to transients such as drumbeats, and also more responsive to high frequencies such as piano and violin.
Condenser mikes employ yet another method for reproducing the sounds you make. Generally higher in cost, they are considered the most accurate and are most often used in studios.
Regardless of design, there are two basic performance characteristics to consider when choosing a microphone:
1. The pickup pattern refers to how the mike receives sound.
A Cardioid or unidirectional mike tends to favor the sounds directly in front of it.
An omnidirectional microphone tends to pick up everything around it. They’re seldom used on stage because they’re prone to feedback.
2. The proximity effect is seldom discussed, but important all the same.
A mike with proximity effect will begin to emphasize low frequencies as the sound source moves closer. In use, this can make the sound muddy and indistinct.
A mike without the proximity effect remains more neutral in tone, regardless of the distance from the sound source. This gives musicians greater freedom of movement. In the studio, I use them for instruments.
Copyright © 2019 Emmet Robinson
What kind of microphone should you have? A safe bet would be the traditional, dynamic, Cardioid mike. They’re used nearly everywhere for every purpose. For more specific, detailed recommendations, call me at the studio. 610-647-4341.
IN THE STUDIO
VOICES
Young Talent
Here with her Mom and her voice coach, a young high-school junior recorded a demo of seventeen different cartoon and character voices. Her vocal abilities were fluid and flexible, and she was eagerly open to both her coach’s suggestions and mine. Ample advance preparation allowed completing the session efficiently and within budget.
In a second session, scheduled two weeks later, we added selected sound effects to complete the project.
Mp3 files on flash drive will allow sending the demos electronically to those having need of her talents. With luck, there should be many of them!
VIDEO
The Unfinished Concert
Two cellos, flute, piano and an excellent soprano combined to make a most listenable presentation.
The camera operator was seated in the audience and may have been distracted because the camera wandered around a bit. Also, in the process of putting the performance on the Internet, a large portion of the recording had been lost. My assignment was to capture what remained of the audio and record it to disk. This was done by combining digital technology with analog. Sometimes the old ways work best!
From the Archives
Although I must admit that I have no scientific basis for my somewhat arbitrary choices, it’s becoming increasingly useful to keep some client files and archival disks available for longer than the usual one-year term. Here’s one good reason why.
On rare occasions, a digital disk may begin to play erratically – or not at all. It may have been subjected to extreme temperatures, or just poorly handled. Or, since digital disks are manufactured in layers, the layers may have begun to separate. No one knows why. It just happens.
When it happened to a long-time client, I was able to make a new disk from the file copy I’d saved from long ago– just because I liked his music!
FROM THE ATTIC
VIDEO
Mystery Format
Her original home video had been converted to disk by another studio. An extra copy was needed and the original studio was no longer there. Usually a fairly simple process, this was complicated by the format of the disk – something I’d never seen before. After an hour or so of experimentation, I found an application that served as a crowbar and opened the file – literally against its will. (That’ll teach it to mess with me!) Once opened, the file could be converted to something useful and my assignment could be completed.
Converted Conversions, Converted
The wonders of digital technology never cease to amaze me – especially the growing number of formats for digital audio files. In a recent project, the files I received were in a mix of unknown formats, none of which could be opened and used. Let’s call that Format #1, the original.
After a telephone discussion, the same files were then sent in the more familiar Mp3 format. Let’s call that Format #2. Although familiar, it wasn’t useful because Mp3s cannot be edited.
So, they were converted to Format #3, standard AIFF files – the same as on a commercially made CD.
For editing and processing, the files were next imported to a different workstation as ProTools files, Format #4.
With all adjustments completed, the ProTools files were converted back into AIFF files (Format #3), recorded to disk and mailed to the client. As he also needed Mp3 versions of the modified files, they were converted once again (Format #2) and sent by email.
How many formats and conversions was that? I dunno. I lost track!
Country Music Extravaganza
I heard my first country music records at my Grandmom’s house when I was a very small boy. Both the simplicity and sincerity of thoughts and emotions expressed through the music left a lasting impression on me.
With that in mind, a recent assignment gave me a great deal of pleasure as it involved converting a large collection of audiocassettes of original country music to disk.
The client was a songwriter of considerable talent. All of the tunes, written earlier in his career, displayed a wide-ranging creative imagination, a full understanding of the human heart – and a sense of humor.
Professionally recorded in Nashville, the arrangements were excellent and the quality of the musicianship outstanding. Professional singers per-formed with passion, and lent emotion and meaning to the lyrics.
Once all of the songs were digitized, they were divided into separate categories, then transferred to disks with song titles printed on the covers.
One of the more complex assignments this year, it stretched my organizational skills just keeping track of what song was where! Great songs, perfectly performed and recorded. I love my job!
Lost Possibilities
Brought in for duplication was a tourist’s homemade video of a tour of Russia, specifically of the architecture of their older, classic buildings. The structures I saw were truly inspiring, obviously the work of great minds. We’re no slouches, ourselves. Imagine what we could do if we cooperated with each other!
Audible Perfection!
As both a student and practitioner of the vocal arts for more than half a century, I recently had a special treat.
The open reel tape had been professionally produced about thirty years ago and, due to new tape formulations in use at that time, was beginning to deteriorate. Once coaxed into playing properly, what I heard on the tape were several “takes” of the client’s original composition sung by one of the most amazing vocalists I’ve ever heard.
In a word, she was perfect! Her extraordinary tonal range was equaled by her control of dynamics and range of emotional expression. She meant every word she sang!
With complete breath control and able to sing any note at any volume at any time, the excellence of her singing reduced me to tears of pleasure. With perfect, smooth vibrato, her voice flowed like liquid. No wonder! A little research revealed her long association with Broadway productions!
Many of the young singers I meet and work with are not making the most of their natural potential. If you’re one of them, call me. I can help.
FAQ
Q: What’s the most durable recording format?
A: The old-fashioned vinyl record. As long as they’re not physically damaged, they’ll play forever. I have an original 78-rpm record of Caruso from the 1930s and it plays just fine.
Records are making a comeback, and companies are hustling to find and restore the original machines necessary for their manufacture.
The Out-of-Towners
Thanks to the U. S. Postal Service and United Parcel Service, a growing number of clients have found their way here. They’ve sent their orders from: Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Hawaii and Munich, Germany.
What out-of-towners do you know who might need help with an old sound recording, video, photo or document? Spread the word, won’t you?
Nostalgia Isn’t What It Used to Be
If you remember the original Main Point coffeehouse in Bryn Mawr, my forthcoming autobiography will describe my experiences with the singers, musicians, comics and actors I worked with in my ten years there as general manager. The Main Point chapter will be about 95 pages long. First draft should be completed by Christmas, with publication planned for next summer. Stay tuned for further announcements!
WHAT’S NEW?
Controlling clutter in the studio is important. The headphone amplifier has always been on a separate stand. Now it has its own little shelf attached directly to the music stand.
A better pop filter attached to the voice mike will allow singers and narrators to work more closely to the mike for enhanced vocal quality
For Musicians Only!
The first issue of my newsletter for musicians, Stagecraft 101 is now available. The term, Stagecraft, by the way, refers to everything you say and do after the emcee says your name. If this is of interest to you, please give me a call at 610-647-4341.
RECOMMENDED READING
If you’re directly involved in the performing arts as a musician, singer songwriter, actor or comic, a must- read for you is Steve Martin.
I was auditioning at the Ice House in Pasadena and saw Steve fifty years ago. Even then, before his career really took off, he was brilliant!
And, no, I didn’t get booked there!
Have You Always Wanted to Write?
(Poetry, stories, books, plays, etc.)
But didn’t know how to get started?
Paoli Writers Group Can Help!
Where:
Paoli Library, 18 Darby Rd., Paoli, PA 610-296-7996
When:
Thursdays from 12:30 – 2:30 PM
Contact:
Walt Trizna wtrizna@comcast.net
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