Updated Articles and Resources

By Joe Shambro, About.com Guide

Review: Heil Sound PR 30 Large Diaphragm Dynamic Microphone Created: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 Updated: Wednesday, April 04, 2012
The Heil PR30 is a very unique microphone; it represents a new way of thinking about dynamic microphone technology, backed by the experience of one of live sound's greatest innovators, Bob Heil. ...
Review: Heil Sound PR 40 Large Diaphragm Dynamic Microphone Created: Tuesday, May 26, 2009 Updated: Wednesday, April 04, 2012
The Heil PR-40 is one of the first microphones I've tried in a long time that could quality for the title of
Audio Engineering Basics: Power Management & Power Conditioning Created: Saturday, March 31, 2012 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
Managing your studio's electricity usage is the best way to make sure you're making recordings free of buzz, hum, and static. In this article, you'll learn the basics to powering your studio and c..
Live Sound: How to Mix In-Ear Monitors Created: Saturday, March 31, 2012 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
In-ear monitors aren't a novelty anymore; many artists are now transitioning to in-ear monitors, and that number keeps growing by the day. In this article, you'll learn the basics of mixing in-ea..
Recording & Mixing the Hammond B3 Created: Saturday, March 31, 2012 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
Recording and mixing the Hammond B3 organ is an easy skill to learn for new audio engineers, but there's a few tricks to getting it right. In this article, you'll learn the basics to micing a Lesl..
Understanding Earplugs: Hearing Protection for Musicians Created: Saturday, March 31, 2012 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
Of all the tools in your musician's arsenal, your ears are the most valuable (and irreplaceable). Keeping your ears in good shape is of utmost importance; in this article, you'll learn the basics..
Live Sound: How To Mix Monitors Created: Saturday, March 31, 2012 Updated: Saturday, March 31, 2012
Mixing monitors is one of the most frustrating things for new live sound engineers to learn. In this article, you'll learn the basics of mixing monitors, from ringing out your EQ to making good in..
How is sound mixed at the GRAMMY Awards? | About.com Created: Friday, February 17, 2012 Updated: Friday, February 24, 2012
The GRAMMY Awards Telecast is one of the most technically impressive achievements in the music industry today. Audio engineer Joe Shambro takes you behind the scenes of what it takes to achieve su..
How is sound mixed at the GRAMMY Awards? | About.com Created: Friday, February 17, 2012 Updated: Friday, February 17, 2012
The GRAMMY Awards Telecast is one of the most technically impressive achievements in the music industry today. Audio engineer Joe Shambro takes you behind the scenes of what it takes to achieve su..
The 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards: Home Recording Created: Friday, January 20, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Are you an audio engineer or music fan who found a great microphone, recording product, or self-made album last year? Nominate it for the 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards in Home Recording! ..
Home Recording Glossary: Subharmonic Synthesis Created: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
For live sound engineers and studio engineers, subharmonic synthesis is one of the secrets of the audio engineering trade; chances are if you've listened to any pop music in the last few years, yo..
Review: KAM Instruments C3 Large Diaphragm Microphone for Recording & Live Sound Created: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The KAM C3 is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone that packs a powerful punch in a small package. Offering a crisp, airy sound without being harsh or brittle, the C3 works best as an instrument..
Review: KAM Instruments Atmosphere Condenser Microphone Created: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
The KAM Instruments Atmosphere condenser microphone is a fantastic microphone, priced at $159. The KAM Atmosphere shines on female vocals, live instruments, and ambient recording; packaged with m..
A Guide to Avid Pro Tools 10: New Features, Better Results Created: Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Pro Tools 10
2012 Readers' Choice Awards: Best Audio Interface Created: Friday, January 20, 2012 Updated: Friday, January 20, 2012
Are you an audio engineer who found an awesome recording interface last year? Nominate it for the 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards in Home Recording! Nominations last through February 15 with ..
2012 Readers' Choice Awards: Best Microphone Created: Friday, January 20, 2012 Updated: Friday, January 20, 2012
Are you an audio engineer who found a great microphone product last year? Nominate it for the 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Awards in Home Recording! Nominations last through February 15 with winn..
2012 Readers' Choice Awards: Best Self-Recorded Album Created: Friday, January 20, 2012 Updated: Friday, January 20, 2012
Did your favorite band release an album they recorded themselves in the last year? Nominate them for the 2012 About.com Readers' Choice Award for Best Self-Recorded Album. Nomination period ends Fe..
Review: Waves Eddie Kramer Tape, Tubes, & Transistors Plug-in Bundle Created: Saturday, December 31, 2011 Updated: Saturday, December 31, 2011
In today's digital mixing world, it's often hard to replace that old analog characteristic that many classic recordings made famous. Now, thanks to Waves, it's possible: with the Eddie Kramer Tap..
Review: Waves OneKnob Plug-Ins Created: Saturday, December 31, 2011 Updated: Saturday, December 31, 2011
A review of the full Waves OneKnob plug-in series, compatible with Logic and Pro Tools, offering superior-quality processing without the hassle of multiple parameters -- perfect for audio engineers..
Review: Propellerhead Balance Recording Interface with Reason Essentials Created: Saturday, December 31, 2011 Updated: Saturday, December 31, 2011
Looking for a small, compact recording interface with full-featured sound quality? The Propellerhead Balance -- packaged with Reason Essentials -- is an excellent choice for any project studio loo..
Review: Avid Mbox Mini Recording Interface (Updated Model) Created: Saturday, December 31, 2011 Updated: Saturday, December 31, 2011
Looking for an inexpensive, full-featured recording interface, compatible with Pro Tools? The Avid Mbox Mini is an excellent choice, featuring a world-class microphone preamp, great-sounding conve..
How to Mix Live Sound with VCAs | What Are VCAs? | Voltage Controlled Amplifier Created: Friday, February 06, 2009 Updated: Monday, December 05, 2011
If you're a live sound engineer or mixing on analog in your studio, you've probably come across boards with VCAs -- Voltage Controlled Amplifiers. Mixing with VCAs is one of the easiest ways to ma..
What are in-ear monitors? Created: Monday, October 31, 2011 Updated: Wednesday, November 30, 2011
What are in-ear monitors? In-ear monitors are one of the most well-known topics in audio engineering today. In this article, About.com's Joe Shambro explains what in-ears are, how they're used, a..
Home Studio Gallery: Big Bully Organization's Studio - Submit an Entry: Share Your Home Recording Studio Created: Thursday, October 13, 2011 Updated: Thursday, October 13, 2011
Take a look inside Big Bully Organization's home studio at the About.com Home Studio Gallery. Come share your studio at About.com -- whether it's Pro Tools HD in a large converted basement, or Logi..
How To Digitally Sell Your Album on The iTunes Music Store Created: Tuesday, May 08, 2007 Updated: Wednesday, September 07, 2011
Selling your album on the iTunes Music Store is a lot easier than you might think. In this article, About.com's Joe Shambro walks you through how to sell your album on iTunes, eMusic, Napster, and..
How to get your music on Spotify (and how much you'll make) [Updated September 1, 2011] Created: Tuesday, July 26, 2011 Updated: Thursday, September 01, 2011
Spotify is one of the most exciting new apps in the music streaming world, and a lot of bands now want to get their music on Spotify. How do independent artists get a piece of the action? In this..
What's the difference between wedge and in-ear monitors? Created: Sunday, July 09, 2006 Updated: Thursday, September 01, 2011
If you're a performing musician, you'll be all too familiar with stage monitoring. In this guide, you'll learn the difference between
Review: KAM Instruments Fidelio 6.5 High Definition Studio Monitors Created: Thursday, September 01, 2011 Updated: Thursday, September 01, 2011
A hands-on review of the KAM Instruments Fidelio 6.5 Studio Monitors, a fantastic pair of studio monitoring speakers well-suited for studios at any stage of evolution. Check out the detailed revie..
What is an audio VCA? Created: Thursday, March 05, 2009 Updated: Friday, August 12, 2011
Looking for information on VCAs? Mixing with VCAs is an easy way to manage a large-channel mixing session. Check out this definition of VCA from the About.com Home Recording Glossary!
How to use Windscreens and Pop Filters With Microphones Created: Thursday, February 25, 2010 Updated: Monday, August 08, 2011
When using microphones, you'll probably find you need either windscreens or pop screens at some point. What's the difference and which do you for what purposes? About.com's Joe Shambro explains ..
Review: Sensaphonics Musician's Earplugs Created: Monday, April 05, 2010 Updated: Friday, August 05, 2011
The Sensaphonics Musician's Earplugs are a fantastic concept: soft silicone, custom fit to your ear canal, with Etymotic filters built in for filtered, full-range listening. How do they stack up ..
Top Recording Gear of 2010: Best Home Studio Gear Of The Year Created: Monday, January 03, 2011 Updated: Friday, July 22, 2011
2010 was a great year for audio engineers and working musicians looking for the best bang-for-their-buck in home recording studio gear. From microphones to monitors, About.com's Joe Shambro takes y..

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