For 2 days at a month every month I spend two hours driving to his studio and spend my evenings there sleeping on his makeshift bed while I record during the day. During the off times in the studio, I used it writing songs for the record. During those recording periods, I’d watch how he set up the microphones, how he would try different things, and switch gears if they didn’t work. I observed him during the mixing procedure, and I watched him resolve problems on the fly. As he toiled with the recording he would describe to me the whole process and patiently answered my questions.

Unfortunately, the record didn’t do well in the market. However, what I mastered during that experience and others like it has carried me through many different jobs and projects since that time. At times when a sound technician isn’t available, I no longer worry because I know I can handle the equipment personally and get the results that I want. Additionally, my ear was prepared during that experience to hear when a set of recorded tracks is not blended well, and even more significantly, what I can do about it. At present I am now capable of detecting what is really wrong with the track rather than just knowing that something is wrong.

Wanting to be a sound engineer is the last thing on my mind and I have no desire to become one. What is important though is the truth that I mastered both from experience and from mentorship in a recording studio. The reason lies on the facts that in order to learn and comprehend audio engineering you need someone who will show and clarify to you the whole process along with practice and experience.

My friend with the recording studio had in fact been to school, and he had learned a lot of methods he probably would not have picked up on his own. Nonetheless, I found his motion of offering me unlimited studio time in order to gain more experience on how to run his studio compelling because this is regardless of the fact that he spent years studying this particular line of work. He benefited from his scholastic experience, but he didn’t trust it enough to carry him after; he wanted more.

Whether you gain your education through schooling, through mentoring, through practice or through a combination of these, what really matters in this industry is whether you can generate results. That is what I learned from my encounter in the recording studio.

Korg introduces its new range of MIDI controllers the nanoSeries devices intended to meet the needs of artists whose talents are not confined in four walls. These MIDI series features three compact products the nanoKEY, the nanoPAD, and the nanoKONTROL.

The nanoKEY is built to be tough, and is a 25-note, velocity-sensitive model. Aside from being very handy in recording chords and melodies, the nanoKEY can also be used to send MIDI data, further expanding its power. It has an Octave Shift function that provides immediate access to the entire MIDI note range. The nanoKEY also comes complete with pitch and modulation buttons, so your performance will have that natural controller expression, despite its size.

You might be surprised to see the nanoKEY in a very small size. Its small size allows you to put it in front of your laptop, your recording station, or wherever you need a versatile control over your virtual instrument or software. But although it is small, the nanoKEY has a gives you a handful of features when it comes to functionality without cutting corners that could affect its convenient operation.

The nanoPAD, on the other hand, has 12 highly-sensitive trigger pads complete with and X/Y pad, which makes it great for laptop DJs as well as for drum programming its roll and flam functions give a unique interface that projects realistic drum programming. The nanoPAD is USB powered and capable of sending both notes and MIDI control data too.

The nanoPAD also has a Chord Trigger feature that allows you to enter chords onto a single pad, which allows you to make the most of the work surface while you work. The pad also makes a great interface for soloing or muting tracks because it can transmit control change messages. You can turn the objects on and off, or trigger clips during live performances.

Finally, Korg wraps the MIDI bundle with the nanoKONTROL. It gives you 9 faders, 9 knobs, 18 switches, and a full transport section allowing you expansive control. That makes the nanoKONTROL the best DAW and plug-in control, and with its note input mode, laying down your next groove will be such a breeze.

Each of the four programmable scenes that the nanoKONTROL has allows you to set the controllers as you please That means you can send 168 different MIDI Control Change messages and MIDI notes using these switches. each of its 6 transport buttons can send both MIDI Control Change messages as well as MMC messages in order to control functions like start, stop, loop, or record.

Thanks to the Korg MIDI Bundle, taking full control over the quality of music that you create is now possible. And the best part is, you get all three at the price of one. So what are you waiting for? Get the Korg MIDI Bundle, today!

Learn more about the Korg MIDI Bundle (nanoKEY, nanoPAD, nanoKONTROL) or take a look at other Midi Controllers.

Blue Microphone recently revealed a new version of their “professional quality” iPhone microphone, the Blue Mikey. this new recording device, you can record practically anything; anywhere, and anytime.

This new iPod recording device from Blue is so powerful, you can record lectures, voice notes, live music, interviews and so much more without the bulk of typical voice recorders. Plus, it lets you capture every sound, even those with audio quality almost impossible for previous hand held recorders.

If you are familiar with Blue Microphone, then the sweet features of the Mikey will not surprise you. This is because Blue already has years and years of experience up its sleeve in designing and engineering award-winning studio mics. Mikey features Blue Microphone’s superior quality stereo condenser capsules, a 3-position user selectable setting, as well as a built-in speaker for portable playback monitoring. You can also fine-tune Mikey to record everything ranging from the barest audible sound to the extremely loud sources without compromising audio fidelity. And to further ensure that you only get as much sound needed as possible, Mikey has a unique user-positionable head that can swivel up to 180 degrees in order to provide maximum flexibility and usability. That means that you can position the device virtually anywhere, to where the sound is, from every direction.

Like its older brother, Mikey also has two custom-tuned Blue capsules that allow professional quality stereo recording capabilities. it has an improved acoustic circuit that lets higher quality recordings of high-volume situations such as concerts, possible. Not just coming with a sleek new design, the Mikey also offers a 3.5 mm input line for direct recording of other sound sources like a guitar or a mixer. But not only that, it also has a USB pass-through connection that lets you charge and sync all at the same time.

Simply plug the Mikey into the dock port of your iPhone, iPod, or iPod touch, and you get a high quality recording instantly ideal for musicians and concert goers alike. And to wrap your mobile audio experience up, Blue has also announced that Blue FiRe, a free and high-fidelity recording app for iPhone, iPod, and iPod touch is now available at the App Store. Blue FiRe is a product of the partnership between Audiofile Engineering and Blue, and is optimized specifically for this new Mikey – allowing you to get a complete, high-quality mobile recording experience.

Capturing the sound of your world has never been this easy, thanks to this new recording device from Blue. why settle for less? Go and get the Mikey from Blue Microphone, today!

Find another Blue Mikey 2 Review.

Check out MOTU MicroBook Interface.

Compatible with both Mac and PC, the MicroBook make complete personal recording more convenient. It has four simultaneous inputs for a microphone, a guitar, a keyboard, or any other stereo line-level device. It has a 20dB pad and a 48V phantom power in its condenser mics, which allows its mic preamp to produce nothing but a neutral coloration and pristine sound. Not only that, the MicroBook also offers flexibility you can choose among a programmable analog, a digital, and headphone outputs.

Because the MicroBook is small, its mic input ins a balanced ¼-inch jack. But if you want to use a mic cable with an XLR plug, the MicroBook comes with an XLR-to-1/4-inch adapter. Its Precision Digital Trim allows you to control analog trim on all analog units digitally. This only means one thing you get to enjoy both worlds: the excellent signal quality of analog audio circuitry and the fine-tune precision of digital control. Not only that, you also get to save and recall trim settings on your computer.

But perhaps the best thing about the MicroBook is its superb audio quality. It provides rigid audio quality particularly tailored to meet the demands of most professional recording applications. And because the MicroBook belongs to a family of high quality devices such as the FireWire, USB and PCI audio interfaces, you are assured that it embodies decades of great engineering experience.

Most of the audio interface brands that we see in the market today (even the expensive ones) usually cut corners with unbalanced analog inputs and outputs. These brands greatly compromise audio performance, making it fall way below the standards of a balanced circuit. But the MicroBook has well balanced inputs and outputs that ensure only the best protection possible against RF interference, AC hum, and other noise-creating environmental factors.

The MicroBook’s guitar input gives only the proper guitar impedance loads for guitars, so you can play through guitar-processing plug-ins in a host software with the assurance that you will get a natural feel and a natural response. MicroBook’s “mini” eight-inch analog input can be connected to an iPod or any other stereo-level signal. This lets you mix an audio input with other inputs and route such inputs to any output device.

Thanks to the MicroBook, you can now have high quality I/O recording, personal audio tracking, laptop-based DJing, anywhere and anytime.

Learn more about the MOTU MicroBook Interface.

Recently released, the Ultimate Support APEX AX-48 Pro Keyboard Stand is Ultimate Support’s newest member to its bright line of keyboard accessories. This youngest APEX has piano hinges that flip up, providing more room for its tri-bar arms during transport. Not only that, it also has cable channels that will keep your keyboard cords neatly tucked away during use. Now, isn’t that the type of performing convenience that you are looking for?

Unlike typical keyboard stands, the APEX AX-48 Pro gets rid of the ugly wires and cords during performance. The AX-48 is not only a stylish choice, but a practical one – it can hold up to two keyboards at the same time, without setting up hassles. No other keyboard accessory can be better – the Ultimate Support APEX AX-48 Pro Keyboard Stand will treat you and your keys to a rugged and reliable great-looking stand for your moments out into the spot light.

The modern look and design of the AX-46 Pro got its inspiration from its older brother, the AX-90. Its sleek and new design brings out the star in every performer. It still gives justice to the quality and the aesthetics that the entire APEX line of keyboard accessories have, and so much more.

If you have been an APEX fan yourself, you will impressed to find that APEX was able to maintain certain essentials with the AX-48 Pro – it has the same style of a standard column type keyboard holding as much as two keyboards simultaneously; it has the same tri-bar system and adjustable height; it has the same support legs and flexibility making it as easy to set up, to collapse, and carry as the other APEX keyboard stands.

But I think the greatest feature of the APEX AX-48 Pro is its utter convenience that makes set up and tear down no longer than a couple of minutes. It easily breaks down into a slim piece of item that is very easy to carry from one gig after another. It will not require you to bring any case or to have a lot of space because its hollow column becomes its own storage feature. Its legs and parts will be neatly tucked and kept while you carry it. With the AX-48 Pro, the legs remain connected and slide in and out of the base of the column while the arms that support the keyboard stores in compartments at the top of the column.

The APEX AX-48 Pro is a result of more than 20 years of thinking and skill. So why trust your precious instruments to anything less? See the difference and get the AX-48 Pro Keyboard Stand today!

Check out this other article on the Ultimate Support APEX AX-48 Pro Keyboard Stand.

This is actually my first official recording experience despite that fact that I’ve recorded a few demos years back using a rather vintage four track cassette recorder. Digital recording was an innovative concept, and my friend had one of the first set-ups for recording direct to PC hard drive. It was an incredible learning encounter for me. I observed in awe how my friend edited my recording by doing the vocals, adding the instrumentals, and record multiple tracks. While my friend is engrossed with the mixing and editing I observed and paid interest to what he is doing. I kept asking queries about the procedure and my friend would patiently explain the whole process to me and at the same time answer all my queries. And together, we made a record we were both very pleased of.

I do not think I realized just how much my first recording experience taught me until years later, when I was put into a couple of situations that drew upon my knowledge. The first one was as a small-time music performer, in hosting events where there was no sound engineer or sound person; if I intend to make it sound good, it was up to me. It was actually astonishing when I was able to manipulate the sound equipment and manipulate the sound mixer with ease. I learned a lot of that basic lessons from my recording experience.

The other scenario that drew on my know-how was when I became the audio engineer and wrote the music score for two short movies my son wrote and directed. By my own criteria I believed I was not competent, but with the knowledge I gained from my previous experience I was able to manipulate the sound elements in order to create ear friendly music and sound effects. In addition to that, I found a way how to remove those unwanted noise in the background from the film and this is very much helpful whenever the background noise affects the movie quality.

These projects made me realize that my initial recording played a huge role. I also realized from that encounter just how much we actually learn things by simply doing them.

Visit the newest Blue Microphone, the Encore 100.

Blue microphones are known for its distinctive look as well as its impressive ability to capture a wide range of sounds. Over the years, Blue has also been successful in crossing into other product lines such as the Snowball and Snowflake. But nobody really expected for Blue to take another bold step, until just recently.

Blue now takes the live stage with the birth of its new Encore Series of hand-held microphones. The mics in the series easily stand out from the crowd in an instant it has an exquisite look and an impressive sound quality. And being the first among the three, the Encore 100 has already impressed a number of people after being put to actually tests, onstage and in the studio.

The phrase “ruggedly constructed” will not give the Encore 100 justice. The first thing that you will realize the moment you hold this particular microphone is its unusual weight no, it is not uncomfortable to hold but is clearly more solid compared to other hand-held microphones you see in the market. Its form perfectly rests in the hand and its slip-resistant feature made it an instant favorite among performers who vigorously sweat onstage.

The Encore 100 has an Aria dynamic capsule, an element that allows the mic to become attuned to modern audio systems. The Encore 100 is unique from other hand-helds because it is capable of producing crisp highs and upper mids without the shriek. The capsule’s cardioids pickup patterns offer a good isolation and an admirable feedback rejection feature in a real-world setting. Plus the Encore 100 offers a nice proximity effect getting close provides a lower end but does not make the vocals sound neither dull nor overly boomy.

Under acoustic conditions, the Encore 100 provides a remarkable voice articulation without having to make adjustments on your graphic equalizer in your guitar or vocal amp. It flattens the equalizer’s upper midrange and reduces any feedback on the mic while it enhances the sound of your instrument. In the studio, the Encore 100 provides a lot of sound detail without sounding cold and damp. This only means that the microphone can perform really well in both worlds. It delivers the sound that you expect, and so much more.

With the Encore 100, you will get nothing but a crisp and clear sound whether you are playing in an intimate show or taking the house down in a blues bar. So why settle for anything less? Get the Encore 100 today!

Read more about the Blue Encore 100 Dynamic Microphone.

Learn more about the Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 at your favorite recording equipment store.

This high performance kit consists of several hardware components like the internal drivers and interface along with quality software to help produce some amazing music. If that was not enough, you also get 1GB of loops absolutely free, for you to experiment your newly bought Focusrite Saffire PRO 24.

The core design of this model is its interface technology and tacit use of the pre-amps. The innovation of the pre-amps to subdue the distortion occurring before amplification is indeed very novel and has led to a series of awards, in recognition of the musical and sound engineering genius of the creators of the Focusrite Saffire PRO 24.

The audio interface of the Focusrite Saffire PRO 24 makes it one of the most high-perofrming musical instruments; it transforms even the simplest of loops and sounds into professional music. The Firewire software is used to run the interface in combination with the other features of this state-of-the-art technology for musicians who would like to record their own music. The gadget comes with analog input and output options.

The Focusrite offers several facilities to increase the productivity levels as well as the quality of the music produced. This is possible because of the state of the art Firewire interface, which is all you need to carry out functions such as mixing, for instance.

Music production was never as is as it is with the Saffire PRO24. It also helps in enhancing the music and giving it the finesse of professional music through its various modules and facilitating software. ??The instrument is decently priced and seems a value for money investment. The PRO 24 has been created keeping in mind the needs of musicians who want to utilize the technology of the times for producing and recording music.

If you use a turntable and a microphone during your music production, the pre-amp function will help in reducing the distortion levels that tend to arise with the use of an amplifier. The pre-mixing facility offers a range of pre-loaded music which can be used in combination to produce the kind of music one can only dream about.

This package aims to offer the best of the technology for a professional or a budding musician to experiment on different techniques and methods of producing interesting music. It’s a highly valuable music kit aimed at optimizing the production of music whether at the home or in a professional music room.

Music, in our own way, is an expression of one’s self. This is probably the man’s “companion” in life. Whether you are new or old in this industry, we should learn how to play the basics.

Since we are talking about musicians and music, Iet me introduce to you the Focusrite Saffire Pro 24. I am going to tell you more about Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 in case you haven’t heard about it yet.

We are trying our best to make our own identity through our music. Of course, to get the listener’s attention we should have to create a “new style” with our music.

Now, if you want to make your own music, Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 is perfect for you. Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 is a signature brand and is one of the market’s leading products. Satisfied customers’ own creative desires are being achieved through Focusrite’s service.

When it comes to mixing, Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 is very systematic. This thing can be easily plugged in to you computer through Firewire that is why it is very user-friendly.

Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 has the features that are competent in the industry. Everything that you need for your mixing is made available by this gadget.

It has a whole audio interface that is being controlled through Firewire. Bringing studio quality mixing to your own homes. This gadget is very fit to recording artists and aspirants.

To avoid immediate distortion of audio, pre-amps are being featured in this gadget. With the help of stored-in effects, a very good quality of music is produced by the DSP mixer. By using your own computers at home, mixing has been made very easy. Compression, reverb, gating and EQ plug-ins are some of its mixing effects.

With Focusrite Saffire Pro 24, everything is achievable. Everything is achievable with Focusrite Saffire Pro 24. The right music for you is at hand.

Simple or more complex effects are achievable with this.

Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 has a very affordable price yet quality and durability is never compromised.

This would be good to individuals who have microphones and turntables. This could be your next music recording success partner.

Check out the Focusrite Saffire Pro 24 at your favorite music store.