Transcript Overview of Computer Setup in the Electronic Music Studio Digital in/out (usb) Audio in/out Mbox Audio Mixer Computer Analog audio signals travel from the Audio Mixer to the.

Overview of Computer Setup
in the Electronic Music Studio
Digital in/out
(usb)
Audio in/out
Mbox
Audio Mixer
Computer
Analog audio signals travel from the Audio Mixer to the Mbox, which converts
them to digital data that goes to the computer through a USB interface. The
audio can now be used by computer software.
In reverse, digital sound signals in the computer are sent out through the USB
port to the Mbox, converted and sent out as analog audio to the Audio Mixer.
Microphones
In the studio, we use Shure SM57
microphones. These are excellent allpurpose mikes, very good for most
uses.
Microphone types:
Condenser: very sensitive and accurate, expensive, require a power supply.
Dynamic: rugged, cheap, no external power required, not as sensitive or accurate as condensers.
Microphone directionality:
Unidirectional: picks up the signal primarily from one direction. Best for recording a single sound
and limiting background noise.
Omnidirectional: picks up signal from all directions. Best for getting an overall environment.
The Shure SM57 is a unidirectional dynamic mike.
Microphone Techniques
Things to watch out for in recording:
•
Microphone is too close to the sound: result is unnatural, possibly distorted. Some
sounds (breath, key clicks, etc.) are overemphasized.
•
Microphone is too far from sound: result is lack of clarity, overemphasis of
background sounds.
•
Handling noise and noises from the desk are easily transferred through the mike
stand. Unwanted background noises can be picked up.
Tips
•
Make several recordings of each sound, experiment with mike placement, and
make critical comparisons to pick the best one.
•
Be very fussy about recording sound quality. Flaws are amplified throughout the
production process. It’s easy to fix a flaw (like handling noise) early in the
process by rerecording the sound. If you notice the problem later when you are
mixing and processing, it’s impossible to remove the flaw.
•
Be careful to minimize computer noise, hum from the lights, and other
background sounds in the studio. For example, the computer sound vibrates the
table and is picked up through the mike stand – placing the stand on a book can
make a big difference.
The Mixer
Four input channels are mixed
to two stereo output channels
Audio inputs
Gain for extra volume if needed
Equalization to adjust high,
medium and low frequency
balance
Panning left to right
Channel fader
Output stereo mix faders
Hard disc recording feature
Some requests and advice:
Please keep sound levels as low as practical in the studio. There is very little sound
isolation between the studio and the music library. Also, please keep the door
closed – that helps a lot!
Please don’t change the way the mixer, Mbox and computer are wired together.
Changing settings will cause problems for the next user of the station.
Please use the sign-up sheets – they will help you plan your studio time and let
you know when a computer station is available.
If something isn’t working, please send me an e-mail. Don’t mess with the wiring
or settings – that usually just screws things up more.
For this project, each student should be fully responsible for their own project.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t collaborate. Feel free to help each other with the
recordings, make suggestions, and so on.
Please work ahead! If everyone plans on completing projects the night before
they’re do, there will be big problems!
Listening
• Brian Eno: Climate Study
• Dream into Dust: Counterfeit
• Tom Lopez: 17,987,57,480