Day 1

    If it ends up being a story, it is going to be a great story as I have no intention to fail. Anyway, this is a blog for those, who can’t afford to go to music engineering school, but really want to learn. The good thing is that I have a great studio with 48 channel SSL, grand piano, vintage gear, and variety of instruments. I promised my manager Jim to practice engineering every day and write down all of the notes. So here they are. If whatever I say is questionable or wrong, please let me know.

• To set up MicroKORG Synthersizer/Vocoder ready to record.

1. Plug-in Korg to Vintech 1 and Vintech 2 preamp using 2 ¼ inch (instrument) cables.

     * There is an option of patching Korg straight to channel inputs. In this case, we shall not forget to turn on High-z and select channel and input. The 2 settings (channel and input) should light up on a channel strip.

2. a) Patch Vintech 1, out 1 (balanced) to Distressor compressor 1, in 1. Vintech 2, out 1 (balanced) to Distressor 2, in 1 =>  Distressor 1, out 1 to Channel Inputs (lets say 25). Distressor 2, out 1 to Channel Inputs 26. In ProTools session, create a stereo audio track with inputs 25-26 and outputs 1-2. Select channel and line.  

    b) Patch Vintech 1, out 1 (balanced) to Distressor compressor 1, in 1. Vintech 2, out 1 (balanced) to Distressor 2, in 1 =>  Distressor 1, out 1 to ProTools Analogue Inputs (lets say 25). Distressor 2, out 1 to ProTools Analogue Inputs 26.

    Under any circumstances, bring up the fader on 25-26.

• To set up the mic in isobooth to record.

1. Turn on the mic transformer power.

2. Mic goes to input 1 in the isobooth

3. Patch Iso mic line 1 to Vintech 1 mic in

4. Vintech 1 out 1 to LA 2a in

5. LA 2a out to channel input 25

6. Make sure that both Master fader and monitor level are up

* Since the signal goes into channel inputs, rather than ProTools analogue inputs, we can set audio tracks’ output in ProTools session to be 1 instead of 1-2. In this case, we need to pan the channel 1 on the board to the middle.

For Bridney’s voice, the settings could be:

Vintech preamp

--20, out, out, 0, off, 0, off, 0, off, middle, out, out, out

LA 2a compressor

Limit, 40, 70, middle, on

• Things I came up with while trying to mic the grand piano

I started of with SM-58 (according to Jim, the most horrible choice to make).

Switched to SM-57.

Switched to AKG 451 with AKG SA60 adapter. Definitely a rounder sound.

Tried several different positions:

1. Aiming the mic into a sound hole.

2. 6 inches over middle strings, 8 inches from hammers, with lid on short stick. (dull sound)

3. Underneath the piano, aiming up at the soundboard

List of all positions is found here: http://www.shure.com/idc/groups/public/documents/webcontent/us_pro_micsmusicstudio_ea.pdf

• Questions from today:

1. For some reason, when I plugged the mic into input 25, I heard the buzzing. I shall ask my manager Jim.

2. I got a lot of pedal noise. The chair was squeaking. How is it that Dave records without all that noise.

It is Saturday, so hopefully I’ll get a reply by Monday.