recording

TPS096: Multichannel Output and Input

December 12, 2015 by Ray Ortega Leave a Comment

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Recording multichannel audio is the best way to take total control over your audio.

However, it can be difficult and/or pricey to achieve. Technically you can do multichannel with any mixer, even the cheapest ones. How many separate channels you’ll get is a different story.

On this episode I talk about how to use an analog mixer to output multichannel audio via Insert channels. Other topics include an update about the construction of my podcast studio, confirming that the 2i4 is indeed multichannel and a brief PSA about making sure your website is podcast ready.
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How to Setup Any Mixer – Gain Staging without PFL or Solo Buttons

April 27, 2015 by Ray Ortega 14 Comments

For many podcasters, mixers do not include Pre Fader Listen (PFL) or Solo buttons which are commonly used on more expensive mixers for properly setting audio levels.

Gain staging is the process of setting proper audio levels through your entire audio chain. On a mixer this starts with the gain knob (located at the top of each channel strip) which controls the sensitivity of your microphone or input and finishes at the output, your main mix. [Read more…] about How to Setup Any Mixer – Gain Staging without PFL or Solo Buttons

Aspen Mics HQ-S Stereo Lavalier Microphone

November 9, 2014 by Ray Ortega 6 Comments

Aspen Mics* has a new series of lavalier microphones called HQ (High Quality). I first saw these mics tweeted out by @cheesycam who often reviews lower priced gear for DSLR video shooters. For a mic called HQ, these mics had an interesting price point around $50 but what made that attractive was their quality. Upon first listen, the mics seem to produce nice clean audio without having to run your recorders preamp at full gain.

TPS085: Auphonic and Loudness Standards with Georg Holzmann

July 24, 2014 by Ray Ortega 28 Comments

Post processing your audio podcast can be a daunting task. Where do you start? What effects do you use? How to adjust the effects once you choose them? These questions and many more like them can easily scare a podcaster away from doing any polishing of their audio podcast file.

But if you’re interested in rounding out your sound to make it better overall and don’t want to learn the tech behind doing it there’s Auphonic.com. On this episode I’m talking with Georg Holtmann, the creator of Auphonic, software for helping you get the best audio possible.

Of course the first step is to record it well. I like to say, you can’t make bad audio good, you can only make it less bad. For that reason you’ll want to make sure you have a decent microphone, a quite recording space and a few other pieces (pop filter, quite preamp, etc.) before you even think about processing your audio. The better the audio, the better the software and processing will work. [Read more…] about TPS085: Auphonic and Loudness Standards with Georg Holzmann

TPS084: USB Power and When Do You Need a Mix-Minus?

June 18, 2014 by Ray Ortega 13 Comments

You’ve decided you want to record Skype interviews or a remote co-host and you’ve heard about using a mix-minus setup. How do you know if this applies to your podcast?

On this episode I talk about how to know when you need a mix-minus as well how I’m using a new piece of gear to power my mobile podcasting rig without plugging into a wall or having to throw away batteries.

There are really only two scenarios where you’ll need to setup a mix-minus for your podcast. The first one is if you want to record Skype and have the person on the other side hear your primary microphone; the mic you are using to record your podcast. In this setup, you need a mix-minus because you have to send the Skype audio back to the person on Skype minus their audio to prevent a feedback loop (hearing their own voice back). The second is if you want to do “live to hard-drive” podcast production. [Read more…] about TPS084: USB Power and When Do You Need a Mix-Minus?

How to Set up a Mix Minus for Recording Skype

March 24, 2014 by Ray Ortega 174 Comments

If you need to setup a mix-minus to record Skype for your podcast, this tutorial will show you the gear* you’ll need and how to connect it all together.

Below is a complete photo walkthrough of the mix-minus setup demonstrated in the video above.

The basic concept of a mix-minus is to input multiple sources of audio into an audio mixer (your microphone, sound cart, phone messages, Skype, etc.) then send that audio back out to Skype, minus (without) the Skype caller’s voice.

This setup is achieved by using an auxiliary output to selectively send certain audio out of the mixer. If you send all the audio that is in the mixer, back to Skype, then the person on the other side will hear a feedback loop of their own voice. So we need to exclude (minus) Skype’s audio (the person’s voice) from going back into Skype.

Depending on your mixer’s manufacture, the auxiliary output may be labeled Aux, FX or Mon Send. They’ll all work as auxiliary outputs in this setup.
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