tech dude

M123 Recording Tech Tip

Condense this!

Condenser microphones are at the heart of nearly every studio, and rarely is a record made without one. The good ones are highly sensitive and also very accurate, and that is why condenser mics are such a staple. They help recordists capture sounds with an extended, precise response not found in most dynamic microphones. The heart of the condenser mic is its diaphragm: an extremely thin piece of either Mylar, plastic, or metal (and sometimes Mylar-coated plastic or metal) that is suspended in front of a metal plate called a back plate. When you hit the diaphragm and the back plate with voltage it creates a charge in the space between them. When a sound wave (air movement) hits the diaphragm, it moves into the charged field generating a fluctuation in voltage that is picked up and amplified by the internal preamp of the microphone. This internal preamp is why all condenser microphones require some form of power, usually from phantom power, but sometimes from an onboard battery. While condenser mics were traditionally expensive and used almost exclusively in pro studio settings, the last decade has seen a large selection of condenser microphones hit the market at prices well within the reach of most home studio owners.

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M123 Guitar Tech Tip

Remember the lights!

D'oh! In a previous Tech Dude, we gave you a short list of tools you should take to a gig. But the ol' Tech Dude slipped and forgot to remind you to include a flashlight in your tool kit! So this week, we have the amended list of non-musical essentials for playing music. Along with the Phillips screwdriver, peg winder, string cutters, extra strings, extra cables, fuses, alligator clips, spare batteries, and spare tubes, you should definitely include a small flashlight with spare batteries. The front of house (sound) guys are the only persons who seem to remember to bring them, and they usually don't like loaning theirs out because they're busy using them. And even well-lit stages can have areas of relative darkness due to shadows and low ambient light. So a flashlight is a necessity at your gigs. Get one.

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M123 Stringed Instrument Tech Tip

Is it time to change your strings?

How long will new strings sound good on my instrument? That's a question that depends entirely on the instrument, the quality of the strings, the level of musical skill you have, as well as how hard, how much, and how often you play. Because it's difficult for me to remember when new strings should go on one of my instruments, I always save one of the string packets and write the date on it and stick it in the case. That way, if I wonder if my strings are sounding "flat" or if it is time for a change, I can just check the date and make the decision based on that. Simple but effective.

Get all your instruments strings at Music123 where you'll find the largest selection, the best prices, and the strongest guarantees on the internet.

M123 Bass Guitar Tech Tip

Perfecting practice

Carving out time for bass guitar practice is hard for everyone, even professionals. So before you sit down to start practicing, take a minute and think about your schedule, and keep this tip in mind: it's better to practice a little every day than a lot just once a week. Practicing for 10 to 15 minutes every day will speed your progress more than playing all day once a week.

Get all your bass guitar needs met at Music123, where you'll find the widest selection, the hottest deals, and the strongest guarantees on the internet.

M2123 Recording Tech Tip

Condenser microphones: tube versus solid state

You will face a lot of choices picking out a condenser microphone, but one of the biggest will be whether you buy a tube or solid state mic. The terms refer to the internal amplification circuitry of the microphone. Some condenser microphones use transistors (solid state) and others use vacuum tubes to amplify the signal from the diaphragm. While ruggedness and reliability are factors (solid state mics are thought to be a little more durable, but still have a fragile diaphragm) this is mainly a sonic decision. Tube condenser mics have a reputation for warm, natural sound with a soft high end. Condenser microphones with solid state circuitry are known for their transparency and airy sound. If they have the cash, people will often choose to have at least one of each in their arsenal to cover both preferences.

Get all your pro audio microphone needs met at Music123 where you'll find the largest selection, the hottest deals, and the strongest guarantees on the internet.

M123 Songwriting Tech Tip

Increase your chances of success as a songwriter

Having great songwriting chops and sensibilities is what separates the one-hit wonders from the masters like Lennon and McCartney. There's no better way to make sure your songwriting abilities match the big boys than by learning from the best. Thankfully, this is one course of study you can enroll in for free. All you need are your best friends, the radio, or your favorite online music site. Dial in your favorite station or internet song stream and pay attention to what the songs you like have in common. Take notes even. Pay attention to the lyrics, the structure, the chords the songwriters use and how they use them, and anything else that catches your ear. You'll soon notice that you're able to call up more ideas per songwriting session.

Get everything you need for your songwriting at Music123 where you'll find the best selection of music gear at the hottest prices covered by the strongest guarantee on the internet.

M123 Recording Tech Tip

Control your highs

In a couple of previous Tech Dudes we talked about using bass traps to control the low-end in your studio space, but what about controlling the midrange and high frequencies? Thankfully, this is easier. All you need are some specialized sound control panels from Auralex or Primacoustic acoustic treatments that have foam insulation on one side. Start out by putting a pair of acoustic panels up on the wall across from your studio monitors. Another effective spot is to suspend a couple of acoustic panels above and just in front of your monitor speakers, angled towards the sweet spot.

Get all your recording studio needs met at Music123 where you'll find the widest selection, the hottest deals, and the strongest guarantees on the internet.

M123 Guitar Tech Tip

Get your guitar playing up to speed

Here's an exercise to help your guitar finger speed. You can do it every time you pick up your guitar, just to get your fingers loosened up. This is a chromatic scale in A, but you can do it in any key you like. The "^" symbol indicates where to slide your finger up or down the guitar string.

Start by going up chromatically:

E: --------------------------------------------------1-2-3-4^5
B: ---------------------------------------2-3-4-5
G: -----------------------------2-3-4-5
D: -------------------3-4-5-6
A: ---------4-5-6-7
E: 5-6-7-8

Then go back down:

E: 5-4-3-2
B: ----------6-5-4-3
G: --------------------6-5-4-3
D: ------------------------------7-6-5-4
A: ----------------------------------------8-7-6-5
E: -------------------------------------------------- 9-8-7-6^5

Go slowly at first, then gradually speed up. Crank up the metronome and get cooking!

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