Record me Right
Remember the days when things are simpler in a way we thought they were. Just like having a smaller population in the city, bus companies and the number of vehicles are so small that does not affect the traffic that much. In the quiet zone corner of the city are the recording studios, sometimes you will never notice that a recording is on going until you read the sign. These studios are bigger that can accommodate a whole symphony orchestra, audio consoles are huge and sometimes the knobs are big. At this point digital recording are still on their infancy, engineers are still researching and finding a better way to reduce the size and better media to save the hours of recording.
Bigger versus smaller
Let’s start with audio console, the evolution of the console itself can be clearly seen from a huge analog long console with physical channels and options that you need are readily available compare to digital console that are simpler interface but indirect access to the options that you need.
Analog audio consoles has all the knobs, starting from trim / gain up to the pan and a long throw fader (sometimes hundreds of knobs, overwhelming right?). Routing is easy as it get, right there everything is labeled and easy to operate with a turn of a knob if sending a signal to the chain and cables can be seen physically and traceable by holding it and follow where it goes.
Digital audio consoles has all the DNA of the old console but in a cleaner and lesser knobs to deal with but the only downside is you have to go pages by pressing the buttons. You have to familiarize yourself with the board for at least 30 minutes to an hour for you to learn all the important features that you need to know then learn the rest once you have the time.
No matter what type of Audio console you are using as long as your ears pleased you. Majority of the industry are using digital audio console because they are convenient and cost effective. If size is the main factor to fit in 64 channels in a medium format board that can accommodate up to 128 channels plus an onboard Digital signal processors and other great features to add on, then go for a Digital audio console. You can’t go wrong if you buy a products from a leading manufacturer of these boards such as Avid Venue S6L, Digico SD7T, and Yamaha QL or PM5D to name a few.
“No matter what type of Audio console you are using as long as your ears pleases you.”
Signal processor
Signal processors using the analog audio console without the built in DSP or Digital Signal Processor are routed by using leads or cables such as XLR or 1/4″ jack. Usually routed thru auxiliaries or sometimes inserts, depending which signal processor you are using. Some of the older processors are using tubes. They are responsive but sensitive and they sounded warm and round, but in most cases these processors are big and taking so much space of your studio rack or your sound booth. Maintenance can be expensive too.
Signal processor using digital audio console, in most cases if not all are built in with the console itself. Routing can be confusing if you are not familiar with the board that you are using, again use your spare time to learn this stuff. There are so much options that you can do with the digital console’s signal chain just by pressing the buttons. Over the past years, most of the software companies that develope digital signal processors are doing a great job to make the algorithm so precise that simulates the sound of an analog or tube processors and sometimes even better.
Simplicity or Complexity
Simplicity of operation is always the best. As they always say, one must find the easiest way to do things than making it difficult for the rest. Operating your chosen gear can be a pain but rewarding or can be simply pressing a button to do the rest for you. Just like what Focusrite iTrack pocket did, it’s a portable recorder for audio and video at the same time by using your iPhone. Now a days a lot of artists are promoting their new materials on YouTube, one of the convenient and practical way of doing it is by using the itrack pocket by Focusrite. Nothing can be simpler that this, just connect your iPhone then open your impact app and hit record. There are few options that you can do with your Impact app, you can change the mic settings, insert an instrument cable, choose an amp and other features to choose from a pocket size interface that only weight and size of Height 43mm / Width 124mm / Depth 40mm / Weight 0.1kg These figures are nothing compare to the other interface of this price range.
Complexity, non will be complex when things are done right specially from the very beginning. As I said operating a gear can be a pain but rewarding if done properly. Most of the gears these days follow the rule of thumb and that is ease of use for the consumers, the easier the better. At this time everything goes fast, time are getting shorter and shorter as clients will try to save financially in every ways. Time is money for everyone, so the faster you can do your job and accommodate what is being asked by the client, artist or your supervisor has to be done accordingly in a timely manner. Specially since a lot of sound reinforcements already upgraded their system to digital, a plug and play system that still requires knowledge but less supervision to set up. Everybody thought it’s simple but it’s not. You are still going to do the old fashion way of tuning the room no matter what, with the assistance of using a processor that helps you correct your room sound. That only minimize the time, you will still be using your ears to obtain the best quality.
iTrack Pocket by Focusrite
Click photo for details
“One must find the easiest way to do things than making it difficult for the rest.”
One thing that I learned from this job, its is not about who is wrong or which is right. It can be dealing with your client, using the gear or just by doing your job.. It is all about preference, sounding right to you and mine but maybe not with others. Respect what’s yours and his, at the end of the day you will all be working together anyway so why bother wasting your time with things that aren’t productive. Why not be proactive
Sample videos from YouTube for Focusrite iTrack pocket
Mackenzie Johnson Sound of a Million views
John Viavattine Test with focusrite pocket
https://videos.files.wordpress.com/TdRhHziN/focusrite-itrack-pocket-recording-music-for-youtube-full-compass_hd.mp4#t=8,169