Embrace the Sound
Software
PRO TOOLS
Pro Tools is a digital audio workstation (DAW) developed and released by Avid Technology, compatible with Microsoft Windows and macOS. The software is used for music creation and production, sound for picture (sound design, audio post-production and mixing), as well as for sound recording, editing, and mastering processes.
Pro Tools allows to import and record audio tracks. Pro Tools sessions provide several types of tracks: Audio, Auxiliary Input, Master Fader, VCA Master, MIDI, Instrument and Video.
The Edit Window allows the user to edit and arrange audio, video and MIDI. Some examples of editing are: capture, separate, cut, copy, paste, trim and rearrange clips; add fades and crossfades; transpose and modify MIDI tracks; automation editing; insert real-time plug-ins.
Mixing in Pro Tools involves working with elements of audio signal flow, including inputs, outputs, busses, inserts, and sends, for purposes of submixing and mixdown.
Plug-ins are inserts, audio-processing tools, that allow changing the sound of the original file. Some examples are: EQ, compressor, delay, dynamics, pitch shift, reverb, modulation, harmonic, noise reduction, dither, sound field, instrument.
iZotope RX 8 plugin
RX 8 is one of the iZotope audio repair and restoration plugin. It includes: music rebalance, loudness control, voice and spectral de-noise, breath control, de-plosive, de-clip, de-click, de-hum, spectral De-esser, mouth de-click and more.
Other features offered:
• Batch Processing
Allows to load several files from the device, apply entire Module chains to the batch and export in multiple file formats and bit depths to as many locations needed.
• Spectral Recovery
It improves the audio quality of real-time streaming (e.g., remote meetings, podcast interviews and video calls) by restoring frequencies above 4k that are removed as the audio is compressed for streaming. It is possible to identify these frequencies in RX’s spectrogram, which allows to click and drag the module for more precise edits.
• Module Chain
Thanks to this feature, it is possible to load and save custom processing chains to be able to repeatedly apply the same modules with the same or similar settings in sequence.
Equipment
ZOOM H2N
The Zoom H2n is a surround sound handy recorder. It can record audio in two different basic file types: WAV and MP3, directly to SD cards.
It provides five built-in microphones and has four recording modes:
• Mid-side (MS) stereo mode
The three microphones are positioned on top of one other, allowing to use the mid microphone to capture the sound source from directly ahead and the bidirectional side microphone to capture the sound source from left and right. In addition, it is possible to adjust the stereo width level of the microphones both during the recording and after the sound has been recorded.
• XY stereo mode
The X/Y unidirectional microphones are set at a 90-degree angle, allowing to record in a stereo mode. This mode is ideal for capturing several live stereo recordings, involving field recordings, solo performances, and live recordings.
• 2ch and 4ch surround modes
The signals from the X/Y and MS side microphones can be mixed to create 2- or 4-channel surround sound recording.
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2-channel surround sound: combines the signals from the XY and MS microphones.
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4-channel surround sound: captures the sound source signal using the two microphones separately.
SHOTGUN MICROPHONE
Shotgun microphones are unidirectional microphones. Thanks to their narrow pickup pattern, they allow highly accurate recordings: if pointed directly to the sound source, it is possible to pick up the target sound from the front and reject unwanted off-axis sounds.
The polar pattern determines the sensitivity of the microphone to sounds coming from different directions. Shotgun microphones can be divided into three categories, depending on their polar patterns:
• Supercardioid
Characterised by a narrow pickup pattern and it is sensitive right in front of the diaphragm and sounds off-axis are rejected. However, they do pick some noise coming from the rear of the microphone. They are usually mounted on top of cameras or used on boom poles and used for reality television, scripted content.
• Hypercardioid
Characterised by a narrower pickup pattern and an extended rear pickup in respect to the supercardioid pattern, allowing a more direct focus on the sound source and get better isolation of the audio. They are usually used for documentary and instrument recordings.
• Ultracardioid
Characterised by the narrowest pickup pattern possible. They are the most directional thanks to the front-focused pattern. They are rarely used on boom poles since it is highly likely for the sound source to go off-axis after the slightest movement.
ZOOM H1N
The H1n is a handy recorder, that provides Built-in stereo condenser microphones in 90Ëš-degree X/Y stereo format. It records directly to SD and SDHC cards and supports up to 24-bit/96 kHz audio in BWF-compliant WAV or a variety of MP3 formats.
It includes an LCD display and one-touch button controls that eases the navigation within the menu and the use of the microphone. The H1n Zoom is provided with a limiter, that allows to record distortion-free signals up to 120dB SPL and a low-cut filter that contributes eliminate pops and unwanted low frequency rumble. In addition, the microphone offers the ability to control the playback speed of the recordings as well as to add several layers of sounds thanks to its overdub function
In addition, the microphone can be set to auto-record or pre-record modes.
SHURE SM7B
Shure SM7B is a dynamic microphone, offering a wide-range frequency response (50 to 20.000 Hz) and includes a cardioid polar patter.
It is optimum for several audio application, including location recordings, narration, radio production and instrumental and vocal recordings.
The microphone is equipped to minimise audio clipping and signal distortion from loud outputs. The shielding and the bass rolloff setting function to combat low-frequency electromagnetic humming generated by electronic device. In addition, it features a detachable windscreen that protects from potential plosive breath noise in close-talk applications.
Thanks to its directional polar pattern, the microphone allows clear and accurate recordings since it is extremely sensitive to sounds coming from directly in front of it. Consequently, it has no sensitivity to sounds coming from behind, and a reduced sensitivity to sounds coming from the sides.
TASCAM DR05X
Tascam DR05x is a handy stereo recorder that includes two omni-directional microphones supporting sound pressure level up to 125 dB SPL.
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The microphone offers several advantageous features, including:
• 3 options of Automatic Level Control
• Variable Speed Audition
• Level Align
Peak Reduction, Auto Level, Limiter.
These features allow preventing distortion since automatically set the recording levels by detecting the input level and adjust the settings accordingly.
This function, that can be used to loop or slow down sounds, keeping the pitch unchanged.
Thanks to this option, it is possible to smooth volume and adjust potential volume jumps.
PIEZO CONTACT MICROPHONE
It is a microphone that is not sensitive to air vibration but it does perceive audio vibrations through the contact with solid objects.
All piezoelectric microphones require a crystalline material in which the ions of the crystal are displaced in an asymmetrical way when the crystal is strained. The linearity varies depending on the material that is used, and from sample to sample.
• Rochelle salt crystal coupled to a diaphragm
It was used in the original types of crystal microphones, to ensure very high output levels (of the order of 100 mV), with very high output impedance and very poor linearity. However, Rochelle salt was not used for long because it changed to an inactive form when kept at high temperatures and humidity.
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• Synthetic piezoelectric transducers
They are used nowadays. An example of synthetic material used is barium titanate for frequencies up to several hundred kHz.
The sensitivity of modern piezoelectric materials to vibration is such that the impact of the sound wave on the crystal alone is enough to provide an adequate output. Most microphones of this type are made as pressure-operated types because one side of the crystal is normally used for securing the assembly to its casing.
These microphones have a high impedance level, which can result disadvantageous, in terms of hum capture and problems of the loading and filtering effect of the microphone cable.
Those issues can be avoided if the microphone is used for studio purposes, as they can be coupled directly to a preamplifier providing a low impedance output at the same high voltage level as is provided by the piezoelectric transducer. Also, if the preamplifier operating voltage is supplied from a built-in battery, the problems of running supply cables along with signal cables can be eliminated.