Technical
ABOUT OUR “BATTLE OF THE BRANDS” TEST
OUR PHILOSOPHY
We wanted to make this test as fair as possible. We used affordable instruments & equipment that is readily available and won’t break the bank. Our test is also easily replicated, so we encourage you to try it yourself.
MIC PLACEMENT
To ensure a consistent and accurate test, the microphones were always positioned on the same audio plane. The angle and distance between each microphone & our sound source was carefully measured to be consistent, uniform and accurate to within 1-inch.
RECORDING THE VOICE (All Studio Mic’s)
When we recorded the vocals, each microphone was placed vertically, directly in front of the singer at a distance of 3-inches. A “Musician’s Gear” pop screen ($14) was placed 1-inch in front of the capsule.
RECORDING THE VOICE (All Handheld Dynamic Mic’s)
When we recorded the vocals, each microphone was held directly in front of the singer at a distance of 2-inches. An Avalon V5 Preamp was used for the recordings and a Waves R-Compressor & R-Verb was used to create the MP3.
RECORDING THE ACOUSTIC GUITAR
When we recorded the Acoustic Guitar, each microphone was placed vertically, directly in front of the instrument at a distance of 16-inches from the 12th fret and 32-inches above the floor.
RECORDING THE ELECTRIC GUITAR
When we recorded the Electric Guitar, each microphone was placed in front of the amplifier, against the grille cloth at a 45º angle and 8-inches above the floor.
RECORDING THE CYMBALS AND HI HAT
When we recorded the Cymbals & Hi-Hat, each microphone was placed 8” above the cymbal at a 45º angle.
RECORDING THE SNARE DRUM
When we recorded the Snare Drum, each microphone was placed 3” above the drum, at a 45º angle, 3” in from the rim.
RECORDING THE JAZZ DRUM KIT
The Jazz Drum Kit was recorded entirely with ECM-87 Microphones. No EQ. No Compression.
RECORDING THE ROCK/FUSION DRUM KIT
The Rock/Fusion Drum Kit was recorded as follows:
Kick: ECM-87 with a 15db in-line pad.
Snare: ECM-57 (to be released in November 2013).
Toms: ECM-56 (to be released in November 2013).
Hat & Ride: ECM-84 with HPF on.
Overheads: ECM47 (pair).
No EQ. No Compression.
CABLES
Each microphone was connected to a 10-foot “Live Wire” microphone cable ($10)
PRE AMP
For the ECM87 & ECM47 & ECM84, the cable was connected directly to an ART Tube MP Preamp ($29).
The input gain settings for the microphones were of course, identical.
To view the ART Tube MP Preamp settings, please click here.
For the ECM58, the cable was connected directly to a Mackie 1602.
The input gain settings for the microphones were of course, identical.
RECORDER
Recording of the source material was done using Avid Pro-Tools software.
NORMALIZING OF AUDIO
Each audio file has been normalized for consistency in sound level.
PROCESSING
Unless otherwise noted...
No Compression. No Limiting. No EQ. No Filters. No Tricks.
What you hear is what you get.
FILE FORMAT
All streaming audio files are QuickTime 128k or 160k MP3’s.
You may also download each file via the QuickTime Player.
INSTRUMENTS
Yamaha FG-411 Steel String Acoustic Guitar ($299)
Yamaha CG-101 Nylon Acoustic Guitar ($199)
Live Wire Microphone Cable ($10)
Musicians Gear Pop Screen ($14)
ART Tube MP Microphone Preamp ($29)
Yamaha C3 (6-foot Conservatory Grand) ($15k)
Gretsch Duo Jet into a 1962 Fender (5F1) Champ Amplifier (Volume 6.5, Input #2)
K Zildjian 20” Custom Dark Ride
K Zildjian 17” Custom Dark Crash
Avedis Zildjian 14” New Beat Hi-Hats
Tama 14” Rockstar Snare
Gretsch Catalina Jazz Kit
Gretsch Catalina Rock/Fusion Kit
SPECIFICATIONS
For technical specifications, please click here.
CREDITS
Nate Highfield (Male Vocalist) www.myspace.com/thegoodcheer
Canela Cox (Female Vocalist) www.myspace.com/canelacox
Michael Heart (Acoustic Guitar) www.myspace.com/michaelheartmusic
California Girl (Jordan Carris) www.myspace.com/hollowrock
Aimee Proal (Female Vocalist)
Voice Over (Mel Meyers)