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NEW TOYS
AKG D12 VR Dynamic Microphone
During the 1950s and ‘60s, the original AKG D12
was a popular announcer’s mic for radio and later television
broadcast studios all over the world—almost
a standard. So it was probably a fortuitous accident
that a recording engineer first tried it on a
kick drum.
AKG’s newly designed D12 VR large-diaphragm
cardioid microphone is intended specifically
for kick drum recording. It is unique; it has
three alternative operating modes (sounds) by
way of a switchable active analog filter built into the
microphone’s body. In standard dynamic microphone mode
(without phantom powering) the original output transformer
from the AKG 414 condenser microphone is in circuit and the
electronics are bypassed and do not affect the sound or the
mic’s operation. This is the best example of a vintage AKG
D12 dynamic microphone and the mic’s thin, low mass diaphragm
does a good job of capturing the loud transient, attack of
the pedal beater hitting any kick drum.
With phantom power on, having three other built-in response curves
instantly makes the process of getting just the right bass drum sound faster,
with less additional signal processing and with a lot less hassle. Four
different sounds open up the mic’s use for many more applications—I’ve
already gotten great results up close to bass guitar amps, toms and loud
singers/rappers. The mic is rugged and I like the three, lighted filter switch
positions (red, green, blue) my assistant switches through while I listen
and enjoy in the control room.
I’m getting back into using dynamic microphones more and more nowadays—especially
around super loud sources and the AKG D12 VR greatly
expands the range of possible by way one of the best new mircophone
ideas I’ve seen in a long time. The AKG D12 VR sells for $499 MSRP.
For more information about AKG, visit http://akg.com.
Sony Creative SpectraLayers Pro
SpectraLayers Pro is an audio editing software system that operates
directly on the waveform spectra using a large palette of graphic/
image-style editing tools familiar to anyone who has used Adobe
Photoshop. Separating components of a mixed stereo audio track (such
as a finished
music CD mix)
into any number
of separate layers
for independent
processing, mixing
and then
reintegration, it is
now possible to
achieve results
impossible with
any other DAW
system.
SpectraLayers
Pro displays
recorded stereo
audio files by representing them in three dimensions: time expiry horizontally
on the X-axis, frequency range vertically on the Y-axis and level,
relative to other frequencies occurring at the same time is represented
by brightness. Harmonic-rich and complex stereo music is easily seen
as a vivid and colorful image instantly.
Super precise audio restoration using SpectraLayers Pro editing
allows the removal of unwanted noises, leaving the desired audio unaffected.
You can separate music and dialog (or vocal performances) into
individual component layers and repurpose the dialog or use only the
music. All manner of processing is possible such as performing pitch
correction or remixing the levels of the separated layers is possible as if
using Photoshop to adjust the opacity or color balance of various layers
of a high resolution image collage.
SpectraLayers has many intelligent tools to help you extract audio into
layers by selecting an area, frequency range and/or by a user-defined
harmonic series. The modification tools allow you to: amplify, clone or
erase parts or all of edited sections of any layer including the original
source layer.
SpectraLayers Pro is for audio restoration, mastering, remixing/sound
design, analysis and audio forensics tasks and is 32-bit 96kHz capable.
In addition, it provides seamless file transfer to Sound Forge Pro and
other audio editing programs such as Pro Tools.
For MAC and PCs, SpectraLayers Pro is $399. Download it at http://
sonycreativesoftware.com.
—BARRY RUDOLPH barry@barryrudolph.com
Etymotic Music•PRO Electronic Earplugs
The new MP-9-15 Etymotic Electronic Earplugs are like a “volume
control for the world” for musicians, stage hands, music instructors—any
one who uses their ears and wants to protect them when working in loud
sound environments. The MP-9-15 electronic earplugs reduce sound level
by as much as 15dB SPL without greatly altering frequency balance like
regular earplugs. The MPs provide a way to have natural hearing until
sound exceeds safe levels. Called wide-dynamic-range adaptive
compression, their operation is automatic
with nothing for the wearer to do but insert them
in their ears and enjoy the concert.
Each of the MP-9-15 earplugs uses
a balanced armature driver (miniature
speaker similar to in-ear monitors), a
sensitive microphone and Etymotic’s
proprietary K•AMP® signal processing to
automatically and quickly change the sound
level delivered to your ears.
In the 15dB mode, the MP’s pass sound like an
open ear until the external sound level crosses the
70dB SPL threshold and they begin a gradual reduction
until it reaches 100dB. Also handled are any loud and sudden
impact noises such as cymbal crashes that occur at any time.
The 9dB mode boost all sound up to 85dB SPL but, starting at 70dB, the
dynamic attenuation curve and overall operation is the same except 9dB
less reduction overall.
I received a pair for review and immediately liked that they do not
require custom ear molds and come with a complete assortment of reusable
foam, Glider, and three-flange ear tips, a cleaning kit, extra batteries
and complete instructions.
With MPs properly inserted and set to the 15dB position, it was amazing!
A 100dB + SPL mix in my studio sounded great—full stereo with
good stereo imaging and frequency balance—my speakers were throbbing
loud but with the MP-9-15s inserted it was just a loud playback!
Amazing to me was when I stopped playback I could hear the traffic
noise from the street “fade up” into my ears and if people were talking, I
would have been able to converse in a normal voice. 9dB mode works the
same except everything is louder and better for musicians or older people
with a threshold shift in their hearing.
Now part of my kit in the recording studio for adjusting/changing microphones
around loud drum kits or guitar amps while the musicians continue
to play, Etymotic Music•Pro Electronic Earplugs sell for $399 MSRP.
Check out http://etymotic.com or call 888-389-6684.
Drum Workshop Collector’s Series
Aluminum Snare Drum
The Drum Workshop Collector’s Series® thin-shell snare drums add
two new aluminum drums to its existing line made popular with the
black-nickel over brass, titanium and stainless steel thin shell snare
drums. Both the 5.5x14-inch and 6.5x14-inch aluminum drums feature a
thin, 1-mm rolled shell and is said to have a warmer sound than a brass
drum, but with just enough metallic sound to cut well.
The thin aluminum shell is finished with a matte gray powder coat and
has rolled bearing edges and snare beds. You get DW’s Custom Shop
treatment with chrome hardware, a MAG throw-off system with 3P
(3 position) butt-plate, True Tone snare wires, True Pitch stainless
steel tension rods, 3-mm steel True Hoops and DW Heads by Remo®
USA.
Retail price for the 5.5x14-inch is $661.99 and the 6.5x14-inch goes
for $692.99. I can’t wait to record one of these in the studio. Visit http://
dwdrums.com.
10 January 2013 www.musicconnection.com