Mixing Desk: Mackie Digital 8-bus (x2)
The
mixing desks are both Mackie Digital 8-bus (d8b) with a custom flight
case to keep the mobile one safe in transit. It is powerful and is as easy to
use as an analogue desk.
The D8B is organized into four fader "banks" of 24 channels each, which
allows the channel strips to be used for more than one signal channel at
the same time. The channel strip parameters (fader, mute, pan, send
levels, etc.) all "snap" to the currently selected fader bank.
- MIC/LINE - comprised of the 24 analogue microphone/line inputs.
- TAPE IN - comprised of tape / recorder return inputs.
- EFFECTS - comprised of the effect return channels, split between
internal effect returns and 8 external returns.
- MASTERS - comprised of 8 virtual group faders, 8 dedicated MIDI
channels, and 8 sub bus master faders.
Hard Disc Recorder: Mackie HDR24/96
Connecting the HDR24/96 to the Mackie Digital 8 Bus console creates one of
the most powerful, flexible, and affordable production platforms
available. From the d8b I can arm tracks, locate, transport, and
jog/shuttle the HDR24/96.
- 24 Tracks — Recording onto a hard drive, there's no itching
and scratching as you wait for tapes to rewind between takes...in fact,
there's almost no waiting at all!
- 192 Virtual Tracks Each of the HDR24/96's tracks expands to
reveal 8 takes. That's 8 chances to capture your sheer musical brilliance —
or at least something that'll fool most people.
- The machine is upgraded to take 120Gb Ultra DMA IDE internal hard
drives. I can get several hours of full 24-track, 24-bit recording
time at 48kHz. Each session is saved as a Project which can be backed up
for safety whilst the project is ongoing.
Microphones:
I use selected microphones from respected manufactures to give me
excellent performance and flexibility at an affordable price. The
microphone locker includes the following items: -
- Neumann TLM103 - A large diaphragm, cardioid condenser
microphone derived from the famous U87. It's well-balanced performance
and extremely low self-noise make it the microphone of choice for
virtually all recording, broadcast and production applications.
- AKG 414B-XLS-ST (Matched Pair)
- A Matched
stereo pair of reference-quality microphones especially used for
accurate, beautifully-detailed pickup.
- AKG C4000B - A high-quality, large diaphragm recording microphone
with switchable multi-pattern response
- AKG C3000B (2) - A high-quality, large diaphragm recording
microphone with cardioid response.
- AKG C1000B (6) - One of quietest, richest and
dependable small diaphragm mics. Great on Vocals.
- AKG C418PP (4) - A Miniature hypercardioid condenser clip-on
microphone with shock mounted capsule, ideal for miking drums and
percussion in hardwire applications.
- Audio Technica 4050 - Warm, transparent sound and
super-high SPL capability. Three switchable polar patterns (omni,
cardioid, and figure-of-8), extended frequency response, excellent
transient response and low distortion. Ideal for live sound
productions with vocals, piano, strings, drum overheads, guitar amps,
and more.
- Audio Technica 4040 (2) - A condenser design for professional
recording and critical applications in broadcast and live sound. It has
a large diaphragm tensioned specifically to provide smooth, natural
sonic characteristics.
- Audio Technica 4033a (2) - A Cardioid-pattern condenser
microphone with a back-electr
et element.
- Audio Technica AT815R - Condenser rifle microphone - Line +
gradient.
- Oktava MK 012 (Matched Pair)
-
Multi-Capsule, small diaphragm condenser microphone: omni, cardioid, hypercardioid
pattern - made
in Russia!
- Studio Projects LSD2 - Stereo Microphone. Each
capsule can be pattern-switched giving great flexibility. Applications
include: XY - Coincident Cardioids, Mid-Side Method, Stereosonic
Technique (Blumlein), Overhead Main Mic, Drums, Vocal & Voice-Over.
- Coles 4104 Lip Mic - This classic
Commentator's Noise Cancelling Ribbon Microphone is of BBC design and
used for reproducing high quality commentary speech from noisy
surroundings by cancelling out a considerable degree of background
noise.
- AKG D112 (2) - Industry Standard Bass / kick Drum mic
- SHURE MX393C PZM (2) - Cardioid, low profile PZM mics for when
"unobtrusive" is important.
- SHURE 55SH - Retro-style vocal mic
- SHURE SM57 (6) - Industry Standard workhorse instrument /
vocal mic
- SHURE SM58 (4) - Industry Standard workhorse vocal mic
- T-Bone EM9900 (2) - condenser shotgun
microphone.
These can all be mounted on sturdy stands as required. My Decca tree
is used for recording ensembles (see
right).
Outboard Equipment
The outboard equipment includes the following items together with units
to smooth the mains power and protect from surges.
- Focusrite Octopre - 8 channels of quality pre-amplification.
- Focusrite Platinum Trackmaster - Single channel mic / line
preamplifier
- Lexicon MPX1 - Digital FX
- Lexicon MPX500 (3) -Digital FX
- Lexicon MPX 100 - Digital FX
- Line 6 POD XT Pro - Guitar Recording Preamp
- Line 6 Bass POD XT Pro - Bass Recording Preamp
- Behringer HA8000 Powerplay PRO-8 - 8 output Headphone
Amplifier with 2 full and individual channel inputs.
- Behringer DI 4000 - 4 channel Active DI Box to capture signals
from electronic
keyboards, bass guitars etc
- T.RACKS SPLIT IT (2)
-
4 channel Microphone Splitter Box. This will split the output from
8 stage
microphones with one feed going directly to your PA and a completely independent,
parallel feed to my recording rig.
Monitoring
On location I usually monitor using small JBL speakers or headphones. For
mixdown, I have more accurate Mackie monitors.
- Mackie HR824 - High Resolution Powered Monitors - found in
countless professional studios due to its clarity, broad stereo imaging,
ruler-flat response, and extended low-frequency range versus other
studio monitors.
- Samson Servo 170 (3) - Monitor Amps
- Spirit Absolute 2 - Studio Monitor Speakers
- JBL Control1 - Small Monitors for location use
- Sennheiser HD 580 - Audiophile quality open dynamic
professional stereo headphone. The advanced diaphragm design eliminates
standing waves in the diaphragm material. The ideal choice for the
professional recording engineer recording classical music.
- Beyerdynamic DT250 - Studio Monitoring Headphones - Stylish,
closed dynamic design offering excellent ambient noise isolation and a
linear response designed for reference monitoring. Suitable for all
kinds of professional environments where size, comfort and performance
are primary requirements.
- Beyerdynamic DT100 (4) - Studio Headphones - widely used in
audio recording and monitoring applications in studios worldwide. Can be
worn for hours without listener fatigue. The soft ear cushions
effectively seal out ambient noise yet apply minimal pressure against
the ear.
Mastering / Duplicating equipment
The following items are part of what I use to capture, transfer or
duplicate recordings.
- Tascam DA-20
- DAT Recorder
- Tascam 202 Mk III - Twin Cassette Deck
- Tascam CD-RW700 - CD-RW Recorder
- Tascam MD-350 - - Minidisc Recorder
- Tascam MD-301 - Minidisc Recorder
- Music PC - Custom P4 PC with 2GB Ram, 40GB & 80GB
+2x120Gb SATA HD.
- SW1000XG & Delta 1010 Sound Cards
- Wavelab v6, Cubase 4, Photoscore Pro, Finale 2007,
and Smartscore Software.
- Waves Broadcast & Production Plug-in pack.
- Phillips CD / DVD writer
- Phillips DCC 951 (2) - Digital Compact Cassette (DCC) Recorder
- Revox B77 reel-to-reel Stereo Tape Recorder. 1/4" stereo
tape running at 7.5 or 15 "/sec.
- Dual C505-MkII - Record turntable With Nagaoka MP11
Stylus.
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