Podcast: Episode 15

Introduction

Hey, this is Ronan Fitzgerald, from light audio recording dot com, the only dedicated resource for compact and affordable audio recording solutions. I know we’re a month in now, but still, happy new year.

How’re’ya?

This is episode 15 of the light audio recording podcast. And of course, NAMM was just a couple of weeks ago. So, this episode will be covering some of the cool stuff from there. I think it was a good year for light audio recording.

Hopefully, you’ll feel inspired to plug in and make some music this weekend.

Item one

Best known for speakers and turntables, Mackie announced their first foray into the world of microphones.

And, for some reason, I was surprised they kept the prices relatively light. The following prices are in US dollars.

The EM eighty nine D is a dynamic mic, for sixty nine ninety nine. The EM ninety one C is a large diaphragm condenser mic, that costs seventy nine ninety nine. Finally, the EM USB also looks like a large diaphragm condenser mic, but with a USB connection, for one hundred and forty nine ninety nine.

Obviously, my favourite is the traditional large diaphragm condenser, the EM ninety one C. It comes with a shock mount and a cable.

They’re such basic mics at such affordable prices, I feel like Mackie are testing the waters.

I think they want to see if their brand name is strong enough to carry them competitively in a market where plenty of other companies are doing perfectly well.

Item two

Several light audio interfaces were announced at NAMM, but I had two favorites that stood out.

Firstly, best known for making proper full beasties that cost many thousands of dollars, SSL have released a couple of tiny baby audio interfaces.

For two hundred and twenty nine dollars and ninety nine cents the SSL two is two in, two out. An extra fifty dollars will get you four out and MIDI capabilities.

They really do look like super small versions of their mixing desks. I like that they have a metered level right on them, rather than having to rely on software.

Then, I like the look of the EVO four by Audient. It’s also a two in, and one of the top things it shouts about is its ultra-low latency.

It’s an interesting, futuristic looking box, that’s for sure.

Sadly, there’s no clarification on whether these will work with ChromeOS, or Android.

Item three

I noted a while ago that guitar amps in pedals are very on-trend right now. So, of course NAMM had some.

For a light budget, the Orange Terror Stamp seems a win. It’s so-named because it’s essentially an even smaller version of the Tiny Terror range.

To keep this compact and affordable, it’s a hybrid amp, with an ECC three based preamp, and a solid state power amp.

It has two volume knobs. One will be your passive standard, then the second is most likely to be set at a higher volume for solos. That’s what the single footswitch controls.

Instead of a full EQ, it has a shape knob, which sounds like it has a similar function to the tone knob on other amps and pedals.

It has a built-in cab emulator, and the gain knob sounds like it does everything from crunchy blues to squealing metal.

It’s an exciting box!

Item four

Finally, NAMM is of course known for the unveiling of loads of guitars. Obviously the big brands were there. Fender showed off some really weird stuff. Gibson announced a Slash signature line. And Epiphone brought their ‘Inspired by Gibson’ collection.

But, whatever, New York guitar company and friends of Light Audio Recording, D’Angelico were there with a slew of new toys.

Of particular interest to light audio recordists is their Mini DC. It’s essentially a smaller version of their longstanding DC model, which is your classic semi-hollow archtop with f-holes and a couple of humbuckers.

The warmth of such guitars sits nicely in the big fat guitar sound we like to make on a budget. The Mini DC is in the Excel range, but there’s also one in the affordable Premier range for seven hundred and ninety nine dollars.

From the demos online, it looks like a great instrument.

Wrap up

And that is all I have for you this month. Thank you for listening.

If you haven’t already, please subscribe to the light audio recording blog at light audio recording dot com, where you can follow the exploration of recording music in an affordable and compact way.

You’ll also find light audio recording on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Linkedin, and Spotify.

I’m Ronan Fitzgerald, this was episode 15. And I’ll catch up with you on the last Thursday of February.