April 1, 2011

Feature

‘Game of Thrones’

Apr 1, 2011 9:00 AM, By Blair Jackson

Game of ThronesHBO’s new 10-part series, Game of Thrones (starting April 17), is based on a best-selling series of American writer George R.R. Martin epic fantasy novels called A Song of Ice and Fire, of which A Game of Thrones is the first book. Four gargantuan tomes have been published since 1996, with three more promised, plus there are also prequels and many tangential products (games and such) already out there or to come. …

Product Reviews

SE Electronics Voodoo VR1, VR2 Ribbon Microphones Review

Apr 1, 2011 9:00 AM, By Kevin Becka

don’t hide the fact that I’m a ribbon mic-aholic. The category is rich with manufacturers producing a range of mics—both active and passive—that are all sonically diverse and innovative. One of the later entries into this market is SE Electronics. Based out of Shanghai, China, SE announced a partnership with Rupert Neve Designs in 2008 and soon after released its first active ribbon, the RNR1….

Sound Devices USBPre 2 Review

Apr 1, 2011 9:00 AM, By Brandon Hickey

About 10 years ago, Sound Devices released the USBPre. It offered a multitude of I/O options and clean mic/line gain. The sequel, USBPre 2, is as new and improved as you’d expect, but sells itself short in its name. It’s more than a USB mic preamp, offering some of the most flexible I/O options you’ll find on an interface this size. It’s also built like a tank and is the perfect back-pocket tool to bring to any gig. …

Antelope Audio Zodiac+ HD Mastering Converter Review

Apr 1, 2011 9:00 AM, By Erik Zobler

Years ago, Robert Hadley at the Mastering Lab (Hollywood) rocked my audio world when, with a push of a button, he re-clocked my master mix to an Aardsync II. I was so amazed by how much better it sounded that I bought one the next day. Aardvark is no longer in business, but Aardsync II’s designer, Igor Levin, continues to innovate new word clock designs for Antelope Audio. …

Blue Microphones Spark Condenser Microphone Review

Apr 1, 2011 9:00 AM, By Barry Rudolph

Blue Microphones’ Spark is a cardioid-only, FET-based studio condenser microphone that borrows its all-discrete and Class-A FET design from the company’s more expensive models, yet sells for $199. Spark retains the “lollipop” look for which Blue mics are known, and comes in a festive burnt-orange color with a custom shockmount, pop filter, wooden storage box, excellent recording guide and a three-year warranty. …

Music

Classic Tracks: Bonnie Raitt’s “Thing Called Love”

Apr 1, 2011 9:00 AM, By Blair Jackson

When I call engineer extraordinaire Ed Cherney about the recording of Bonnie Raitt’s commercial breakthrough, “Thing Called Love,” the first thing he says is, “Isn’t that a little recent for a ‘Classic Track’?” “Dude,” I said, “it was recorded 22 years ago!” He got a laugh out of that; it does seem like it was just yesterday in some ways. But it was cut in 1989 and was a keystone of her album Nick of Time, which won a Grammy for Album of the Year in 1990 and sold more than 6 million copies in the U.S. alone. …

Live

Linkin Park Tour Profile

Apr 1, 2011 9:00 AM, By Sarah Benzuly

Linkin Park is a band that delivers—onstage, in the studio and just a few days post-gig. For the latter, front-of-house engineer Ken “Pooch” Van Druten and programming/playback engineer/keyboard tech Dylan Ely provide a fully mixed and mastered, pro-quality live album within two to three days after each performance. With a purchased ticket, each fan is offered a high-quality download of the live recording; distribution of the download is provided by Basecamp Productions. …

Departments

On the Cover: GenAudio’s Astound Studios

Apr 1, 2011 9:00 AM, By Kevin Becka

Tucked into a small building on the Westside of Los Angeles, Astound Studios is the brainchild of GenAudio chairman and CEO Jerry Mahabub. The room is designed for critical listening to surround from 5.1 sources, as well as 2-channel surround mixes created using the company’s AstoundSound® process. The room is run by a small team of mixers, including chief engineer Greg Morgenstein, and senior re-recording engineers Andy Hay and Matt Marrin. …