recordinghacks

Ryan Canestro tests the Audio-Technica AT4051b against the Shure KSM32 on mandolin, guitar, and percussion. Hear both mics in action. Includes drum overhead samples too.

If you’ve been recording anything for more than a couple years, chances are there are some mics, cables, stands, and acoustic treatment cluttering up your studio — stuff you never reach for, even all those times you really need another mic, stand, or cable, even though those are exactly the times for which you’ve saved […]

I spent two days at NAMM rounding up a year’s worth of microphones to give away. Yep: 12 months, 12 winners, 12 great microphones! Read more on the microphone contest page. I want to express thanks to the first six sponsors, who pretty much signed up on the spot: Lewitt Audio Cascade Microphones Cloud Microphones […]

I had the opportunity to do some drum recordings with the DMK1 , a three-mic solution for drum recording made by the Latvian company JZ Microphones. Being half Latvian myself, I was excited about doing this review! The DMK1 consists of three JZ BT201 small diaphragm condenser microphones: A matched pair with wide-cardioid capsules for […]

In cooperation with Wired Magazine, we tested three Chinese-made ribbon microphones. One was stock, one had an AMI transformer, and the third was modded by Stephen Sank, who re-ribboned the mic and installed a Cinemag transformer. See photos and hear the audio files here.

Travis Whitmore reviews the Audix Studio Elite 8, an eight-mic set for drums. It includes the D6, a D4, two D2, two SCX-25A for overheads, and the SCX1 for hi-hat. Sample audio files are included, and sound amazing.

Shawn Biggs of San Francisco’s Studio Paradiso puts the Lewitt Audio LCT 540 and LCT 640 through their paces on vocals, acoustic guitar, drums, piano, and guitar cab. Comparison mics include an AKG C414 and a Neumann U87. Includes audio samples.