It has been a crazy month for me and therefore I haven't made any entries to the blog. I decided to make a short entry now.
I will quickly go through an "instrument" I often use, rather always use, while I record and mix songs. This is the M-Audio KeyRig 49 midi keyboard/controller. When hocked up to the computer it can be used to record MIDI and program drums and virtual instruments.
I record within ProTools and in this program there are a insert called Xpand. In this insert you can chose from a number of sounds, pianos, organs, choirs, drums etc. All you need to make a song.
I have used this to record many of my songs. An example is in the bottom half of this entry.
The KeyRig 49 in its self is a 49 key USB keyboard. It includes the Key Rig software, but it can also be used with other recording software like ProTools, GarageBand, Logic, Cubase, Ableton Live etc. The keyboard has a pitch and modulation wheels, an assignable volume slider, octave +/- buttons and a sustain pedal input. The keyboard is USB-powered and works with both Windows and Mac OS.
I used only this keyboard to record the following song. Hope you enjoy it! Any question about the keyboard will be answered if you leave a comment or send me a personal message in the Contact Me page.
I thought I might review my condenser microphones that I use mainly to record acoustic guitars and vocals. The microphones I'm thinking of is the MXL 990 and 991 condenser microphones. These I purchased together in a package for about 100 dollars. The package includes a high-impact carrying case and mic stand adapters.
MXL 990
The MXL 990 is a large diaphragm condenser microphone with a cardioid polar pattern. This microphone is perfect for recording vocals due to the sweet high end and tight solid bass. This microphone is way beyond what you will get in this price range. You can purchase the microphone for about 50 dollars. If you buy the 990/991 kit, then you might get if for about 80 dollars. The quality of this microphone is so great that you could actually record your album in a professional way, at least with a good pre-amp.
Specifications
Tube type: Pressure gradient condenser microphone
Diaphragm: 6 micron gold-sputtered
Frequency Response: 30 Hz - 20 kHz
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Sensitivity: 15mV/Pa
Impedance: 200 ohms
Equivalent Noise Level: 20 dB (A-weighted IEC 268-4)
S/N Ratio: 80 dB (Ref. 1Pa A-weighted)
Max SPL .5% THD: 130 dB
Power Requirements: Phantom Power 48V (+- 4V)
Current Consumption: <3.0mA
Size: 60mm x 130mm / 2,36 in. x 5,11 in. Weight: 1,2 lbs / 544,3g Metal Finish: Champagne
MXL 991
The MXL 991 is a small diaphragm condenser microphone. It is definately not the greatest small diaphragm microphone in the world, but for the price, it's going to be hard to beat! The microphone can be used to record acoustic instruments and drum overheads. I would recommend acoustic guitar. I haven't used this microphone that much due to that I prefer the 990 to record my acoustic guitar and vocals.
Specifications
Tube type: Pressure gradient condenser microphone
Diaphragm: 20mm
Frequency Response: 30 Hz - 18 kHz
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Sensitivity: 15mV/Pa
Impedance: 110 ohms
Equivalent Noise Level: 20 dB (A-weighted IEC 268-4)
S/N Ratio: 78 dB (Ref. 1Pa A-weighted)
Max SPL .5% THD: 137 dB
Power Requirements: Phantom Power 48V (+- 4V)
Current Consumption: <3.0mA Size: 22mm x 134mm Weight: 0,35 lbs / 158 g Metal Finish: Champagne
I use the 990 to record my acoustic guitar. You can hear it in the first video below!
I have also used it to record vocal. This you can also hear in the second video below!
If you have any questions about the microphones, feel free to comment in the comment section below!
