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Waves CLA-3A Classic Compressor

Waves CLA-3A Classic Compressor

Waves CLA-3A Classic Compressor

Last month, I wrote about my positive experience with the Waves CLA-2A plugin (FRONT of HOUSE, Jan. 2012, page 39). The excellent results obtained from using that emulation encouraged me to try another studio classic compressor that Waves modeled from the personal collection of Chris Lord-Alge. The CLA-3A plugin is derived from the much-revered LA-3A compressor. This solid-state unit employs the same T4 optical attenuator found in the LA-2A. However, the sound of the original LA-3A is more transparent and punchy when compared to its warmer, thicker tube-driven cousin.

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Jules Radino, drummer for Blue Oyster Cult

Miking Drums

One could argue that the drum kit is the most difficult instrument to capture on stage. You have multiple elements requiring attention (some of which are sonically very different from each other), the instrument has huge dynamic range, its physical size makes coverage a challenge and you have to keep the mics out of the drummer’s (and harm’s) way. The trick to getting a good drum sound is to start with a good-sounding kit and then to have the proper mic selection and placement. I’m not being a smart-ass on the first part of that statement. If the kit sounds good to start, you’re halfway there. The other half, as noted, is mic selection and placement. This time out we’ll concentrate on mic techniques applicable to rock, pop, country, rap and R&B. Down the line we’ll discuss drum miking techniques for jazz.

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The Moody Theater, new home of ACL

ACL Live, One Year Later

The new Austin City Limits venue suggests how live and broadcast sound can coexist

It’s been nearly 40 years since Don Kirshner’s Rock Concert first intimated that the best seat in the house might be in your living room. If residential subwoofers had been common in the 1970s, watching live music at home might be more widely-embraced. As it is, beyond the Palladia network, live music on television hasn’t become as ingrained as it might have been.

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Lavaliere and Headset Microphones

My uncle is a Jesuit priest. You may ask yourself what that has to do with this month’s topic. Well, my good ol’ uncle Bud (the priest) would never consider using a lav or a headset microphone; mainly because Bud has been in the priest biz for nearly 45 years and is very old-school in his approach to preaching. He delivers his sermons from a podium with one microphone, and that’s that. On the other hand, the pastor at my home church would never consider using a headset mic. He is very comfortable wearing a lav microphone when he preachers.

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Illustration by Andy Au

The Big Time

Recently, the question was asked of me, “How do I get into The Big Time?”  How indeed? Although I understand the person’s desire for success, and I certainly do comprehend what is meant by “The Big Time,” I seriously have no absolute viable solution to the query.  The good news is that, for any neophyte seeking a job in the audio business, there are many available avenues to “The Big Time.” The bad news, on the other hand, is that, once you arrive at your destination, it may not seem as glossy as “The Big Time” you once expected.  Therefore, I must say that it’s not as much the destination as it is the journey, because if one keeps seeking the big gig just around the corner, then it becomes increasingly difficult to see that they may have finally arrived. (That’s right; I spent my New Year’s Day watching the Twilight Zone marathon).

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d&b E4 and E5

d&b audiotechnik Expands E-Series with E4 Loudspeaker

AUSTIN, TX — d&b audiotechnik’s E4 loudspeaker, a recent addition to the company’s compact E-Series (shown here with the bigger E5), will be featured at booth #326 during PLASA Focus Feb. 22-23. The company is also featuring its T10 loudspeaker, which uses line array and point source technologies, and Jason Waggoner from its Education and Application Support Team, who will present a seminar, “Demystifying Audio,” on Feb. 22 in room 1 from 2-3 pm.

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Super Bowl Week in Indianapolis Included Jimmy Fallon, Stage Tec NEXUS

INDIANAPOLIS — Leading up to Super Bowl XLVI, NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon was broadcast from the Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indianapolis. Nathaniel Hare, FOH mixer for the regular show, handled audio duties in Indianapolis as well. The shows — which aired Feb. 1, 2, 3 and 5 — included three that were live-to-disc. The fourth show aired live after the big game. Wireless First, a Clair Global company, supplied the gear.

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NABR Includes Shure on “Best And Brightest” List

NILES, IL — Shure has been included as one of the country’s 2011 Best and Brightest Companies To Work For, by the National Association for Business Resources (NABR). The award honors companies for communication, work-life balance, employee education, diversity, recognition, and retention.

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Kaltman Creations shielding with Aaronia Shield

RPA Uses Kaltman Creations Shielding to Solve Interference Problem

ATLANTA, GA – A Kaltman Creations customer, RPA Electronic Solutions, recently ran into a RF interference problem at a trade show where the WLAN space was saturated with wireless devices from the nearly 1,000 exhibitors.  At the show, RPA was to demonstrate a new man-wearable wireless system that they had developed as part of a U.S. Army SBIR effort.

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RCF Compact Series

RCF Compact Series

The New RCF Compact Series speakers are designed to offer a very natural sound for recorded and live music performances. They also offer users rigging options including top and bottom “Multiplates” that work with M20 rigging or pole mounting points, U-brackets or rigging tracks. Smaller models features multi-point rear mounting options. Additional M10 rigging points are located on the top, sides and bottom of the larger sized models. The 12 x M10 mounting points allow the loudspeakers to be suspended horizontally, vertically and in upside down position.

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