How To

As more and more audio creators make the leap to working in Dolby Atmos, many pro audio manufacturers are working to streamline the gear and set-up involved. Focusrite has been at the forefront of this movement by releasing interfaces and controllers that make it possible to have an Atmos rig in any room. Vintage King recently sat down with Focusrite Pro's North American Sales Manager Dave Rieley and Marketing Manager Tom Edwards to talk about configuring a Dolby Atmos set-up with Focusrite studio tools. Continue on for our conversation and learn how with a few simple pieces of gear, you can be ready for the Atmos revolution. Continue reading →

The original version of this article appeared in the first issue of Vintage King's Playback. If you haven't subscribed digitally to our new magazine, you can do so right here. Here at Vintage King, we often get asked, “How do I build a studio for _____ amount of money?” This question is an interesting one, and we can certainly help you find an answer that fits within your budget. The starting point is most likely a question that you must ask yourself: “What is the goal for my studio?” In upcoming issues, we’ll be tackling how to build out several kinds of studios on a budget, but for the purposes of this article, we thought it best to start out with the essential gear needed for a basic recording and mix room. We’ll be covering three pieces of gear in particular: microphone, interface and monitors. Continue reading →

When it comes to studio gear, engineers love experimenting with all kinds of microphones, mic pres, compressors, EQs and whatnot. The more flavors, the better. In terms of studio monitors, pro audio manufacturers strive to keep their designs sounding authentic as possible. This leads us to a common inquiry, “Why do I see so many pictures of studios with multiple sets of monitors? Doesn’t the engineer just pick the right set of monitors that works for them and do their thing?” Well, yes and no… First and foremost, yes, you do want to pick the right set of monitors that works for you. In a sense, speakers are a compass. We choose a set of speakers that we enjoy listening to and we learn them. How does our favorite music sound on them? How does the track you worked on last week sound? Last month? Last year? How do they sound when you turn them up vs. listening to them at a lower level? They become a window to how we hear what we’re working on vs. the rest of the world. Everyone has different opinions and preferences, but at the end of the day, you are the one that is going to spend countless hours in front of the speakers, so you want to pick something that you enjoy working on. Continue reading →

Over the last few years, podcasting has continued to rise in popularity. Now with social distancing in effect, podcasts have become one of our primary forms of media. You’d be surprised at how easy it can be to create a professional-sounding podcast from the comfort of your own home. If you've got the knowledge and a concept, we can certainly help you achieve podcast glory. Continue reading this blog to discover some of the essential gear needed to make your own podcast or improve your current set-up, in addition to some proper techniques for recording, editing, and mixing. Continue reading →

Since its release, Dolby Atmos has exploded in popularity and proven to be the next big thing in post-production. But making the switch to Atmos can be intimidating, especially when it comes to buying the right equipment and setting up a certifiable Atmos mix room. Thankfully, the new Avid MTRX Studio makes it easier than ever to incorporate Dolby Atmos into your studio setup. Throughout this blog, you’ll learn everything you need to know about setting up a Dolby Atmos mix room using the new Avid MTRX. To get the details, we spoke with Vintage King’s Dolby Atmos expert, James Good. James has more than 15 years of experience in pro audio and has helped build, design, and maintain some of the best studios around the world. James helped us break down each component Continue reading →

Over the last few years, hybrid mixing has exploded in popularity. More and more engineers are making the switch to hybrid systems to utilize the best of both worlds, combining the unmistakable sound of analog recording equipment with the lightning-fast workflow of digital audio systems. New tools like the SSL Origin, Neve 8424, and Avid Pro Tools MTRX Studio are making it easier than ever for engineers to integrate their analog and digital workflows with versatile I/O, monitoring, and routing solutions. Whether you prefer the tactile response of a console or the familiar feel of a mouse and keyboard, these powerful tools are changing the way we mix. Continue reading →

For those that work outside of the hip-hop and pop world, we don’t often think about the art of sampling vs. original beat production. So much of the music the world knows today consists of old musical ideas placed in new creative contexts. Music samples have long been used in songs, but we’re hearing them more than ever in 2020. Samples can be great for your music, but using them incorrectly or without permission can get you into trouble. If music-sampling is a part of your creative process, you’ll need to know the difference between what’s 100% your own creation and what you’re borrowing from someone else. Continue reading →

Clean power is essential to any recording or mixing studio. It can be the difference between professional-sounding records and noisy tracks riddled with hums, buzzes and other complications. But for those who just want to make music, learning the basics of power can seem complicated and overwhelming. So we reached out to electrical guru Arthur Kelm to answer some of your questions. Arthur Kelm is CEO of Ground One AV Inc., a consulting firm that specializes in power and grounding for professional recording facilities and high-end home installations. Arthur has overseen the electrical and grounding design for some of the world’s most iconic recording studios, including Capitol Records Studios, Warner/Chappell Music, and Sonoma Mountain Studio. Continue reading →

It’s no secret that with the current pandemic, lifestyles and working conditions have drastically changed for all of us. Whether it be closing down our businesses or working from home, we've had to make some big adjustments. Even simple pleasures like going to see live music have fallen by the wayside. As a response, many of our favorite artists have adapted and found ways to be there for fans with live stream performances. For those looking to take their music to the world of live streaming, there are a lot of questions to be answered regarding your set-up. We recently sat down with Vintage King Audio Consultant Jeff Ehrenberg to talk about the tools and software that will help ensure that your performance is high quality and meets the standards viewers have come to expect. Continue reading →

In 2020, songwriters and producers of every genre and experience level are relying on technology to create and explore music like never before. While EDM and hip-hop comes to mind for most people who think about tech’s relationship with music creation, music-makers of all backgrounds are using tools like MIDI to shape musical ideas, record, and perform live. If you don’t fancy yourself an especially tech-savvy musician, you may have been interested in exploring MIDI for music creation or performance, but have put off trying because it seems too intimidating. The good news is that MIDI is affordable, accessible, and easy to wrap your head around! That’s why so many musicians are using it. Continue reading →