Recording and Voice Processing, Volume 1 (eBook)

Jean-Michel Reveillac is a Lecturer at the University of Burgundy, France, a consultant for large media companies and also runs a restoration, mixing and transcoding studio. He has been a specialist in sound processing for over 35 years.

Preface ix

Introduction xiii

Chapter 1 Recording History 1

1.1 In the beginning was the phonautograph 1

1.2 When it really started 2

1.3 Magnetic recording 8

1.4 The advent of 78 rpm 9

1.5 The magnetic tape and the LP 15

1.6 8-track cartridges, mini-cassette and Trimicron 20

1.7 The compact disk and the advent of digital technology 27

1.8 Digital technology is essential 29

1.9 Hard disk recorder and minidisc 36

1.10 Microcomputer, direct-to-disk and DAW 38

1.11 To conclude 42

Chapter 2 The Voice 45

2.1 The vocal apparatus and its functioning 45

2.2 Voice and breath 48

2.3 Song and speech 49

2.4 Frequency, intensity and timbre 50

2.5 Voice and range 51

2.6 Voice quality 54

2.7 Characteristics of the vocal timbre 55

2.8 Conclusion 57

Chapter 3 Microphones 59

3.1 A little history 59

3.2 The characteristics of a microphone 71

3.2.1 General characteristics 71

3.2.2 Specific characteristics 91

3.3 Microphone families 93

3.3.1 Microphone and transformer 94

3.3.2 Dynamic moving coil microphones 96

3.3.3 Ribbon microphones 98

3.3.4 Condenser microphones 100

3.3.5 USB microphones 104

3.4 Uses of microphones according to their directivity 107

3.4.1 Omnidirectional microphones 107

3.4.2 Bidirectional microphones (figure-8) 107

3.4.3 Cardioid microphones 109

3.5 Conclusion 110

Chapter 4 The Acoustic Environment 111

4.1 Location of pickup and sound isolation 111

4.2 Acoustic processing 112

4.2.1 State of the art 112

4.2.2 Bass traps 114

4.2.3 Acoustic diffusers 123

4.3 Acoustic booths 130

4.4 Accessories 132

4.4.1 Acoustic shields 132

4.4.2 Pop filters 135

4.4.3 Headphones 136

4.4.4 Microphone suspensions 142

4.4.5 Feet, poles, and arms 142

4.4.6 Bonnets 146

4.5 Conclusion 148

Conclusion 149

Appendices 151

Appendix 1 Sound Unit 153

Appendix 2 Audio Connectivity 161

Appendix 3 Audio Processing Plugins 171

Appendix 4 Tube and JFET Microphone Amplifiers 177

Appendix 5 Microphone Pairs 181

Glossary 195

References 203

Index 213