More Sound Panels...This Time--Portable.

QUIET! There isn't a week that goes by that someone, somewhere doesn't mention our article on building the Sound Absorbing Panels.

Well guess what--we found more examples. Although these examples are a little more serious and may take a little more handy-work, they seem to fill a perfect use in some users' circumstance.

Stackable Gobos

Abby Panels

Oh, you are handy with the tools (or know someone that is)? You can save a lot of money using these ideas and building your own vocal booth.

Let us know if you do or plan on doing any of these projects and how they work. Oh, and take pictures.

AKG Debuts K 702 Headphones For Recording And Broadcast Applications

Since it is stated somewhere on the AKG website that the new C 214 mic is not really for the spoken word, we thought we would look at the next best news from AKG--Headphones! (I can't imagine "blue buttery velour covered" as describing my headphones.)

AKG Acoustics introduced its new K 702 dynamic headphones today at InfoComm ‘08. The new K 702 headphones combine the superior sonic performance of AKG’s now-legendary K 701 with features demanded by recording and broadcast engineers in a deluxe professional package.

The K 702’s new features include a detachable input cable with a locking 3-pin mini-XLR connector. The high-performance, low-loss detachable cable makes transportation and storage easier plus makes servicing easy if necessary. The new K 702’s also feature a stage blue finish that is more rugged and professional looking than the K 701’s gloss white color.

“The K 701s are extremely successful, critically-acclaimed and much loved as personal monitors for audiophile listening” explained Sonja Malzer, Product Manager, AKG. “We’re now offering the K 702s for professional applications with features and appearance more suited for serious audio engineers who want and need the utmost in sonic detail for their work.”

The K 701 and the new K 702 are the world’s first headphones with flat-wire voice coils for unparalleled signal-tracking accuracy. Their patented Laminate Varimotion diaphragms eliminates spurious resonances and deliver an engaging listening experience with out-of-head imaging so that engineers can hear all the nuances of their sound. The K 702 is also very comfortable to wear during long studio sessions thanks to its buttery-soft, glove-leather headband and ergonomically-shaped, velour-covered ear pads.

The AKG K 701 and K 702 are hand-assembled at AKG’s facility in Vienna, Austria. Each headphone is carefully tested and serialized ensuring a product of exceptional quality. “Above all else, the new K 702 sounds exceptional!” Sonja Malzer continued. “Now studio engineers can get closer to their music thanks to these incredible, leading-edge headphones.”

VO Mic Test

Looking for Hi-Tech Sound Proofing?

How many times in your career have you had to think about noise when recording or using your mic? Not the electronic kind in your equipment--the external sonic kind. Hopefully, you were experienced enough to figure out a way to either 1. get away from the noisy sourse, or 2. insulate yourself from the evil sounds.

In Science Daily, the story reads, "Researchers in Spain have proven that metamaterials, materials defined by their unusual man-made cellular structure, can be designed to produce an acoustic cloak -- a cloak that can make objects impervious to sound waves, literally diverting sound waves around an object." Whoa! think of the possibilities. Wonder if we could just throw a blanket of stuff like this over us and SHAZAAM! Instant sound booth.

Here is the article in Science Daily. Make sure you read the related articles linked in the side-bars. I hope someone in our business stays on top of these developments and gets us a reasonably priced option.
Talk to me...about the blanket theory.

Philip Banks' Neumann U87ai

So, one of my business partners asks, “Wasn’t it you and Philip Banks that used to give each other such a hard time on various forums years ago?” “He’s the one,” I replied.
The truth is I have the utmost respect for Mr. Banks. He puts up with less B.S. than even me. And he writes so….danged “English.” His prose is fortified with observations and emotions. He evokes questions about how you feel about a particular subject. Most importantly, he makes you think, and think deeply.

Probably the biggest issue we have with each other is he won’t try Grits…and I won’t try Haggis. (The truth is grits and haggis are made to accompany each other.)

But know this, when Mr. Banks speaks, folks best pay attention. As a matter of fact, that is why he is paid amply and often—to speak so folks will listen.

We are quite honored that Philip Banks has shared his beloved Neumann U87ai with us. Have you noticed that the higher the price of the mic (and voice) the smoother it gets?
Check out Philip Banks on his U87ai here.

UPDATE ON “CHINA BLUES”

Hey Willie,
I called BLUE yesterday just to confirm the Bluebird USA/China manufacturing. According to the woman that answered the phone at BLUE, they stopped US manufacturing of the Bluebird about a year ago. I think most of their mics are still made in the US, but my assumption is that the lower end ones, the Bluebird for sure, are now made in China. After manufacturing, she told me that they are inspected at the US BLUE factory. Actually, each Bluebird comes with a dated quality control certificate that certifies that the frequency response, noise specification and fit/finish are up to snuff. Best,
Josh

Josh Mahler
Vocalvoodoo Productions
314-401-6485
www.Vocalvoodoo.com

das Brauner.........

I responded to a thread on a popular forum about new gear announcements. This particular topic was the introduction of a couple of new Brauner mics.
I asked if any of the Brauner’s are specifically designed or are more effective for the spoken word?

Well you can definitely use all of them for the spoken word. But we often get the feedback, especially from radio/broadcast stations, that they prefer the Phantom for spoken word…Mainly because of its very high level of speech comprehensibility. Also the Valvet is very often used at Broadcast stations for that type of application.Let me know if there are further questions.
Cheers
Kai
__________________
SEA Vertrieb & Consulting GmbH
Auf dem Diek 648488 EmsbürenGermany
Tel.: +49 5903 9388-16
Fax: +49 5903 9388-55
http://www.sea-distribution.com
http://www.theartofmicrophones.com

The Bluebird of Happiness Keeps Flying...

Hi Willie,
I hope all is well and business is booming for you!
Here's a sample of the Blue Bluebird into the Manley Voxbox.
Josh Mahler told me about the deals on these. $299. Not bad and I think it sounds pretty good. I still really like the AK 47 and use it as my primary mic, but this one isn't bad as a backup.

You don't know anyone who'd be interested in buying the ADK Hamburg II au, would you. I'll probably put it on Ebay and see what happens.
Thanks,John

John Weeks(423) 586-5040
johnweeksaudio@gmail.com
www.johnweeksaudio.com

I Found a Thrill on Blue Bluebird Hill.....

And another for you my friends! :)

Just picked up the BLUE BLuebird over the weekend. They are now going for only $300 and come with a shock mount and pop filter. From what I understand, sonically, the Bluebird is identical to the Red Type B with an R8 capsule.
All the best,
Josh

Wow! No—I mean WOW! This mic sounds good, Josh. I heard just a tinge of high-end sibilance, but the rest more than makes up for it. What a bargain. Awesome .. again, Thanks.
Willie
Hear Josh Mahler's Test Here.

Thanks Willie.
I really like it too. I sent John Weeks a sample today
and he ordered one an hour after getting my email. LOL
I think the Bluebird use to go for around $500ish. I will say this,
the frequency response graph in the manual is different than the graph
now on the BLUE website. The current graph looks identical to the Red/
Blue R8/B8 capsule.
The older Bluebirds were labeled as having a cardioid pattern, but
were really closer to being hyper-cardioid. The newer ones seem to be
a true cardioid mic rather than hyper.
With that said, I'm almost tempted to find a used one from a couple
years ago just to hear the differences.
Josh

(UPDATE:)
Hey Willie,
I called BLUE yesterday just to confirm the Bluebird USA/China manufacturing. According to the woman that answered the phone at BLUE, they stopped US manufacturing of the Bluebird about a year ago. I think most of their mics are still made in the US, but my assumption is that the lower end ones, the Bluebird for sure, are now made in China. After manufacturing, she told me that they are inspected at the US BLUE factory. Actually, each Bluebird comes with a dated quality control certificate that certifies that the frequency response, noise specification and fit/finish are up to snuff.
Best,
Josh