The Mysterious World of Phantom Power December 16^th 2016 - 01:00 PM

For most people working in pro audio, phantom power is fed through a mic cable from a mixer to bring electricity to condenser microphones. That’s what they know — period. However, working pros in the audio field know there is much, much more to this “phantom” power flow. It pays to know…

Killing Extraneous Noise When Using a Microphone December 15^th 2016 - 09:00 AM

Killing unwanted noises when using a microphone requires the knowledge and skill to know the type of noise and have the available tools to suppress it. Here’s a guide to the basics of removing noise when using microphones for recording.

Loudspeaker Technology Part 3: The Frequency Domain and Human Hearing December 13^th 2016 - 12:05 PM

In Part 2, of John Watkinson’s series of articles on loudspeakers, the critical time-domain operation of human hearing was considered. In Part 3, he explains how the frequency domain interacts with the time domain and why they are a crucial concern in any accurate loudspeaker design.

Understanding IP Networks - Benefits of Audio Over IP December 12^th 2016 - 12:30 PM

In the last article, we looked at Quality of Service in IT networks. In this article, we continue the theme of looking at a network from a broadcast engineers’ point of view so they can better communicate with the IT department, and look at the benefits of sending audio over I…

Arena TV Strengthens IP-enabled 4K OB Van With VSM Control System December 1^st 2016 - 12:05 PM

Arena TV, a UK-based broadcast production company, has upgraded its entire fleet of OB vans with Lawo’s VSM control system. The VSM system creates a familiar workflow for users, and is the only control system on the market that is able to work in a fully IP-based environment as w…

How to Choose a Microphone Preamplifer November 29^th 2016 - 10:00 AM

The microphone preamplifier in a recording chain has a very basic function — to boost a low-level audio signal to the point where it can comfortably be processed by other equipment in the audio chain. But how the preamp accomplishes this and the range of choices available to the user can b…

How to Care for Microphones November 25^th 2016 - 01:00 PM

Though they often take tremendous abuse in daily use, microphones are the most delicate and important part of the pro audio chain. To keep microphones working properly, there are a few things the audio engineer can do.

Using Compression for Recorded and Live Audio November 23^rd 2016 - 09:00 AM

One of the most misunderstood tools audio engineers use for live and recorded audio is compression. Over the years, manufacturers have tried to simplify it, but amateur engineers still try to overuse it — often with disastrous results. Here’s a primer on audio compression and how to use it effectively.

The Tried and Trusted Route to UHD Live - NEP UK November 22^nd 2016 - 01:00 PM

While Arena opted to invest in an IP core for its new fleet, Sky Sport’s other regular OB supplier, NEP UK has gone a different route out of necessity. This article, a follow up to the article ‘Making The Leap To 4K Live Over IP - Under The Hood At Ar…

The Difference Between Loudspeakers and Professional Audio Monitors November 22^nd 2016 - 08:00 AM

There are speakers and there are professional audio monitors. How do you know the difference and which should you buy for a specific pro audio application? The decision can be difficult if you don’t know the basics. Here is a primer on monitor speakers.