On one level, singers are master preparers. We spend tremendous amounts of time training and practicing, and for many of us, songwriting as well. In fact, we’re so focused on our instruments and material that we can be virtually non-stop in our physical and mental preparation for success, whether or not we have any performance [...]

MSRP: $1395 Shockmount: $295 www.royerlabs.com The Royer R-121 was not yet designed when some iconic classic rock guitar sounds were recorded in the 1960s and ‘70s. An often overlooked but essential part of those recordings is the use of a ribbon mic to accurately deliver those sounds to tape. The Royer R-121 ribbon mic has [...]

As computer recording has become commonplace many companies offered up USB microphones as the ultimate direct plug-in convenience. However, most serious musicians would prefer to use the mics they already own, or wouldn’t consider anything else, for tracking the most important elements to their recordings. The Shure X2u bridges that gap, turning any serious mic [...]

  Tascam iM2 I recently used the Tascam iM2 in one of our live sessions with The Vespers. The lightweight, plastic recording device plugged directly into the bottom port of my iPhone 4. For a relatively inexpensive recording device, I have to say I was impressed with the Tascam iM2. The Tascam iM2 is equipped [...]

The digital revolution continues to provide dividends. In the case of the Shure PGXD Wireless microphone system, it’s a plugged in sound with the freedom to move about the stage. There’s much to love about Shure’s digital wireless. First on the list is that the PGXD2 is available with a variety of the most popular [...]

Blue Mics Spark Cardioid Condenser Microphone List Price: $199.00 www.bluemic.com Blue Microphones has become famous for their quirky mic names, quality construction and chic design. (An interesting side note about the company: Blue is an acronym for Baltic Latvian Universal Electronics, though original founders Skipper Wise and Latvian engineer Martins Saulespurens sold the company in [...]

TRUE Systems P-Solo List Price: $749.99 www.true-systems.com The TRUE Systems P-Solo is a one-channel precision microphone preamplifier housed in classy red hardware. It’s a sturdy box that is designed to sit on a desktop and follows TRUE’s line of leading mic pres, such as the P2 Analog and Precision 8. On its front face, the [...]

MARCH APRIL ON MY DEATHBED CONTEST Sign up to win a Blue Bottle Rocket Stage 1 microphone ($699 value) by entering our March/April On My Deathbed contest. Enter the contest by visiting www.americansongspace.com/contest/deathbedmarch10

AUDIX i-5 LIST PRICE: $179.00 AUDIXUSA.COM While many engineers have gravitated toward Shure’s classic 57, there are a number of mics made by other manufacturers that are worth the home recordist’s attention. The Audix i-5 is a dynamic microphone with a cardioid polar pattern. A great all-around mic for the studio, or in a live [...]