Topic: any good books on recording techniques

[vegeta_ban]

I usually run pas, but would like to read a technical book on techniques for different types of mics etc.

More for just the information and entertainment than anything.

[DigiGal]

Here's a few...

"The New Stereo Soundbook" (Third Edition) by Ron Streicher and F. Alton Everest

"Mastering Audio" (Second Edition) by Bob Katz

"Microphone Arrays for Stereo and Multichannel Sound Recording" by Michael Williams

[Gutbucket]

All of those DigiGal mentioned are great references.

New Stereo Soundbook is broad in scope, covering much more than just stereo microphone setups.  Mastering Audio focuses more on what is and can be done after the recording has been made, it does not foucus much if at all on microphone setup techniques.  I haven't read Michael William's book, which focuses entirely on microphone setup technique, although I have read all of his AES papers.  I suggest starting with his Stereo Zoom paper, which explains the principles underlying various microphone configurations and how to use that to setup a microphone array based on the pickup pattern of your microphones and the desired attributes of your resulting recording.  It is a very helpful concept to learn even if you only use 'standard' mic configurations and have no interest in using the process yourself.

The Stereo Zoom is available here- http://www.reddingaudio.com/downloads/Rycote%20Technical/The%20Stereophonic%20Zoom.pdf

His AES papers are available on his website.  I've been using his multichannel setup process recently and it works great.

[Gutbucket]

I started a thread here last year about applying the Stereo Zoom technique to PAS with cardioid pattern microphones-
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=153112.0

It's not particularly intetersting reading, but useful for much of the recording done around here and the application of it to PAS illustrates the flexibility of his system.

[page]

I suggest starting with his Stereo Zoom paper, which explains the principles underlying various microphone configurations and how to use that to setup a microphone array based on the pickup pattern of your microphones and the desired attributes of your resulting recording.  It is a very helpful concept to learn even if you only use 'standard' mic configurations and have no interest in using the process yourself.

+1

I figured with 2 people replying before me, someone would have mentioned this. I think it's basically required reading for anyone who is serious about getting more consistent (and arguably more consistently better) recordings.

edit: and an easy calculator for differences based on the SRA if you want to fiddle with it.
http://www.sengpielaudio.com/Visualization-ORTF-E.htm

[ScoobieKW]

I suggest starting with his Stereo Zoom paper, which explains the principles underlying various microphone configurations and how to use that to setup a microphone array based on the pickup pattern of your microphones and the desired attributes of your resulting recording.  It is a very helpful concept to learn even if you only use 'standard' mic configurations and have no interest in using the process yourself.

+1

I figured with 2 people replying before me, someone would have mentioned this. I think it's basically required reading for anyone who is serious about getting more consistent (and arguably more consistently better) recordings.

edit: and an easy calculator for differences based on the SRA if you want to fiddle with it.
http://www.sengpielaudio.com/Visualization-ORTF-E.htm

+1, FYI, There are two Stereo Zoom apps in the iTunes store, one is Recording Tools (by Neumann), the other is Stereo Mic Tools, from Engineered Stuff

[stevetoney]

DPA Microphone University (google it to find a link) can keep you busy for awhile, but it's not a book and its fairly basic.

[vegeta_ban]

bookmarking this thread, thanks everyone!

[Joeski]

DPA Microphone University (google it to find a link) can keep you busy for awhile, but it's not a book and its fairly basic.

That's right tonedeaf.  I printed that whole thing out way back when I found out about taperssection back in 2006.  It's really pretty good stuff to know.

[rjp]

+1, FYI, There are two Stereo Zoom apps in the iTunes store, one is Recording Tools (by Neumann), the other is Stereo Mic Tools, from Engineered Stuff

The Neumann app is also available for Android. The best way to find it in Google Play is to search for "Georg Neumann GmbH" (it's their only app). On Android at least it also requires Adobe AIR to be installed.

[jnorman34]

the best book I ever found is "the microphone book" by john eargle.  eargle was the chief engineer for Delos, was VP at JBL for 31 years, and helped develop the THX system.  some of the finest reference recordings in my studio are by eargle while he was with delos.

[ArchivalAudio]

Available elsewhere but also on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Audio-Media-Stanley-R-Alten/dp/049557239X

By Stanley R. Alten - Cengage Learning - 2010 - Hardback - 550 pages - ISBN 049557239X
In AUDIO IN MEDIA, Ninth Edition, Stanley Alten-internationally recognized as a scholar and expert in the area of audio production-continues to provide students with an introduction to the basic techniques and principles necessary for audio production in today's media. The clear and current illustrations and photos and student-friendly writing in Alten's market-leading text have helped professors effectively teach this technically-based course to thousands of introductory audio production students. Comprehensive, technically accurate, and up-to-date, the text covers informational, perceptual, and aesthetic aspects of sound as they apply to each stage of the production process-from planning to post-production.