My recording set-up

The hallwayI’ll start by saying that our recording setup is far, far, far from ideal, especially after working at Willamette Radio Workshop.But, it’s New York and one makes compromises. In this case, trying to get my schedule to coincide with an affordable studio was challenging. So I’m recording in the hallway at home. The sound, as you might imagine is very bright. The Japanese screen mostly holds the microphone and does almost nothing to dampen the sound.

Schoeps CMC-41s microphoneI’m using one of Rob’s microphones, specifically a Schoeps CMC-41S. The note next to it reminds me to turn the refrigerator off before I start recording and to turn it back on when I finish. Last week, before we implemented the note, I came home to find the contents of our freezer melted. The microphone is sensitive enough that it picks up the hum of the fridge, even though it is in another room. Granted, there’s no door on the room, but still.

Amp and my computerIn the living room, behind a closed door, we’ve got my computer and a Shure FP-33 portable mixer. The mixer functions mainly as a power supply for the microphone but also boosts the signal some to provide cleaner sound. Or, at least, I think that’s what Rob said when I asked.

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1 thought on “My recording set-up”

  1. Geeks wanna know: What kind of mic are you using? I have an AKG which is okay but low sound. Does Rob recommend anything?

    My gear setup is in the bedroom closet which is a small walk-in (the size of an NYC bathroom) about 12’x6′ (3.6576 meters by 1.8288 meters). Clothes are stored on one side and linens on the other. It is frigging DEAD in there. Except for this passage where sound goes out through the center (there’s no door). The challenges are the narrow space, the large occupant (me) and the fact that my wife also sleeps here because someone snores (apparently it’s me but I am never awake to hear it).

    I set about recording the podcast of my novel a couple months ago but stopped when I realized there were quite a few errors in the manuscript. Ooops! So much for finished!!!

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