Munk Sounds

29/03/2023

- The 3 types of microphones* . .
(*ok, there's more than 3, but these are the ones you're gonna run into on the regular) . .
- Here's a quick rundown of the basic types of microphones, we'll do a proper deep dive into each one separately in the future - don't forget to follow and like if you want to see that!

These microphones are generally not super sensitive, because of the moving coil diaphragm design, so dynamic mics are ideally suited to loud sources. Things like blaring guitar amps and drums are where dynamics shine, though there is a very popular podcast mic that's a dynamic.

Dynamic mics typically don't have a super extended low frequency response, and oftentimes have a large lift in the upper midrange (looking at you, SM57!) They're also usually the cheapest kind of mic available, though premium dynamics do exist. . .
These microphones are much more sensitive to quiter sounds than dynamics, primarily because a diaphragm capsule gets moving (and turning that motion into electrical signal) much faster than the heavy moving coil designs. Condensers need +48v phantom power to operate, and are much more fragile than dynamics.

Condenser mics tend to have a better frequency response in the low end, and almost always have a lift towards the high end, making them particularly suited to vocal duties. They range in price from a few hundred to tens of thousands. . .
These microphones have a corrugated ribbon held in a magnetic field, and are the most fragile and sensitive of the basic mic types. +48v phantom power can damage the ribbon element, as well as potential ribbon damage from high sound pressure levels, these things can be a bit pernickety and very expensive to repair and maintain. They do sound great though, and when you need that ribbon mic sound, nothing else will do.

Ribbon mics have great low end response, because of the proximity effect, wherein as a source sound gets closer to the microphone, low frequencies are boosted. They usually also start rolling off the top end at around 15kHz, which is why they're often referred to as "dark" sounding. Ribbons can be very expensive to purchase, but there are some great affordable options out there, not everything has to be a Coles or a Royer! . .

20/03/2023

Once again its - where does the time go? This week, its the veneerable AKG D112 MkII, companion to kick drums all over the world. If you can't get a good sound with a D112, you're probably the problem! . .
- This is a kick drum mic, specifically tailored for the job. Mostly the D112 is used on the inside of a kick drum. Stick it in there, vaguely point it at the batter head and booyah booyah, thunderous drum tone . .
With a little lift at 100Hz & another at 3.5kHz, it gets you where you need to go quickly. The fact that between 100Hz & 3.5kHz its pancake flat on the frequency response is just icing, the D112 will take a crazy EQ curve & still sound aces . .
Unlike other large diaphragm dynamic mics (SM7B et al), you won't find the D112 pressed into service on other sources so much. I like it just about ok on bass cab & I've used a spare on floor toms in a pinch, but I usually leave it where it shines, in a kick drum . .
this is actually a D112 MkII, which has one significant improvement over the first version - an integrated stand mount. Also the impedance was raised from 200 ohms to 210, which made such a negligible difference as to be imperceptible . .
Want to hear this mic for yourself? Check out our mobile recording studio service, where the studio comes to you! . .

16/03/2023

Tracking bass in the B room with help from the GED 2112 by Tech 21 NYC - I love this rectangle! It sounds so good with zero effort! . .

27/02/2023

Once again friends, it's
This week, I'd like to feature a modification to the ubiqitous studio workhorse, the SM57. . .
The mod is by Audio and it just turns the capsule of the mic by 90 degrees. It's a less than 5-minute job to install - plus it's non-destructive so you can always remove it and turn your 57 back into the factory standard model if you ever need to. . .
- super easy, barely an inconvenience. Simply unscrew the body of the SM57, taking care not to damage the cabling that runs between the two parts, then slide the mod casing on and tighten the hex nuts. Done! . .
- This mod doesn't alter the on-axis frequency response of the microphone in any way, because the mod is fixed to the body of the microphone well behind the capsule. There's a slight perceptible shift in the off-axis response, but this has far more to do with the fact that the body of the mic is now in the cardioid polar field. In practice, this isn't actually an issue, as thats where the mic stand would usually be anyway and a little diffusion in your off-axis pickup isn't ever a bad thing! . .
Want to hear how this mic (plus mod) sounds on your instruments? Now you can with our mobile recording service, where . .

02/02/2023

The Recording Studio Comes To You! . .
Studio-quality recordings made in spaces that suit you, for half the price of a day in a commercial studio! Satisfaction guaranteed! . .
Record anywhere! At home, at work, at a venue or a church! . .
DM for details and availability, or visit munksounds.com

26/01/2023

Recording a live show at a cool church in Manchester a few months back. Cranborne Audio 500R8 on the left, holding it down on recording duties, obligatory roll of white electrical tape in the middle (for scribbling down who's on what channel) and on the right a Zoom (i think) mixing board that I borrowed last minute when the bloke who was meant to do the live sound couldn't make it. Fun night. . .
Want your live show professionally recorded? Thats a thing we can do. DM for more details and availability of the mobile recording studio, or visit munksounds.com

25/01/2023

..aaaand we're back! The recording studio comes to you once again! Studio-quality sounds made in the comfort of your own home for half the price of a commercial facility. Satisfaction guaranteed! . .
We bring everything you could possibly need for a great recording, wherever you want to record! Microphones, preamps, DI boxes and even acoustic treatment! . .
DM for details and availability or email [email protected] . .

08/11/2022

New Mic Alert! Meet the BB29 by - swipe for a quick unboxing! . .
This is JZ Microphones flagship 'modern' large diaphragm condenser. It's a single diaphragm capsule. I'll get into what that means next (as Twitter is dying of Elongated Muskrat-itis I'm making an effort to be active on here a bit more) . .
Side note - I was impressed by how well packaged the mic was. Box in box in bubble wrap in box. The mic was securely cradled in a nice dense foam insert - so securely in fact that it was genuinely difficult to extract the mic to put it on a stand. Mildly unimpressed that (for the price of it) the shockmount isn't included. . .
I'll get back to you all on how it sounds as ASAP as possible . .

13/09/2022

Super fun glitchy synth patch on the . .
I love using the modulation section's Sample & Hold output to introduce pure randomness to than oscillator . .
The patch - 1. Arpeggiator on 3 octaves
2. Arp/Seq Gate Out -> Mod Rate In
3. Mod S/H Out -> Osc 1 Pitch In
4. Mod Wave Out -> Filter Cutoff In
5. Mixer Output -> Hi Pass In
6. Hi Pass Out -> Filter In
7. Filter Out -> VCA In
8. Set envelope & Osc 2 to taste
9. Mod wheel adds stutter
10. Osc 1 adds glitchy randomness
11. Have fun! . .

25/08/2022

25/08/2022

25/08/2022