The “Microphone selection and application panel” was a highlight of the day at the AES Nashville Section Vocal Microphone Invitational 2013. Shown L-R: Jeff Balding, Michael Wagener, Michael Davis, Lynn Fuston, Brett Blanden, Neal Cappellino and Jonathan Loeser. Photo: Yu Howe
Nashville, TN (September 27, 2013)—AES Nashville, one of the most active sections of the Audio Engineering Society, held its Vocal Microphone Invitational at Belmont University’s Ocean Way Nashville, Studio A, on Saturday, September 21. Featuring an all-star panel of engineers, as well as a cappella vocal performances by male and female vocalists through a wide variety of studio and live vocal microphones, the free event was a big success.
The daylong event was capped off by a discussion with an all-star panel of studio and live engineers that was moderated by Lynn Fuston, Pro Audio Review technical editor and engineer (Kathy Troccoli, Michael W. Smith, DC Talk). Fuston was joined by three studio pros with voluminous discographies: 1. Michael Wagener (Ozzy Osbourne, Kings X, Skid Row, Dokken, Stryker, Lordi), who is the owner and operator of WireWorld Studios and Double Trouble Productions (he also conducts a series of educational workshops); 2. Jeff Balding, a long-time Nashville veteran with an amazingly diverse discography (Shania Twain, Megadeth, Giant, Lionel Ritchie, Kelly Pickler); and 3. Producer/Engineer Neal Cappellino, who is also a 20-plus-year Nashville veteran that built his career on working with a broad swath of artists (Alison Krauss & Union Station, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Darius Rucker). Cappellino also operates The DogHouse recording studio.
Joining the panel from the post-production and live event recording camp was Michael Davis, owner and chief engineer of Digital Audio Post. Michael is a musician and composer who has toured as keyboard player and programmer with Dolly Parton. He’s also provided audio for numerous TV and film projects, and provided post-production services for CMT’s Summerfest concert series and other programs. From the front-of-house world came a pair of live sound professionals: Jonathan Loeser, who currently serves at FOH for Rascal Flatts, in addition to work for Colbie Caillat, Olivia Newton-John and Prince; and Brett Blanden, a longtime veteran in studio and live sound, currently working at FOH for Lady Antebellum.
The Vocal Microphone Invitational 2013 was produced by the AES Nashville section (aesnashville.org), Pro Sound News and Pro Audio Review. Blue Microphones, byerdynamic, Royer Labs, Mojave Audio and Vintage King sponsored the event.
Audio Engineering Society
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