New York University’s chapter of the Audio Engineering Society (AES) will co-host a microphone shoot-out in cooperation with Tekserve on November 14. The students will listen to microphones by Neumann, Sennheiser, AKG, B.L.U.E., sE Electronics and M-Audio. Tekserve’s Pro Audio department and several of the above manufacturers will supply the microphones and playback facilities.
Recording will take place at NYU’s Clive Davis Recording Studios, using API, SSL and Digidesign Pro Tools|HD Accel hardware. Musicians will include a pianist, a vocalist and a guitarist. High-definition 24-bit/192kHz recordings will be stored on Glyph hard drives.
“Musicians and audio professionals have more choices than ever before with many new, high-quality microphones on the market,” said Chris Payne, head of Tekserve Pro Audio. “Companies like sE Electronics and M-Audio have affordable microphones for the most demanding applications. Neumann and AKG continue to manufacture products based on their high-quality components and design. The microphones from B.L.U.E. are known for their quirky designs, but their sound quality rivals some of the best.”
“It’s not always the most expensive microphone that makes the best recording; it sometimes depends on the application” Payne added. “We’re excited to host a blind shoot-out where young audio professionals can hear this for themselves. A grand piano, a female vocal and guitar are some of the most demanding applications for any microphone. It should be fun to find out which ones come out on top.”
James Anderson, head of NYU’s Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music said, “All the time, I’m asked by students to recommend a microphone that they can afford. This will be more than an intellectual exercise, but a practical one in which they can find immediate benefit. We’re excited to be involved.”
The mic shoot-out will take place at Tekserve (119 West 23rd Street, New York, NY) on Monday, November 14, from 6 to 8 p.m.
For more information, please go to www.tekserve.com.
