Archive
Kick drum mic Down Under…
The Beta 91A is a great kick drum mic and these Australians have used it to upgrade their kick drum sound…
The Beta 91A is optimised for kick drums, as well as traditional low end applications including piano. It uses a half-cardioid condenser boundary microphone with an integrated XLR preamplifier that is tailored for a strong low-end response. It has a two-position contour switch for optimised sound signature depending on application.
Either use it stand-alone, or in a multi-mic setup. Try it with the Beta 52A – that’s quite a noise!
Find out more on the Shure website.
PSM 900 & Marillion
Shure’s PSM900 in-ear monitoring system is fast becoming a touring and gigging standard. This led Neo-Prog rock band, Marillion to investigate their own PSM 900 system…
One of Shure’s external sales representatives is Marillion’s BIGGEST fan. He quickly jumped at the chance to join me in visiting them for a full-blown demo. Here’s Anthony’s write up of the day…
“What better way to spend one of the first sunny days of the year then with a little ride out into the countryside under the pretence of doing some work.
The countryside in question was Buckinghamshire and along with Tom we headed off to ‘The Racket Club’, artistic home of band Marillion, to introduce them to the new Shure PSM900 in-ear monitoring system.
For the uninitiated, Marillion have been producing music since the early eighties and have a loyal and dedicated fan base in the UK & Europe. As very early advocates of managing their affairs through the web the band harness the power of www.marillion.com to communicate their activities, distribute their music and sell out their shows.
So, armed with a much welcome mug or tea and a custard cream or two the band and Tour Manager Richard Lee were treated to an in-depth presentation of the product; needless to say they were impressed by the features, build quality and sound of the PSM900 and by the end of our visit plans were already taking shape to get the PSM900 onto their upcoming shows.”
Don’t forget that PSM900 is Channel 38 ready! For more information on the changeover, please visit our 2012 Digital Switchover Resource Centre.
Microphone testing for Drum 48
Drum 48 is a massive fundraiser coming up in May 2011 to raise funds for Wessex Cancer and Wessex Haemophilia Trust. It will involve 48 hours of non-stop drumming, and to make sure everyone can be heard, Shure are proud to be sponsoring this charity event with some new drum microphones and In-Ear Monitoring equipment.
The organiser Chris Knight plays drums in his local church and plans to drum for most of the event himself. He is a big fan of Shure equipment, but had never experienced the differences between Shure’s drum microphones, so he visited us here at SDUK to have a listen and a bit of a play.
We tested a wide selection of PG, SM and Beta drum microphones, and specifically the new Beta 91A and Beta 98AMP/C. A particular favourite was the combination of the Beta 91A with Beta 52A – what a huge sound!
Chris was also keen to see how In-Ear Monitoring could benefit his event, so we gave him a full demo of PSM900.
More details about how the mics worked at the event itself will follow…
The Who use Shure on Charity Gig
Some big names in rock music came together last week with a charity gig in aid of KILLING Cancer. Bryan Adams, Richard Ashcroft, Jeff Beck, Debbie Harry & headliners The Who joined forces at Hammmersmith Apollo to raise awareness for this Charity.
KILLING Cancer supports Photodynamic Therapy, a treatment which could potentially treat many of the most devastating cancers and medical conditions.
Lots of Shure gear was used in the show including UHF-R wireless, PSM900 and the trusted SM58. Richard Ashcroft even used the 520DX ‘Green Bullet’ microphone during his performance.
Pictures of the gig are available, and judging by them, it seemed that a good time was had by all.
Further information on KILLING Cancer is available on their website.
Shure Axient Wireless – video trailer
Here’s a quick video trailer of Shure’s brand new Axient Wireless system. Enjoy!
Axient – the brand new zero-failure Wireless Microphone System.
Last week’s NAMM show in Anaheim, USA, saw Shure introduce some exciting new products. It also saw the preview of the brand new flagship Wireless Mircrophone System, Axient.
Axient wireless sets a new standard in term of audio and RF performance. It is also the first wireless microphone system that can detect and avoid interference by changing frequencies on the fly – without being noticed by the user.
“Uncertainty and volatility in the RF spectrum are the new reality for professional wireless users.” said Sandy LaMantia, President and CEO of Shure Incorporated. “They face increasing pressure to deliver interference-free performance in the most critical live broadcast, theatre, music and corporate events, even though conditions are more unpredictable than ever before. Shure Axient wireless was designed from the outset to withstand interference from the analogue and digital sources that exist today and will exist in the future.”
Axient sets a new level for audio and RF standards. It offers the most linear RF transmitter/receiver performance of any system to date, meaning it can fit more frequencies in one TV channel than any other system. Axient also offers the best quality audio for the most demanding performances and applications.
While not just a great radio mic system, it also boasts a number of very innovative features:
The Axient Spectrum Manager constantly scans the RF environment and performs frequency compatibility calculations to assign the best clear frequencies to each wireless transmitter. It permanently monitors, ranks and deploys backup frequencies.
Interference Detection and Avoidance is a receiver mode that informs you if interference is detected. When encountered, the Axient Spectrum Manager will then deploy the best available frequency to the troubled receiver. The transmitter will also be updated with this clean frequency via the two-way ShowLink connection. This does not require a transmitter sync, and will change at exactly the same time as the receiver. The user will not notice it happening. Interference avoided.
Frequency Diversity takes this to a new level, and is perfect for the channel of wireless that MUST NOT FAIL. Axient handheld transmitters can transmit on two frequencies simultaneously. In this mode, a dual receiver will receive the same one audio signal on both channels, each receiving on a separate frequency. The receiver always chooses the best signal, and seamlessly switches the output accordingly. (Two bodypacks can also be used together to use this mode).
If you combine Frequency Diversity with Interference Detection and Avoidance, you have one solid system that cannot go wrong.
Axient also integrates perfectly with the New Wireless Workbench 6 software allowing full user control of Axient and other Shure networked wireless systems – UHF-R and PSM 1000.
Axient runs on touring-grade rechargeable batteries and the charging station delivers real-time information about power levels and charge history for all power platform devices.
For more information, check out Axient’s web page.
Axient will available from summer 2011.
Beyond the Basics of Drum Miking
The drums can be a pretty complicated and daunting beast to mic up. Are they one instrument, or a collection of smaller ones? Well, the answer is both, and there are many ways to achieve this.
Shure’s Notes contains an article showing some of the best ways to mic drums, from basic techniques to quirky tricks of the trade. Perfect reading for the beginner and seasoned engineer alike.
Don’t forget to check out Shure’s new range of drum mics on our website too!
All I want for Christmas is an X2u…
So Christmas is getting closer, and your folks still don’t know what present to buy for you. Or perhaps, you’re a budding recording artists, but don’t want to spend the tonnes of money needed to set up your own Abbey Road studio? If any of these sound like you, then here’s something that you should DEFINITELY put on your Christmas list!
The Shure X2u XLR-USB adapter allows you to connect any microphone straight into your computer via USB. It needs no extra hardware, and being a plug and play device, needs no software either. A recording studio at your own desk – or wherever you like for that matter.
Unlike similar products available, the X2u boasts two key features – Zero Latency Monitoring and Monitor Mix Control.
The X2u has its own dedicated headphone output. By plugging your headphones straight into the X2u, you can hear the sound live, with Zero Latency.
Monitor Mix Control balances the live audio feed with the computer playback – much like a DJ’s cross fader – letting you choose exactly what comes through to your cans.
There are also two USB large diaphragm condenser microphone available – PG27-USB for instruments, and the PG42-USB for vocals. For more details, visit our Home Recording page.
Watch the video below to see how easy the X2u is to use.
Happy shopping…
One Month Left For Wireless Microphone Users To Register For Wireless Microphone Funding
So there’s just one month to go until the big day; is your wireless microphone compensation claim registered with Ofcom yet?
Licensed wireless microphone users affected by the migration from TV channel 69 to channel 38, have until December 31st 2010 to register their claim for compensation. Eligible applicants can receive about 55% of the cost of replacing their equipment.
This deadline is not to be missed though, as applications received after this date will be rejected. Don’t fear though – applications can be registered now, and then amended online up to December 31st 2010.
So if you haven’t done so already, get your claim in now! See the full December Ofcom press release regarding Channel 38 here.
Shure’s Channel 38 resource centre includes a tonne of information about the switchover.
Shure Tattoo Shows Huge Dedication at AES!
Over the weekend San Francisco played host to the 129th AES convention. Our American Shure colleagues exhibited here showing (amongst other things) our KSM313 and KSM353 ribbon mics and the new range of Beta drum mics.
BTW the new Beta 91A & Beta 98A drum mics are soon due here in the UK – keep an eye on our blog and you’ll be one of the first to know when they hit the UK shores.
But the stars of the show were our completely dedicated Shure fans. This particular Shure fan visited our booth proudly displaying his SM57 tattoo including frequency response and polar pattern diagrams!!! I wonder which will last longer – the SM57 or his tattoo…..
