RECORDING MAGAZINE MAY Become a fan of recordingmag on Facebook Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/recordingmag REvIEws 22 Kel Audio HM-7U amd HM-3C Microphones. The Canadian mic maker brings us a modern twist on a classic vintage design and an exceptionally versatile new performer. 58 56 REVIEWS BY PAUL VNUK JR. 46 Recording Fundamentals. Chapter 5: Introduction To Microphones—Part Two (Directionality). When you point a microphone at a source, what is it actually listening to... and how? It’s time to learn the mysteries and magic of the polar pattern! BY ERIC FERGUSON 34 AKG Perception 120 USB Microphone. The popular Perception Series adds a high-quality USB model with worthy results. REVIEW BY MIKE METLAY INTERvIEws 12 Lynne Arriale’s Solo—A Piano Solo Recording Of Note. Do you really need sixteen mics to record a single piano? This album defies piano-recording conventions with its extraordinary sound. We chat with pianist Lynne Arriale, tracking engineer Gary Baldassari, and mix engineer Duke Markos. INTERVIEWS BY LORENZ RYCHNER 38 40 Earthworks SR20 Microphone. This affordable sibling to the world-class SR40V vocal mic shines on both vocals and instrumentmiking applications. REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR. 42 Radial Engineering MC3 Passive Monitor Switcher. A no-excuses monitor/sub controller and headphone amp gives even the smallest studios affordable and repeatable monitor control. REVIEW BY MIKE METLAY 24 Fanny Franklin’s Get Wet—A Conversation With Producer/Engineer Jason Gutierrez. A Los Angeles producer rediscovers the glorious sound of analog tape, and finds a way to effectively and affordably combine it with his DAW for the best of both worlds on this retro soul recording. Here’s how it was done. INTERVIEWS BY BETO HALE 42 58 Audio-Technica AT4050ST Stereo Microphone. The world-famous mic that defined a genre, now in a flexible stereo configuration. REVIEW BY PAUL VNUK JR. 56 Miking A Symphony Orchestra For A Commercial. Mike Pappas is back in the hot seat recording the Colorado Symphony Orchestra for a full orchestra/choir session, and we learn all the details. INTERVIEW BY LORENZ RYCHNER 22 60 Alclair Reference In-Ear Monitors. Crystal-clear and exquisitely detailed monitoring... for your ears only. REVIEW BY MIKE METLAY REGuLARs 4 8 10 44 72 Fade In. Talkback. Fast Forward. Readers’ Tapes. BY MARTY PETERS 62 RME Fireface UCX. This tiny audio interface packs a major punch, with plenty of I/O and powerful internal DSP for mixing and routing. REVIEW BY DARWIN GROSSE FEATuREs 36 12 Miking Instruments: The Lost Art. A respected engineer and studio designer reminds us of essential techniques for effective instrument miking. BY CHRIS PELONIS Fade Out. Listening to Learn. EDITORIAL BY MIKE METLAY COVER DESIGN BY SCOTT SIMMONDS CELEBRATING 40 SXSW 2012. Music networking abounds in Austin, and there’s a lot to be learned. SPECIAL REPORT BY MARC URSELLI 65 Advertiser Index.http://www.twitter.com/recordingmag http://www.twitter.com/recordingmag