By Full Compass LiveThe only thing better than improving your quality of life is being able to do so while not busting your budget. All of these goodies cost less than $50—some much less—and provide elegant solutions to common studio problems.
Nuke the Buzz
No one likes ground loop-induced humDefinition:
An undesired continuous signal caused by AC electrical power, typically 60/50 Hz and its harmonics. and buzzes. Although there are a lot of isolation transformers that help prevent ground loops, the Rolls HE18 is a compact stereoDefinition:
A two channel signal simulating a sound space, typically played through two speakers. box, can convert unbalanced signals into balanced signals (and vice-versa), covers 20 HzDefinition:
See Hertz. to 70 kHzDefinition:
kHz (Kilohertz): 1,000 Hertz, or one thousand cycles per second. with a ±0.5 dBDefinition:
1. A deciBel is a logarithmic ratio between two quantities, and is a nonlinear measurement that mimics human perception. 2. A unit expressing sound levels relative to a nominal level just audible by the average human ear, and equal to 1/10th of a Bel. variation, and has better than -97 dB crosstalkDefinition:
An undesired audio signal that originates from adjacent wires or adjacent channels.. And don’t forget that a lot of people feel that putting a transformerDefinition:
A passive electromagnetic device that uses one or more coils of wire to isolate or split signals. Also may convert impedance and voltage levels. May be used to eliminate ground loops, reduce Rf interference or crosstalk. in the signal path adds a subtle, warm, tone mojo you can’t get any other way.
You’ve met these kinds of people: “A little more level, please...okay...no, a little less...almost there...a little less...no, now that’s a little too soft, try splitting the difference...I think it’s okay now...well, maybe a little more...” Don’t twist their necks! Instead, give them a volume control to twist. Whether for a cue feed, discreet mounting under a podium, quick attenuation, muting a mic, or any one of a zillion uses, Sescom’s SES-MKP-29 is a simple, monoDefinition:
Short for Monophonic. An audio program, recording, or hardware device/software routine that produces or processes a signal with only one channel., inline volume control that comes with Super Velcro so you can mount it semi-permanently in the studio or onstage. (Note: The A15AS isn’t compatibleDefinition:
Capable of operating with a particular selection of hardware or software. with phantom powerDefinition:
A source of power for a microphone (usually condenser) that travels to the microphone over the microphone's cable. There are different voltage standards and requirements for different microphones, but the most common standard is 48 Volts. It derives its name because there is no visible power cable. devices.)
Space: The Final Frontier
We’ve all been there...plugging a ¼" plugDefinition:
A connector, normally male and attached to a cable. into a back panel sticks out too far. So you have to pull the thing you’re plugging into forward, and when patching, it’s a PITA to access the connection. Hosa’s GPP-273 is a simple solution that plugs into a phone jack, then provides a right-angle turn that makes it much easier to plug in your cable of choice.
Come on Over to Mic Pad
Your mic doesn’t have a pad switch? Or only one position that never seems to be quite right? Audio-Technica’s AT8202 solves those problems with an in-lineDefinition:
Accessories placed between two connections, typically a cable and a device. attenuatorDefinition:
1. A device that reduces a signal's amplitude. 2. A rotary autoformer level control for constant voltage sound systems. for XLR cables, and switch-selected options for 10, 20, or 30 dB of attenuation. It has an XLR male on one end, XLR female on the other, and passes 48V so you can even use it with high-output condenserDefinition:
An archaic term for Capacitor. mics.
Oh Snap! The Cable Isn’t Long Enough!
It’s long enough now, with a Planet Waves PW-P047T. This is a simple ¼" female stereo to ¼" female stereo adapter, so you can connect two cables together to extend the overall length. Aside from being cheap ’n’ cheerful, you can be a hero to the guitar player who uses a super-long cable on stage, and then wonders why the tone sounds “different” in the studio. It’s because of the extra capacitanceDefinition:
The quality of an electronic circuit that exhibits an impedance to AC signals, so that as the frequency of the input signal increases, the capacitance exhibits a decreasing impedance to that signal. from that long cable, so just string cables together until the guitar player is happy. Mission accomplished!