How to Run Retro Microphone Events
Finding The Right Old Sound
To make music feel old today, mix how they did it back then with new tech. Ribbon mics and tube amps with settings you can tweak help get back that warm tone from old songs.
Stuff You Need and How to Set It
- Tube amps you can change
- Ribbon mics for smooth sound
- Old style sound setups for deep feel
- Tape decks or good fake tools
Wise Ways to Place Your Mic
Try the known Glyn Johns way to grab a full, even sound. Place mics smartly to make use of nearness, boosting low tones. Old recording ways are still tops for true old-time sound.
Mixing Old Gear with New
- Using strong tube amps
- Adding tape sound jobs
- Using tech to act like old stuff
- Keeping today’s clear tones with old vibes
New Tech for Old Tunes
Today’s tech can give us the bumpy ride and sound curves of old stuff. These tools are steady, sure and keep old sound fresh in today’s music scenes.
Stuff You Need for Old Mic Jobs
Main Old Sound Parts
Three main old mic parts start the base for real old sound grabs: a 1950s ribbon mic, tube amp you can tweak, and a Class A vacuum tube compressor.
How Ribbon Mics Work
The old ribbon mic is top in sound job with its two-way noise catch and smooth range from 30Hz to 15kHz. This setup has the known warm, old sound that sound folks want. Its soft 3dB drop for high tones cuts need for more EQ when you record brass or strings.
Best sound from placing the mic 6-8 inches away, using nearness power.
Tube Amp Settings
The tube amp’s can change power matches it well with mic needs, around 300 ohms usual. Settings for gain are from +30dB to +60dB for more sound types. The amp’s way to change tones, mostly even-order changes, add needed depth to the sound setup.
Using Vacuum Tube Press
A Class A vacuum tube press ends the sound chain using a 4:1 blend and medium hit time. Setting the start at -3dB makes a soft press while keeping sound range and giving the loved old depth.
The last part adds light depth, lifting the total old sound feel of the stuff recorded.
