Week 6 With Joe Haze- Annex Studios - Posted on 2015-10-25 by Kenna Hansen

This week was long, I was in the studio for 6 hours! It was awesome though, we did a lot while I was there and I got to be more hands on, experience I could not replace.

The first thing we did was edit post, dialog editing and a little bit of mastering for a short festival piece, which is the avenue I would like to travel eventually. It was so interesting to hear how he changed the sound, it began to sound more and more like something I would hear on a theater screen, and to have a base for those skills is really rewarding.

The next thing we moved on to was microphone types and went over different types again and it was different having gone over microphones on my own and learn the science behind them.  I was able to grasp a lot more and really understand the pros/cons for each mic from an audio engineers point of view.  

The last thing we did was mic up a piano and I played a couple things.  We put a matched pair of AKC C414's and one NT1A. We ran the sound through a little bit of compression and standard reverb.  At first I didn't know why we had the Rode out, but after we went in and made sure they were phase alligned, he played the tracks together and I voiced my question.  He pointed out that, although the Rode wasn't good for capturing clarity, that wasn't it's purpose in its placement.  He then played the track through just the C414's and the room sounded visibly smaller.  The track for the NT1A was pretty bad sounding.  Not clear, tinny, not enough bass.  He then played the track with the matched C414's and pointed out how boxed it was, not as open as when I heard the track the first time, then he added in a low level of the Rode and it opened everything up.  I am feeling less like I am drowning but beginning to understand what my role will be as a professional Audio Engineer.

This knowledge couldn't be gained from a book. To be in the room patching things through the patch bay, having my hands on the equiptment, a mentor there every step of the way.  This is exactly why I went through Recording Connection.  What I am learning is invaluable.  I am lucky to have such an involved Mentor as well.  I can ask him questions while getting gear and he'll answer objectively but tell me what he uses and his opinion.  He is available, and I feel like I'm getting true one on one time and attention rather than just be talked at or down to as most teaching styles feel to me. I am learning more and more and am excited for next week!