There’s a lot more going on with microphones than a lot of singers realize. Doug Gould of WorshipMD discusses how to pick the best microphone, how to set it up, and how to EQ it on your mixer. He also discusses the importance of mic placements on instruments.

For info on the StudioLive AI digital mixers, click here.

For more from Doug Gould and Worship MD, click here.

Sceptre reviews are starting to roll in more commonly these days, but we were really flattered by this kind review from MusicTech.Net, which gave the Sceptre S8s a 9/10 and the S6 an 8/10. Tremendous thanks to MusicTech, we owe you guys.

From the review:

“First impressions are of tremendous clarity and a wide-open stereo picture. With acoustic recordings, the degree of air around the instruments is quite remarkable. Frequency response seems very even as well, with no discernible anomalies present in the midrange, and there is no appreciable change in timbre as you move around the listening position.”

Click here to read the full review,

For more on the Sceptre monitors, click here.

Interested in hearing them for yourself? We recommend you do. If you’re in the US, click here to find a dealer. Folks outside the US can find a dealer by clicking here.

Doug Gould of WorshipMD discusses how best to take advantage of the gain knob on your mixer during your services, and why it’s such a critical setting.

For info on the StudioLive AI digital mixers, click here.

For more from Doug Gould and Worship MD, click here.

Doug Gould of WorshipMD discusses how best to use your headphones while isolating problem elements of your live mix.

For info on the StudioLive AI digital mixers, click here.

For more from Doug Gould and Worship MD, click here.

Stephen Marsh is the sort of guy that defines “first call.” In a natch over 20 years in the mastering game, his client roster has seen the likes of   Los Lobos, Boyz II Men, Ben Harper, Kenny Loggins, Megadeth, The Donnas, Ozomatli, Pharcyde, Incubus, Ginuwine, Keb’ Mo’, and Jars Of Clay.

Furthermore, he’s provided audiophile remastering services for guys you might have heard of called Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Janis Joplin, and James Taylor. Oh, and The Byrds.

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As if that’s not enough, he’s also mastered Oscar and Golden Globe-winning film scores. In other words, Stephen’s listening ability is unparalleled, so when he speaks about speakers, you should probably listen to him. He recently had a chance to install the Sceptre S8 Monitors in his studio and put them through their paces. Here, he shares his reaction. Thanks, Stephen, for taking the time to share your experience with us. Enjoy!

For more on the Sceptre monitors, click here. 

We’ve got a little bit of work to do on the back end of our online services this weekend. Please note that the following services will be affected beginning at 6 p.m. CST while we work on things:

• My.PreSonus will be inaccessible
• Our online store will be inaccessible
• PreSonus forums will be in read-only mode
• Tech Support ticketing will be in read-only mode
• Studio One, Notion, and Progression cannot be activated during this time

Doug Gould of WorshipMD discusses how best to settle on an appropriate volume level for your services, and how to interpret the ever-common complaint of  “It’s too loud!”

For info on the StudioLive AI digital mixers, click here.

For more from Doug Gould and Worship MD, click here.

Check it out! The incomparable Doug Gould came by the PreSonus office and knocked out an incredible THIRY VIDEO SERIES on quick tips for the worship audio crowd. In this inaugural episode, he discusses the value of simplicity and consistency in your House of Worship productions. Stay tuned to the blog here for the entire 30-video series—one per day in May!

For info on the StudioLive AI digital mixers, click here.

For more from Doug Gould and Worship MD, click here.

[UPDATE: This offer has been extended to June 30, 2014!]

We live in a world with a million free VST plug-ins, a quarter million amp companies, racks and stacks of dusty vintage gear with true-analog vintage mojo, and new gear from hundreds of manufacturers popping up every month. For the budget-minded recordist, it can be a lot to take it at once, and settling on the right gear can sometimes be more work than making a record itself. With so many people asking so many questions about the “right” way to record, it’s a wonder Google hasn’t broken yet.

Searches for “how do I record X” often return a stormy HTML sea of online audio recording punditry. Amidst the results, however, one often finds a familiar refrain that goes something like this:

• You don’t need that many mics
• Simpler is better
• Less is more

The spirit of “Less is more,” in this case, applies to both the AudioBox USB design mindset and money. Because until June 30, 2014, we’re offering $30 off of the AudioBox USB. (US Pricing, offer may vary in your local market, please check with your local distributor) There’s no rebate paperwork, no waiting period, and no searching under the front seat of the car for the receipt that you lost. Just lower prices on the AudioBox USB, the world over.

The trusty, sturdy AudioBox USB is aimed squarely at the back-to-basics recording mindset. You get two 1/4″ XLR combo jacks, ideal for recording guitar and vocals simultaneously, MIDI in and Out, Main Outs for your monitor speakers, and a headphone out. Keeping things simple also means keeping them small, and the AudioBox USB will slip right into most any laptop case for recording on the go. Furthermore, it’s USB bus-powered, which means you don’t have to worry about pesky dead batteries or AC power cables mucking up your session.

Want to record a coffeeshop gig without lugging a mixer around? Want to record a solo acoustic guitar performance from the top of a tree? Want to record an impromtu jam session while riding the bus? The AudioBox USB makes all of these ideas possible.

It also works on your ideas.

Taylor Nauta consistently sounds great, and we felt that the ADL 700 and ADL 600 preamps would really do his tones justice. So, we invited him by the new HQ, brought him to the live room, and recorded a few tracks.

Taylor’s voice is running through the ADL 700, and his guitar is recorded through a direct input into the first channel of the ADL 600, as well as by a mic run into the second channel.

• For more on Taylor, click here
• For more on the ADL 700, click here
• For more on the ADL 600, click here