Learn More About Audio

Articles by Bruce Bartlett                               

These articles are downloadable pdf files, best viewed on a desktop or laptop.

THEATER SOUND SYSTEM BASICS (using floor mics)
SOUND SYSTEM BASICS (for instrument microphones)

HOW TO OPERATE A MIXER FOR A BAND

MICROPHONES

Mic Specs In Plain English (simple guide)
Mic Specs (explained in detail)
Omni Boundary Mics
Directional Boundary Mics (Why Put a Mic on the Floor?)
Phantom Power Tips
Phantom Power Primer
Mics vs. Pickups
Wired vs. Wireless Mics: Making the Right Choice
Clip-on Mics: Pro's and Con's

HOW TO USE MICROPHONES

How to Reduce Footstep Noise
Mic Technique Basics for Musical Instruments
Optimizing Wireless Mic Performance
The 3-to-1 Rule of Mic Placement
Popular Mic Techniques for Studio Recording
Using a Microphone On-off Switch to Tune Between Songs
Better Sound for Your Smartphone Videos
Miking a Singing Guitarist
The Single-Mic Technique for Music Reinforcement
Attaining Better Sound for Your Smartphone Videos

PREVENTING FEEDBACK

How to Reduce Feedback (with Instrument Mics)
10 Tips to Reduce Feedback
How to Connect a Graphic Equalizer or Feedback Suppressor to Your Sound System
Preventing Feedback with Floor Mics (includes feedback calculator)

 RESEARCH PAPERS

How Mic Placement Affects Tone
Effect of Mic Placement on Banjo Tone

AUDIO JARGON

Sound Quality Terms  (airy, boomy, warm, harsh, tinny, thin..)
Impedance
Audio Terms (amplitude, polarity, unbalanced...)

 FIXING AUDIO PROBLEMS

Preventing Hum and RFI (for geeks)
Hum-Fixing Checklist (for non-geeks)

 P.A. SYSTEMS

Beginner's Guide to Audio Connections
How to Do a Soundcheck for an Acoustic Band
Need a Complete Sound System? (brand suggestions)
Choosing a Portable P.A. for Plays and Live Music 
Mixer Basics for Beginners
Mixer Connections and Operation
Improving Your Sound with EQ
Sound System Block Diagrams
Using Delay to Localize Sound on Stage
Using the Aux Knobs in a Mixer
Tips on Using an Instrument Amplifier
Mixer controls - phantom power
7 Tips for Using Mic Cables
Mixer controls - pad
Mixer controls - EQ
Mixer controls - Aux
How to EQ Your Mic On Stage

 RECORDING

Books and Articles on Recording by Bruce Bartlett
Popular Mic Techniques for Studio Recording
Recording an Old-Time Band with Bartlett Audio Microphones
Recording Made Simple with Clip-on Mics
Stereo Mic Techniques (Recording Music On Location)
Acoustic Fixes for Your Home Studio
Music: Why We Record
How to Record Your Band's Practice Session
Record at Home, Mix in a Pro Studio
Using a Mic Splitter for Live Recordings

BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO HOME RECORDING ON A BUDGET

1. Overview
2. Audio interfaces
3. Microphones
4. Mic technique basics
5. Popular studio mic techniques
6. Equalization (EQ)
7. Reverberation
8. Overdubbing, punching in, composite tracks
9. Compression
10. Mixdown

AUDIO DEVICES

Preamp Buyer's Guide
Little Boxes: Preamps, DIs, Impedance, Balanced-unbalanced, Phantom Power
Do You Need a Mic Preamp On Stage?

INSTRUMENT AMPLIFIERS

Instrument Amps for Violin, Cello and Acoustic Guitar