#1792836 - 08/08/07 06:05 AM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: miroslav]
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audiorulez
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At the end of the first day...I shut everything down, as I do not like leaving equipment all powered up overnight because it saves power, saves the atmosphere and there’s less chance if something fizzing out while unattended (I don't sleep in the studio  )
While I respect your desire for safety, depending on how much you use your studio, this may not necessarily be true. If you are an occasional user, only a few hours a week or just weekends, then shuting down is the wise move, but if you use your studio daily with only a few hours between sessions, then the power down/up cycle and the subsequent cooling and reheating to operating temperature is more detrimental to your gear, budget and the environment than leaving it on. Unless you have racks and racks of tube gear, the cost of leaving it on idle is pennies a day. Particularly PSU components wear prematurely when constantly power cycled. Electrolitic capacitors and power transformers, both expensive parts, are especially suseptable to premature failure if powercycled every day.
I did a test of sorts with 2 identical pieces of gear over a 5 yr period. One I powered down daily, the other, I left on with the rest of the studio. The one that got power cycled had a PSU failure in just under 2 years resulting in what would have been about $200 in repair costs from a reputable electronics tech. The unit left powered up is still running fine.
I've checked the current draw at idle of all my studio electronics, at it worked out to be about $7 a month averaging 8 hours a day at idle.
There is of course always the possibility of something bizzare happening, but it could easily happen when you are there as well, and if it's catastrophic, there's little you can do but watch it go. By the time you react, AC breakers will trip or fuses will have blown anyway.
All the professional facilities I've worked in never shut down.
And since I leave the mics on the stands...I just throw a plastic baggie over them to keep dust off the diaphragms.
Be careful about doing this to vocal mics. Hours of singers spewing forth moisture from the mouth encapsulated in a plastic bag means a nice environment for germs to grow, right on your very expensive diaphram. Also, do not do this with tube mics, the heat buildup will cause premature failure of components, especially capacitors.
Another issue is security. Mics are easily stolen items. Should God forbid you get broken in to, if they are on stands awaiting the wouldbe thieves, they are gone. However if they are locked away safely their chances of survival are much greater.
Also, if they are safely put away, there's no chance that they can be knocked over by wandering musicians (or studio staff) half awake and in need of more coffee.
In addition, an ionizer in the studio really helps keep the airborn particles that could settle on mics to a minimum, as does a humidifier in winter if you're in a dry climate.
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#1792868 - 08/08/07 07:13 AM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: audiorulez]
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miroslav
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I appreciate your concern for my studio gear…but I don’t do studio work 24/7 and at all hours of the day or night like a full-tilt commercial facility does.….so shutting down is the better option for me.
Some of the gear I have is 15+ years old…and I have yet (nock on wood) to experience any PSU failure.
And I actually think it’s somewhat of a trade off…components failing from power on/off cycles VS. thermal failure from non-stop use.
As far as actual power consumption…I did my own test of sorts, and saw a definite spike in monthly electricity costs when I compared my regular daily/weekly studio usage to periods of 1-2 week total inactivity.
But besides the costs…no matter how you slice-n-dice it…you ARE consuming power needlessly when everything is left on 24/7…AND…you have to run the A/C that much harder to keep the studio cool, as all the equipment will generate extra heat…even in the colder months. And let’s not forget the CO2 emissions, the Ozone Layer and all that important stuff…
So even if I’m working a lot in the studio during a busy week, it’s still only about 10-12 hours/day…after that my ears are tired and I’m tired.
So…that still leaves about 12-14 hours/day when the equipment is just idling.
It just seems like a real waste of electricity to me…but, everyone has their SOP to follow.
I prefer to shut down…been doing it that way for 20-30 years without any issues.
As far as the mic baggies…I never put the bags on warm mics, I always let then cool down for 5-10 minutes, and I use screens in front of vocal mics to keep the spit off them. 
The only time they are left out is when I’m picking up the next day on the same project. Taking them down just for the night, and then putting them back the next day doesn’t really do much to “save” them, and I hate over flexing those 5 and 7 pin XLR connectors you find on tube mics. They are much thinner than your standard 3-pin XLR…and I have these nightmares that a pin in the mic will snap right before a session! 
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1792877 - 08/08/07 07:42 AM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: miroslav]
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audiorulez
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Thermal failure from constant use is a myth. It's a well known fact among electronics gurus that components last far longer if brought to operating temperature then left then vs being heated and cooled, which breaks down the component much quicker.
However since you are only an occasional hobby/weekend studio, shutting down is IMHO you're best option.
If you were a running 16-18 hours a day commerical facility, then it would be more cost effective, gear friendly and environmentally friendly to stay powered up. In the short time between sessions the powere consumed is far less costly than the repairs, and there's no disposal of used up components to the environment.
AFA XLR's are concerned, they are very durable. I've never had a 3 or 7 pin one break in all my 30+ years, unless you abuse the connector. If you properly insert and remove the connector, there is absolutely no flexing of the pins whatsoever, that's how the connector is designed.
Even if it did get so abused it broke (and whoever was the abuser was immediately fired), replacing a 3 or 7 pin connector is about a 10 minute $4-7 job, whereas if that tube or condensor mic hits the floor or the thief's pocket, it's far more costly.
Don't be fooled by thinking that pop filters keep all the spit out. Not to mention high humidity weather that creates an even moister climate for your mics to get wet in. A cloth bag is far better protection than plastic, allowing the air to circulate while still protecting the mic. Putting them in their proper storage place is IMHO the best solution. YMMV. In the locked closet, with a dehumidifier in summer to keep the moisture under control, away from slippery hands and clumbsy feet, protects them best.
Tube mics here, like all other electronics, because they are constantly in use, are never shut down, however they do have safe zones they are stored in that are not easily accessable.
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#1793047 - 08/08/07 12:25 PM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: miroslav]
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audiorulez
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Of course nothing lasts forever, however one must also understand there is a major difference between a remote control for your dish tv and studio electronics. I seriously doubt your remote has a PSU that uses a large power transformer or high voltage electrolytic caps for starters.
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#1793295 - 08/09/07 05:59 AM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: audiorulez]
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miroslav
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I've seen equipment literally go up in flames while in use 'cuz some a Triac or Cap overheated....ignited...and then the whole device just burned up.
I would never like that to see happen in my studio when I was not in attendance...’cuz the equipment was powered up over night or all day while I was away somewhere.
Sure...the fire may be contained within the device and hopefully the electric breakers would go off once things started to short out...
...but, it also could lead to your entire studio going up in flames if no one is there to grab a fire extinguisher or to hit the power mains.
I guess I'm just a lot less worried about something burning up during a typical power up cycle than when left unattended during the night or at other times.
I know a guy that lost his entire studio when his console shorted and a fire started…and there was no one there to do anything about it ‘cuz it was at night.
Oh yeah…the fire trucks showed up when the alarms went off….but by the time they put out the fire his studio was a smoldering, wet mess of charred audio gear.
I saw him the next day….he just stood there and cried……… 
Of course, the insurance covered most of it…but it was still a major PITA…..
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1793303 - 08/09/07 06:15 AM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: miroslav]
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audiorulez
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There's always a what if, no matter what method you choose.
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#1795796 - 08/14/07 06:50 PM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: audiorulez]
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miroslav
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I was just reading some audio mags...and came across an article about Sear Sound Studios in NYC, one of the oldest, high-end studios around.
Sear Sound is a major "tube gear" studio...and owner, Walter Sear says they keep all of their mics always mounted on roll-around mic stands in both of their rooms...so that any mic can just be rolled out easily/quickly when needed.
They are not kept locked up in any mic lockers or in cases....
I guess you go with what works.
Oh...if you get Pro Sound News...the article is on page 26 of the July issue...and there's a picture showing all the mics laid out on stands up against one wall of the studio.
I only keep my drum overheads always hung over the kit from a ceiling mount...and I also keep a couple of mics on stands out by my guitar amps...always ready to go.
My other mics are cased up most times...unless I'm doing a couple/three days back to back....
Edited by miroslav (08/14/07 06:52 PM)
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#1795873 - 08/14/07 10:40 PM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: miroslav]
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Matt.Hepworth
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I was doing a pretty big project a while back. Bumped the switch and cut a bunch of vocals for a song in omni. Sounded a little funny to me during recording, but I blamed it on the reverb.
I ended up doing some pretty serious EQ to get a little room tone out even though the room was pretty dead.
Great takes.
Good album too.
http://www.apple.com/search/ipoditunes/?q=chadwick+flow
The song is "Hat's Off". You can definitely hear the room.
_________________________
No matter how good something is, there will always be someone blasting away on a forum somewhere about how much they hate it.
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#1795928 - 08/15/07 05:30 AM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: Matt.Hepworth]
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audiorulez
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I've done many sessions at Sear Sound. What Walter didn't say in the article was that the mics and stands are kept in a large closet when not in use, away from potential dangers.
It's very common to use omni mics to cut vocals, no proximity effect.
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#1795997 - 08/15/07 08:08 AM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: audiorulez]
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miroslav
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OK...I guess they just rolled them out of the closet and placed them up against the studio walls wall for the magazine photo shoot...
But either way...they do leave them up on the stands without any harm to the mic.
Though yeah...you gotta' be careful with stands at all times...as it is easy to topple one, especially the average sized ones without sufficient counterweight.
I've gotten to where I have a few ceiling mounts that I made from some thick aluminum brackets (like for hanging mics over the drum kit setup)...because I wanted to reduce the number of floor stands I had laying around...
...and it really does clean up a room!
Edited by miroslav (08/15/07 08:19 AM)
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1795999 - 08/15/07 08:11 AM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: Matt.Hepworth]
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miroslav
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I was doing a pretty big project a while back. Bumped the switch and cut a bunch of vocals for a song in omni.
Yeah...sometimes Omini can actually sound better...but, you're always getting that 360 degree room sound...and that my not work when you get to the mix, if you have a lot of other tracks/elements.
I think if you were going to do a nice, sparse song...with just acoustic guitar, vocals...maybe piano....
...then Omni might actually be the better choice...if you do it in good room, with good acoustic properties.
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1796080 - 08/15/07 11:43 AM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: miroslav]
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CMDN
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We once set up two different kick drum mics on the set with the intent of testing each one to see which sounded better. So... we started with one right on the soundhole of the kick, and we placed the other one off to the side, near the beater side of the kick drum.
We plugged both mics into the snake in order to save time when did the ol' "A/B" test...
So, I should explain this part now... We were doing a "guerilla" recording in an old high school with the drums set up in the auditorium and the "control room" in a classroom down the hall. Running back and forth down that hallway was a pain in the ass, so we got lazy about going back and forth to check the mics.
You can basically guess what happened next.
In the hustle and bustle of getting the mics up on the board, we somehow forgot about the planned "A/B" test and set about getting a drum sound... and wondering WHY the hell the kick sounded so damn... weird.
Yeah. We brought up the mic that was nowhere near the soundhole of the kick (the "B" mic) and busted our asses trying to get a sound with it. We tried EQ, compression, etc... we just figured the mics (or drums) were not happy that day and did our best to make it better. The drummer, surrounded by mics and cables, had no idea that the extra mic near his foot was the one we were using for his (normally wonderful) kick drum sound. When we walked down the hall to look and see if the mic was in the right spot, naturally we saw the "A" mic sitting in the right spot, and assumed we had angered the microphone gods and tried to appease them in various outboardy/eq ways,
So... we finally wound up with an "interesting" kick drum sound, and we cut the track. When we broke things down, we saw the second mic near the beater head and remembered the "experiement" we had initially planned. DOH!
It turned out well, all things considered... the kick sounded fine in the mix after all the tweaking, but we learned a lesson about just swapping out the mics instead of having two kick mics plugged in at once. Grr.
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Erik
Where are we going, and why am I in this handbasket?
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#1796087 - 08/15/07 12:24 PM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: miroslav]
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audiorulez
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OK...I guess they just rolled them out of the closet and placed them up against the studio walls wall for the magazine photo shoot... But either way...they do leave them up on the stands without any harm to the mic. Though yeah...you gotta' be careful with stands at all times...as it is easy to topple one, especially the average sized ones without sufficient counterweight.
Thus why Sear keeps them locked in the mic closet (yes I know on the stands) when they are not in use, keeping them out of the way of careless people and thieves.
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#1796146 - 08/15/07 02:28 PM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: audiorulez]
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miroslav
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But I gotten point a couple of things about thieves...
First...if thieves are able to break into your studio to begin with...a mic locker ain't gonna' provide much more added protection, unless you have the equivalent of a steel bank vault!
I doubt a mic locker would present much of an obstacle once thieves are inside your studio.
Second...if you are worried about your "clients" swiping a mic while they are there doing a session...well...you gotta’ break out those mics out of the locker sooner or later to do the session...so, again, the locker ain't gonna’ be much protection for those particular mics.
It's really hard to cover all those bases.
Like it's been said...if someone is dead set on committing a crime...no amount of "protection" will keep them from doing it.
I keep the majority of mine in their aluminum cases or boxes…and they are stacked neatly on my mic shelves in one corner of the studio…no real “locker”.
But I do not have a “revolving door” studio operation…and most anyone that comes to my place is someone I know well or someone that is a good friend of a friend.
I do not deal with thievin’ dregs...I don’t need the money that bad.
The building has electronic protection around the perimeter...doors/windows, fencing…and if the thieves can get past that, then a locker is useless.
After that...it's all about insurance....
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1796152 - 08/15/07 02:34 PM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: CMDN]
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miroslav
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... but we learned a lesson about just swapping out the mics instead of having two kick mics plugged in at once. Grr.
I've had my share of misconnected mics and pres and whatnot...
...you sit there having a major brain cramp...
...and then when you realize what you did...it's a major DUH! 
But then it feels good when you realize you were NOT losing you mind.... 
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1796181 - 08/15/07 04:06 PM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: miroslav]
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audiorulez
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First off, most mics are stolen during sessions, as they are easily pocketed if they are NOT locked away. If you have all the unused mics put away, then it's much easier to spot a missing mic than if the entire forest of mics is in the open here, there and everywhere.
If you're hit by break in thieves, they are going to take the easist quickest things they can and get out. If the mics are in a locked closet, the chances of them going there are much less than if they are sitting in the middle of the studio for the easy pick'ns.
Second, pretty hard to trip over a mic that's not being used if it's properly put away.
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#1796209 - 08/15/07 06:03 PM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: audiorulez]
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miroslav
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Well...I'm striking out on all three.
Never had anything stolen during a session.
Never had any break-ins.
Never had a mic (or any gear) tumble over and get damaged.
But I will take your points under advisement....nothing wrong with being extra careful.
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1796360 - 08/16/07 05:37 AM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: miroslav]
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audiorulez
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Never say never, it can happen at any time. I lost a good friend to a studio breakin in the early 90's in what would be considered one of the safest buildings in NYC, yet still thieves managed to not only get in, but spent several hours cleaning the place out after putting a bullet in my friend. They got away scot free, and are still at large to this day.
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#1796426 - 08/16/07 08:13 AM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: audiorulez]
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techristian
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I use MIDI sounds and modules much in my recording. I'm not one to insist that I had a certain "sound in my head". My stuff is very experimental. I go with the flow. If it sounds good , I keep it otherwise I EDIT .
This thing has happened to me more than once. All of the sounds and MIDI tracks are set up. I'm done for the day so I power down. The next day a few of the modules power up with totally different sounds. THE NEW SOUND IS REALLY DIFFERENT AND INTERESTING ,so I'll set up the first verses and chorus of the song for the original sound and set up PROGRAM CHANGE to the new (accidental) sounds in the last chorus or verse. This works great all of the time. This wakes up the listener and makes the tune more stimulating.
Sometimes the changes are extreme such as changing from bass guitar to strings.
Dan
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#1796512 - 08/16/07 10:48 AM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: audiorulez]
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miroslav
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Never say never, it can happen at any time. I lost a good friend to a studio breakin in the early 90's in what would be considered one of the safest buildings in NYC, yet still thieves managed to not only get in, but spent several hours cleaning the place out after putting a bullet in my friend. They got away scot free, and are still at large to this day.
Well...didn't say it could never happen...only that it's never happened to date.
Sorry about your friend.
There are scum bags that will kill people over nothing, as they value material things more than someone's life.
NYC...IMO....has NO safe areas.
Edited by miroslav (08/18/07 06:58 AM)
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1796514 - 08/16/07 10:53 AM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: techristian]
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miroslav
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All of the sounds and MIDI tracks are set up. I'm done for the day so I power down. The next day a few of the modules power up with totally different sounds.
Yeah, Dan
I've had that happen...especially with my MIDI keyboard that has additional PCM cards with other sounds.
Sometimes I'll just use simple notation like "Piano2" to identify a sound....and then I'll forget which card it came from.
When I load up the sequence again...the wrong card is in there and I get a whole new sounding song!!!
Edited by miroslav (08/16/07 10:54 AM)
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miroslav - miroslavmusic.com"Just because it happened to you, it doesn't mean it's important."
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#1797347 - 08/18/07 12:51 AM
Re: Studio screw-ups that ended up as keepers.
[Re: miroslav]
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paris
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I was playing around in the studio one day and got the bright idea that if I fed the guitar track into a 3 way X-over and set the points to fixed freq then took each out put to a different effect , high end= reverb / delay (very wet) , mids=chorus /flange, and bottom= smooth distortion the effect was really dramatic as I played up and down the neck as the harmonics cross from one point to the next, the note would have effect but the harmonic would have another. took some tweeking but was interesting.
Paris
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