Live Performance and Recording Station

Student talking into microphone

Recording Station

Microphones

First, let’s start with microphones and how to set up a microphone for recording. Microphones pick up audio for amplification and recording. There are multiple types of microphones, each with their own features. Choosing the right microphone for recording at classroom stations or with a podcasting rig will depend on your space, instrument, and taste.

The two most common types of microphones are Dynamic and Condenser microphones. Dynamic mics are less sensitive and more directional, and work well in an untreated or live environment. These microphones are commonly used for live performances or to record loud instruments. Condenser mics are more sensitive and work well for detailed recording in a quiet environment. These are commonly used to record vocals, acoustic instruments, and ambient sounds. Condenser microphones require the use of Phantom Power, which often is a button or switch on an interface or mixing board labeled “48V” or “Phantom.”

Instruments with Direct Outputs

Instruments with outputs (typically ¼in TS outputs) can be plugged directly into audio interfaces without the use of a microphone, and can also be plugged into audio hardware like compressors, reverb units, EQs, effects pedals, etc. Common instruments with this kind of direct output are electric guitars, electric basses, electric pianos, and synthesizers.

Audio Interfaces

Audio interfaces are essentially physical boxes that allow you to send and receive audio. They usually have multiple inputs and outputs, acting as a big connector between your digital audio workstation (DAW) and different sound sources. You can use them to receive and record audio from various microphones and instruments, and to send audio to your computer, headphones, and speakers.

Signal Flow

Signal flow is the order of operations a sound goes through for you to hear it. There are multiple steps between the source of a sound and when you hear it through headphones or speakers, and understanding these steps is crucial to troubleshooting issues and for creating high-quality recordings. Whatever happens at one stop along the signal’s pathway will affect wherever the audio goes next.

DI Instruments

Instruments with outputs (typically 1/4 in TS outputs) can be plugged directly into audio interfaces without the use of a microphone, and can also be plugged into audio hardware like compressors, reverb units, EQs, effects pedals, etc. Common DI (direct input) instruments are electric guitars, electric basses, electric pianos, and synthesizers.

⭕ Straight to the point: These are instruments you can plug in to record or amplify.

Performance Station

PA System and Mixing Board

Similarly to an Audio Interface, PA (public address) systems and Mixing Boards are used to organize audio signals from microphones and DI instruments and amplify them through speakers. The main difference is size and purpose: audio interfaces are built for smaller-scale recording into a computer, while PA systems and mixing boards are designed to handle multiple sources at once and push sound out to a room, making them the right choice for live performances and larger classroom setups.

Microphones

Microphones for live performance have special requirements. They must be sensitive enough to get a clean signal from the vocalist or instrumentalist that is using them, but not so sensitive that they pick up too much signal from adjacent sound sources. The most common microphones for live performance are the Shure SM58 (for vocals) and SM57 (for instruments). They are both very directional and durable dynamic mics, making it a great choice for many different situations. Most stage mics use an XLR cable to connect to a PA, but there are wireless options available as well.

Amplifiers

Amplifiers (amps) are used for electric instruments to make sound on stage. Electric guitars, basses, keyboards, and more can be plugged into amplifiers for live performances. Amps are also used as a tone-coloring tool, and sometimes have multiple parameters that can be adjusted to create the sound that you want. These parameters include drive, bass/treble knobs, and sometimes creative effects like reverb and delay. Oftentimes amps are mic’d up and that signal is sent to the PA system. Common amps you might use are a guitar amp (like a Boss Katana) for electric guitar and a bass amp (like a Fender Rumble) for electric bass. A few basics for working the knobs:

  1. The gain or drive knob controls how much distortion or “grit” is added to the tone. Higher settings sound more overdriven, lower settings stay cleaner.
  2. The volume or master knob controls overall loudness, separate from the tone controls.
  3. Bass, mid, and treble knobs shape the tone by boosting or cutting different frequency ranges. This is helpful for tailoring the sound to the room or the instrument being played.

Direct Input Boxes

Direct input, or “DI,” boxes are used to send an instrument’s signal directly to the PA system, without a microphone or amplifier. This is a useful alternative to an amp when you don’t want the tone-coloring effects an amp adds. DI boxes work with true electric instruments, like electric guitars and basses, which generate their signal entirely through electronic pickups, as well as acoustic instruments fitted with a pickup, like an acoustic guitar with a built-in pickup. They’re also commonly used for keyboards, synthesizers, and for sending pre-recorded tracks from an audio interface.

Breaking Down and “Zeroing Out” the Board

When a live performance is finished, it is important to maintain the equipment in pristine condition by making sure to wrap all cables correctly, store fragile items in proper containers/cases, and to bring all controls and levels of the PA back to where they were before any changes were made. This process is called “zeroing out” the board.

Equipment Resources

Table of contents

Student Producer Station
Classroom Set-Ups