Mobile Audio Recording Service 435 275 8981 info@mars-mobile.com
FAQ Page 3 (Back to Page 2)
Some of our past recordings sound, well, odd — thin, like they’re coming through a plastic tube. Can you fix this? It’s difficult to fix existing recordings that have this problem, but new ones we do will not have that “tunnel sound” problem. Generally, it’s caused by a mis-used minimalist two- microphone technique, or possibly bad MP3 encoding. Along with a stereo pair of microphones on an ensemble, we generally always include "spot", solo or section microphones to assure the best possible capture. These might not even be used in the mix, but they are there, if needed. But doesn’t that kind of multi-track recording and mixing take a lot of extra time? It can, but we’re careful not to fall into some of the traps of multi-miking technique. Once the "seasoning" is in the pot, we don't spend a lot of time going over and over that seasoning — it's done. Also, unlike most pop and rock recording, we usually don't need to make
countless moment-to-moment mix changes.
Can you make MP3s for us?
Of course! And we're happy to do so, as we
have a very good MP3 encoder. We generally
use the highest bit-rate possible (320 Kbps), but
even as low as 192 Kbps the MP3s produced
with our encoders sound very good.
What sample rate do you use?
48K/24 bit is our standard; and we mix and
master in 32-bit float.
What? Really? Why not a higher sampling rate?
You're thinking of the "bad old days" of digital.
We used to often use 88.2K and 96K. Sampling
theory will tell you that such high rates aren't
really needed to encode audio. Problem was
that getting actual gear to perform at
theoretical perfection didn't happen very often
back in those earlier days.
Enter our new-generation Grace Designs
microphone preamplifiers and converters.
Suddenly there was no longer any real audible
difference among any of the sample rates.
But 48K is a good working sample rate. And,
from a processing point of view during editing
and mixing, it's an excellent and efficient
standard to use. Plus, at 48K, you’re all set to
directly use a sound file for layback to video.
As far as producing CDs, today's super-
powered digital audio workstations support use
of the most comprehensive sample-rate
converters. Once upon a time sample rate
conversion of a three minute long, two-track
master file could take hours to complete. Now
it's done in a few seconds. We can easily make
completely transparent sample rate
conversions from 48K to 44.1K as needed.
However, if you're sure you want to use a
higher sample rate, we can do this; but do
expect a modest add-on fee for data storage
space.
Please feel free to contact us with any
additional questions you might have. We’re
always happy to discuss your project.
