CategoriesDJ Mixers by

Find the Audio Equipment you Need for Podcasting

Audio equipmentPodcasting is a relatively new art, having come about near the end of the 90’s, and now virtually anyone can do it so long as they have access to the right equipment. Figuring out what that equipment is and what you need to do to get access to it can be a challenge, but we’ve taken the liberty of putting together two great examples of USB audio interfaces that will help you to get started in style. Best of all, they’re not extremely expensive, which is great news for your wallet.DJ mixer equipment is critical, especially when it comes to podcasting; don’t pass up the best. Let’s take a quick look at the two different options and get your show on the road

Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (2nd Gen) USB Audio Interface

The first thing that we want to say is that Focusrite wouldn’t know how to disappoint us even if we provided it written instructions explaining exactly how to do so. We’ve been using and selling their products for years without so much as a single complaint from either side, so it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise that it’s sitting front and center at the top of our list here. Today we’re talking about the Scarlett 2i2 which has plenty of benefits for both the highly seasoned and novice digital DJ. First of all, 2 diverse inputs.  Each input has a highly regarded Focusrite mic preamp with even gain and also features two instrument inputs that can handle hot guitar pick-ups. In other words, it’s ready to go right out of the box and there’s little doubt that it can handle whatever you have to throw at it.

Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Studio Microphone

Audio-Technica has also long been known for developing some of the greatest online Recording solutions and the AT2020 is certainly no exception. This is a condenser mic , and we have to say that the price and performance are phenomenal. For the pod caster on the go, this is one of the best solutions that we have found, and it is also outstanding for home-studio applications. The unit itself features high SPL handling along with a wide dynamic range with unmatched versatility.

Audio-Technica Recording SolutionsIn addition to that, the low-mass diaphragm is able to bring extended frequency response along with a greater transient response than most other products on the market. It is also able to easily isolate a desired sound source using a cardioid polar pattern, meaning you can eliminate other sounds from the background with ease. If you are in a home studio and don’t have access to a soundproof booth, then this is definitely going to be the direction you want to go – there’s nothing more annoying than background noise when you are trying to run a podcast, and this microphone does a stellar job of eliminating that problem. Now would be a great time to take a look at it and see if it fits into your show. We’re going to bet that it does.

To put it quite simply, while podcasting is something that nearly everyone can do, not everyone has access to the best equipment. That being the case, you need to put some time and money into not only becoming the best, but making sure that your voice is properly heard. In all honestly, people aren’t going to listen to you if your voice is distorted or if you have tons of background noise.

If you want to become an authority if your niche, then it’s time to invest in the best equipment and make sure you’re able to reach your audience in the way you desire. It doesn’t matter if you’re covering the latest art show or running the resistance radio, it’s all about presentation and if you look through our store, you’re going to find that we have some of the best digital mixers, recording equipment, and mixer DJ equipment. We’re here for you every step of the way.

 

CategoriesDJ by

Three Special Effects to go Along with your DJ Lighting 

DJ LightingYou’ve seen it before, more than once really. That perfect show with the perfect stage setting. You’ve watched in absolute awe as the performers have stepped from the shadows of the backstage area and crossed effortlessly to the center. The effervescent lighting adds dramatic effect, bringing them into the limelight as their figures shift from the ominous silhouettes and finally materialize into recognizable human figures beneath the shroud of flashing strobes and the glare of the wash lights, far off in the distance.

You’ve seen it before, in fact you’ve probably seen it many times, and they always make it look completely effortless. We’re here to tell you that it’s anything but effortless, and there are several components that serve to make it possible. We’re going to talk about three components today that work as a companion to typical DJ lighting.

Multi-Light Effects: An Essential of DJ Lighting

Multi-effects are a great way of bringing a wide range of features and effects to your statge,a nd the Chauvet GIGBAR IRC  2, while only one piece of equipment in an extremely wide range of selection, is one that you certainly want to own. First of all, it’s highly portable but does not sacrifice any of the features that you would normally find absent in compact setups. It features plenty of options for color mixing and strobes, along with two LED Derby fixtures.

LED Wash Lights ensure that you can always shine a light on a wide area, and you have your LED strobes, laser, and the was all mounted on the same bar. To make it even easier, it features sound activated controls, all of which are capable of sound activation, and controlled easily from an IRC-6 remote control. If you need to get in and out of the venue quickly, then this is your all-in-one lighting solution.

Obscure the View with a Little Bit of Fog

buy DJ lightsWhen you buy DJ lights you’re going to want to add a little bit of fog to the equation and we have just the thing. There is nothing quite like adding a bit of mystery to the show, and fog machines are the perfect way to get it done. Take the Nimbus, for example. It’s a professional grade dry ice machine capable of emitting thick clouds of white fog that are able to dissipate without rising.

It might not sound like much now, but you can trust us when we say that it’s a pretty amazing feature. The machine is able to create fog from 10 lbs of dry ice and exerts more than 10 minutes of run time. That doesn’t sound like a lot of time, but trust us, when you’re running a show, it can seem like an eternity.

Along with amazing theatrics, the Nimbus is able to bring quite a bit of tech to the table including a low water sensor, an adjustable multi-level control arm for output control, and an auto-shutoff for the heaters. It’s a safe fog solution that will add the dramatic touch you’ve been looking for.

Bubble Machines – Make it Interesting

Bubbles are another great way to bring a new level of drama to your show, and the Chauvet B-250 is probably one of the most preferred in the industry. If you have a larger stage, then you’ll definitely want to deploy this one, especially if you have a need for portability. It looks cool, it’ easy to use, and most importantly, the housing is made from plastic, so you won’t have to worry about rust. As you can see, this is a great solution for the portable, digital DJ, so make sure you don’t pass it up.

Getting the right effects onto your stage isn’t easy, and knowing what to do? That’s even harder. What we can do however is make sure that you have access to a wide range of equipment and accessories that will help to ensure that your show is not only a success, but highly memorable.

 

CategoriesRecording by

What is a Preamp and Does it Belong in your Sound Recording Equipment?

When you are hard at work building the perfect DJ kit, you might be wondering what a preamp is, and whether or not it actually belongs in your sound recording equipment. Well, we would definitely say it does, but you probably want to know what it is and why exactly you should have one. We have a fairly non-technical explanation for you today along with a few brand examples that you can find right here in our store. Let’s get started, shall we?

Understanding the Preamp and its Role in your Sound Recording Equipment Arsenal

sound recording equipment packageYour kit is an arsenal, or perhaps better described as a ‘Swiss Army Knife’. You need every single piece you have to complete the whole picture, and while the preamplifier is a very small part of it, it’s a very big part of your final product. Essentially, the preamp is an electronic amplifier whose entire job is to prepare an electrical signal for amplification. While this could be from nearly any source, it is generally used for microphones or instrument pickups. Essentially, you can amplify the sound of anything so long as you are able to connect it to the line. In many cases, you will find that preamplifiers are integrated into your audio inputs on your device, which can include:

 

While integration with the above devices is often a key part of the operation, keep in mind that a preamplifier, or preamp can also be a standalone device, two of which we’re going to talk about shortly.

Making it Work

If you have a USB Audio Interface with preamps it should be placed close to your computer and attached with a USB cable.  Once a signal hits your preamp it is going to be a digital signal from there, which makes it vital for you to have a high quality preamp between the source and its final destination on your computer. Let’s take a look at two of the most popular USB Audio Interfaces on the market!

The Scarlett 2i2 Generation 2

The Scarlett 2i2 Gen 2 is a USB Audio interface, and is without a doubt one of the best selling. It accomplishes three very important things: high speeds, top sound, and ease of use. The second generation model continues to evolve and push those areas to the brink, giving you better sound than ever before. Best of all, you can take it anywhere and connect it to any device using a single USB cable. You also have the ability to connect up to two microphones, and it’s compatible with all major DAWs across the two most popular computing platforms. The device features some of the lowest latency in the market at only 2.74ms and can operate at Sampling rates up to 192Khz at 24 bits.

Audient iD14

Sound Recording Equipment
When you’re looking for the highest end sound in your sound recording equipment package, this is right where you want to be. The Audient iD14 delivers professional sound, using Audient’s patent Class-A mic pre-design used in its high end recording consoles used by professionals all over the world.

The iD14 brings to the table its high performance AD-DA converters and a quality analogue design. Going beyond the hardware, we can see that it has outstanding software while still managing to keep things pretty simple. The iD14 features a mixer app designed with that simplicity at the forefront, the iD14 is specially designed to match the hardware that it inhabits, ensuring that you can get the job done quickly while concentrating on the music rather than highly technical details.

Finally, don’t forget to take advantage of the ScrollControl function that allows you to easily scroll through DAW Hosts and plugin parameters. You can even scroll through your iTunes library at will. It’s more than just a cool piece of hardware to add to your collection, it’s a new way of life entirely.

These are two outstanding examples of hardware that you absolutely want to add to your ‘arsenal’. They improve your sound and give you advantages that you simply would not have otherwise. Head over to our store, pick your preamp, and start producing outstanding, professional recordings.