Why Different Gear Sounds Different

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What makes one piece of studio electronic gear sound different
from another, similar piece?


When it comes to the physical gear we need to record, there are
only a few basic categories. You probably use microphones, mic
preamps, equalizers, compressors, converters, reverb devices,
delays, monitor amps and speakers.


And for each of those categories, there could be dozens of
manufacturers, and hundreds of choices. How do you choose one
over the other?


And why would they sound different from each other, anyway? They
are fulfilling the same function, so you might suppose that the
sound of each would be the same.


But they are not the same.


In this episode, I delve into this and explore why things sound
different going through different boxes.


Technical Note: This episode was recorded with an AEA KU5A
cardioid ribbon mic, through a D.W. Fearn VT-2 mic preamp and
VT-7 Compressor. No eq was used. My KU5A is a passive version
(the KU5A is normally an active mic). I use a lot of AEA mics in
my recording, but except for being friends with founder Wes
Dooley, I have no affiliation with the company. 


email: dwfearn@dwfearn.com
www.youtube.com/c/DWFearn
https://dwfearn.com/