
Pro Audio Equipment for Recording Studio-Caliber Music Anywhere Condensers, compressors, future-proofing, and sound-proofing-Berklee professor Benny Grotto has plenty of ideas for how to build out a personal recording toolkit.
By
John Mirisola
April 14, 2022
Even though he co-owns and operates one of Bostons leading recording facilities, Benny Grotto knows the value of a quality remote recording rig.
With todays recording budgets, its often necessary to bring a compact, great-sounding setup to an artists home or rehearsal space to record overdubs, after laying basic tracks in a proper studio, says the assistant professor in Berklees Music Production and Engineering (MP&E) Department, a Boston Music Award winner who has worked with artists from Aerosmith to Weird Al. Its also fairly common in my work to travel to and from my commercial studio, Mad Oak, with gear that I keep at home for the mixing work I do there, so ease of transportation is always a consideration when Im looking into new gear purchases.
Benny Grotto
Image by James Jay Fortin
The fact is, hybrid production approaches such as these have become nearly ubiquitous among professional producers and engineers-not to mention the pros who now do their work almost entirely outside of the studio. The growing popularity and possibilities of remote production are what led the MP&E Department to launch its new independent recording and production major, which trains students to produce professional-quality music outside of a traditional studio environment using their own personal recording toolkit.
At minimum, this toolkit consists of a computer with a suite of recording software and plugins, an audio interface, a set of microphones, and a pair or headphones. However, the possibilities for customizing and expanding on this framework are just about endless. So we asked Grotto to tell us about some of his own favorite pieces of remote recording gear. Heres what he said:
A Great Large-Diaphragm Condenser (LDC) Mic Every recordist needs a workhorse mic, and LDCs cover a lot of sonic ground, from vocals to drum kits. There exists a wealth of high-quality options these days, but brands like Lawson, Heiserman, Peluso, and others make it easy to put together a world-class recording rig on a comparatively low budget (in particular when compared to what was available even just 10 or 15 years ago). There's often a temptation to skimp out and opt for a lower-priced option, but this is a particular area where you really get what you pay for. Saving a few extra hundred bucks to put towards that more-expensive mic is money well-spent.
A Great Stereo Pair of Small-Diaphragm Condenser (SDC) Mics When an LDC wont get the job done, an SDC usually will. And given their proclivity for instrumental recording, its generally a good idea to have two! This will cover transient-heavy sources like percussion, acoustic instruments, and beyond. I look to brands like Miktek and their incredible C5, or to Rode and their outstanding TF-5 for reasonably priced tools that I use daily in my work.
Produce professional-quality music anywhere.
Learn more about Berklee's independent recording and production major.
A 500 Series Rack A 500 Series rack is a specialized enclosure featuring multiple slots that provide power and I/O [input/output] to a variety of modules, ranging from mic amps to multi-effects processors. I like larger (8-11 space) sizes, because they offer a degree of future-proofing when the inevitable 500 Series addiction takes hold. Its a perfect format for the recordist on the go: portable, affordable, and high quality.
The AudioScape 76D Compressor The Urei 1176 is widely considered the best FET compressor on the planet, spawning dozens of knock-offs-both analog and digital-and so-called clones' by scores of companies. The AudioScape 76D is the best Ive heard, hands-down; at least, the best Ive heard that doesnt require $5,000 or so to snag up a vintage unit in good working condition. FET compression is a great way to tame peaks on virtually any instrument, but is particularly associated with outstanding results on drums, bass, and vocals. It's a relatively simple-to-operate, great-sounding, and versatile piece of equipment, making it ideal for recordists with limited space looking for a reliable means of dynamics control.
Acoustic Treatment Not the sexiest investment to make, but arguably the biggest bang-for-buck. As the saying goes, garbage in, garbage out.' The best signal path in the world cant fix bad room acoustics; in fact, theyll usually only reveal them in all their gory detail. Having an assortment of spot treatments is critical for both listening and recording spaces. Companies like GIK offer great premade options, but its not too hard to build some DIY acoustic panels, or even just buy a bunch of packing blankets to hang on mic stands.
Related Categories
How-To
News
Technology
Most Popular
Emilia Jones and Eugenio Derbez in CODA
Image courtesy of Apple TV+
CODA Wins Big at the 2022 Oscars The Berklee-connected film won Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
Latest
Over 20 Years of Heavy Rotation As Jeff Dorenfeld prepares to retire, we celebrate decades of his contributions to artist development through Heavy Rotation Records and the Berklee Popular Music Institute.
Francesca Remigi M.M. '21
Image courtesy of the artist
Can Jazz Provide a Window into the Mind and Help Us Heal? The Human Web by Francesca Remigi M.M. '21 explores complex issues of technology, mental health, trauma, and recovery through intricate arrangements and choreography.
Julian Wilson
Image courtesy of the artist
Aprils Two Track Series Explores the Theme of Renewal The YouTube series features Berklee students performing original music in an intimate setting.
Read A
Most recent headlines
13/03/2025
WASHINGTON FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced that the agency has launched a massive, new deregulatory initiative that could potentially subject virtually all ...
13/03/2025
SUNNYVALE, Calif. SDVI has announced that it has integrated its Rally media supply chain management platform with the Spectra Vail multi-cloud data management s...
13/03/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has announced that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted a waiver of its local ownership rules to permit Gray Media to acqu...
13/03/2025
TV Tech: What do you anticipate will be the most significant technology trends at the 2025 NAB Show?...
13/03/2025
Watch Student Naomi Soleils Folk Pop Performance on The Voice The songwriting major sang Stars by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals during the blind auditions.
...
13/03/2025
Bundle up - GeForce NOW is bringing a flurry of Blizzard titles to its ever-expanding library.
Prepare to weather epic gameplay in the cloud, tackling the genr...
13/03/2025
AI is leveling up the world's most beloved games, as the latest advancements...
13/03/2025
PC game modding is massive, with over 5 billion mods downloaded annually. Mods p...
12/03/2025
O Spotify acaba de lan ar o relat rio Loud & Clear deste ano, uma vis o transpar...
12/03/2025
Spotify acaba de presentar el informe Loud & Clear de este a o, una mirada trans...
12/03/2025
Ramadan, a period of profound spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide, is a time for fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. Enrich your experience thi...
12/03/2025
Spotify has just unveiled this year's Loud & Clear report, a transparent loo...
12/03/2025
More than 70% of FAST programming has been produced since 2010, according to new Gracenote report
NEW YORK March 12, 2025 Gracenote, the content data busin...
12/03/2025
GEONA, Nev. Independent digital and linear advertising rep firm Viamedia will adopt cloud-based ShowSeeker Pilot as its primary ad campaign and order management...
12/03/2025
BRUSSELS Mediagenix has announced that Wael Yasin has joined the company as sales director Central Europe....
12/03/2025
LONDON A new study highlights opportunities for shoppable TV and the massive impact online consumer spending is having on the economy, with Omdia predicting tha...
12/03/2025
CUPERTINO, Calif. Interra Systems has announced that Comcast Technology Solutions has integrated recent updates to BATON Version 9 into its operations....
12/03/2025
Nevion announces new 400G addition to its eMerge SDN media fabric offering
Brie Clayton March 12, 2025
0 Comments
High-capacity switch enhances existi...
12/03/2025
DaVinci Resolve Studio Delivers Cinematic Sound for Adam Bol
Brie Clayton March 12, 2025
0 Comments
Feature film relies on DaVinci Resolve Studio for ...
12/03/2025
SVT Leverages Ateliere Live to Pioneer 100% Software-Defined Production at Rally...
12/03/2025
Berklee Awards Fenway Neighborhood Improvement Grant to Four Organizations A total of $17,000 will be distributed among the Boston-based nonprofits.
By
Madd...
12/03/2025
TVBEuropes Jenny Priestley sits down with new SMPTE president Richard Welsh to discuss his aims for the organisation going forward, its efforts to attract a you...
12/03/2025
The new process has significantly enhanced operational efficiencies, with automation freeing up creators to concentrate on higher value tasks
By Matthew Corrig...
12/03/2025
Jellyfish Pictures, which has offices in London and Sheffield, said it has been battling hard in the face of strong headwinds over the last 12 months
By Jenny ...
12/03/2025
Visit Booth #W2213 to Experience the Latest in AI-Driven Content Discovery and Workflow Automation
Bitcentral, a leader in media workflow solutions, is set to ...
12/03/2025
CHICAGO Jeff Lilly has been named WGN-TV director of technology effective March 17, 2025, according to Ric Harris, WGN-TV vice president and general manager....
12/03/2025
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. A new study from LG Ad Solutions indicates that consumers want more features that would allow them to shop for products on the connected T...
12/03/2025
BOTHELL, Wash. The Alliance for IP Media Solutions (AIMS), Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA) and the Video Services Forum (VSF) will once again present...
12/03/2025
PHILADELPHIA Comcast announced that it has upgraded Xfinity Internet speeds for more than 20 million customers for no additional cost....
12/03/2025
Create with Maxon: Cinema 4D Fundamentals Workshop - March 12-14
Brie Clayton March 11, 2025
0 Comments
Makin' Waffles with Elly Wade
During Marc...
12/03/2025
Ottawa, Canada - March 12, 2025 - Ross Video is pleased to announce the appointment of Aaron Tunnell as Business Development Director, Cloud Solutions, reinforc...
12/03/2025
12 Mar 2025
VEON to release 4Q 2024 trading update on 20 March 2025 Dubai, 12 March 2025 - VEON Ltd. (NASDAQ: VEON), a global digital operator, today confirms ...
12/03/2025
Getting set for the Winter Olympics: Inside SVT's ongoing software-based pro...
12/03/2025
THE PLAYERS Championship 2025: AI Commentary, Shared-Reality Viewing at COSM, La...
12/03/2025
Seamless SMPTE 2110: A Discussion on Making the Move to IP Less Painful Leaders from Netflix, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, LinkedI, and Megapixel address ...
12/03/2025
Opening Doors of Perception: Meta's Ajit Ninan on Rethinking AR/MR Perceptua...
12/03/2025
With the 2025 Formula 1 season set to begin in Melbourne on March 16, Sky Sports is gearing up to deliver its most comprehensive F1 coverage yet. Following a th...
12/03/2025
Unicanal and Trece TV revolutionize Digital TV in Paraguay with Rohde & Schwarz ...
12/03/2025
Honoring Service, Celebrating Sport: Rohde & Schwarz UK Sponsors NavyFit Rugby D...
12/03/2025
New HVS-Q12 Represents a Quantum Leap in Switcher Design...
12/03/2025
Telespazio and ABS Expand Partnership to Deliver Tailored C-Band Connectivity So...
12/03/2025
ABC conducts independent audits across the TAG programs. In the March 2025 TAG s...
12/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Moonlight: ESA program to create a satellite con...
12/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
In 2025, Thales ranks among the top 0.01% of the...
12/03/2025
Consumer show back following hugely successful first series
10 March 2025 Following a hugely successful first series, The Complaints Bureau returns to RT ...
11/03/2025
By Lucy Spicer
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival...
11/03/2025
Salsa is making a comeback, captivating new listeners with its infectious energy...
11/03/2025
For many people, music can serve as a reflection of their roots and upbringing. ...
11/03/2025
The solution delivers reliable, scalable and secure connectivity for critical pu...
11/03/2025
SAN JOSE, Calif. Harmonic has announced that Weigel Broadcasting has deployed Harmonics VOS Media Software, which offers playout-to-delivery capabilities, inclu...