Focusrite Vocaster: Studio quality sound for your podcasts and streams
If you’re creating a channel about sewing, or food, or any number of other topics, it’s unlikely you wish to start out by learning to be a sound engineer.
Most audio interfaces are heavily weighted towards the needs of traditional music and sound production. But with the rapid growth and popularity of podcasting, live streaming, and other forms of open broadcasting, there is a rapidly expanding market for hardware geared towards the needs of these users. With content creators hailing from many different backgrounds and disciplines, such hardware cannot assume that the user understands, or even wants to understand, the technicalities of sound engineering – most creators just want to focus on their content.
Enter Focusrite’s new pair of audio interfaces, the Vocaster One and Vocaster Two, available on their own or in packages with mic, headphones and cables. With their stylish, somewhat lozenge-shaped design, the two units look quite different to most audio I/O boxes, and that sense of difference is reinforced when examining the I/O configurations on offer. VIEW ALL VOCASTER PRODUCTS.
Starting with the Vocaster One, which Focusrite describe as being for “solo content creators”, we find a unit with just a single XLR input, for connection to the show host’s mic, and a pair of 6.35mm jack outputs for connecting to a monitoring system.
The output signal is duplicated to a couple of other locations: There’s a built-in headphone amp that drives a 6.35mm headphone socket on the front panel, and a rear-facing 3.5mm stereo jack intended for feeding your show’s audio mix to a camera so that it is encoded and recorded in sync with the picture. Finally, there’s a 4-pole (i.e. TRRS) 3.5mm jack socket that allows a bi-directional connection to a phone, both bringing a caller’s voice into your show’s mix, and sending that mix back to the caller.
Focusrite Vocaster One
The top of the unit features a large dial for setting the output level, and a similarly-sized continuous rotary encoder for setting the mic gain. If setting your own mic gain feels like too much of a chore you can just press the unit’s Auto Gain button and talk into your mic, and the interface will dial-in the perfect gain setting for you.
Moving to the Vocaster Two we find a similar I/O configuration, albeit with a second mic input, headphone amp and headphone socket for use by a show’s second presenter or guest. This larger unit also includes Bluetooth connectivity for bringing in audio from another device. If that device supports bi-directional Bluetooth audio, as phones do, the Bluetooth connectivity can act as an alternative for, or addition to, the wired phone connector.
The mic inputs of both units have +48v phantom power available, so can be used with dynamic or condenser mics, and include an “Enhance” feature. Four different Enhance settings are on offer – Clean, Warm, Bright and Radio – which provide a reasonable amount of options and variation, but we’d have liked to be able to define our own enhancement curve too.
Focusrite Vocaster Two accessories
Software package
The main software component of Vocaster is Vocaster Hub. This acts as the central mixer for all of the sources that are being handled by the interface, and duplicates the controls that are present on the hardware whilst adding additional ones of its own. For example, the Enhance feature can be enabled and disabled from either hardware or software, but only the latter allows you to select the Enhance curve that will be applied.
The software also adds a pair of internal stereo loopback busses. These can carry the sound from other applications running on the same computer – web browser, video player, DAW, etc. – and mix it with your show’s other sound sources. The flexibility offered by having two such busses is handy, but can be lost somewhat on macOS due to idiosyncrasies in the way CoreAudio handles multi-channel interfaces (specifically, on macOS, DAWs can send their output to either loopback bus, but desktop apps can only access the first).
In addition to Vocaster Hub, Focusrite have curated a collection of software and tools that will be of particular use to content creators. For audio recording and editing there’s a full licence for Hindenburg LITE as well as a 6-month trial of Hindenburg PRO. If you haven’t encountered it before, Hindenburg is a DAW that, like Vocaster, has been designed with the needs of content creators and storytellers in mind.
Focusrite Vocaster Hub
If you need to include remote guests in your shows then the extended three month trial of SquadCast Pro + Video will introduce you to an excellent solution. Up to 9 guests can join a recording session, along with a host, with all audio (and video, if required) being recorded locally to each participant’s computer before being uploaded to the SquadCast cloud. From here, the show’s host or editor can access and work with the audio, with the system eliminating timing drift problems. All of this makes for infinitely better results than can be achieved via standard video conferencing apps.
For creating background music, jingles and other such musical ditties quickly and easily there’s six months of Ampify Studio Premium. This includes an unrestricted version of the core application along with a library of over 12,000 royalty free sounds and samples. The Premium licence also gives you access to Ampify’s Launchpad app for iOS, a powerful search tool for finding and managing your Ampify sound collection.
Finally, there’s a six month free trial of Acast Influencer tier service, which provides a comprehensive toolkit for podcasters. As well as online recording and editing tools, the service will host all of your podcasts, and distribute them across every podcast app and directory including Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and hundreds more.
Focusrite Vocaster One
Conclusion
In truth, there is not a huge amount going on with the Vocaster hardware that you couldn’t achieve with a conventional audio interface and perhaps a few additional bits-and-bobs for patching in phones and cameras.
Where its real strengths lie, though, are in the all-in-one plug-and-play solution that it offers, and the sheer simplicity of working with the hardware. Everything is perfectly tilted towards the task of capturing and creating pro quality sound to go with your vodcasts, podcasts and streams so, if that’s your bag, you need look no further.
Focusrite Vocaster Two microphone
Key Features
USB Audio Interface
Compatible with Windows, macOS and iPadOS hosts
1x mic in (Vocaster One) or 2x mic in (Vocaster Two)
Bi-directional TRRS phone jack
Bluetooth audio in and out (Vocaster Two only)
Main monitor output
To-camera audio output
1x/2x headphone amp and output (Vocaster One/Two)
Curated collection of software for content creators
Mixing music is the art and science of blending multiple audio tracks together to create a cohesive and balanced sound. It’s a crucial step in the music production process that can significantly impact the overall quality of your final product. If you’re new to mixing, don’t worry! This guide will provide you with some essential tips and tricks to get you started.
Essential Equipment
Before you begin, ensure you have the necessary equipment:
Digital Audio Workstation (DAW): This software is the heart of your mixing setup. Popular options include Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, and Pro Tools.
Audio Interface: This device connects your audio equipment to your computer, allowing you to record and monitor audio.
Studio Monitors: These speakers are designed to provide a flat frequency response, essential for accurate mixing.
Headphones: A good pair of headphones can help you catch subtle details in your mix.
Mixing Fundamentals
Gain Staging: This involves setting the appropriate input and output levels for each track to prevent clipping (distortion) and ensure a clear signal.
EQ (Equalization): Adjust the frequency content of each track to shape its sound. Cut frequencies that are too prominent and boost frequencies that need more attention.
Compression: Reduce the dynamic range of a track to control its volume fluctuations.
Panning: Distribute the sounds across the stereo field to create a sense of space and depth.
Reverb and Delay: Add effects like reverb and delay to create a sense of atmosphere and space.
Understanding EQ
EQ, or equalization, is a fundamental tool in music mixing, allowing you to shape the frequency content of individual tracks and the overall mix. By adjusting the levels of different frequencies, you can enhance certain elements, reduce unwanted noise, and create a more balanced and engaging sound.
The Basics of EQ
Frequency: Refers to the pitch of a sound. Higher frequencies are associated with brighter, sharper sounds, while lower frequencies are associated with deeper, richer sounds.
Gain: Controls the volume of a particular frequency range. Boosting a frequency increases its volume, while cutting it reduces its volume.
Q: Determines the bandwidth of a frequency band. A narrow Q focuses on a specific frequency, while a wide Q affects a broader range of frequencies.
Types of EQ
There are several types of EQ, each with its own characteristics and uses:
Shelving EQ: This type of EQ affects a wide range of frequencies on one side of a cutoff frequency. It’s often used to boost or cut low or high frequencies.
Peak EQ: This EQ focuses on a specific frequency band, allowing you to enhance or reduce a particular frequency.
Notch EQ: Similar to a peak EQ, but with a narrower bandwidth, making it ideal for removing unwanted frequencies like hums or resonances.
High-pass and Low-pass Filters: These filters remove frequencies above or below a certain cutoff frequency, respectively. They’re often used to clean up a signal by removing unwanted noise or artifacts.
EQ Tips for Mixing
Start with a flat EQ: Begin with a neutral EQ curve and gradually make adjustments as needed.
Listen actively: Use your ears to determine which frequencies need attention.
Use reference tracks: Compare your mix to professionally produced tracks in the same genre to identify areas for improvement.
Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try different EQ settings and techniques.
Common EQ Applications
Enhancing instruments: Boost specific frequencies to highlight the unique characteristics of different instruments. For example, boosting the mid-range frequencies of a guitar can make it sound more present in the mix.
Reducing unwanted noise: Use notch EQ to remove hums or resonances caused by equipment or recording environments.
Creating balance: Adjust the EQ of different tracks to ensure they blend well together and don’t clash.
Shaping the overall tone: Use shelving EQ to brighten or darken the overall sound of a mix.
Understanding Compression in Music Mixing
Compression is a fundamental technique in music mixing that can significantly impact the overall sound of a track. By reducing the dynamic range (the difference between the loudest and quietest parts), compression helps to control volume fluctuations and create a more consistent and engaging listening experience.
How Does Compression Work?
Compression works by lowering the volume of loud signals and raising the volume of quiet signals. This process is achieved using a ratio, which determines how much the signal is compressed. For example, a 2:1 ratio means that for every 2 dB of gain reduction applied to the loudest part of the signal, only 1 dB of gain is added to the quietest part.
Common Compression Types
There are several types of compression commonly used in music mixing:
Peak Limiting: This is often the final stage of mastering and is used to prevent audio from exceeding a certain level, preventing distortion.
Fast Attack, Fast Release: This setting is ideal for controlling transient peaks, such as drum hits or guitar strums.
Slow Attack, Slow Release: This setting can be used to create a more sustained and pumping effect, often used in dance music.
Multi-Band Compression: This technique allows you to compress different frequency bands independently, providing more control over the overall sound.
Benefits of Compression
Controls Dynamics: Reduces volume fluctuations, making the mix more consistent and easier to listen to.
Increases Perceived Loudness: Can make the mix sound louder without increasing the overall level.
Shapes Tone: Can be used to add warmth, punch, or sustain to a sound.
Tips for Using Compression
Start with a Low Ratio: Begin with a low ratio to avoid squashing the dynamics too much.
Listen Carefully: Pay attention to how compression affects the tone and character of the sound.
Use a Threshold: Set a threshold to determine at what level the compression starts to take effect.
Experiment with Attack and Release: Adjust the attack and release settings to achieve the desired effect.
Consider Multi-Band Compression: Use multi-band compression to target specific frequency bands and avoid affecting other parts of the sound.
By understanding the basics of compression and experimenting with different settings, you can effectively control the dynamic range of your mix and create a more polished and professional-sounding track.
Mastering Reverb: A Guide for Music Mixers
Reverb is a powerful tool in music mixing that can add depth, atmosphere, and realism to your tracks. It simulates the sound of a sound wave reflecting off of surfaces, creating a sense of space and ambiance. In this blog post, we’ll explore how to effectively use reverb to enhance your mixes.
Understanding Reverb
Before diving into techniques, let’s clarify some key terms:
Decay: The length of time it takes for the reverb to fade out.
Pre-delay: The amount of time before the reverb starts to decay.
Damping: The amount of high-frequency attenuation applied to the reverb.
Diffusion: The amount of randomness or variation in the reverb’s reflections.
Common Reverb Types
Room Reverb: Simulates a small to medium-sized room.
Hall Reverb: Simulates a large, reverberant space like a concert hall.
Plate Reverb: Creates a metallic, synthetic sound often used in pop and rock music.
Spring Reverb: Produces a vintage, tremolo-like effect.
Effective Reverb Usage
Enhance Vocals: Add a subtle amount of room reverb to vocals to create a more natural and present sound. Avoid excessive reverb that can make vocals muddy.
Create Ambiance: Use hall or plate reverb to create a sense of space and atmosphere in instrumental tracks.
Add Depth: Apply a small amount of reverb to drums to add depth and dimension.
Experiment with Pre-Delay: Adjust the pre-delay to control the distance between the dry signal and the reverb. A longer pre-delay can create a more spacious sound.
Use Reverb as an Effect: Experiment with using reverb creatively as an effect. For example, try applying it to a guitar solo for a more atmospheric sound.
Avoid Overuse: Reverb can be a powerful tool, but overuse can make a mix sound muddy and cluttered. Use it sparingly and judiciously.
Tips for Mixing with Reverb
Listen carefully: Pay attention to how reverb affects the overall balance of your mix.
Use reference tracks: Compare your mix to professionally produced tracks to gauge the appropriate amount of reverb.
Experiment with different types of reverb: Try different reverb types to find the one that best suits your music.
Automate reverb: Use automation to create dynamic and interesting reverb effects.
By understanding the basics of reverb and following these tips, you can effectively use this powerful tool to enhance your music mixes.
Mixing Tips
Listen Actively: Pay close attention to every detail of your mix. Use headphones and studio monitors to listen from different perspectives.
Take Breaks: Mixing for extended periods can lead to fatigue. Step away from your setup for a while to get a fresh perspective.
Reference Tracks: Compare your mix to professionally produced tracks in the same genre. This can help you identify areas for improvement.
Experiment: Don’t be afraid to try different techniques and settings. Mixing is a creative process, so experiment and have fun!
Conclusion
Mixing music can be a rewarding and challenging experience. By following these guidelines and practicing regularly, you can develop your skills and create professional-sounding mixes. Remember, the key to successful mixing is patience, experimentation, and a good ear.
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