Pipe Maintenance

Review: Voice37 Vocal Therapy Drops

Voice37 Drops Vocal Booster from Clyor would have come in handy a few years ago before an early morning voice over session. At the time, my voice wasn't in top shape and that groggy morning sound got in the way of what could have been a smoother recording.

Move over lemon tea with honey -- ENTER Voice37, a quick remedy I've been using lately for those very situations and vocal health in general. Plus, it's always a good idea to take care of the instrument that happens to be our livelihood. Only this time, the secret ingredients include an unbeatable combination of Fennell Seed, Horse Radish Root, Slippery Elm Bark, Thyme, Celery Seed, and Horehound Herb. Got that?

Clyor Voice37's motto is "Backstage concerns, Front Stage Results" so it goes without saying that countering performance anxiety is a top priority. And with our "stage" being a vocal booth, subtle vocal inconsistencies are more noticeable.

However you want to put it, whether it’s croakiness, gruffness, huskiness, or throatiness, Clyor Voice37 addresses the nesses and gets you from grate to great quickly, effectively, and naturally.

Now, you might be thinking "Aren't gruffness and huskiness marketable voice qualities?" For some performers, yes. Voice37 can have universal appeal especially for those who specialize in genres like video games and animation, which, at times, require intense vocal output. As with any type of performer, stage and otherwise, constant strain can lead to bigger problems down the road. So, why not give it a shot?

Our throats will thank us.

#voice37 #vocalremedy #clyor #health #review #products

Review: Sennheiser Momentum OnEar Headphones

The Listening experience, Transformed

Several years ago, after having gone through a few sets of random headphones and getting less than desirable results, I finally discovered a pair that surpassed them all in terms of sound quality: The Sennheiser Momentum On Ear Headphones. Since then, they’ve gone everywhere with me and have totally transformed the listening experience.

So what’s all the buzz?

Not only do they appeal to a variety of music lovers, in particular audiophiles (like me), but their pristine stereo sound is hard to resist. Put them on and let these noise-cancelling gems take you on a journey. Where other brands excel and, perhaps, over compensate with the punch of extra bass, the Momentum’s accentuate the fullness of classic HiFi sound with just the right amount of EQ. And that balances everything out quite nicely.

I also found this to be the case when comparing them alongside my Beats Solo Wireless, also a great pair of headphones (for different reasons). For example, where the Beats succeed at amplifying sound across the board for say, hip hop or dubstep, the Momentum’s adjust to almost every genre flawlessly, particularly jazz, hip hop and even classical. Amidst everything, I can still hear sonic details without them getting drowned out by the booming bass.

It's like having one of your Dad's high-end living room tube pre-amps at your disposal wherever you go. With live recordings, it feels like you’re there front and center with the artist. Plenty of drive and...oh yeah, momentum.

In addition, the Sennheiser Momentum's come in handy when editing voice over on the road. While they don’t capture 16/24 bit mono audio as well as the Sony MDR 7506 (a stand-by for many voice over pros), they'll still suffice for smaller gigs with quicker turnarounds. Volume control is also available as is the ability to accept or reject calls during listening. Perhaps the only drawback is that, unlike Beats or newer Momentum models, they’re not wireless or collapsible and the dangling wire sometimes gets in the way when traveling. The leather case is protective enough but not as compact as I’d hoped.

Minor inconveniences aside, you don’t want to miss this kind of sound experience.

#SennheiserMomentumHeadphones #headphones #audio #HiFi

Sounds as Good as it looks

Review: Blue Raspberry Condenser Microphone

"Designed to help you sound your best no matter where you are."

I'm no stranger to Blue products. The early days of using a Snowflake for auditions and last minute pick-ups are hard to forget and a recently purchased Yeti Nano sits on my desk waiting to be used. The Blue Baby Bottle is a household name at this point and can be found at agency booths and casting offices around NYC.

Recently, I've been experimenting with the Blue Raspberry Condenser Microphone from Blue Designs as part of my voice over travel rig. While I usually bring a more sophisticated set-up on the road, the Raspberry is compact, hassle-free and delivers impressive studio sound. Not surprising. For years, Blue has been developing cost-effective, high quality products designed specifically with voice talent in mind, however their inventory appeals to a wide range of performers including podcasters, gamers, singers and musicians. While it might be hard to tell from the photos, this little mic is capable of delivering the goods no matter the location. After all, what $200 USB/Lightning mic has an intricate built-in filter? And not just any filter but an IAD (Internal Acoustic Diffuser) that helps "minimize the sound of the room" when you're forced to record at the airport. Well, maybe not ALL the sound.

Here's an audio sample:

But what about room treatment? No sweat. While using it at my parents' house during Thanksgiving, a bed and two pillows sufficed and the IAD worked its magic. In addition, it works with most iOS/Android devices and went directly into my iPhone. Oh, Technology. Bottom line: small usb/lightning microphone, optimum sound and adaptable to many environments. Not to mention, a collapsible stand/mount and suede pouch, making traveling easy and that pretty much seals the deal. If you're on a budget and in the market for a low maintenance, professional digital condenser microphone, this may make your on-the-go recording life a little easier.

Check out the specs below and Get it!

Microphone Specs:

• USB/Lightning Capabilities

• Cardioid Polar Pattern

• IAD - Internal Acoustic Diffuser

• Up to 24 bit/48K

• No Latency monitoring

• Gain up to +40DB

• Mic stand adapter

• Collapsible Stand

• Headphone jack

#audiogear #microphone #blueraspberry #recording #voiceover #mobile