Fundamentals of Pro Audio Equipment
1h 37mIntermediate2017-09-15
Authors

Greg Wurth
Grammy-nominated music producer
Course details
Modern audio engineers and producers have access to a wealth of cool equipment that simplifies their workflow and enhances their final mixes. While it's possible to get by without a deep understanding of this technology, all creative pros can benefit from learning how the gear they use in the studio actually works. In this course, instructor Greg Wurth explains the inner workings of some of the most influential pieces of pro audio equipment.
Throughout the course, Greg shares images, diagrams, and audio examples that can help you grasp how this equipment functions, and why you might want to opt for one piece over another. Greg dives into working with different kinds of microphones and preamps, describes the main types of compressors and equalizers, and shows how an analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converter works. Plus, he covers analog summing—the process of combining multiple audio channels down to a stereo signal—and analog emulation.
Learning objectives
Dynamic, condenser, and ribbon mics
Tube mic preamps and solid state mic preamps
Different types of compressors and equalizers
Analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion
Analog summing
Analog emulation
Monitoring
Throughout the course, Greg shares images, diagrams, and audio examples that can help you grasp how this equipment functions, and why you might want to opt for one piece over another. Greg dives into working with different kinds of microphones and preamps, describes the main types of compressors and equalizers, and shows how an analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog converter works. Plus, he covers analog summing—the process of combining multiple audio channels down to a stereo signal—and analog emulation.
Learning objectives
Dynamic, condenser, and ribbon mics
Tube mic preamps and solid state mic preamps
Different types of compressors and equalizers
Analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion
Analog summing
Analog emulation
Monitoring
Skills covered
Audio EquipmentPro ToolsAvidAudio and Music
Concepts
0. Introduction
- 01 - Welcome
- 02 - What you should know
1. Different Mic Types
- 03 - Microphone overview
- 04 - Dynamic mics
- 05 - Condenser mics
- 06 - Ribbon mics
- 07 - Comparison of the different mic types
2. Different Mic Preamp Types
- 08 - Mic preamp overview
- 09 - Tube mic preamps
- 10 - Solid state mic preamps
- 11 - Examples of tube and solid state circuits
3. Different Compressor Types
- 12 - Compression overview
- 13 - Optical
- 14 - FET (field-effect transistor)
- 15 - VCA (voltage-controlled amplifier)
- 16 - Tube (Variable Mu)
- 17 - Compressor comparison
4. Different Equalizer Types
- 18 - Equalizer (EQ) overview
- 19 - Parametric EQ
- 20 - EQ audio examples - Parametric
- 21 - Graphic EQ
- 22 - EQ audio examples - Graphic
- 23 - Shelving EQ
- 24 - EQ audio examples - Shelving
- 25 - Filters
- 26 - EQ audio examples - Filters
5. Analog-to-Digital and Digital-to-Analog Conversion
- 27 - Analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion overview
- 28 - AD-DA conversion explained
- 29 - Example units
6. Analog Summing
- 30 - Summing overview
- 31 - Benefits and features of summing
- 32 - Examples of analog-summing units
7. Analog Emulation
- 33 - Analog emulation overview
- 34 - Emulation types and examples
8. Monitoring
- 35 - Monitoring overview
- 36 - Types of monitor speakers
- 37 - Types of monitor controllers
Conclusion
- 38 - Next steps