Studio Recording Techniques Susan Pankratz, Instructor

Welcome to my Studio Recording Techniques Webpage.
Last updated March 2025.
Link to Main Page (has material applicable to both Audio Production classes)

My email is pankratz@books57.net Watch for homework, quiz etc. announcements here.

Some of what's on this page:
The textbook
Homeworks, Handouts, etc.

Books Online:
Modern Recording Techniques: Author: Huber & Runstein , ISBN: 9780240810690; Edition/Copyright: 7th 2009; Publisher: Focal Press, Inc.; Cover: Paperback
via bookfinder.com Amazon

Handouts, homeworks, etc: in appx chronological order. (REF: not required, for further study)
REF Decibel cross-reference re distances, power, etc.
REF Inverse-Square Law for Sound
REF Watts, db's etc.
REF Inverse-square decibel worksheet
REF A good description of hearing and the decibel scale
REF Distortion 101
REF Haas Effect (aka Precedence Effect) at Wikipedia
REF Bass? Midrange? Treble?
  Decibel Exposure Time Guide
  Line level: balanced vs unbalanced: +4 dBu vs -10 dBV or -20bBV; 1.3V vs 0.3V
  Octaves, Harmonics, Wavelengths
  Fletcher-Munson Equal Loudness Curves
  Freq's, Staves, and Piano graph
  Connectors handout
  Hearing damage prevention: because Tinnitus Sucks!   Sonic II earplugs vs ER20 earplugspackage insert   Buy ER20s
  Homework on Chapter 1
  Homework on Chapter 2
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REF Older Ribbon Microphones and Phantom Power: "Harmed or even destroyed"
REF Some good graphics and explanations of Mic types
REF EV RE20 dynamic mic (also known as PL20 - little proximity effect due to Variable-D design)
  3Ds of Mic patterns
  Balanced vs unbalanced Audio
  Countryman Type 85 active direct box (DI) documentation
  Shure Beta 58A dynamic mic (vocals) webpage and user guide
  Homework on Chapter 4
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Videos of the 'over-under' cable wrapping technique here and here. Also useful for extension cords, snakes, hoses - anything you need to wind up without introducing twists. Tip: warm item, as it loosens twists & kinks.
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REF How do VU and dB meters differ?
REF Patch Bays w half-normal, full-normal: info at Sweetwater.com
  Patch Bays w half-normal, full-normal: graphics with explanatory text here
  Homework on Chapter 13
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REF Q: Quality factor. The selectivity factor: the ratio of the center frequency f divided by the bandwidth BW (upper freq - lower freq at 3db down from peak value).
REF Q vs Bandwidth Calculator
REF Notes on Pink and White Noise
REF Ringing out monitors (getting rid of feedback)
  Comb filtering
  EQ Article w Vocal and Instrument Freqs
  dbx 166XL Comp/Limiter/Gate
  Homework on Chapter 14
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REF Decimal/Binary/Hex Calculator
Dithering: Good article by Nigel Redmon, and on Wikipedia
  Homework on Chapters 6 & 7
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REF Amplifier Classes (general info - lots o' tech)
REF Amplifier damping factor explanation Marantz and Wikipedia
REF Definition for Intermodulation Distortion (IMD) at Sweetwater
REF Speaker wire on Wikipedia
  Hafler Pro6000 amp
  AWG Wire Resistance
  Amplifier output hookups (stereo, bridged)
  Homework on Chapter 12 and Hafler amp
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REF Intermodulation (distortion): Why tubes and tape sound "better"
REF Definitions for Intermodulation Distortion (IMD): on Wikipedia   Speaker Combination Impedances
  Series vs parallel
  Crossover basics
  Homework on Chapter 16
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  Analog Tape Path
  Homework on Chapters 5 & 15
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  Homework on Chapter 20
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REF Rane Sound System Interconnection Note 110 (re ground loops, etc.)
REF Acoustic Treatment and Design for Recording Studios and Listening Rooms
  Recording Studio Room Acoustics and Helmholtz Resonators
  Ground loops (hum, noise)
  Furman PL-PLUS-DMC Power Conditioner
  Homework on Chapter 3
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Some of these are Word and Excel docs I created, others are links to online Acrobat pdf's, gifs, jpegs, or html, etc websites. If you have any difficulties with the Excel or Word docs, please let me know. (IE opens them OK on my Win system, which doesn't have Excel on it)

Please let me know if any links don't work or have died. I run a linkchecker regularly, but some websites seem to get 'redecorated' constantly...