Gary Powell, Composer/Producer

by Gary Powell

Marty Lester (young guy on the right), audio engineer from the Austin production studio, Tequila Mockingbird, helped me compare four cardioid tube microphones;
As pictured – Top left: Mojave MA200 $1k (Mojave Audio) / Top right: Rode NTV $1k / Bottom Left: Manley Reference $2.7k / Bottom Right: AT-4060 $1.4k (Audio Technica)

This quest started when I heard an Austin CD engineered by Marty Lester back in 1999 for artist Robert Kraft. I thought this was maybe the best vocal sound I had ever heard recorded, so I called Marty to find out how he did it. The microphone was a Manley Reference recorded through an Avalon mic-pre.

I know the Rode NTV very well and have used it for years, so it was my standard by which to compare the three new contenders. The Mojave and NTV were run through the Drawmer 1960 mic pre. The Manley and the AT-4060 were run through the Peavey VMP2.

I’ll let Marty share his opinions in the comments, but I think we were in agreement. These are all tube microphones with a single cardioid pick-up pattern. Let me say first that each of these mics could be the perfect microphone for any particular singer. That said, without price being a factor, the newly released Mojave MA200 designed by David Royer was the clear winner.

Mojave MA200 – This was like going to your local Ear, Nose and Throat specialist and having your ear wax removed and feeling like your ears hadn’t been in the studio for 30 years!

Rode NTV – A little boxy in the middle, but I’ve always loved it on “airy” singers prone to sibilance problems.

Manley Reference – That famous “grain” sound up top is wonderful, but I thought the mids were a little overpowered by it.

AT-4060 – Smooth through all the frequencies, but a little dark on the top. I should own this mic just for that one singer who would sound great on it.

Also, I compared the Neumann TLM103 against my AKG-414 ULS. After routing them both through the Drawmer 1960, I found them so similar that there was no discernable reason to purchase the Neumann as much as I liked it.

My special thanks to Marty Lester in bringing Tequila’s Manley and his excellent ears over to my studio. Also, thank you Jeffrey Green my Sweetwater sales engineer, for suggesting the Mojave and sending out so many mics.

Filed by Gary Powell at 11:11 pm under Gear Notes
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by Gary Powell

Glenn Richter teaches this class of freshman Plan II students and has invited me to guest lecture October 5th. I always enjoy spending a day with Glenn and his students each semester.

The college experience is going to be wholly different for you than it was for me when I was a freshman music major in 1969. The ego-driven, autocratic classroom learning model of “I know everything and you don’t” is hopefully dying. Music is a dynamic subject, meaning we must learn together how to negotiate the rapid changes in technology and sociology.

“Just because something has always been doesn’t mean it should always be!”

As freshmen, you are probably feeling some of this life dynamism right now. As we age, the game only intensifies. I remember being surprised in learning that adults never really “arrive” at what might be called the “best expression” of their lives. So, how does this life and artful dynamism relate to musical performers? Plenty! Certainly you have your favorites. This is the perfect class whereby the examination of a performer’s art and life might become an examination of your own!

Here’s where you, the young student, gets to hear someone else’s truth unprotected from “spin”. I remember, when presented with a chance of talking with a professional, feeling like I didn’t know enough to even know what my questions should be. I don’t want you to have a lost opportunity.

So, instead of asking questions, I suggest that you, the student, individually post a comment here that will help prepare me for visiting your class. I also suggest that you actually make comments rather than ask questions.

Like I said, sometimes we don’t know enough to ask a question. As Plan II students, I know you can write and comment on what’s around you. For instance, the photo at the right has plenty to comment on if you are interested in the performing arts. If we can move the conversation toward cogent and thoughful concern for YOUR experience then my brief visit might be helpful to you. If nothing else, you will learn that your education is YOUR responsibility regardless of who’s paying for it or who’s teaching you. So, post away. Having trouble getting started? Here are some ideas on how you might start your post:

I’m concerned about …
I’m observing that…
My experience has been that…
When I hear “whatever”, I feel that…
My hope is that…
My fear is that…
The music business is…
Dude, wait ’til you hear this…

I will assimilate your comments and try to facilitate a meaningful class for you.

Filed by Gary Powell at 5:03 pm under Music Clinic & Lecture Notes
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by Gary Powell

Glenn Richter teaches this class of upper division students and has invited me to guest lecture October 5th. Glenn is a long-term ally of mine who actively searches out new experiences for himself and his students.

Learning by appointment in the classic model of “here’s the information you need, learn it now” does not always work. Maybe this system is an effective way to study 18th century literature, however, any subject that is either dynamic in technology or highly personal and subjective is going to be bogged down under this archaic “non-method”.

“Just because something has always been doesn’t mean it should always be!”

Music is both technically dynamic and highly subjective. One could argue that anytime a lecturer leaves the student out of the process excepting examinations, it might be a good idea for her to look around the classroom for drooping eyelids, nodding-off heads, surreptitious text messaging and game boys. (If only my iPod earbuds were a little smaller and not so white.)

Here’s where you, the interactive, self-motivated and under-appreciated student, get to drive the subject toward your interests. I could talk about myself for several years (as well as any narcissist), but much of that data would not be beneficial to you. The remedy for this problem is for me to know where YOU are, not where I have been.

So, let’s use this cool blogging technology to do more than just rant. I suggest that you, the student, individually post a comment here that will help prepare me for visiting your class. I also suggest that you make comments rather than ask questions.

Sometimes when we ask questions, we as individuals are not aware of our own psychology behind the question. A comment, however, puts your brain on notice that you might have to defend your comment. Therefore, you might reveal to yourself more about yourself AND learn more about the responsibility you have for your own education. If you need help with not asking a question, try starting sentences like this:

I’m concerned about …
I’m observing that…
My experience has been that…
When I hear “whatever”, I feel that…
My hope is that…
My fear is that…
The music business is…
Dude, wait ’til you hear this…

I will assimilate your comments and try to facilitate a meaningful class for you.

Check out my Lecture Topics and see if any of this has something do you with YOU. I look forward to both meeting and learning from you guys and hope we all enjoy this exercise. Thank you, Glenn Richter, for your brave soul and warm heart.

Filed by Gary Powell at 3:40 pm under Music Clinic & Lecture Notes
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by Gary Powell

John Lee is the author of the bestselling “Flying Boy” series, as well as “Facing the Fire: Experiencing and Expressing Anger Appropriately” and “Writing from the Body”. He lives in Woodstock, Georgia, with his wife, Susan, and conducts workshops around the country. BUT, he used to live in Austin just around the corner from me. We met in the studio today to continue an audio project we had actually begun on November 25, 1995. The date is important only in our recognition of where we have both “arrived” in one small decade.

This afternoon in my Austin studio, we recorded John reciting his book of poetry Sleeping in Public. John’s wonderful words are disarmingly simple even though he is dealing with complex personal emotions and the struggle we all share in becoming healthy, loving, whole human beings. My contribution to our effort together is to create a musical compliment for John’s prose and love of writing.

This is an effort born of mutual interest and respect without the trappings of commercialism. We expect it out sometime in the next decade. I’m guessing it will be sooner than later. Stay tuned. In the meantime, visit John Lee’s website and learn more about his sixteen books and life story. You will find him this weekend presenting at The Crossings, a learning center and wellness spa in Austin, Texas.

Filed by Gary Powell at 10:09 pm under Recording Session Notes
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