Audio Alchemy

During my first 4 years in radio I worked in a studio wired for monaural sound only. Stereo aircheck recording was not feasible with the available equipment. However, in 1985, I used a small “disco” mixer to make stereo mix tapes for personal use. Previously, I experimented with re-routing the left and right outputs of a single turntable to the two mono pre-amps then into program and audition respectively; successfully recording in stereo. This method was cumbersome because the left and right inputs were controlled by two separate knobs on the board (one routed to audition, the other to program.)

The studio’s Technics SP-15 turntables audio cords were re-routed from the usual phono pre-amplifiers to the small (cheap) stereo mixer. The diagram on the right is a speculative idea of what if I had used this set up to record an actual aircheck. Using this type mixer would have been real world challenging due, in part, to its inability to switch on and off monitors and microphone.

By 2009 I had the ability of digitally isolating the live vocal portions of my original aircheck recordings and carefully synchronizing in stereo music from CD’s and other digital files (mp3, wav, etc.) It was impossible to remove all unwanted mono audio. Some “phasing” between the new stereo and old mono occurred.

With this in mind an alternate wiring path would have been preferable for future “stereo rebuilds”. The simple diagram to the left illustrates an easy method of electrically isolating the DJ microphone from the (mono) music and other prerecorded elements of my shows. The isolated vocal tracks could have been later used to assemble a true stereo mix, either analog or digital.

Stay tuned

©2011 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved.

Rockin’ the Mic

Once again the Peanut Whistle returns home. Last post I shared the news of my newest venture in voice, a small production at my home church honoring the Easter season called the Choice. We’re pleased with the results. Friday night’s performance went off without a hitch, although the turnout was less than expected (about 110 attended besides the cast and crew.) Sunday’s event played to a near capacity crowd. Considering that we only had a week and a half to prepare the play was well executed both times. As far as my narration, Friday felt better. Video was recorded; I hope to review and share it here at a later date. If the play has been posted I will share some highlights here.

Stay tuned.

©2011 Neal Rhoden. The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved.

Back in the Air Chair, Sort of

A few days ago Peanut Whistle took the “Traveling Microphone” (thanks Paul Harvey) to metro Atlanta Georgia. It seems I have been asked to narrate an Easter presentation for my church. So far the process has been a bit more challenging than previous endeavors.

When working with volunteer talent one is faced with various levels of expertise. One thing learned over the last several years is patience with those, shall we say, less experienced in the arts. It is a big theatrical presentation that our director, the music pastor (also in the role of  Jesus), has taken on the unenviable task of overseeing. As for me, the narrator’s booth is really the most cushy job I’ve had, except for the mentioned patience challenge. As we say in the South: “Bless their hearts.”

Stay tuned

©2011 the Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved.

Stalled in the Blogosphere

Two years ago we intended to write much more frequently. The Peanut Whistle was originally a way to present my war stories from the world of small market radio and my other pursuits that stemmed from it. Now it’s 2011 and most of my stories (many of them 25+ years old) have been told (and often retold.) What now? Make new stories.

In 2009 we started an experimental Internet radio station called the GRIN. It flopped after a short time; although, along the way, we gained a few loyal fans of my particular radio show. Some local folks never knew I was in radio, not expecting me to be the big voice behind the mic. As a result of my recent exposure on the web I have been asked to narrate the Easter program at my church. I will once again be in the booth reading copy--this time around actually seeing my listeners. I begin practice tonight.

Stay tuned.

©2011 The Peanut Whistle Weblogs. All rights reserved.