all-levels

OK.. this may be getting silly. You know the drill if you checked out the first two. MP3 file is AABA starting with one mic, then switching to the other with each section. It is my hope that you can hear which is which because, this time, I have placed two VERY VERY different mics against each other.

So, in the first episode, I used two mics I considered substantially different. Tony and I discussed it a bit and we agree... as different as they are, there are a lot more similarities than differences and the differences are not in quality but rather character. Of course, assisting the musicians have exactly the correct character to their sound is what defines great recording engineers like the late Rudy Van Gelder.

SO, I think this may be more of what Tony was looking for here... I chose the AKG 414B as a comparison because it is a mic I get put on me a lot in studios that don't really record vibes a lot. It's a great mic, but you can decide if you prefer it. I will do some more comparisons in later posts to other mics.

Beautiful piece of music that I sketched out for vibes and a little personal interpretation.

Those of you who know me know I love microphones and the different colors they generate. Years ago, I was looking for a great vibes mic and a good friend of mine who is an audio engineer recommended the Earthworks SR69. They were still a new company, so I bought two of them at a reasonable price and LOVED them for many years. Eventually one broke down and, when I went to replace it, I found out they were both not made any more and that the new model was VERY expensive.

Doxy" composed by the great Sonny Rollins. Had a request from a special friend and great vibist to post this song. I love everything Tim played on this clip. I learned this song many years ago from the great Herb Pomeroy. Herb was a wonderful mentor to so many musicians in the Boston area. Tim and I played with Herb for many years. Herb was a one a one of a kind musician and gentleman. He always will be remembered and missed. His legacy and influence continues in the music of all of us that knew him and played with him. This one was for Herb.

One of my favorite Jobim tunes. Actually, I love them all. Ha!Ha! Tim is special to play with. Probably the most in demand pianist in Boston playing with guys like Jerry Bergonzi and every vocalist in Boston. He was also the pianist for Lyle Lovett. He's so versatile and a real team player with really big ears. So sensitive and responsive. That's why he's working all of the time. I think the ear thing is so important. I think that's the case with all of the great players. Ed

Check this out. Especially the beginning of the bass solo.

Do you hear the tune? Kurt is just playing a line through the beginning. then he comps 5ths and sparsely but we here the tune.

I often listen to guitar players and imagine what they are playing is on the vibes. I love it and I learn a lot. You can't do that with piano players. they're doing way more than we can handle. We CAN handle most of what guitar players are doing, which is why I think this instrument is more like a guitar than a piano :-) IMHO