Download “Mad Over You” by clicking the arrow in the player below (available for a limited time only)

Mad Over You – Lucia Rae by stereotype

Even before its official release, “Mad Over You” was the most played song on the StereoType Player, proving that this track is a hit in the making.

The event will be hosted at Living Room and is free for all to attend and celebrate with us.

(you should also check out our tips for improving your home studio)

Dynamic vs Diaphragm…that is the question

Before considering which microphone to buy, you’ll need to consider what you’re going to be recording. Rough vocal for ideas – get a dynamic mic. Scratch tracks for demos – a diaphragm (condensor) is probably a better bet. Vocals or guitar? Drums or duets? All of these things will influence your requirements and ultimately your decision.

In most cases, I would say that you’re better off getting a general purpose large diaphragm mic. If you only have the moola for one, this is probably the better route to take as it will deliver better results most of the time and once you learn to get the most out o your mic you can get some truly great results. Practice and experimentation make perfect.

Dynamic Microphones

Without getting too technical, it’s safe to generalize and say that dynamic microphones are the type typically used in live performances – it’s what you would probably draw if someone told you to draw a microphone. They are also used in some studio applications like recording drums and some instruments.

Dynamic mics are usually rugged in construction with a head on signal reception pattern. In other words, they record what is fed directly in to them and try and ignore sounds coming from anywhere else, which is why they’re good for live use . Chad‘s vocal mic will ignore the slashing guitar solo Tyrone is playing to the left and Darren‘s drum solo behind him. This build quality and versatility does however often come at the expense of quality. That is not to say dynamic mics sound bad, but in many cases they are not able to capture all the detail and intimacy of condensor mic.

The other major advantage of condensor mics is the cost. A decent condensor mic can run you as little as a few hundred rands, but as always – you get what you pay for, so caveat emptor. Your new mic might be able to record a rough demo, but will not be able to deliver the crisp studio sound you’re after in a final recording which can lead to frustrating hours or re-recording and frantic eq correction.

Dynamic mics (mostly) also work on a plug and play basis – you plug the mic in and off you go. No external power supply is required, which can make life easier if you don’t have a mixing desk or soundcard with 48v phantom power.

Most clubs will have a Shure SM58 mic or 5 as standard in their rig. These mics are renowned for the warmth they add to vocals and their ability to withstand tremendous abuse (I once spilled a glass of bourbob on an SM58 and it still worked just fine).

Good Dynamic Micrphonest to check out

• Shure SM58
• Shure Sm57 (a little more expensive, but with more transparent frequency response)
• Rode M1A – this is the mic the STR crew uses and we think it’s amazing!
• Sennheiser e815s – we use these for background vocals because of the nice warmth

Diaphragm Microphones

Diaphragm microphones offer a few significant advantages over dynamic – the most noticeable of these being frequency response (how clear the mic is) and amplitude (how loud the mic is). A decent large diaphragm mic will be able to record every whisper and scream you send its way in a way that (hopefully) sounds good. The downside is that dynamic mics are a lot more sensitive and need to be treated with more care and respect than their dynamic counterparts – which is why they often come with cases or boxes to protect them. They are also usually quite a bit more costly, but new low cost condensors are popping up all the time.

Condensor mics also require additional power known as 48v phantom power. To channel this energy you’ll need a soundcard or mixing desk that has 48v phantom included. So, if you don’t have the hardware to support this, you’ll need to factor in the cost of a new card or desk into the mic’s purchase price.

In both STR studios we use the Rode NT1A mic. It offers great frequency response, has a very rugged build quality (very important for use) and adds great detail and warmth to whatever we record giving that nice ‘expensive’ sound at a very decent price. If you can afford it, check out the Rode NT2A – the big brother – which has all sorts of bells and whistles such as switchable pattens and a lower noise floor.

Models to consider:

• Samson C01
• Rode NT1-A
• Studio Projects B1
• Rode NT2A

Ultimately, there is no easy way to answer this question. The answer starts with you determining exactly what you need from your mic and equally important – what you’re willing to spend. A great mic doesn’t equal a great recording. And the same goes the other way – just because you don’t have the latest or best model doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to record the next hit single.

To find out more about what Goodyz has to offer, check out their site or go to goodyz.mobi on your phone and you can get “Thinking About You” as a free download.

If you would like to download more music from StereoType Records artists, be sure to check the STR player where you can get the best in Cape Town music as well as the hottest free South African music.

AZDEF Production Group is an entertainment and branding company specializing in Artist Booking/Management and Event Planning with extensive experience in the entertainment industry. Following on from the succesful launch of StereoType Records in UK and a digital distribution deal in Europe, AZDEF will help STR to break in to the U.S where they specialize in cross promotion and marketing. The partnership will also allow StereoType Records artists exposure in the middle east, where AZDEF is breaking new ground in the entertainment industry.

These certainly are exciting times at the STR offices as we look forward to taking Cape Town music and indeed South African music all around the world!

Lee Saaiman seals the deal with Rayan Azab of AZDEF productions

Thanks to Zoopy and Goodhope FM for hanging out with us

We have 5 smoking hot singles fresh off the mix desk available now for your listening pleasure. Over the course of the next 5 weeks all of the singles will also be available as free downloads. Every Friday we’ll release a track as a free download which will be valid for 7 days, until the next track is released. At STR we strive for the highest quality, so every release out this month is a killer! Can I get a hell yeah for SA music!

July 2010 Singles Releases by stereotype

The first track available as a free download is Sarah Jane’s soulful “The Reason.” If you’re a fan of India Arie, Jill Scott, Angie Stone or Floetry, then this is the joint for you. To get it, simply hit the download arrow in the player.

The Reason – Sarah Jane – FREE DOWNLOAD UNTIL 06/08 by stereotype

As always, we’d love to hear what you think of the new material – we think it’s great, but utimately it’s your view that counts. hit us up with a comment below to send us some positive vibes.

Oh,and happy Friday!

Stereotype Records is a board member of a charity called Precious Angels( www.preciousangels.co.za)

Precious Angels strives to enrich the lives of the underprivileged in hardcore gangland areas by starting programmes that will educate and empower them. They service them through the marriage of education, life skills and sport, promoting harmony and success.

Presently, the project is only running in Cape Town. The team has started in Manenberg and will be branching out.

Precious Angels is having a fund-raiser on the 7th August 2010 2:00pm – 5:30pm at a venue named- ‘Country Manor’.  Money raised will be used to start AFTERCARE PROGRAMMES in Manenberg to get the kids off the streets, a MATHS PROGRAMME, COMPUTER CLASSES, & a FEEDING SCHEME. The event attractions follow:

• Chad Saaiman (Stereotyperecords)
• Matthew Moolman (Idol & Tv Presenter)
• MC- Richard Green (Radio DJ)
• Krazee Luke the Magician
• Ashwin Willemse Orient Marching Band
• Karl Smith- Speaker (CEO-Business Networking SA)

Tickets will be sold at R120-00 with a meal & beverage provided. Tickets Available @ Debut Clothing, Access Park- Kenilworth (021-683 2702) Opposite Footgear.

Should you have any suggestions or require more info, please do not hesitate to contact us. We kindly ask that you consider the above and if you can help with anything, please call Tony or Cheryl on- 072 398 4197.

With updated features including a brand new online store where you can buy Byron’s music directly from inside Facebook, aren’t you glad you’re a fan? What – you aren’t? Well then click on over here and become a fan right now.

On the page you can view pictures, watch videos, make a comment and buy music from a number of stores – including buying directly from Byron, all from the comfort of Facebook. (Don’t worry, your details are safe – after all, they know everything about you already…)