Apple Logic Pro 8 - Manual (Page 87)

Chapter 4 Setting Up Your System 87
Multiple mixer outputs and a headphone distribution amplifier are also beneficial in
group recording situations, as different signals can be sent to each performer. As
examples: a click track to the drummer, a light drum mix and click track to the bass
player, a composite mix to the vocalist and guitarist, with a touch of reverb for the
singer, and so on. This different strokes approach is commonly used as it facilitates the
best performances from each group member.
Mixers can also include several auxilliary or bus channels that can be used to simplify a
number of jobs. As examples, sending different signals (or mixes, if you like) to multiple
locations—such as a front of house P.A. and a multitrack recorder, adding individual
effects to multiple channels, re-routing processed audio back to a different position in
the signal path and much more.
Many of these mixing tasks can be performed with a multi input/output audio
interface—using Logic Pro (and the interface control software, if applicable) to adjust
levels and routings. The catch-22 with this is twofold: it is not as immediate as
physically moving a slider or knob on a mixing console, and your computer generally
needs to be turned on, to allow control. To balance the equation, you can add a control
surface to your Logic Pro system, enabling hands-on operation. On the latter point, a
number of current audio interfaces can be used in standalone mode, but the problem
of level control remains unless the computer is turned on.
Microphones
If you are recording acoustic performances—spoken, sung, or played—into Logic Pro,
you need one or more microphones. The array of microphones available these days is
mind-boggling, but to simplify things, they basically fall into two categories:
condenser and dynamic.
 In general terms, condenser microphones are more sensitive, and are commonly
used for vocal recording. They are also used for ambience recording, and for
instruments such as guitars and woodwinds.
 Dynamic microphones are often used for recordings with high sound pressure levels
(loud signals, in other words), such as drums and percussion.
Ultimately, either microphone type can be used for any recording job, but each will
offer a distinct advantage—sonically—in different recording situations. To further
clarify, both condenser and dynamic microphones come in a variety of forms, with
many specifically designed for the recording of certain instruments. As such, there’s no
one size fits all microphone for every recording you will make, so purchasing or hiring
several microphones for different projects is advisable.
Note: Condenser microphones require power to function. This can be provided by a
separate pre-amplifier or a phantom powered mixing console.