Voicing Microphones, Cryogenics, and the School of Experience | with Derek Bargaehr of Vanguard Audio Labs - Progressions: Success in the Music Industry

Episode 77

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Published on:

12th Oct 2022

Voicing Microphones, Cryogenics, and the School of Experience | with Derek Bargaehr of Vanguard Audio Labs

Today’s guest is engineer, audio technician, and microphone designer Derek Bargaehr. Derek is the the Chief Everything Officer and co-founder of Vanguard Audio Labs. He created Vanguard to give musicians and recording engineers access to great and affordable tools and since then his mics have been added to mic lockers all over the world. We have a great chat about microphone design, understanding your tools, using polar patterns and mic placement to change frequency response, and the difference between studying the theory vs learning by doing.

In this episode we'll dig in on...

  • Voicing Microphones
  • Not wanting to build clone microphones
  • Why vintage mics sound different
  • Reading schematics
  • Theory vs Execution
  • Building guitar pedals
  • Cryogenically freezing components
  • Noise floor
  • Using polar pattern and mic placement to adjust frequency response
  • Building a brand based on word of mouth and guerrilla marketing
  • Why you should avoid buying new tools until you learn the ones you have
  • Interning and working for Avantone
  • Why relationships matter in the music industry
  • Voice-Overs
  • Understanding electronics

Mentioned in the Interview:

Travis' Intro: The School of Experience

Learn More About Derek Bargaehr and Vanguard Audio Labs...

Website: https://www.vanguardaudiolabs.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanguardaudiolabs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanguardaudiolabs

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vanguardaudiolabs

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Credits:

Guest: Derek Bargaehr

Host: Travis Ference

Editor: Stephen Boyd

Theme Music: inter.ference

Show artwork for Progressions: Success in the Music Industry

About the Podcast

Progressions: Success in the Music Industry
Host Travis Ference chats with music producers, engineers, mixers, artists, musicians, and songwriters about the tips, tricks, mindsets, and ideas that helped them define their careers.
Conversations exploring creativity, productivity, and career growth in the music industry. Join in each week as Travis sits down with some of the industry’s best and brightest to discuss the mindsets and strategies that they use in their careers every day.
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About your host

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Travis Ference

Travis Ference is a Grammy nominated mixer, producer, and recording engineer based out of Los Angeles, CA. With over a decade of experience in the music business he has worked on multiple #1 albums, several top 10's, numerous RIAA platinum and gold certified records, as well as hit TV shows and blockbuster films. His work can be heard on more than 15 million albums sold and billions streams worldwide.

The inspiration for his podcast came from his journey over the last 5 years to redefine what success is for him, to take control of his time, and to ultimately live the life he wants while making the records he loves.