The NPR Sound

brainfreezebob · Post by **brainfreezebob** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 4:51 pm

I make my rent as a freelance writer, and I'm working on a story I hope to sell to NPR. I plan on recording it myself, so I'm wondering if I might get some suggestions on achieving that NPR sound. Thanks in advance -- Robert.

MASSIVE Mastering · Post by **MASSIVE Mastering** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:16 pm

A completely dead space, an EV RE-20, an inexpensive DBX compressor and a Boredom-izer.

thesimulacre · Post by **thesimulacre** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:07 am

Pick a good instrument and play these notes:
G C A F D G E C...(make sure to hold that last one for a few counts)

Seriously, though... I used to love hearing Carl Castle (Robert Seagull?... gimme a break, I learned the names later) blaring from the stereo upstairs when I was young. Coming through the ceiling, the his voice sounded much like a vacuum being run on the floor above. I think that is called proximity effect.

slowblue · Post by **slowblue** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:31 am

don't forget to mic really closely to get that lovely NPR lip smack sound.

;ivlunsdystf · Post by **;ivlunsdystf** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 6:56 am

If you have a 'nose whistle', make it highly audible during the pauses as you speak. Works for Garrison Keillor.

rydberg · Post by **rydberg** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 7:50 am

Tatertot wrote:If you have a 'nose whistle', make it highly audible during the pauses as you speak. Works for Garrison Keillor.

That sound makes my girl go batshit crazy. Me too.

Oh, and then there's the show.....that's a whole other story.

P.

;ivlunsdystf · Post by **;ivlunsdystf** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:23 am

The kicker about that Garrison Keillor sound is that he knows all about it and he does it on purpose. I read about it in an interview. Now it should bug you and your dame even more...

JGriffin · Post by **JGriffin** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:26 am

I don't think they use RE20s, I think it's Shure SM7s.

@?,*???&? · Post by **@?,*???&?** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:37 am

MASSIVE Mastering wrote:A completely dead space, an EV RE-20, an inexpensive DBX compressor and a Boredom-izer.

Actually, I took a tour of the NPR facility in Santa Monica some years ago and they use Neumann U87s throughout. They have since set-up shop in Culver City for the West Coast.

John Jeffers · Post by **John Jeffers** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:58 am

Tatertot wrote:The kicker about that Garrison Keillor sound is that he knows all about it and he does it on purpose. I read about it in an interview.

I must see this for myself. Link?

;ivlunsdystf · Post by **;ivlunsdystf** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:03 am

Sorry, can't help you there. Just take it as fact without any further questioning. Why would I post it on the internets if it weren't true? That's how we do things nowadays.

Seriously, though, I did read it in some Mpls. Star Tribune or similarly reliable source.

John Jeffers · Post by **John Jeffers** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:10 am

Tatertot wrote:Just take it as fact without any further questioning. Why would I post it on the internets if it weren't true? That's how we do things nowadays.

Damn you and your completely rational logic.

brainfreezebob · Post by **brainfreezebob** » Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:29 am

OK, so I lack both the RE20 and SM7 (got tons of U87?s, though, tons and tons) and live in a big loft with wooden floors. How ?bout an AT 4050 and a few thick blankets over the both of us?

The compression is what sounds really weird to me, though.

And the story?s about a cool, arty music videogame, so hopefully I won?t need to crank up the Boredom-izer.

Ryan Silva · Post by **Ryan Silva** » Wed Feb 08, 2006 7:21 pm

I saw a Millienum ad where they claim to be used by NPR. Is this on the news or the music? don't know.

bowling-name · Post by **bowling-name** » Thu Feb 09, 2006 1:35 am

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I believe a lot of their audio is recorded with simple mics onto mini-disc (especially interviews and anything involving recording in the field), so I'm guessing anything with reasonable fidelity would work. They will probably edit your story in a studio and add compression if need be, and whatever other mastering magic required before it takes to the air.

Have you checked out http://www.transom.org/ ?

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