From A To Global Z

Thank you for checking out our weekly vlogs, which provide behind-the-scenes in-depth views of Global Z’s past, present and future. We will also explore topics related to the mission and objectives of The Global Z Recording Project.

Episode Menu

Below are links to our vlog and descriptions as to what you can discover by reviewing our regularly evolving content.

Episode 34 – 2023: The Year in Review takes a look at the numerous successes achieved by Global Z in 2023, and acknowledge those who partnered with us in the adventure as well as the sponsors who made it all possible. For Mic Talk Time, the Aston Spirit 5 Year Special Anniversary mic is in the spotlight.

Episode 33: sE V2 Switch vs Several XLR to USB Signal Adapters, explores how recording with several XLR to USB adapters colors the sound. Mic Talk Time features a look at the recently debuted sE V2 Switch.

Episode 32: XLR to USB Signal Adapter Shootout conducts a preliminary shoot out of nine XLR to USB microphone signal adapters. Units evaluated include the following: NewBEP, OnStage MC12 IOU, Hosongin adapter cable, Behringer Mic2USB, ART XConnect, Maono XU01, Pyle PDUSBPP10 inline adapter, MXL inline Mic Mate Classic, and the Shure X2u. We also take a quick glimpse at the Blue Icicle.

The Last Episode In our Mini-Series of ‘Why Bands Break Up’ Has Been Posted

Episode 31 -Go Your Own Way: Why Bands Break Up (Part Four) is available for public viewing. This production is a tale of musical woe and the final foray in this mini-series dedicated to exploring the many and varied reasons why bands break up. We will delve into a single tragic case study about the heartbreaking saga of 1970s platinum rock band, Badfinger. Their tragic story has important lessons about about the music industry, and surrounding yourself with the right people. For ‘Mic Talk Time,’ we have a real beauty – it is Austrian Audio’s OC16.

Episode 30 – Go Your Own Way: Why Bands Break Up (Part Three)
Part three of our mini-series explores several cases of famous bands that dissolved as a result of musicians pursuing solo careers. It also pays tribute to a band that stayed together despite going through incredibly trying circumstances. For ‘Mic Talk Time,’ we give a listen to the legendary Shure SM57 dynamic microphone.

Episode 29 – Go Your Own Way: Why Bands Break Up (Part Two)
This Episode of ‘From A To Global Z‘ explores why musicians elect to leave a band. Equipped with these 19 reasons, this knowledge may be beneficial to any musician in calculating when it is time to move on to greener band pastures, or, it can be used in deciding who to partner with while forming or joining in a new musical adventure! For ‘Mic Talk Time,’ we give a listen to Warm Audio’s WA-47jr.

Episode 28 – Go Your Own Way: Why Bands Break Up (Part One)
This first video in our series explores how money frequently plays a devastating role in tearing apart bands, new and established. We continue our feature of the new sE NEOM USB mic as part of ‘Mic Talk Time.’

Episode 27 – Go Your Own Way: Why Bands Break Up
Announcing the launch of a new mini-series that explores why bands break up and how to prevent such trauma from occurring. Also, a quick introduction to sE Electronics’ new NEOM USB microphone.

Episode 26 – Remote Recording: Did COVID Spark A New Wave of Invention?
https://youtu.be/uxhMzDymixY
In this episode, we will explore a wide range of remote audio recording and collaboration technologies that are available and see – if in fact – necessity is the mother of invention. For “Mic Talk Time,” we give a listen to a small mic exported out of Sweden from a small operation – Line Audio Design’s CM4.

Episode 25 – Our Statewide COVID 19 Oral History Project Is Live!
https://youtu.be/fB7ya2HsBbM
Marylanders are invited to record their oral histories of how COVID-19 has impacted their lives in 15 participating libraries across the state of Maryland. The project is funded by a generous grant from Maryland Humanities. We skip over our usual Mic Talk Time‘ segment, but record audio using the Sennheiser MKE 600, a widely respected shotgun mic.

Episode 24 – 5 Shock Mounts Go Head-To-Head
https://youtu.be/4IXsQ8Bs9Wk
Microphone shock mounts are designed to limit the transfer of vibrations, thumps and bumps to the microphone with hopes of eliminating the recording of unwanted related noise. As microphones of different shapes and sizes are commonplace, shock mounts come in a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate them. We pit 5 very different shock mounts against each other to find out which is the champion of limiting the transfer of thumps and bumps! Mic Talk Time‘ features the Lewitt LCT 440 Pure, a lovely cardioid condenser mic capable of delivering impeccable recordings with great detail.

Episode 23 – Phase II North American Indigenous Music Project Participation Process
https://youtu.be/acGTJZHeErA
This video describes the objectives of the Phase II North American Indigenous Music Project, and defines participation requirements, expectations, and processes. Mic Talk Time‘ features the new ZOOM ZDM-1 podcast-style dynamic microphone.

Episode 22 – Living and Dying With COVID-19: The Maryland Stories (a video update)
https://youtu.be/2HKjRsByu6M
This episode provides an update as to the status of one of our 2021 flagship projects, which will provide the means for Marylands to record how COVID has impacted their lives. Recordings will become part of the Maryland State Archives, Digital Maryland, and select stories will be distributed by NPR. ‘Mic Talk Time‘ features the new CAD PodMaster PM1200 SuperD supercardioid dynamic microphone bundle. This mic goes after that trademark broadcast sound. The mic and the included accessories – priced well under $100 USD – makes this offering quite attractive.

Episode 21 – The New CAD e50 Microphone vs 9 Comparably-Priced Competitors
https://youtu.be/h_h8Mcyu2SM
Mic Talk Time‘ features the new CAD e50 cardioid condenser microphone as it goes head-to-head with 9 time-tested cardioid condenser mics in the $100-200 USD price point.

Episode 20 – It’s A Webcam World
https://youtu.be/6UreG4mpG_k
Episode 20 delves into a contentious debate regarding the when webcams should, and should not be used while communicating virtually in school, work, and other scenarios. ‘Mic Talk Time‘ features a robust cardioid dynamic broadcast-style mic – the Electro-Voice RE320.

Episode 19 – 2021: A Plethora of Projects For Global Z
https://youtu.be/KZxSCrs5u1g
This Episode provides a preview of three ambitious projects scheduled for launch during 2021. For ‘Mic Talk Time,’ we feature the just released TechZone Stellar X3.
To learn more about our Phase II North American Indigenous Music project, please see the following link to an excellent feature published by the Frederick News-Post.

Episode 18 – Rapid & Effective Microphone Cleaning Practices During COVID
https://youtu.be/dsxkejb-EdM
Having multiple people record voice using the same microphone during a pandemic is a safety hazard and cause for concern. This video presents several fast, safe, and effective solutions to this challenging and timely problem. For ‘Mic Talk Time,‘ we feature respected sE4400, a multi-pattern condenser microphone.

Episode 17 – Pivoting For the Win (Win)
https://youtu.be/rfzXWoefn7A
Pivoting from your usual mission to improve the lives of others often provides a win-win for all involved. ‘Mic Talk Time’ gives a listen to the incredibly affordable, incredibly good-sounding sE X1 A.

Episode 16 – The Essential Audio Production Setup
https://youtu.be/AkYLZ4ssqDI
This episode is inspired by a grant application whose project would require Global Z to set up multiple sets of essential audio production equipment in numerous locations. We review the minimal gear you need to get started with producing quality audio recordings. For ‘Mic Talk Time,’ we explore the exceptionally cool Neat Worker Bee microphone.

Episode 15 – A Non-Native Understanding of ‘Music Is Medicine’
https://soundcloud.com/user-279167189/episode-15-a-non-native-understanding-of-music-is-medicine
We once again turn to the literature to discover what Native Americans mean by, ‘Music Is Medicine.’ The concept is complex, diverse and deep.

Episode 14 – Want Peace? Make Music (Theoretically Speaking)
https://youtu.be/-_s1yD8oPH4
A timely reflection on a dozen scholarly studies that speak to how music making can be utilized to make peace and unify people of difference. ‘Mic Talk Time’ reviews the Audio-Technica ATM230, a hypercardioid dynamic mic designed for drums and instruments with low frequencies.

Episode 13 – Borrowing the Native American Sharing Circle
https://youtu.be/umcoS_u4lHc
Episode 13 of From A To Global Z features the Native American Sharing Circle – a communication concept that has been practiced by North American Indigenous people for many years. It promotes honesty, social learning, civility, a willingness to hear a different point of view, builds a sense of community, and is an exercise in respect. While originally designed for face-to-face settings, we apply it toward our online collaboration, community-building learning environment. For ‘Mic Talk Time,’ we give a listen to a pair of Cascade M39 small condenser mics set up using a popular XY stereo technique.

Episode 12 – Stay Connected (Not Everyone Likes Webcams)
https://youtu.be/NpzZNTy-K4k
COVID has everyone scrambling to telework and stay socially connected through webcams. However, communicating with webcams is not as universally accepted as you might think. We explore some of the scholarly research behind this topic and discuss how, when, or if you should use webcams to stay connected. Mic Talk Time features the discontinued Audio-Technica AT2020 USB, a popular mic that has been replaced by its cousin, the AT2020+.

Episode 11 – How To Host Music Lessons Virtually
https://youtu.be/4zyTfQMJB68
There are times – such as these – when it might be extremely beneficial to be able to effectively host music lessons virtually. Having this capability expands opportunities to stay connected with current students, and extends your reach for your ability to work with other student musicians on a global scale. This episode explains the design processes involved and defines the technical stuff you need to have in place to do just that. For ‘Mic Talk Time,’ the CAD 2600GXL USB mic is taken for a spin.

Episode 10 – It Takes a Village
https://youtu.be/qA_Pw-o7Gf4
It takes a village to make Global Z work. This Episode reviews several key partnerships established over the years and how they are vital to our mission. For Mic Talk Time, take a listen to the crazy cheap but respectable Monoprice 600020 dynamic microphone!

Episode 9- Phase ‘Em And Amaze ‘Em
https://youtu.be/8FQ8u8tA1-Y
Take an inside look at The Global Z Recording Project’s phased project approach to operating. For Mic Talk Time, Audio-Technica’s AT2020 USB classic is reviewed.

Episode 8 – Why Virtual Audio Production
https://youtu.be/9oHTk_V99mQ
Explore why The Global Z Recording Project is designed to conduct its operations and record its audio production Projects all virtually. Discover why this cutting-edge approach to doing business creates opportunities that would not be available if conducted in a face-to-face format. Also, join us for another chapter of ‘Mic Talk Time,’ and give a listen to the popular MXL 990.

Episode 7 – Affordable Audio Production Accessories
https://youtu.be/7Jh5zzZMOGg
We pay respects to the unsung heroes of the audio production world – accessories!

Episode 6 – The Magical World of Cheap(ish) Mics
https://youtu.be/QQFxR5xB-Fw
Affordable, high quality, unusual, and some flat out cheap great sounding XLR microphones! Some brands you probably have never heard of.

Episode 5 – Cash-Strapped Audio Production
https://youtu.be/oygCifKh-z4
We explore how to record audio on the cheap, free DAWs, and usb mics vs XLR mics.

Episode 4 – Audio Production Technology
https://youtu.be/Hk9EP3OQ9oE
This episode explores the CAD M139 microphone, then discusses the primary technology used by The Global Z Recording Project to record our virtual projects.

Episode 3 – Bridging the Technology Gap
https://youtu.be/Chz13RFGBoE
A new format for our vlog begins by featuring a different microphone for each episode. This allows our viewers to hear a wide variety of microphone characteristics from a wide variety of microphones. This Episode, we record with TechZone Audio’s newly acclaimed Stellar X2. Next, a reflection of where and when The Global Z Recording Project got its start and why technology inserted a ten year gap to take it from concept to launch.

Episode 2 – Inspirations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-qCJ3Wti0I
Discover how the personal, professional, and educational experiences of Bill Lord morphed into the conceptualization and launch of The Global Z Recording Project.

Episode 1 – An Introduction
https://youtu.be/DkX1XU3jqmMh
Discover how the personal, professional, and educational experiences of Bill Lord morphed into the conceptualization and launch of The Global Z Recording Project.