News, Reviews & Resources
Welcome to Factory Sound News & Resources. With a mixture of deep-dive product reviews, a series of “how-to” articles and news blogs, you’ll find that it’s informative, and sometimes unscripted.
When our camera is rolling, we’ll also try to find out who is doing what for our entertainment industry.
Latest from our blog
A quick note to let you know our Factory Sound showroom will be closed on Wed 26th Jan, for the public holiday
A quick note to let you know our Factory Sound showroom will be closed on Wed 26th Jan, for the public holiday
Limited stock special on RCF HD35A – a portable, powered speaker, but we like to think of it as more of a portable weapon!
Limited stock special on RCF HD35A – a portable, powered speaker, but we like to think of it as more of a portable weapon!
Overnight we got a tiny tweak to our Covid Safe settings for Victorian workplaces, thanks to the latest tick that has appeared in our home state’s roadmap. Scan, Tick, Mask That’s it. They are the three current CovidSafe-related conditions of entry to Factory Sound. Scan the QR code to check in using the Services Victoria […]
Overnight we got a tiny tweak to our Covid Safe settings for Victorian workplaces, thanks to the latest tick that has appeared in our home state’s roadmap. Scan, Tick, Mask That’s it. They are the three current CovidSafe-related conditions of entry to Factory Sound. Scan the QR code to check in using the Services Victoria […]
The first Tuesday in November is again upon us. Apparently the Melbourne Cup is the race that stops a nation. Were not entirely sure about that, but we do know that its the race that stops Factory Sound. So, due to our massive passion for horseracing history of putting up our feet on a public […]
The first Tuesday in November is again upon us. Apparently the Melbourne Cup is the race that stops a nation. Were not entirely sure about that, but we do know that its the race that stops Factory Sound. So, due to our massive passion for horseracing history of putting up our feet on a public […]
Latest reviews
Over the past couple of decades, the shape of microphones for guitar cabs has really settled nicely into the classic side-address form, made famous by the now-legendary Sennheiser MD409. Early model – The table microphone, MD 407, was the original model from which the MD 409 arose. Form factor: snug Both of these guitar amp […]
Over the past couple of decades, the shape of microphones for guitar cabs has really settled nicely into the classic side-address form, made famous by the now-legendary Sennheiser MD409. Early model – The table microphone, MD 407, was the original model from which the MD 409 arose. Form factor: snug Both of these guitar amp […]
RCF powered, portable PA speakers are already trusted by working professionals – and have been since the first ART300A rolled out of the factory door back in 1996. They have now ratcheted things up another couple of levels with the introduction of the top-of-the-tree D-Line series speaker – HDM45A. Powerful, Portable Point Source It’s not […]
RCF powered, portable PA speakers are already trusted by working professionals – and have been since the first ART300A rolled out of the factory door back in 1996. They have now ratcheted things up another couple of levels with the introduction of the top-of-the-tree D-Line series speaker – HDM45A. Powerful, Portable Point Source It’s not […]
Shure MV7 is foremost a USB microphone designed for voice, and it does a great job. Let’s take a look at why it’s so often recommended for content creation, gaming, podcasts, voice overs and more. USB for now, XLR for later Yes, MV7 has all the classic features of a USB microphone – including a […]
Shure MV7 is foremost a USB microphone designed for voice, and it does a great job. Let’s take a look at why it’s so often recommended for content creation, gaming, podcasts, voice overs and more. USB for now, XLR for later Yes, MV7 has all the classic features of a USB microphone – including a […]
There are a few choices for battery-operated, portable PA speakers out there, so what makes HK Audio MOVE 8 stand out from the crowd? Hint: It’s the sound level – there is lots of it. Before we get to the really nice features – like the multiple input on-board mixer with effects, iOS or Android […]
There are a few choices for battery-operated, portable PA speakers out there, so what makes HK Audio MOVE 8 stand out from the crowd? Hint: It’s the sound level – there is lots of it. Before we get to the really nice features – like the multiple input on-board mixer with effects, iOS or Android […]
Plenty of us play with microphones when we’re not ‘on the clock’ at Factory Sound. On a recent drum recording session, we tried out Sennheiser e906 on a tom tom (rack 1), right next to the old faithful MD421-II on rack tom 2. The results were quite eye opening, and ear pleasing! MD421-II is well […]
Plenty of us play with microphones when we’re not ‘on the clock’ at Factory Sound. On a recent drum recording session, we tried out Sennheiser e906 on a tom tom (rack 1), right next to the old faithful MD421-II on rack tom 2. The results were quite eye opening, and ear pleasing! MD421-II is well […]
In recent months, there has been a veritable slew of new products released by RØDE. Because we love a good list, here’s our attempt to rank the recent additions – by the level of staff excitement for each product. #1 – AI Micro A clear “number 1”, the tiny AI-Micro has taken function and flexibility […]
In recent months, there has been a veritable slew of new products released by RØDE. Because we love a good list, here’s our attempt to rank the recent additions – by the level of staff excitement for each product. #1 – AI Micro A clear “number 1”, the tiny AI-Micro has taken function and flexibility […]
NEW in October 2021 – the PRO X series from Beyerdynamic has a few differences between the classic DT700-PRO and DT990-PRO. DT700 PRO X and DT 900 PRO X are now in stock, so let’s unpack! The Look, The Feel Of course, the headphone sound is paramount, but let’s firstly describe what you’ll see and […]
NEW in October 2021 – the PRO X series from Beyerdynamic has a few differences between the classic DT700-PRO and DT990-PRO. DT700 PRO X and DT 900 PRO X are now in stock, so let’s unpack! The Look, The Feel Of course, the headphone sound is paramount, but let’s firstly describe what you’ll see and […]
Usually this section is reserved for a product review.. but since the newly released RCF ART9 Series won’t hit us until middle of September, we’ll run with a PREview instead. RCF ART9 Series – a long time in the making There’s plenty of history – and innovation – built into this latest, flagship ART 9 […]
Usually this section is reserved for a product review.. but since the newly released RCF ART9 Series won’t hit us until middle of September, we’ll run with a PREview instead. RCF ART9 Series – a long time in the making There’s plenty of history – and innovation – built into this latest, flagship ART 9 […]
It feels like a while since we’ve had a good old microphone capsule shoot-out, so we recently gathered up some goodies for a play. If you want some back-story to the capsule swapping exercise, this test was inspired by our recent article “build your dream handheld” – but save that for later reading… and grab […]
It feels like a while since we’ve had a good old microphone capsule shoot-out, so we recently gathered up some goodies for a play. If you want some back-story to the capsule swapping exercise, this test was inspired by our recent article “build your dream handheld” – but save that for later reading… and grab […]
Build your dream handheld With the introduction of Sennheiser EW-D series – specifically the SKM Baseset (handheld system, without a capsule) – singers and production providers have the chance to easily mix-and-match to create the perfect handheld vocal mic to suit any situation. A capsule to suit any singing style Of course, we are believers […]
Build your dream handheld With the introduction of Sennheiser EW-D series – specifically the SKM Baseset (handheld system, without a capsule) – singers and production providers have the chance to easily mix-and-match to create the perfect handheld vocal mic to suit any situation. A capsule to suit any singing style Of course, we are believers […]
Latest tips and help
Earplugs for music and potentially loud environments. When it comes to hearing, let’s not do too little, too late. Ahead of the most recent World Hearing Day (3rd March 2022), WHO released this news article, with the ‘slightly’ concerning opening sentence: Over 1 billion people aged 12 to 35 years risk losing their hearing due […]
Earplugs for music and potentially loud environments. When it comes to hearing, let’s not do too little, too late. Ahead of the most recent World Hearing Day (3rd March 2022), WHO released this news article, with the ‘slightly’ concerning opening sentence: Over 1 billion people aged 12 to 35 years risk losing their hearing due […]
Which microphone stand is the best? The answer to that question is always going to depend on what you’re intending to use it for – but when it comes to stands, we’ve got a massive chunk of real-world experience, so let’s dig in and have a look at the best options for stage, studio and […]
Which microphone stand is the best? The answer to that question is always going to depend on what you’re intending to use it for – but when it comes to stands, we’ve got a massive chunk of real-world experience, so let’s dig in and have a look at the best options for stage, studio and […]
Following on from our Guide to choosing headphones (Part 1): Studio and Live Sound article, we explore some nice choices for a bunch of other pro audio applications, including field recording, filming, podcasting plus DJ. But first…sometimes it feels like all the headphone adaptors run off together for a secret meeting – just at the […]
Following on from our Guide to choosing headphones (Part 1): Studio and Live Sound article, we explore some nice choices for a bunch of other pro audio applications, including field recording, filming, podcasting plus DJ. But first…sometimes it feels like all the headphone adaptors run off together for a secret meeting – just at the […]
Need some headphones? You’ve come to the right place. We’re going to try and simplify headphone choices – by focusing mainly on the BIG 3 (Audio Technica, Beyerdynamic & Sennheiser), to work out which models fit best for a whole bunch of pro audio tasks. One size fits all No it doesn’t.. well, at least […]
Need some headphones? You’ve come to the right place. We’re going to try and simplify headphone choices – by focusing mainly on the BIG 3 (Audio Technica, Beyerdynamic & Sennheiser), to work out which models fit best for a whole bunch of pro audio tasks. One size fits all No it doesn’t.. well, at least […]
The humble microphone lead is far from the most glamorous part of your kit, but it’s nevertheless essential. Before we dive into anything too technical, let’s just answer the oft-asked question – “do expensive microphones leads make a difference?” In a word: No. You won’t hear the difference. Unless the cheap one is broken. Microphone […]
The humble microphone lead is far from the most glamorous part of your kit, but it’s nevertheless essential. Before we dive into anything too technical, let’s just answer the oft-asked question – “do expensive microphones leads make a difference?” In a word: No. You won’t hear the difference. Unless the cheap one is broken. Microphone […]
Choosing the right microphone There’s way more to recording vocals than ‘just’ choosing the right microphone for the job. That being said, let’s pick two for now, right up the top of this check-list. This is a First Step article, so we’re not shovelling all the money into a great microphone just yet. Rather, we’ll […]
Choosing the right microphone There’s way more to recording vocals than ‘just’ choosing the right microphone for the job. That being said, let’s pick two for now, right up the top of this check-list. This is a First Step article, so we’re not shovelling all the money into a great microphone just yet. Rather, we’ll […]
Batteries, Maths & Landfill When it comes to the best way to power your wireless systems – alkaline battery or rechargeable – there are many factors to consider. Let’s dive into a few in an attempt to un-muddy the waters. Less is more Much as we want to cut straight to the heart of it […]
Batteries, Maths & Landfill When it comes to the best way to power your wireless systems – alkaline battery or rechargeable – there are many factors to consider. Let’s dive into a few in an attempt to un-muddy the waters. Less is more Much as we want to cut straight to the heart of it […]
Like our first two theatre & wireless help articles – Simple Wireless Tips and Advanced Wireless Tips: Antennas – this one is aimed at either school musical productions or amateur theatre groups. We’ll focus on what to consider when you’re trying to keep microphones hidden for theatre performance. An incredible amount of research, design and […]
Like our first two theatre & wireless help articles – Simple Wireless Tips and Advanced Wireless Tips: Antennas – this one is aimed at either school musical productions or amateur theatre groups. We’ll focus on what to consider when you’re trying to keep microphones hidden for theatre performance. An incredible amount of research, design and […]
Following our Simple Wireless Tips article, where Rule #1 was ‘Scan, Scan, Scan’, we’d like to dig a little deeper to focus on a successful, hassle-free integration of multiple wireless systems. Antennas are the focus here, with antenna type, placement, cable and splitters all being important parts to a happy RF world. Antenna Splitter When […]
Following our Simple Wireless Tips article, where Rule #1 was ‘Scan, Scan, Scan’, we’d like to dig a little deeper to focus on a successful, hassle-free integration of multiple wireless systems. Antennas are the focus here, with antenna type, placement, cable and splitters all being important parts to a happy RF world. Antenna Splitter When […]
Managing wireless microphones for a school or amateur theatre can be daunting. We’re putting together a series of articles in our How-To section, to help. This is our first in the series, so make sure you stay tuned for more articles. Troubleshooting Wireless No matter how big or small the stage may be, wireless microphones […]
Managing wireless microphones for a school or amateur theatre can be daunting. We’re putting together a series of articles in our How-To section, to help. This is our first in the series, so make sure you stay tuned for more articles. Troubleshooting Wireless No matter how big or small the stage may be, wireless microphones […]