Hi there! My name is Jay Thakkar and I am an Indian classical musician and educator specializing in the Bānsurī (Bamboo flute). As a performer, most of my work these days involves recording my music and music lesson videos at my home studio.
It all started back in the early 2000s when I was a session artist on the Bānsurī. That's when I discovered my love for recording and eventually released my first album under my independent label, followed by a few more. I was always fascinated by the sound recording process and the equipment used in studios, and that's when I decided to set up a small music studio at home.
I started off with basic equipment like a Shure SM58 dynamic microphone, a Yamaha MG06 mixer, custom-made XLR cables, and a pair of Sennheiser HD280 Pro headphones. For accompanying Tanpura & Tabla sounds, I used an iPhone running iTabla Pro app or recorded with real Tabla players. The entire mix was recorded in stereo, either to a MacBook Pro or to a multitrack recorder. To this day, my recording setup remains relatively the same with updated cables, a Zoom H4N Pro multitrack recorder and an array of different microphones - dynamic, condenser & ribbon mics - depending on the project requirements. I prefer to record without a computer and my audio chain consists of the microphone, iTablaPro app, Zoom H4N Pro and Yamaha MG06 mixer.
As a self-taught recording artist, I have always been fascinated with sound and the audio recording process. I remember the day I finally managed to set my audio chain correctly and heard that strong centre image in the midst of the widest sound field through the Yamaha MG06 mixer and the Sennheiser HD280 Pro. I knew I had done something right and have been striving to improve upon it ever since.
I eventually moved to IEMs for their compact and discreet form and portability. Over the years, I have acquired quite a collection of IEMs which I use for both live self-monitoring while recording music and casual listening. My current favourite IEM is the Yanyin Canon with its ever-present bass and the 8 distinct sound profiles offered by its 3 tuning switches. I also enjoy using the 7Hz Salnotes Dioko, 7Hz Timeless, and many others for different purposes.
So that's my journey as a recording musician and audiophile. I hope you enjoyed reading about my story and maybe learned a thing or two about recording equipment and IEMs along the way.
1 comment
Chandrashekhar Tiwari
Very nice.you dreamed and achieved ,keep dreaming,better things will follow.wish you well.