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 MicrophonesNot wanting to build clone microphonesWhy vintage mics sound differentReading schematicsTheory vs ExecutionBuilding guitar pedalsCryogenically freezing componentsNoise floorUsing polar pattern and mic placement to adjust frequency responseBuilding a brand based on word of mouth and guerrilla marketingWhy you should avoid buying new tools until you learn the ones you haveInterning and working for AvantoneWhy relationships matter in the music industryVoice-OversUnderstanding electronicsMentioned in the Interview:Flock Audio Patch BayTravis' Intro: The School of ExperienceLearn More About Derek Bargaehr and Vanguard Audio Labs...Website: https://www.vanguardaudiolabs.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanguardaudiolabs/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanguardaudiolabsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vanguardaudiolabs📢 Our Sponsors 📢Listen to Secret Sonics!Sign Up for Complete Producer Network!⬇️ FREE 2025 PLANNING WORKSHOP ⬇️https://www.travisference.com/2025plan📺 WATCH THE SHOW ON YOUTUBE 📺 https://www.youtube.com/@progressionspodConnect with Me:📬 Newsletter: https://www.travisference.com/subscribe📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/progressionspod🎵TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@progressionspod🐦 Twitter: https://twitter.com/progressionspod🌐 Website: https://www.travisference.com/🙏 Leave a Review or Rating 🙏Apple: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/appleSpotify: https://www.progressionspodcast.com/spotifyCredits:Guest: Derek BargaehrHost: Travis FerenceEditor: Stephen BoydTheme Music: inter.ference