10 Questions w/ MothSound

Earlier this summer I was contacted to do some artwork for microphone company out of Spain that I had been admiring for some time, Moth Sound

Check out the interview below :)

I find myself attracted to anything that steps outside of the box and ironically the mic that stood out to me was the box-shaped Moth FV.

I have been spending some time with this mic and it is like nothing I have heard before. Not only is it interesting to look at it is extremely interesting to listen to. The mic does naturally what people often use plugins and effects for. It sounds like a twin piezoelectric crystal microphone you would find in a telephone or CB radio or something. However, it is my understanding from the creator, Fran that this is a dynamic microphone.

I set it up in our bands HQ for some tests and the unique sound instantly got everyone’s attention. It was as if our singer was transported into a little dusty room with Alan Lomax. It had that boosted/notched midrange thing nailed perfectly and needed no tweaking.

After spending hours on these sketches and spending hours with this mic, I had questions and you might too. So without further ado, I present to you the first installment in the AP Blog –

10 Questions with Moth Sound.

1. How did you decide to start making microphones?

Moth Sound (MS) – I was playing in a retro-style band (40’s-50’s) and I tried to recreate the sound of the oldies that I wanted for the band and I built the first prototype. People started to show interest and from there I decided to build the Moth Mic for them.

2. What inspired your unique microphone designs?

MS – I have been always interested in design, especially in retro design (artwork, clothing, etc…) Of course, my inspiration comes from forgotten vintage microphones but also from machinery, steampunk and things like that. You can sketch an idea for the design on paper, but when it comes alive, it does not always work, so you have to find a compromise between design and functionality.

3. What is your recording/musical background?

MS – I listen to music from every style and every era.

4. How did the name Moth Sound come about?

MS – When I found the exact paint /color that I wanted for my mics (a kind of bronze anodized aluminum), I accidentally poured some on my fingers and when it dried it looked like I grabbed a moth by its wings 😛

5. How many different mics do you offer and what are the differences between them?

MS – As of right now, I build the Moth Mic DLX (some kind of studio-oriented resonator type) and the new Moth Mic FV for both studios and live.

6. What’s your favorite recording of all time?

MS – You can’t ask that to a melomaniac guy 😛

Anyway, maybe regarding Moth Sound, it would be the recording sessions in room 414 of the Gunter Hotel (Texas) by Robert Johnson.

7. Is there a microphone (aside from Moth) that you love the sound of Or wish you designed?

MS – Everyone from the golden era, I couldn’t pick just one.

8. If you weren’t making these beautiful mics, what would you be doing professionally?

MS – If fact, I’m a musician first, that’s what I’m doing professionally more than Moth Sound.

9. Have your mics been used on any recordings or by artists that you have a personal appreciation for?

MS – Yes! International bands like Royal Blood (The Moth Mic was very present in their second album recordings), Los Fabulosos Cadillacs (They won a Latin Grammy with a song recorded with only a Moth Mic on vocals), and of course many Spanish bands and top studios all around the world.

10. What do we expect next from Moth Sound?

MS – You have to wait for that! 😉

For more info visit http://mothsound.info/en/

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