Bologna, Italy—dBTechnologies ACADEMY held the masterclass “Global Sound Concert: Shaping the Sound” at its Bologna headquarters, led by Josh Rogosin, longtime recording engineer for NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts and founder of Global Sound Concerts. Rogosin helped shape the sound and production language behind NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts and now applies that same philosophy through his own Global Sound Concerts platform.
Across two intensive days, Rogosin deconstructed the technical framework behind his approach to live capture—an engineering discipline grounded in deliberate microphone deployment, spatial awareness, and source-first balance. Rather than relying on post-production correction, his method emphasizes gain structure, capsule selection, placement geometry, and acoustic interaction as primary determinants of mix integrity. Complexity is addressed at the source.
Environmental response, performer orientation, and phase relationships are resolved before the recording ever reaches the mix stage.
At the core of his philosophy is the belief that in live performance, the unrepeatable relationship between performer and audience forms the essential content of any recording. The engineer defines the recording through microphone topology, spatial alignment, and management of acoustic variables—preserving dynamic range, transient detail, and spatial depth without imposing artificial enhancement.
The second day transitioned to a fully realized live session. Cari Q brought her band to Ex.Dynamo for an intimate Global Sound Concert—three songs, each captured live in a unique location.
The ensemble—Cari Quoyeser (vocals, acoustic guitar), Andrea Boscarino (bass, vocals), Simone Del Deo (electric guitar), Jacopo Del Deo (keys, violin), and Paolo Baresi (drums)—performed across multiple architectural zones within Ex.Dynamo, including open-air areas and underground tunnels originally constructed as an atomic shelter. Three songs—Relational Beasts, Around, and Valkyrie—were each captured live in distinct locations, introducing measurable acoustic differences—variable reverberation times, boundary reflections, and ambient noise considerations—that influenced tonal density and spatial imaging.
The recording process avoided artificial layering and excessive post-production, reinforcing the central importance of performance and place. Participants followed each step of the workflow at close range: environment selection, microphone deployment, natural balancing, and real-time problem solving. The emphasis remained on disciplined listening, technical precision, and respect for artistic authorship.
The masterclass concluded with extended discussion and technical exchanges, underscoring Rogosin’s focus on engineering accountability. Through this event, dBTechnologies ACADEMY reaffirmed its commitment to advanced professional education—where system design, recording craft, and live performance intersect in real-world conditions.
Founded in 1990 in Bologna, Italy, dBTechnologies offers a full range of active sound systems and a passive series for integrators. All products feature precise voicing and consistent sound quality, delivering the distinct dBTechnologies tonal signature across its entire lineup. Engineered for reliability and adaptability, dBTechnologies solutions serve live sound, installation, and touring professionals worldwide.
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