Kyiv, UKR (September 23, 2024) — Maks Histibe is a polymath whose talents encompass music production, synthesis, filmmaking, DJing, sound design, and field recording. Known professionally by his stage name — a combination of the words HIStory, TIme, and BEnd — he has built a career around both audio and visual media. The former includes sample packs and sounds for a range of music software brands; the latter involving filming and directing of original video footage from all over Ukraine for international artists and labels. His virtual instrument, Swords to Ploughshares, turns field audio related to the Russian invasion into playable musical sounds. Throughout the sometimes-harrowing process of recording the source material up close, he has found Rycote microphones and protective gear match his own tenacity and agility. These include two CA-08 cardioid mics and a BD-10 figure-eight mic, residing in either a Cyclone basket system or Classic Softie windscreens. Histibe took a valuable moment of stable internet access to share his important work with us via Zoom.
“Since the invasion began in 2022, I have been recording a lot of sounds from everyday existence in Ukraine, from city ambiences to explosions and air raid alerts,” explains Histibe. “At first it was to document them, then with the help of my friends at [sampleware developer] SoundIron, we put it together into a virtual instrument for [Native Instruments] Kontakt.
“I know Rycote started making windscreens and other protective equipment, but I’ve really come to like their microphones,” he continues. “There’s a depth to their sound that really helps me keep up the level of quality in the field. And their compact size, because I can maneuver very quickly, which sometimes I have to do. This is all based on my testing stuff in the field, not just because you’re interviewing me. I am genuinely impressed by the quality of Rycote equipment.”
With the reality on the ground amounting to full-blown war, Histibe sometimes gets dangerously close to the sites of bombings, explosions, or downed drones. The risk to life and limb speaks for itself, but thinking strictly about audio, the challenge is one of dynamics. “I record in 32-bit floating point,” says Histibe. “If there is a loud explosion, sirens, anything like that, it is impossible to predict what the levels will be. The mics contribute because they have excellent dynamic range. They can soak up all of the differences between loud and soft that are why I need the 32-bit recorder, and still have a clean but warm sound. Then, I can also take them into a conventional studio environment to record instruments. I like to use the cardioid mics in X-Y stereo position, but then add the figure-eight as an additional channel to capture the sound from the sides. This gives me a character I like for my sample packs.”
Under such conditions, the protection of Histibe’s gear is second only to that of his person. “I like the Classic Softie windscreen,” he notes. “It includes a rubber mount that holds the mic very securely and it’s all one piece, so very quick to set up. For when you have a very strong wind, the Cyclones just can’t be beat. And I’ve heard the company is working on a Cyclone you can put two mics in — I mean, they have them already, but this one is specifically for their mics. I want to get one of those and use it on mid-side recordings, where I would use one cardioid and one figure-eight. As far as I know, there are no other brands making something on this level.”
For Histibe, changing sounds of destruction into building blocks of creative expression is both a personal journey and a microcosm of the mending he wishes for his country. “Slowly, Swords to
Ploughshares helped me refocus and deal with all the heavy emotions. What keeps me going is the sense of purpose this gives me. Turning the pain and fear around me into a musical tool that people can use, that shows the world we are resilient here. That life goes on, and we will heal.”
About Rycote
Since 1969, Rycote has delivered reliable, unrivalled, premium quality equipment that is designed to withstand the harshest of environments and rigors of daily use to ensure capture of consistent and exceptional professional audio. Our loyal community of sound engineers feed into our product innovation ensuring our products are designed to meet the needs of the user and whilst Rycote has a global presence and reputation for product excellence, we are committed to continuing to make our products in the UK.
Find out more at: https://rycote.com/
About Videndum Media Solutions
Videndum Media Solutions is a division of Videndum plc, an international group of companies serving customers in the growing content creation market. Videndum Media Solutions designs, manufactures, and distributes premium branded photographic and video equipment such as tripods; bags; filters; backgrounds; motion control; lights and microphones for professional and hobbyist photographers and video-makers; and content creators. Positioning Videndum Media Solutions as the leading global provider of accessories within the fast-growing digital multi-media content market, the portfolio includes the following premium brands: AUDIX; Avenger; Colorama; Gitzo; JOBY; Lowepro; Manfrotto; Rycote; Savage and Syrp Lab. All products are distributed on a direct basis in 11 markets across the world through Videndum Media Distribution, as well as many other markets through a network of qualified retail partners.
