Make Home Recording Studio Sessions Easy
So you’ve invested your blood, sweat, and tears (not to mention a few bucks) into your studio. The workspace is clean, the equipment is checked, and you’re ready to rock… or are you? This article will show you how to make home recording studio sessions easy.
First, let’s talk about preparation. Just because you may be recording from a garage, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take every session seriously. If your goal is to become a star, treat your sessions like that from the very beginning. Set a time to begin recording and stick to it. Write out a clear plan for what you will accomplish in the session and make sure all participants have a copy. All the instruments and amplifiers that will be used should be in perfect working order and there should be spares if possible.
Designate a producer. I cannot overstate the importance of this. The producer is the director and will make the final decisions on the project. There are so many variables and possibilities in the recording process that without a clear leader, a project will quickly stall. Make sure all members are on board from the beginning and things will go much smoother.
Now let’s cover some quick etiquette. The golden rule here is that if you wouldn’t do something in a professional studio that you’re paying $300 per hour, you don’t do it in your home studio. One of my personal pet peeves is when artists set food or drinks on the console. Nothing will screw up a session quicker than frying your amp with a 44 ounce thirstbuster! It’s a given that long hours in the studio are going to require some breaks, just make sure It’s clear where they should be taken. While we’re talking about refreshments, I’d like to mention alcohol and drugs. If you’ve watched MTV at all, it’s probably easy to believe that bottles of Grey Goose are as essential to the recording process as a good microphone. I hate to break it to you, but this just isn’t the case. Very few professional recording artists allow drugs or alcohol in their studios. Whatever you decide on this matter, set a policy and stick to it.
Okay, so you’ve come prepared, designated a producer, and left the chulupas in the kitchen. Once you’re in session, let the creative juices flow. Have a plan for what you want to accomplish but use it as a guide. If everyone is in the zone and creating great music, the worst thing you can do is stop because it’s time to start mixing. Keep recording and get all the raw material you can.
At the end of the session, take a minute to go over the day. Get everyone’s input and take notes on any changes to be made to the set up. It’s important to get this information now, while it’s fresh on everyone’s mind. This is also a good time to plan out the next session so everyone is on the same page.
Finally, go out and have some fun! You’ve earned it!
Recording Studio Furniture
Recording studio furniture? Wait a second Mark, you must be talking about a heart shaped bed and mini-bar filled with Crystal, right? No friends, we’re talking about the actual furniture that is going to hold your equipment and when used correctly, make your recording in your home music studio a lot easier. I’m going to write this article as a Q&A covering the most common questions I receive about studio furniture.
Q: What kind of furniture do I need for my studio?
A: While the exact pieces will be determined by the equipment you are using, common setups consist of a recording studio desk, instrument stands, equipment racks, and a comfortable chair.
Q: Can’t I just use milk crates and a card table?
A: I realize that starting out there may not be a budget for custom consoles and equipment racks, so here are the basics. First, the desk you use must be sturdy. Sorry, no card tables. The desk may be holding speakers, the mixer, monitors, etc. Don’t take the chance of damaging your equipment by using a flimsy table.
Q: What features should a recording studio desk have?
A: As I mentioned above, the desk should be sturdy enough to handle the weight of your equipment. When deciding on the shape and size, consider what components you will need to reach easily. Would you prefer an angled desk or would a straight model work? If you plan setting up in a corner, there are desks made specifically for this.
Q: Do I need equipment racks?
A: If you plan on using individual component in your studio, I highly recommend an equipment rack. A rack will keep your amplifiers, preamps, equalizers, etc. neatly in one place. For those of you going with the studio-in-a-box (SIAB) setup, this won’t be necessary.
Q: Why do I need a special chair?
A: Spend your first all-nighter mixing tracks and ask me this again! The recording studio chair is the place where you will be spending a ton of your time. This truly is a vital piece of your recording studio furniture. The biggest thing you are looking for here is comfort. There is no doubt that you will spend hours on hours here during the recording, mixing, and mastering processes. Sitting in one position can be very stressful on the spine and possible create or compound back problems. Therefore, look for a chair that’s ergonomic and that promotes good posture by supporting the lower back.
The main purpose of recording studio furniture is to allow you to work more efficiently in a comfortable setting. Can you spend thousands on furniture? Absolutely! Do you need to? No, especially if you’re just starting out. Follow the guidelines above, set up a clean easy to use workspace, and start making music!
Home Recording Tips
The following are some neat home recording tips:
Multi-timbral synthesizers are a must for sequencing. They eliminate having to use a different synthesizer for every sound.
There is no single way to get a guitar sounding great. Experiment, and you will find a sound that moves you.
Don’t waste your money on any expensive cords. Expensive cords don’t make a difference in how your recording will sound.
When overdubbing, hearing certain parts that you recorded earlier may throw you off. If this happens, you can turn down certain tracks and only listen to the parts that are going to help you perform the overdub.
Once you have recorded a performance, you don’t have to do a lot of editing. Just getting rid of the unwanted noise or a bad note may do the trick. You don’t have to use every capability of your system.
You don’t have to use every track on your mixer, this can make for a cluttered arrangement. Use only the tracks that you think you need.
When you are mixing songs, use a lot of dynamic changes. This could make your song have a big emotional impact. By doing this you can make your verses have a low dynamic, and during the chorus make the dynamics go up.
When you set your recording levels keep these tips in mind: On your preamp/input, keep an eye on the clip light. If the light is glowing red your signal is way too hot and may end up distorted. Use the meters as a guide, trust your ears, and when you have doubts, turn down the level.
Microphone Tips:
If you use a cardiod mic, they produce more bass when close to a sound source. With figure 8 mics or omnidirectional mics you don’t find this effect. Cardioid condenser mics have a roll off switch that allows you to eliminate added bass, which can be helpful.
The first condenser mic for home recordists should be the large-diaphragm condenser mic. This mic works best for most applications.
If you are going to record loud instruments, look for a mic with a high sound pressure level rating. With this you can tell how much volume the mic can handle before it starts to sound distorted.
If you want to make your own pop filter get a wire hanger, get a pair of tights or pantyhose, and stretch it over the hanger. Adjust the coat hanger so it is at least 4 inches from the microphone. You can also buy an actual pop filter starting around $20.
Make sure you cover your mic when you are done recording to keep out dust or excess particles.
If you are miking a drum set and it sounds thin, try tuning the drum slightly up or putting the mic in the tunnel of the drum set.
If you don’t have big bucks for a decent microphone, use the mic simulator programs to make it sound like you have more expensive vocal mic.
Demand that your drummer plays the cymbals softer; doing this will create a better difference between the drums and cymbals.
Don’t be afraid to try to record your bass in different rooms to get a warm sound. However, don’t go in the bathroom because that trick doesn’t work as well with a bass guitar.
Stay tuned: More tips to come…
Home Recording Studio Equipment
Choosing the best home recording studio equipment for your studio will take some research. Before you’re actually at the check out line in your favorite music store, it’s important that you do your homework. Take into consideration what you can afford and what kind of equipment you are looking for. You can find the different equipment in trade magazines, the web, or in your local music store. If the equipment is on display it would be wise to play with it and see if the feel suits you. Also, it is a good idea to talk to other people who already have the equipment and see what they think.
One piece of equipment that has changed the recording world is the Digital Audio Workstation, or “DAW”. The DAW is a computer based hardware system that offers a lot of production features such as multitrack recording, editing, midi and audio interfaces, support for plug in virtual instruments, mixdown capabilities, and much more. The DAW is affordable and that’s what makes it so great! There are different options when choosing a DAW. The first thing you would need to consider is if you have a MAC or PC. Some programs only work for Mac and some only for PC. There are also some programs that work for both. You will also need to consider your needs, and preferences. Another thing you need to check is if you have enough ram and if your computer is fast and powerful for the tasks that you are going to take on.
One piece of equipment you might want to consider getting is called the “Studio in a Box” or SIAB. The Studio in a Box is affordable and easy to use. You don’t need to be a computer expert to use this system, all you have to do is turn it, get the basics down, and start recording. This system is also portable; your not limited to your bedroom. These recorders draw little power and run on a battery, or you can hook it up to a solar panel. There are many choices of brands to choose from with the SIAB that are very affordable. You can get a SIAB for under $1,000. You can choose a SIAB with 4, 8, or 16 tracks. Some brands of SIAB systems are Roland, Boss, Yamaha, Tascam, and Fostex.
Some people prefer the stand alone recorder which can range from about 1,000 to 2,000 dollars. When you get a stand alone recorder you also have to buy mixers and a signal processor. Modern recorders have revolutionized home studios, and in the early 90’s many hits came from these devices. However stand-alone units are becoming less popular with home recordists because of the extra equipment you have to buy.
Before you buy this product make sure to check out the demos of each brand as the sound can vary slightly from unit to unit. One way to make your recording experience even more exciting would be to have a midi-intensive studio. Your midi-intensive studio can include a keyboard, synthesizer, sound module, or sampler. These can be nice to have because you can get drum sounds without having a live drum set or drummer.
After you get the basic equipment to start recording, all you have left to set up is a microphone, guitar, and any other instruments that you would like to record. Remember that there are endless possibilities in the types of equipment you can have, start with the basics and in time your little studio will grow with your needs.
Home Recording Studio Software
Deciding what home recording studio software to use may seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t need to be. There are a few simple steps you can follow that will greatly reduce future configuration and compatibility issues down the road.
If you are starting from scratch, we recommend deciding on whether to go with a PC or Mac based on what type of software you would like to work with. This is due to the fact that most programs work better with one or the other. If you already have the computer you intend to use then start your research with a list of programs which are compatible with your format.
Before we give a rundown of some of the most popular programs it is important to remember that there are two main categories of audio-production software. These are audio-recording programs and MIDI-sequencing programs. While most music-production software offer both audio and MIDI recording some entry-level programs do not. Take this into account when making your decision.
The following are some of the most popular audio-production software programs:
Digidesign: Mac and PC. The creators of the Pro Tools family of programs. Pro Tools is considered the program of choice for most pro studios.
Cakewalk: Cakewalk programs are designed to run on a PC. Their most popular offerings include Cakewalk Pro Audio, SONAR and SONAR XL. SONAR is an excellent program and can be used for audio and MIDI recording.
Logic: Apple makes both Logic Express and Logic Pro Audio. These are great programs with loyal followings so support is only a click away. The Logic Pro Audio program is only compatible with Macs.
Sony Creative Software: PC only. Programs include Vegas Audio, Acid, and Sound Forge. Acid is great for loop-based recording and has become quite popular with hip-hop artists.
Mark of the Unicorn: Mac only. Makers of Digital Performer. Great program for both audio-recording and MIDI-sequencing.
These are just a small sampling of what is out there. Use your favorite search engine to come up with a list of possible candidates. Narrow your list by eliminating programs that will not be compatible with your system (Mac or PC). Next, remove those that do not fit with the type of recording you will be doing (audio-recording, MIDI-sequencing, or both). Now, reduce your list down to those programs which fit into your budget.
By this point you should have a few great options to go with. Check the web and find out what other users are saying about these programs. In your search engine, type the name of the program followed by “forum” or “review”. Connect with those creating the same type of music as yourself and see how they feel. Also, check the manufacturer to see if they offer free product demos.
Although this may seem like a lot of information, the truth is that this process may only take a couple of hours. And don’t worry, the investment will more than pay for itself down the road when you aren’t banging your head against the keyboard!
Home Studio Design
When designing a home studio, certain requirements should be met. Its important to have a proper home studio design because you need to have the best possible sound on your project. You don’t need to put millions of dollars into your space. You just need to know the basic acoustic techniques and apply them as easily as you can.
First you need to figure out the location of your project studio. You should try to pick a place that doesn’t have any outside noise. If you live by a freeway or the subway you might want to consider not making this the spot for your studio. If you have no choice though, you will have to make barrier’s to get rid of the excess noise. You may have to build walls to reduce leakage. You can do this by building a massive wall structure, and making sure there are no open joints where sound can pass through. The building materials that you can choose to use would include: Brick, concrete, glass, wood, steel, etc. Concrete would have to be the thickest and the most solid material. If you are not able to use concrete; Gypsum plasterboard would have to be the most cost effective.
In your home studio you should also be aware of your flooring. You might experience leakage from a downstairs neighbor, and you in turn might interfere with a quiet neighbor. With this in mind, a cost effective way of isolating your floor noise is is layering your floor with a carpet foam pad that is rubberized. On top of the pad you would lay plywood, and you would stabilize this by using glue or metal braces. Do not nail the plywood to the floor. After you have done that, you would put another foam pad over the structure, and top that with your choice of carpet or any material you choose.
Another handy way to isolate yourself while singing without your sound leaking would be to have an acoustic partition. With an acoustic partition, also known as a flat, you would put the musician on one side with the mic and the partition would enclose you. You can actually buy a partition, but you can also make your own using your own items around your house. If you have a mic/boom stand place it at a 90 degree angle to where it looks like its in the shape of a “T”. Then, place a blanket or some sort of thick material over the stand, and there you have your cheap but useful partition! If you want to crank up your amp to get the sound that you want, you can make your own mini isolation booth. All you have to do is make an insulated box to put your amp in, or you can put your guitar amp and drums in a closet nearby and run a cord from there to the recorder. Make sure to get balanced cords because you dont want your signal to be too low.
Last but not least, after you have figured out how to isolate your room, you will need to be comfortable in order to make your grammy award winning songs. A good set up would be using an L shaped desk. Get your most comfortable chair, and your workstation around you where you can easily get around within an arms length. If you have a lot of room, it would also be good to get a U-shaped desk. Now you are ready to Record. See you at the Grammys!
Home Recording Basics
In this article we will cover the home recording basics. The idea of doing professional quality audio music recording from your garage or spare bedroom may sound far fetched, trust me friend, it is not! With ever increasing technology and ever decreasing costs for that technology, creating amazing sound is within many a musician’s reach. The question now is, where do you start?
How does a home recording studio work?
Our overall goal is to take a sound source (voice, guitar, drums), turn the source into an electrical impulse, record this impulse, and put the final product onto a CD for distribution.
Converting your sound source into an electrical impulse requires an input device. The most common input devices are microphones, instruments, and sound modules.
Microphones let you record any type of sound that cannot be plugged directly into a recorder. They take in sound waves and put out electrical energy.
The majority of your input devices will come from instruments that can be plugged into the mixer or recorder. Used in this way, your instruments will be both sound source and input device.
Sound modules are drum machines or synthesizers that have MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) ports which allow them to be plugged into your mixer or recorder.
Once the sound source has been converted to an electrical impulse it will be sent to the mixer. The job of the mixer is to transfer sound from the input device to the recorder. Among other things, it also alows you to adjust the levels of each input before the recording process.
After the mixing process, the recorder will capture and store the audio content. The power and low cost of today’s digital recorders are a big factors in what make home recording studios such a great option.
Once recorded, signal processors allow several different types of adjustments to be made to your tracks. Dynamic processors handle volume balance and equalizers take care of frequency balance. Effects processors allow for many tweaks including pitch shifting, reverb, and chorus.
Fortunately, the home recordist does not need to purchase all of these pieces of equipment individually. Studio-in-a-box (SIAB) and computer based systems combine the mixer, recorder, and signal processors into one device. All that is then required is the sound source, input devices, and monitors.
Finally, now that your sound has been recorded, mixed, and mastered, it’s time to put that masterpiece onto a cd! This can be the most rewarding part of the recording process but there are still a couple things to know. You can use either replication or duplication. If your goal is to produce thousands of copies to your soon to be adoring fans, replication is the way to go. This involves creating a master from which cds will be pressed. There are some setup fees but this option works out cheaper for large quatities (>500). For smaller amounts, duplication is ideal. This process entails burning CD-Rs from an audio file and requires virtually no setup.
Now that you have a good understanding of the home studio basics, where do you go from here? Well, you’re in the right place. Feel free to check out our other articles and free email mini-course…and if you would like the ultimate guide to home recording studios, check out our eBook, “Home Recording Made Easy.”
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Want to get some awesome recording software? Trick out your home studio? Find a recording studio? See Audio Recording Center.
