Home Based Recording

Whether your space for a budget recording studio is actually in your house or in your garage or in a tiny commercial space, this article is basically for fashioning a music studio that uses a minimum of gear.

The most budget-friendly way to record has become the utilization of a PC and software applications. I would recommend Apple’s Logic 9 which comes bundled with a program devoted to the creation of music. ( The program only runs on an Apple platform. ) Not only can it record live performances but it incorporates one or two software instruments : piano, organ and one or two great sounding synths. Logic 9 also has two other rather unique items – a fully functioning sampler which simply can turn recorded sounds into a playable instrument of your own making. Logic nine also comes piled high with loops ; everything from drum beats in each style possible to orchestral slivers to sound fx and much more. These loops will mechanically adjust to your chosen tempo also. For more info – go to the Apple link and check out all of the features. The fact is you do not want an array of synthesizers and samplers rigged with midi wires which is generally a headache in the end.

The second thing to consider is the digital to analog converter that transfers the analog sound waves in to a digital format that your personal computer can understand – and back out of the PC so you can hear what you have recorded. Most computers have a converter but they really are not so good as a couple of “outboard” and reasonable converters on the market. The best ones in my view are made by Apogee. They are also fully integrated with the Logic program. If you plan on doing just overdubs one track at a time then the “Duet” is the best bang for the buck. The subsequent which is also manufactured by Apogee is the “Ensemble” which has 8 channels vs just two on the “Duet”. If you plan on recording a band you would clearly need more than 2 channels for individual micing of instruments.

Of course you will need microphones and stands.(Check out great deals on microphones!) The best ones for vocals in the recording studio are the cardioid condenser mics. You should purchase reasonably good ones for under $200, although the range goes up to $8000. ( For condenser mics you will need phantom power which is actually included with many converters with input boxes. ) For instrument micing you may use dynamic mics which are not as delicate as the condenser mics. The rule for mic placement and as well as all things audio is – experiment until you like the way it sounds.

You’ll also need studio monitors that hook up to your converters and at least two pairs of headphones for doing any overdubs. I advise powered monitors as they’re quiet and you don’t need the hassle of having another power amplifier. The Yamaha powered NS10s are good – but let your ears be the judge. Essentially you need a flat reply to get an unhyped picture of the music when mixing and dynamic enough to not deform when played back at high volumes.

finally it’ll be mandatory in most cases to treat the walls of the recording and mixing space to minimize the room tone ( i.e, any live echos or reverberation, no matter how short the reverb time seems to be ). This important detail will affect the image of your recording. The surfaces of your walls will generally need something to moisten those artifacts. Foam panels are one solution, covering approximately 30% of the surfaces. Another extremely cheap solution is the use of egg cartons to make the surfaces irregular and also absorbent of the sound waves.

I would like to conclude with a word about computers. The stronger the processor the better. You’ll need the most RAM that you are able to afford. This will insure that you will have enough power to run the various synthesizers and effects without frustrating. It will also permit more tracks to be recorded concurrently.

http://www.micsandmoreonline.com

www.21oo.net