One of the most exciting parts about being a musician is the rush that comes from recording. Whether you’re writing your own music or not, there is a definite satisfaction after you have the finished product, whether it be an entire album, one track, a remake of your favorite song… Which may bring one to question: how do I go about recording my next #1 hit?
Well, the obvious answer (if money is not an issue) is to hire professional studios to do the work for you. But that’s not what we’re talking about here. Even if you plan to take that route, there is a huge advantage to getting everything down before hand, even if it’s a rough draft, so that you don’t waste time in the professional recording studio. We want to focus on a home music studio. Being a musician myself, I know when I was starting out, using the pro studios wasn’t an option. So, the goal here today is to talk about setting up a home music studio with as little cost as possible.
There are some different directions one can go with setting up a home music studio. My first studio (I may possibly date myself here….) was a standalone 4-track recorder (which used a regular cassette tape) a cheap microphone and… Hey that was it! It did the job and got my creative juices flowing. The reason I bring it up is to illustrate the hardware option of recording. You can buy a standalone unit which will do most basic things you’ll want to accomplish. It’s not something I would recommend though, as the reason is they can be limited, and we’re in the age of technology.
If you’re a PC or Mac owner, you have a massive recording opportunity at your fingertips. There are several great software packages out there that are pretty reasonably priced (remember to compare their costs to what a professional recording studio will charge you). If you’re new to multi-track recording, I suggest playing around with Audacity (because it’s a free download) to get an idea of how the concept works. I am currently using Cubase which is more than adequate for my recording needs, and it suited my budget. Be sure to check the requirements of any software or hardware you are considering to be sure it will work with your computer.
OK, so how does one get the sounds into the computer? Once again, you have options. Depending on the sound card in your computer, you could use that. Remember that only line (low) levels can go into your computer (don’t take that feed out of your Marshall head cranked to 11 and put it into your PC… Unless of course you’re looking for a reason to get a new sound card). You’ll be able to determine what your card can handle by starting low and listening for any sound anomalies that start to form when the level starts to peak.
I suggest getting a basic mixer (I would recommend at least 2 channels so that you can input stereo sounds), and a sound card (either an internal card, or external unit which can connect to your PC at high speeds) which will handle a stereo input and output. For my PC setup, I’m using an M-Audio internal sound card and a Behringer mixer. This give me the 1 / 4” inputs that I need for instruments and mics. This is how I track guitar in my own home music studio by passing it through my processors (which are set to line level outputs), into my mixer which is attached to my computer. I do bass, keys, etc. the same way (unless I decide to MIDI them).
For a mic, there are so many options will make your head spin. It’s all about budget and personal taste, but if you can get one mic and you have a little money, a great option is a Sure SM57 (as it will record instruments AND vocals well). If you can afford 2 mics (and you’ll be playing live), also pick up a Sure Beta 58A and use it for vocals recorded or live.
I won’t cover room acoustics here, as it’s another article in itself, but I hope you find this useful to get you started in the realm of recording in your . I think the bottom line is to get started! No matter what you can afford, get things going. You can always upgrade and the best way to learn something is to dive into it! Now go create that number one hit!
Technorati Tags: digital audio studio, dj music studio, home music recording, home music recording studio, home music studio, music production school, music studio software, pro tools studio, recording studio design
Tags: digital audio studio, dj music studio, home music recording, home music recording studio, home music studio, music production school, music studio software, pro tools studio, recording studio design
Posted in home music studio | No Comments »
well i am about to buy pro tools for 90$$ i was wondering if it is a good program is it the best or is there anther program better. thanks
Pro Tools is the industry standard. Pro Tools vocal studio is actually Pro Tools Essential, which is a limited version of Pro Tools (only 16 tracks per session)
Here is a cool article on setting up a pro tools studio:
http://www.audioneeds.com/forums/content.php?3-The-Startup-Studio
Also, you should seriously consider joining a community like http://www.audioneeds.com – it’s a great forum filled with sound engineers that are always asking and answering questions and discussing techniques in mixing and recording. I think it’ll help you a lot since you are interested in recording so much. 
Good luck my friend!
Technorati Tags: Answering Questions, Buy Tools, Good Luck, Great Forum, Limited, PRO TOOLS, Sound Engineers, Studio Tools, Vocal Studio
Tags: Answering Questions, Buy Tools, Good Luck, Great Forum, Limited, PRO TOOLS, Sound Engineers, Studio Tools, Vocal Studio
Posted in pro tools studio | 2 Comments »
I have a good voice, not a great voice. I could sing "I am 16 going on 17" quite comfortably and the majority of Maria’s songs. However, I need a good segment from a song that can show off my voice. Any suggestions? It cannot be from the musical itself
Here are some great FEMALE SOLOS for Auditions
A BRAND NEW DRESS… Coco
A FOGGY DAY IN LONDON TOWN. Damsel in Distress
A JOURNEY TO A STAR.. The Gang’s all Here
A LADY OF SENSIBILITY.. Lady Pirates of capt. Bree
A SINGER MUST BE FREE… The Nightingale
A WAY BACK TO THEN.. Title of Show
A WEEK-END IN THE COUNTRY.. A ittle Night Music
ALL MY LOVIN’… Across the Universe
ALMOST LIKE BEING IN LOVE.. Brigadoon
ANOTHER HUNDRED PEOPLE.. Company
ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST… We Will Rock You
APPLAUSE… Applause
AROUND THE WORLD… Grey Garden
BACK TO BASE… Closer than Ever
BACK TO BEFORE.. Ragtime
BACKWOODS BARBIE.. 9 to 5
BE MY HOST… No Strings
BE ON YOUR OWN… Nine
BEFORE I KISS THE WORLD GOODBYE.. Jennie
BLESS THE LORD.. Can Do
BOUNCE ME BROTHER.. Swing
BREATH… In the Heights
BUENOS AIRES… Evita
CAFÉ CONTINENTAL… Big
CANDLE IN THE WATER.. Pete’s Dragon
C’EST MAGNAFIQUE… Can Can
COLORED WOMAN… Memphis
COWBOY TAKE ME AWAY… Urban Cowboy
DANCE 10, LOOKS 3… A Chorus Line
DAY BY DAY.. Godspell
DIVA’S LAMENT.. Spam
DON’T STOP BELIEVIN.. Rock of Ages
EASY TERMS.. Blood Brothers
ESCAPE… Escape
EVERY STORY’S A LOVE STORY… Aida
EVERYTHING’S BRIGHT.. Dance of the Vampires
EVERYTHING ELSE.. Next to Normal
FEELINGS YOU’VE GOT TO HIDE… Sideshow
FIFTY PERCENT.. Ballroom
FLASHDANCE…WHAT A FEELING.. Flashdance
FLY ME TO THE MOON.. Come Fly Away
FLY ME TO THE FUTURE.. The Vanities
FOLLOW YOUR HEART… Urintown
GET HAPPY… Everyday Rapture
GIMME LOVE.. Kiss of the Spider Woman
GLITTER AND BE GAY … Candide
GRAND AVENUE… Flower Drum Song
GRIZABELLA THE GLAMOUR CAT… Cats
GROWING UP CATHOLIC.. Nonsense
HAPPY EASTER… Easter Parade
HELL NO.. The Color Purple
HOLDING ON.. Secret Garden
HOLDING TO THE GROUND… Falsettoland
HONEY, HONEY.. Momma Mia
TEACHER DON’T TEACH ME NO NONSENSE… Race
HOW LUCKY CAN YOU GET.. Funny Lady
I AIN’T GOT TIME.. Zanna Don’t
I DON’T KNOW HIS NAME… She Likes Me
I GOT RHYTHM… Girl Crazy
I HATE MUSICALS… Ruthless
I KEEP REMEMBERING YOU… Yank
I MIGHT GROW FOND OF YOU.. Sunny
I NEVER SAID I LOVE YOU… Dear World
I WANT IT ALL.. Baby
I WAS WAY AHEAD AND SEESAW.. Seesaw
I’LL BE WAITING THERE… Kristina
I’M A WOMAN… Smokey Joe’s Café
IMAGINE… Lennon
INSIDE YOUR HEART.. Bad Boy
IT MIGHT AS WELL BE SPRING… State Fair\
IT NEEDS WORK… City of Angels
IT WON’T LET US LEAVE… Evil Dead
JUST AROUND THE RIVER BEND.. Pocahontas
IT’S NEVER ENTERED MY MIND..Higher and Higher
JUST WILD ABOUT HARRY.. Big Deal
KEYS .. Passing Strange
LADY’S MAID… Titanic
LAY DOWN YOUR HEAD.. Violet
LIGHT… The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
LOOK FOR A SILVER LINING. Till the Clouds roll by
LOOK TO THE RAINBOW… Finian’s Rainbow
LOSING MY MIND.. Fossee
LOVE… Love me Tonight
LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND.. Carnival
LOVE NEVER DIES… Love Never Dies
LULLABY OF BROADWAY… 42nd Street
MACAROONS… Acorn Antiques
MELTING MOGGY… Honk
MISTER RIGHT… Love Life
MOLL’S SONG… The Cradle Will Rock
MY FUNNY VALENTINE… Babes in Arms
MY OWN MORNING… Hallelujah Baby
NO OTHER LOVE.. Me and Juliet
NOBODY’S SIDE… Chess
100 WAYS TO LOSE A MAN.. Wonderful Town
OOH! MY FEET… The most happy fella
ONE NIGHT ONLY.. Dream Girls
PARIS BY NIGHT.. Victor Victoria
PASSONATE and TRUE..The Addams Family Musical.
PROMISES PROMISES, Promises, Promises
PURLIE… Purlie
RAGS… Rags
RAIN ON THE ROOF.. The Wild Party
ROLL IN THE HAY.. The Young Frankenstein
RUNNING IN PLACE… Steel Pier
SECOND STAR TO THE RIGHT… Peter Pan
SCARLETT O’HARA AGAIN.. Gone with the Wind
SEPTEMBER SONG… Lovemusik
SHINE… Billy Elliot
SOME DAY.. The Wedding Singer
SON OF A PREACHER MAN… Enron
THANK GOD I’M OLD… Barnum
THE BARE NECESSITIES… The Jungle Book
THE CALLING.. Altar Boyz
THE GARDEN RAM… Two by Two
THE MAN I LOVE.. Strike up the Band
TRY TO REMEMBER.. The Fantastics
U.N.C.O.U.P.L.E.D…. Starlight Express
UNDER THE TREE.. Celebration
WAITING FOR LIFE…Once upon this Island
WITH ONE LOOK.. Sunset Boulevard
WORDS, WORDS, WORDS.. Witches of Eastwick
YOU’LL NEVER BE ALONE.A Tale of Two Cities
YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE.. Carousel
Technorati Tags: 16 Going On 17, Across The Universe, Cat Cats, Colored Woman, Damsel In Distress, Dance Of The Vampires, Easter Parade, Flashdance What A Feeling, Flower Drum Song, Foggy Day In London, Foggy Day In London Town, Glamour Cat, Godspell, Journey To A Star, Kiss Of The Spider Woman, Lady Pirates, New Dress, Night Music, Sound Of Music, What A Feeling Flashdance
Tags: 16 Going On 17, Across The Universe, Cat Cats, Colored Woman, Damsel In Distress, Dance Of The Vampires, Easter Parade, Flashdance What A Feeling, Flower Drum Song, Foggy Day In London, Foggy Day In London Town, Glamour Cat, Godspell, Journey To A Star, Kiss Of The Spider Woman, Lady Pirates, New Dress, Night Music, Sound Of Music, What A Feeling Flashdance
Posted in music production school | 1 Comment »
 http://www.SoundOps.com – Will shares another secret about audio mastering that most recording studios won’t tell you… Plus, he addresses questions like, “Can your recording engineer master your tracks the right way?” and, “What is the recording studio bias?” CD mastering requires different equipment and skills, but most importantly, different ears. Find out how to take your recordings to the next level and improve your mix, your sound, and your future as an independent artist…and check out The MASTERING Blog for more great indie resources @ http://www.multiMASTERING.com
Duration : 0:8:23
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Technorati Tags: Audio Mastering, audio post production, cd mastered, Cd Mastering, demo mastered, demo mastering, indie mastering, indie studio, Mastering, mastering engineer, mastering recording, mastering service, mastering studio, mixing and mastering, music mastered, online mastering, recording studio, soundops, studio atlanta
Tags: Audio Mastering, audio post production, cd mastered, Cd Mastering, demo mastered, demo mastering, indie mastering, indie studio, Mastering, mastering engineer, mastering recording, mastering service, mastering studio, mixing and mastering, music mastered, online mastering, recording studio, soundops, studio atlanta
Posted in home music studio | 25 Comments »
I’m looking to buy some beat making software and studio quality recording software. I heard pro tools is the best for recording vocals and making beats. Which version has them both. I just want to make sure.
All versions have mostly everything you need. You can start with Pro Tools M Powered (NOT essentials)
Pro Tools M Powered and Pro Tools LE have everything you need to make beats and record vocals.
Check out this article on how to set it up: http://www.audioneeds.com/forums/content.php?3-The-Startup-Studio
That site is also a great community for Pro Tools geeks filled with sound engineers who sit around all day answering people’s recording questions. You should check it out.
http://www.audioneeds.com
Technorati Tags: beats, Geeks, PRO TOOLS, recording software, Recording Vocals, Software Quality, Software Tools, Sound Engineers, Studio Quality, synthesizers
Tags: beats, Geeks, PRO TOOLS, recording software, Recording Vocals, Software Quality, Software Tools, Sound Engineers, Studio Quality, synthesizers
Posted in pro tools studio | 2 Comments »
 3 GRAND IN THE STUDIO MIXING DOWN A GRAND HEAT BEAT. GIVES A COUPLE OF TIPS ON HOW TO BUILD THE BEAT UP, CHOP OFF CERTAIN SOUNDS, AND PARTS OF THE SONG.
3 GRAND IS CURRENTLY PRODUCING AND WRITING HIS 2ND ALBUM “THE DIAGRAM”, WHICH IS SET TO BE RELEASED THIS SUMMER 2010 !!!
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, RATE, AND FEEL FREE TO LEAVE COMMENTS. BITCHASSNESS, HATINGNESS, AND DICKRIDINGSYNDROME WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. GRAND HEAT ! CHEA
Duration : 0:7:15
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Technorati Tags: ANDERSON, ATLANTA, beat, beats, BLOOD, building, California, CAROLINA, CHRISTMAS, CRIP, DAMU, Engineering, GAFFNEY, GANGSTER, GRAND, GREENVILLE, GS, HEAT, Mixing, Money, New, PIRU, PRESENT, producer, Protools, RAPPER, SONG, south, SPARTANBURG, SPORT, STACKS, SYDE, the, THREE, track, up, WEST, YORK
Tags: ANDERSON, ATLANTA, beat, beats, BLOOD, building, California, CAROLINA, CHRISTMAS, CRIP, DAMU, Engineering, GAFFNEY, GANGSTER, GRAND, GREENVILLE, GS, HEAT, Mixing, Money, New, PIRU, PRESENT, producer, Protools, RAPPER, SONG, south, SPARTANBURG, SPORT, STACKS, SYDE, the, THREE, track, up, WEST, YORK
Posted in pro tools studio | 25 Comments »
 Just a simple tour of my home studio in one of my bedrooms. Just going through the kit i have, but will do feature vids in the future of each instrument
Duration : 0:10:0
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Technorati Tags: access virus ti polar, alesis fusion, cubase, Home Recording, home studio, korg m3, moog little phatty, nord lead 2x, roland fantom xa, roland v-synth, studio, synth, synthesizers
Tags: access virus ti polar, alesis fusion, cubase, Home Recording, home studio, korg m3, moog little phatty, nord lead 2x, roland fantom xa, roland v-synth, studio, synth, synthesizers
Posted in home music studio | 25 Comments »
Im starting a home studio. What should I get. I know pro tools is really good. But studio one is cheaper and it just came out.
Pro tools is the best of the best. It should be the only one you think about.
Here’s a cool article on setting up a home studio too: http://www.audioneeds.com/forums/content.php?3-The-Startup-Studio
You should consider joining a community for recording enthusiasts like http://www.audioneeds.com – it’s a great community filled with industry professional recording engineers who are willing to help you with any questions or problems you have. Also, there are tons of articles and how to’s … and it’s all free… I’m sure it’ll help you. Good luck
Technorati Tags: Enthusiasts, Good Luck, PRO TOOLS, Professional Recording, Recording Engineers, Setting Up A Home Studio
Tags: Enthusiasts, Good Luck, PRO TOOLS, Professional Recording, Recording Engineers, Setting Up A Home Studio
Posted in pro tools studio | 1 Comment »
Yeah, I’m not great at computers…I don’t understand the instructions. I have an a cappella track that I want to A. add effects to, and B. Add instrumentals to. I don’t have instrumentals recorded but it seems like I should be able to create them using the synthesizers on the program…? I’m confused.
I been using Acid since ver 2.0 – I guess that’s about 8 years.
1. Open Acid
2. Set your BPM (example: slow = 80, medium = 100, fast =120, techno =140)
3. Set the Tuning Fork Icon to "None"
4. Open your track: File>Open>Your Acapella Track. Now you have it on track 1.
If it’s a long track, it will open as a "Disk Based" track. You can change this by double clicking the track (on the left.) A box will appear at the bottom which says "Track Type." You can select "Loop, One Shot, or Disk Based." Usually, for vocals, you want "One Shot." However, if you only want to play the beginning and not the entire track, select "Disk Based." You can then move the ending where you want. If you were to select "Loop," it would change the pitch according to your BPM, and for vocals, you usually do not want that.
Acid Express has no onboard synthesizers or effects. You can open up to 10 tracks of loops, and there are thousands of loops out there. AcidPlanet is Sony’s site where you can post music, download free loops called 8-Packs, and chat on the forums. I recommend that you download this week’s 8-Pack and play around with the free loops. It will allow you to get a feel for the program. http://www.acidplanet.com/downloads/?T=3010
If your want free software synthesizers or wave editors (a programs that lets you add effects, cut, change volumes, etc.) you can browse around here: http://www.hitsquad.com/smm/
Good Luck. You can listen to my AcidPlanet page if you like: http://www.acidplanet.com/artist.asp?songs=350039&T=9072
Technorati Tags: 8 Years, Acid Music, amp, Download Free, Free Loops, Free Software, Good Luck, instrumentals, Music Download, Music Free, Music Loops, music software, music studio software, Music Terms, Pitch, Software Synthesizers, Sony, Track 1, Tuning Fork, Wave Editors
Tags: 8 Years, Acid Music, amp, Download Free, Free Loops, Free Software, Good Luck, instrumentals, Music Download, Music Free, Music Loops, music software, music studio software, Music Terms, Pitch, Software Synthesizers, Sony, Track 1, Tuning Fork, Wave Editors
Posted in music studio software | 1 Comment »
 Recording with Pro Tools part 4, vocals.
Duration : 0:6:56
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Technorati Tags: album, daveyt, drums, indie, loops, making, music, Nashville, pro, Protools, recording, rock, studio, tools
Tags: album, daveyt, drums, indie, loops, making, music, Nashville, pro, Protools, recording, rock, studio, tools
Posted in pro tools studio | 25 Comments »
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