How to start recording music at home
It is perfectly possible to make high quality recordings at home with computer technology today. However, you have to spend a lot of money on software and hardware (such as high quality microphones and sound cards) in order to achieve this goal. But do not worry! It is entirely possible to make recordings at home that are very respectable in quality of expenditure, while only a relatively small amount of money! Best of all ... all quite easy to do!
I like to think my game recording start-up, as sketchbook of an artist. It is a place to play with my ideas, record of the vocal few shots, left a basic bass line, some drums and maybe a simple guitar track behind him. That's when the magic really begins. In nearly all music software you can copy and paste individual parts (or whole sections) around, like you would in a word processor. This makes it easy to change the lines around, try a new drum beat in a different section ... anything you can think really.
The study software in your home generally has a good selection of instruments built in, so you can add piano, strings, brass, synthesizers and many more sounds to their songs. If you're a keyboard player that you can play all these parts in the music through a () keyboard. If not, you can play the notes on the screen (and you can change easily if you play a wrong note).
As I said, if you want to do this all with a very high quality (study) level, then you have to think about investing some money in seriously. But most software and hardware manufacturers have realized that there are plenty of people like you and me around, and have produced some very good "cut Entry Level "versions of their studio-quality game.
What you have to start.
In the most basic level, everything needed to record at home is a microphone, a sound card and a computer running some recording software. Let us first hardware.
Microphones
You can use the same microphone that was used for live shows for home recording base (the Shure SM58 is a proven classic), but you'll want to consider getting a studio quality condenser microphone To record the voices of higher quality.
Pop Shield
Pop Shields are a low cost device that attaches to the mic stand, and stops blowing and strong clicks to reach the microphone. Singers make these noises especially when singing P 'and' type B 'sounds. You can pop shield base by stretching a pair of socks over a wire hanger! Not as good as a professional but will work fine!
Sound Cards
Most sound cards that come with computers are not designed for use with music programs. If you try to use for recording the music quality will be much smaller and that experience large delays which render impossible the recording. If you have a home recording, you will need a sound card that has been designed for this purpose.
There are several types: --
Interior Cards - If you have a PC that has a spare card slot internal, then you can get a relatively cheap sound card that can be used to produce national music. If you know what you're doing you can fit yourself, but if you are in doubt, please (for your own safety) that someone who knows what are doing to adapt to it.
USB / FireWire - There are some great sound cards that connect via USB / FireWire. Generally cost a bit more but are really easy to transfer between computers if you use more than one.
Another thing to consider when you are buying a sound card is whether or not directly accept the signal from the microphone. It is almost certain to say this in the package / website when you purchase, and may say something like 'mic preamp. "If not then you have to connect through your mixer.
Now lets talk about the software
In the most basic level, the software works by recording each channel of music (eg, Voice, Guitar, Drums etc.) You can then alter the volumes of each of the different tracks, like you would live in a mixer. Each channel can be cut and moving (just like you can copy and paste text into a word processor). This makes recording much more powerful equipment that recordings of style old. Finally, you can add effects like compression, reverb and delay to the tracks (or a mix of everything) and then the track is about finished.
I have always used the software from a company called Steinberg. Software is very powerful and quite easy to understand. Steinberg program produces a high quality study called Cubase 4. They also produce a smaller version for consumers called Cubase 4 Essential, and another piece of software aimed at beginners called Sequel. There are several other companies also make high quality, affordable software for home recording.
Once you have the basics set up, simply get the record, and try new things. Make sure to read the manual user to obtain full advantage of these powerful pieces of software.
Good luck, and above all, enjoy your music!
About the Author
Gemma King is a Professional Singer, Songwriter, Vocal Coach and artist Consultant. She regularly writes for her newsletter which is a must read for both amateur and professional singers alike.
Gemma has also written a book on 'How To Become A Singer' which is available on her website now.
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