At Home Recording
If you're a budding musician eager to embark on the journey of recording your own music, know that the process is both exciting and achievable…with the right tools. We sat down with local producer Barry Mullaney to break down the essential steps and recommended equipment for a successful home recording setup (all of which we’ve linked in the article!)
Step 1: Set Up Your Digital Audio Workspace
Barry’s first step to a successful setup is in choosing a reliable Digital Audio Workspace, or “DAW” to serve as the heart of your recording setup. He suggests Ableton Live, for which a limited version is available at no charge. Another option he gives is Reaper which also offers a similar limited free version. Either of these are excellent options to kickstart your recording journey!
Step 2: Select a Quality Microphone
The second step Mullaney highlighted was investing in a decent microphone. There are a number of good professional-standard microphones that can be bought within the budget of £100-200. Some popular examples includes the dynamic microphones Shure SM57 and Shure SM58, but he has specifically been a fan of the Rode NT1-A condenser microphone, which he has had a lot of success with when recording both vocals and acoustic guitar.
Step 3: Acquire an Audio Interface
The next step is to connect your microphone to your computer. To do this, Barry explains that you’ll need an audio interface, responsible for converting an analog signal into a digital one. Options available on the market include the Presonus AudioBox USB, which provide high quality preamps built in. One thing Barry added is to make sure that your audio interface is equipped with switchable 48V phantom power, as will be required to power any condenser microphone you own.
Step 4: Set Up Your Recording Space for Success
A crucial step which is usually less of a focus for beginners is their recording space itself. Creating an environment capable of producing quality recordings can often make a noticeable difference. Usually smaller enclosed spaces work best for any DIY production, where you aren't prone to get unnecessary echoes or reverbs, unless this is specifically a sound or style you are trying to achieve. Even if this the case, it is easy to add reverb to a mix, whereby it is more or less impossible to remove any natural reverb captured within a recording. Barry recommends acquiring some good quality acoustic panels for your recording space if you're serious about your recording, but as getting professional-standard acoustics in your recording space can get expensive quickly, and given the case that you may only be starting out in a space like your bedroom, you can try and get creative by doing something like putting your mattress up on your wall. You can also get surprisingly good vocal recordings by simply putting a blanket over the vocalist and the microphone.
Step 5: Dive into Mixing
Once you have your setup, and hopefully some recordings, the next stage in your producing journey is the mixing, which Barry highlights as being somewhat a make or break part of the process. Even if you possess the nicest recording you could've imagined, a bad mix can potentially render them useless. Take the time to learn and understand the most common mixing tools, like EQ, compression, reverb and delay. Get a feel for how each effect sculpts and changes the sound of your recordings. Getting to a point where your ear is developed enough to know exactly what is needed to achieve your ideal sound can take time and can require patience, so it is important to really enjoy the process.
Step 6: Continue Learning and Growing
The most important thing to remember is that the production process for your music is a continuous learning process. Stay curious and explore new techniques. On a final note, next time you're listening to a song you admire, try to analyse it from a production perspective. Is there something within that production or mix that contributes to your appreciation of it? And is it something you could try to implement within your own recordings in the future.
By following these steps and investing in the right equipment, you'll be well on your way to creating high-quality recordings from the comfort of your own space. Happy recording!
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