An Introduction to the Possibilities of Home Recording
By Max on Dec 11, 2007 in Home Recording
As technology changes and grows, so does the world of recording sound. In the past musicians struggled to be recorded in a studio by sending mass mailings of demos and schmoozing with industry agents while raising money. Now, with a little know how, some computer skills and a few thousand dollars, recording at home can be done right. This comes as a total relief to modern musicians who no longer have to face the risk of their artistry being controlled by industry professionals and thousands more in studio fees.
There are several things I want you to consider before beginning the journey of successful home recording. First and foremost, you must be certain that you have the creative energy, drive and patience necessary for this field of work. Electronics are heavily involved in all aspects of recording. Add the complexity of a computer program and the fact that yours may not interact well with the recording components you’ve chosen, and suddenly you’ve given up before you’ve begun. So be sure to ask yourself whether you’re prepared for the work involved in home recording.
Of course the amount of work, technical knowledge and recording/mixing skills all depend on the level of recording you aim for. Do you want to record at home just for fun or with some friends? Maybe you’re a singer-songwriter working alone or do you want to record your whole band at a professional level to produce that killer demo for a record company deal?
First things first
To begin your home recording studio, first is first. You absolutely must have an empty room ready for whatever equipment you already have and a private work space to live in. All aspects of recording can happen in the same room, contrary to belief, but space dedicated to your work is absolutely necessary. Once you have found 4 walls, a ceiling and a door to enter and exit through, build your sound room.
Building your sound room is relatively simple but will take a days work. Polyester craft/quilt batting or foam slabs are perfect for walls and ceilings. Several rolls will have to be purchased which can get pricey but the results are astounding. I suggest going to www.createforless.com which has very reasonable prices. Stapling 2 queen size rolls side by side in the center of each large wall, 1 queen roll centered on small walls, 1 in the center of the ceiling and a strip from 1 queen over the door is perfect. It is, however, unsightly. Stapling black or white sheets over the batting is a great way to improve appearance and also adds to the sound proofing.
Add furniture
After soundproofing, remove debris and bring your studio back to clean and simple. As mentioned above, clean, open space will enhance your creativity and keep you feeling accomplished. Then add your furniture. Ideally, you will want a rough and tumble computer desk, a comfortable office chair, a couch and at least one cabinet. For those on light budgets who can’t venture past the couple thousand I quoted earlier, thrift stores and retailers with do-it-yourself furniture are your best bet. If you have it in your budget, add invitation to the room with a colorful rug or a pile of pillows for guests and band mates. Next, you must choose your computer
The heart of your home based studio
Choosing a computer for your recording needs is tricky. Make sure you do plenty of research and remember that PCs are best for beginners. They are much more user friendly than Macs and less expensive as well. Be sure, however, that the PC you choose has an Intel Chip otherwise any programs you choose may not work with the computer. My personal suggestion would be a Dell. They come cheap, equipped with what you want, depending on what you want, and they usually come with decent programs installed. Dell also has a decent tech support department.
Simply put, add the obvious to your developing studio. Mic, mic stand, boom speakers, AC adapters, cables, instruments, band mates. Whatever you already have that will aid in completing your studio, put it where it belongs.
Do your homework before choosing and buying equipment!
Now your sound room/studio is together and you’ve hooked up your computer, internet access and installed your music creating program of choice. Now you must begin your research. Avoid jumping straight into a project until you have the appropriate equipment. A keyboard, mixer, recorder, signal processors, an amp and recording software are just some of the many more necessary things needed for recording, let alone support from others. Check with the recording guru at your local guitar retailer as I bet he is a great resource for suggestion and information. You can also check back with us as we continue in detail on this subject soon.
