Posts tagged as:

home recording

Building a Home Studio
Focus on acoustics and get the most of your home recordings

by Keith Hatschek July 14, 2011

Mixing BoardMany of us have the gear to make our own home recordings, but often physical and/or acoustical limitations in the space where we record have an impact on the sound of our recordings. Parallel walls, cramped square rooms, or loud appliances can quickly ruin any home recording. If you are contemplating improving your garage, attic, basement, spare bedroom, or loft into a home studio to make better recordings, how do you go about it? Read more…

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The Ultimate Podcasting Mic Shootout

by Disc Makers June 13, 2011

podcast microphonesAnyone shopping for a new podcasting microphone, or a voiceover microphone, or even a studio vocal microphone should know that the broadcast industry has relied on a very small handful of mics for the past 30 years. Broadcasters know something that you might not: how to get a great vocal sound. Read more…

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Using Compressors and Limiters

by Keith Hatschek February 25, 2011

For many recording musicians, the compressor presents an enigma. Most of us know that compressors and their more specialized cousins, limiters, are used to control the dynamic range (aka volume) of an audio track or mix. But exactly how do they work, and from a practical point of view, how can you use them to the greatest advantage? We’ll provide a brief overview, and then head into the studio and see how the use of a compressor can help the recording process. Read more…

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Home Recording Shopping Guide

by Keith Hatschek December 15, 2010

Many people have a limited budget this year to upgrade their home recording systems. Because of that, it’s helpful to prioritize what is the most important element you need or would benefit from upgrading. If you consider your entire home recording system as 100% of your sound, assuming that you already have a digital audio recording system, then as much as 50% of your sound comes from the quality of the microphone you use. When you purchase your first really nice microphone, you’ll be surprised at what a difference in the overall recording quality it makes. Read more…

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Recording Acoustic Guitar

by Jon Chappell November 11, 2010

When recording acoustic guitar, you can obtain great results with either dynamic or condenser mics, used singly, in a blend, or in stereo. For acoustic guitars, generally what you hear is what you get. If you use a better mic, you’ll get a better sound simply because the mic is providing a more accurate picture of what’s there. And while it’s true that some mic characteristics are preferable to others for capturing acoustic guitar… Read more…

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Recording Electric Guitar

by Jon Chappell November 3, 2010

Electric guitars are far and away the most popular kind of guitar that gets recorded, and the principles you learn here will apply to other electronic instruments and sources that you may record, including keyboards, sound modules, virtual instruments from your hard disk, and even external devices such as an MP3 player. Learning to treat the guitar as a signal source, rather than a performing instrument, is the first step in making the transition from player to recordist. But the objective is always the same: to produce the best sound possible for the listener. Read more…

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Home Recording: Choosing Your DAW

by Disc Makers August 24, 2010

pro-tools 8Home recording has exploded over the past decade as digital technology has given musicians more and more powerful tools for capturing and mixing music on laptops and desktops. One of the key choices a musician or engineer must make is which DAW to invest time and money into.

What’s a DAW you say? Well, why don’t we see what wikipedia says: Read more…

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Creating a Budget for Your New Album

by Disc Makers August 6, 2010

creating a budgetCameron Mizell, freelance guitarist, producer, and consultant in Brooklyn, has written yet another excellent article for independent musicians. This article comprehensively details the time and costs involved in creating a new album. Mizell put together “a realistic cost scenario for every stage of creating a new album,” which could serve as an indispensable guide for those about to embark on the process. Read more…

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10 Practical Tips For Recording Amazing Guitars

by Shane O'Connor June 3, 2010

GuitarsAmazing guitar tones start with the player. Recording a great song with a good player is always key. Beyond the player, the instrument must be in top shape as well. Sending your guitar to be professionally set up is a great way to ensure your guitar tracks are properly in tune and there are no buzzes, squeaks, or hums coming from the instrument. A professional set up will also allow the guitar to play easier and feel better, which will help to create a better performance. Read more…

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Recording vocals to a computer with Shure’s X2u

by Keith Hatschek May 17, 2010

There’s been no shortage of products designed to help musicians get their musical ideas into their computers. While at the Winter 2010 NAMM show in Anaheim, I saw the then-new Shure X2u XLR-to-USB signal adapter. It’s a compact, affordable single channel palm-sized adapter that promises to help solve the problem of how to interface a recording mic with your home computer. Read more…

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Creating a Great Composite Vocal Recording

by Keith Hatschek February 5, 2010

Creating a Great Composite Vocal RecordingOne of the themes through many of the articles on Echoes consider the practicalities of how to make the most of home recording, both the equipment needed and the techniques for getting the best results from your own efforts. This article will take a look at the techniques used to create composite lead vocal tracks, referred to as “comping” the lead vocal by studio engineers. Read more…

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Holiday Gear Guide

by Keith Hatschek December 7, 2009

NightTrainEach year our Pro Studio expert seeks out a range of products which might make for a welcome addition to your music-making or home studio recording in the new year. This year is no exception, as he spoke with a pro audio expert to learn about some great additions to your home recording rig, and also visited a local music store to try out some new music-making toys that deliver outstanding results. Read more…

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From Your Project Studio to The Sound Machine

by Disc Makers December 1, 2009

Eric Schilling

Eight-time Grammy winner Eric Schilling talks about technique, craft, and saving an emotional reserve.

When you think about major hubs for music, three cities spring to mind: LA, New York, and Nashville. But the immense success of Latin artists like Gloria Estefan, Enrique Iglesias, Ricky Martin, and Mark Anthony has also put Miami distinctly on the map, and eight-time Grammy winner Eric Schilling is one of the shining stars in the South Beach scene. Read more…

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Gear Watch: jamLink Internet Audio Interface

by Disc Makers November 30, 2009

jamLinkMusicianLink has released the jamLink, an audio interface that uses the internet to allow musicians to play in sync from different locations, no matter how far apart they are. The jamLink works with pretty much any instrument or microphone that has a 1/4” output, so you can plug in and jam with guitarists, singers, or other bassists across the country even if they are hundreds of miles away. Read more…

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Home Project Studio: Part 5 – Up And Running

by Mike Tarsia November 24, 2009

The studio is up and running and it looks great. I’m getting used to the sound of the speakers in the room and the sound of the ISO booth. The more I listen and work in the room, the more secure I feel in knowing what changes I need and want. I have made a list of things to be addressed by priority and am going to tackle the final construction and acoustical treatments issues. Read more…

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