Recording drums and getting a powerful drum sound can be one of the most challenging tasks an engineer can face. One of the requirements of my final project back at SAE (School of Audio Engineering) was that it had to have real acoustic drums because the school wanted you to know how to record drums....
GET YOUR FREE VOCAL PRODUCTION CHECKLIST: 47 THINGS YOU NEED TO DO WHEN YOU PRODUCE VOCALS This is a guest post by Sheryl Alfaro. Learn more about how to sing at The Singer’s Corner. Have you tried recording your own singing voice in a studio? It usually doesn’t sound anything like you thought it would the first...
Guess who wrote the big jumbo featured article in January’s issue of MusicTech magazine? The one about advanced microphone techniques? Moi. You can check it out here: http://www.musictechmag.co.uk/mtm/magazine I cover everything about microphone techniques: the importance of the room and your mic selection, the difference between mono and stereo and how to record any instrument. Here...
A cheap condenser microphone can make a great gift. For whom? For you of course! I always have problems asking for gear for Christmas because it can be so expensive. I can’t just walk up to Grandma and ask her for a U87, can I? That’s one condenser microphone that’s not cheap. But I feel...
One of the most under-utilized recording technique is the polar pattern. If you know how to use the polar pattern of the microphone to your advantage, you’re golden. Your Ears as the Polar Pattern Imagine there’s a guitarist on your right side and a vocalist on your left side. Put one hand over your left...
It’s like they say in marketing: Location, Location, Location! It’s all about where you put the product; or open the store; or advertise the service. The correct location can affect your business in a huge way. Bad location, and your customers won’t even know you’re there. With recording, it’s all about: Position, Position, Position! It’s...
A while back I walked through the studio, what would you buy next? So I ask you: If you had $1,000, what would buy with it? What gear have you been eyeing lately? Is it a real nice ribbon microphone? A warm tube pre-amp? Or is it a all-in-one acoustic treatment pack? Take a hypothetical...
Great vocal mics are a necessary part of your studio, regardless of its size. But the home studio might have a smaller budget than the big commercial facility. And therefore, a home studio doesn’t have the luxury to splurge on microphones like their wealthier counterparts. However, re-mortgaging your house is unnecessary with the following microphones. A...
In the past weeks we’ve gone over some of the things you need to build your home recording studio. If you missed the past installments please check them out here before continuing: Building a Home Recording Studio Part 1 – Questions and Computers Building a Home Recording Studio Part 2 – Interface Edition Building a...
The Open Mic Guide Part V – Setting Everything Up If you’ve followed the guide so far, you’ve accomplished these things: Found a Location for your open mic night Invested in a small P.A. Learned how to work a simple mixing board. Decided how you want to mike things up Now we’re ready to set everything...