This is ?How to set up your home recording studio? Part 2. Before you start reading this article it is advisable to click here and read the first part where I explain the very basic steps (computer, plug ins and sequencer, hardware devices and other basic tips).
In the second post I will go over microphone techniques and MIDI programming.
First of all there are 2 types of microphones: The condensers and the dynamics.
They are different in the way they receive and process the sound. The condenser microphones are distinguished for their high sensitivity and frequency response. Therefore they can pick up every single sound from all around the room, they cannot be used with a high-volume sound source because the sound will come distorted while the dynamic microphones can mainly pick up sounds from in front of them and they are suitable for all the loud sources and for general purposes. The condenser is actually a capacitor and its function is to store energy in the form of an electrostatic field. They require an electrical signal to polarize the film of the mic such like 48volt phantom power while the dynamic microphones do not. Some soundcards have onboard phantom power, some not and for those you will need to buy a preamp with 48v settings. In that case it is advisable to purchase a tube preamp than a solid state (the reasons will be explained in the third part of this post).
A condenser (or capacitor)microphone will provide a louder and usually cleaner output than a cheap dynamic microphone. Traditionally the condensers are more expensive than the dynamics and they are considered to be more advanced and this is the main reason they are way more expensive. For example a first class condenser microphone Neuman could cost even $4.000 while an excellent dynamic around 700$.
Important notice: A condenser microphone can be very fragile while the dynamic is almost unbreakable.
Most of the recording studios and professionals prefer to use the condenser microphones for recording acoustic guitars, vocals and other acoustic instruments. However, recording music is always a free choice. The recording is part of the composition process and I would feel free to use even a dynamic microphone for recording voice. This is a personal choice depending on what I have in mind and what I want the final quality to be like, how I imagine my work. Yes, it would be more advisable to own both of the two types of microphones, but based on my personal experience, I have recorder voices and guitars with dynamics and I am very much surprised for their warm and dark aesthetic in the production and I often prefer them to the cheesy clean condensers. It is all a matter of personal exper
ience.
It would be very hard to outline microphone techniques here but some very useful advice would be:
Experiment: Use a condenser or a dynamic microphone and try to change place when you record your voice. You will notice a big difference in the sound quality and timber. Using the condenser microphone you would need to be very careful because even the slightest sound will be recorded, while in the dynamic the difference is huge if you move away from the capsule. Moving far away you can experience a nasal middle sound but as you come closer you gain some bass. This change can be noticed in the condenser as well but it is more intense in the dynamic.
When you choose a microphone, if you cannot afford something really good, invest in a dynamic typical Shure SM58 or Shure SM57. Those are great microphones and not very expensive. This would be the best choice instead of buying a mediocre condenser which after a few years will not match your expectations. But the Shure microphones will be always the top for their kind.
When you have connected your dynamic microphone to the soundcard remember to turn off the phantom power because as it is believed it can damage it. Despite that Shure has announced that their microphones cannot be damaged by the phantom power, it would be better to avoid the risk.
How to use midi devices:
There are several ways to use the MIDI devices. There are a lot of synthesizers as plug ins adaptable with different sequencers. All you need to do is install them and they can be used with the sequencer. Step by step:
1) Connect they keyboard with the computer, the best way is via USB. Do a double check in the midi device and audio connections section.
2) Add a midi track to the sequencer.
3) Click the Record button and while it plays you can record by playing different notes from the keyboard.
Depending on your preferences you can change the sound trying to pick up which you think works better for your song.
Indeed it would be very hard to outline how the midi system works because every sequencer is different.
The third part of the studio recording is coming up soon. There I will explain more about how to use sequencers, overdubs and plug in combinations.
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November 20th, 2009 at 9:18 pm
.Stephens the analogue recordings is a really difficult thing and it requires devices that may be expensive especially if you want a multitrack project. You may need a n analogue recorder as in the picture (not a single tape recorder).
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It is really expensive but the quality is much better. I would invest in the digital as well. There are more pros than cons. It is more approachable, less expensive, and even if you chose to work with analogue devices in order to get all the positives of the authentic sound it is not worthy as in the end you will need to “digitalize” the sound (convert it in digital) in order to distribute it (cd, dvd, mp3 etc).
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November 20th, 2009 at 3:59 pm
Recording at home is a great luxury for anyone who is into making music. I feel a special sense of accomplishment when making my own music at home. I have a pretty good digital set up that allows me to make clean high quality songs. So when it comes to equipment, I vote digital for recording your work. No tape.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:04 pm
Great Blog and nice illustrations too. I’m giving you 6/6. Josef Horhay. Mixing Engineer. Acoostic Zoo Recording Studio
April 13th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
My son has a recording studio and this information is well laid out and easy to understand. Great post.
April 10th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
thats some great information…very helpful
Thanks
April 10th, 2009 at 9:32 pm
found you on blog catalog. cool post. later
April 9th, 2009 at 5:58 am
Great information and extremely helpful, because your knowledge base appears to be extensive. Thanks, dtxray2648