If the Formatting Fits

Even after the mastering is done, the ability to get your CD out into the right places and to have it meeting the necessary standards still has to be a priority. There is more than one way to get your recording into the right place, but the engineering and technology has to come first in order to get it into the right arena.

The general concept to keep in mind with each of the areas that your recording formats can and should be is that each of them is based on two things. The first is the way in which the mastering is done with the instruments, allowing each one of them to blend together with the lows, mids and highs in the right places. What this means is that too much bass in one area is just enough in the other. The second consideration is the volume levels that are used. The overall volume format that you use will be different according to where you decide to put your music.

The way to follow each of these formats is to test it through your monitor speakers. This will give you an idea of the high end and low end sounds and how they are impacting the song. You can also look into industry standards and concepts with some of the following formats.

CDs – The major capability of CDs is to be able to create your own unique sound and volume consideration. There is an industry standard for CDs in terms of volumes and mix; however, you have the choice of whether to follow this. Within this, you can master things according to your style. For example, if you play rock music, you will want the rhythms and the bass to be slightly higher on the low end than they would be in a country piece.

MP3s and Downloads – Thanks to digital media, there are entirely new ways to listen to music. With this are also different volume checks, standards and mixes that are incorporated. This is important to follow because most of the digital media that is downloaded will be going onto a computer or a smaller digital device. This makes it so that the mix is different, specifically with the need to have low ends on a computer or not to have the high ends taking over the smaller speakers.

Radio – The radio has a completely different standard than any other type of format. This is because the music must be processed through the radio's player and then into the speakers that move into a home stereo. Typically, volume control for radios is going to be slightly louder with mixes in the low ends being more quiet than the high end. This allows for the format to be played on anything from an alarm clock to a car radio without a bad mix.

Of course, more formatting options are available, all which specialize in the volume control options as well as the high end and low end mixes. You can easily find your options through looking at the industry standards or looking at plug ins in your software that may already have the current industries recommendations as a plug-in. When it is time to change your wave file into a format, you will want to make sure that you know the formatting that fits.

Software Options for Recording

Once you get into the recording studio, there are several options for software that you can use in order to get your sound exactly right. Knowing what your options are for software and finding those that best fit what you need can help you to produce the CD that you want and get your sound waves in the right order. Following are options that you can use when deciding what the best software is for your recording.

1. MIDI. This is a basic software application that is used for recording needs as well as for sound fonts. It comes with the sounds and orchestration patches for the recording with a digital audio area that is built into the system. Because this is lower budgeting, it has some inabilities for editing and for the stereo sounds that you might need.

2.Adobe Audition. This is a basic application that can be used for the entire process of recording. While this specific software option also has some limitations, it is accessible with it's ease of use and can provide accurate results for professional mixing and mastering.

3.Band in a Box. This is a Macintosh application that is known to work well for beginners or for those who are limited in what is being recorded. This is because it has the capability of creating immediate tracks once a certain chord or set of chords is entered. This allows those who have not put together arrangements to use these basic structures before progressing to the next part of the recording.

4.Cakewalk. This specific type of software was created for Macintosh, then evolved into a separate application for Windows. This is known to have the basics for mixing and mastering as well, and carries it's audio options through MIDI.

5.Fruity Loops. If you are into DJ tracks, loops and patterns, this is the specific program to use. While this has some recording capabilities, it works better as a loop mixing area for the musical pieces you are putting together.

6.Vegas. This program is similar to Adobe Audition in the way that it pieces together separate tracks as well as the capabilities for mixing and mastering. The tracks in this program are easy to pre-mix and mix, especially with individual track options and configurations that you can use for the program.

7.Cubase. The large benefit of this particular program is the ability to have unlimited numbers of VSTs, or orchestration patches. It also offers more tracks than the programs such as Cakewalk. One of the other benefits of this program is the ability to add on other programs in order to make it more conducive to your particular music.

8.Studio Vision. This is another Macintosh program and is known to be one of the high end options in software. It's capabilities include a variety of writing for music and allow you to control every part of your musical pieces.

9.Reason. This is another program that is built around finding rhythms, loops and specific tracks. While it offers a wide range of capabilities in placing together pieces of music, it has become more popular among Djs and those who are looking for defined back beats.

10.Pro Tools. This particular choice is one that is known among most professionals as the best software out there. It contains a wide variety of VST options as well as the ability to completely control and manipulate the music that is being worked on. If you move into Pro Tools, you can expect to go through a longer learning curve as there are a wider variety of details and choices for recording.

It can be seen that each of these options carries choices in terms of how much you control the music you are making, strengths and weaknesses, sound options and tools that work the best. By knowing the applications, you can easily begin to use the software in a way that best fits your production.

Getting Rehearsals Ready for Recording

Going into a studio is something that is different than practicing or from performing. It's a different art form in music and takes some different steps in order to get your tracks exactly right. In fact, it's become such an art form, that there are now several musicians who are simply studio musicians because of the different techniques that are used. If you are getting ready to record, you will want to make sure that you rehearse in a way that gets you ready to record.

The number one rule to remember about recording is that you can't miss a beat. If you do, it will cause everything else to be off. Because everything is typically recorded in layers, it combines the need to stay exactly on tempo with the song that is being recorded. Make sure that you know the tempo and don't miss it when you are practicing to record.

The second rule of thumb for recording is to rehearse with layers as one of the options in mind. While most studios will allow you to record all of the instruments at once, your instrument will still be singled out in order to get the rest of the process right. This means that you want to make sure that you can move around with your instrument and know the song forwards and backwards.

Along those lines, always have starting and stopping points that work well with you in one song. If there are any flaws while recording, they can be punched in. You will want to have specific points that you know you can start at again so that you can record over any mistakes that you did make. Dividing up your pieces and learning them in segments will help while you are recording.

Another aspect to keep in mind with the rehearsal before recording is to know what to practice and know what can be plugged in. For example, getting louder or software can be manipulated by the production process, as well as the sound and resonance of what you are playing. It's not necessary to put in the extra ornaments and marks that are often times found in music for a performance or practice, unless you definitely know you want it to stand out.

With all of these concepts in mind as an individual, you can then begin to think about how the blend will change when it moves into the studio. Even though every instrument will be on a different track, you will want to determine how this will best fit in, what the possibilities are for balance and what you want the end product to sound like. This will help you to get used to the right sound and build the correct balance from the concepts that you think fit best.

With these different tips and tricks, your recordings will go much smoother and you will simply be able to follow your musical script to get what you want laid out on the right track. If you prepare in this way, you will find that your abilities to record will be much easier than if you go in without having any preparation. It will save time and space, and will allow those who are producing the CD to have an easier time putting your CD together.

To Play Live or To Use the Computer

The digital age has not only led to revolutions in new software and capabilities, but also an entirely new set of sounds for instrumentation. For those who are familiar with music at all, they also know that it is no longer necessary to have live instruments to play everything or to have a person present. The computers have the capacity of substituting for any type of instrumentation you need. However, before deciding to digitalize everything, you should consider the differences between playing live or using a computer.

There are several sounds that are now becoming capable of taking the place for real instruments. MIDI was the first set of sounds that were produced which were the same as real instruments. The packages in MIDI were taken by recording live instruments on every note and turning them into a digital sound wave. As this particular type of package has evolved, so have the sounds and the ability to make the sounds seem more real and less electronic. Most MIDI packages are used only with Mac computers or as added on plug ins to what already exists.

The second type of digital effect is known as VST's, or Virtual Sound Technology. This is a generalized term that includes a wide variety of instrumentations, loops sounds and electronic effects that can be used in almost any software program. Like MIDI, VSTs take live instruments, copy the sounds and reproduce them using digital effects. The result is a wide variety of instruments, sounds and certain measures of general arrangements that can be used almost anywhere.

When you are recording, the question becomes whether to use the electronic capacities that are there or to move into recording live instruments. While the electronics progress, the sounds become better and somewhat capture what is being done. However, there are things to listen for and to familiarize yourself with before moving into using electronics.

The first part of the electronics that is missing from the picture is the idea of resonance. With live instruments, each note carries harmonics over it that can not be heard, as well as resonance from the strings and vibrations. The vibrations come from the strings or air hitting other air and hitting the sound. Because the MIDI and VST packages are digitalized, it will be missing this capacity and won't be able to carry this same vibration. This is one of the largest cons of VSTs. Even with the progressions in copying the sounds, it is impossible to find ones that add in the resonance of a real instrument.

If you have no choice but to use a VST or MIDI package, you will want to consider finding ones that can play as closely to the real instruments as possible. Many of the older versions of electronic sounds carry the electronic sound to them and sound like synthesizers or man made instruments. You won't want to use a package that doesn't have a resemblance to the real thing. Most musicians and listeners can still tell the difference. If you want your sounds to be electronic, than this will work fine. However, if you are trying to portray a real instrument, you want to make sure that it carries a sound that closely resembles the live instrument.

The major way in which you can tell whether the packages are resembling live instruments is in how you hear the instrument. You may want to compare how the packages sound to the real things. For instance, an electronic sound will sound muffled and will be closer sounding to a synthesizer than to an instrument. Unless this is the exact sound you are looking for, you will probably want to check into newer versions or updates that use better technology options.

No matter what you decide with the instrumentation to use for your recording, the most important thing to keep in mind is what you want the end sound to be like. This means that you should keep things in mind such as resonance, resemblance to the real instrument and the electronic equivalent of that instrument. While both can remain just as effective in your arrangement, it is the small differences in sound that make a difference in what is being played.

Getting Your Recording Right

You finally have finished recording your piece, front to back and think that you are ready to mix everything together. But, before you start, you notice that there is one little glitch right in the middle. Before you start over again, or start to give up with your song, find the tools that will work so that you can get the recording right.

Software that is designed in recording is always designed with the human element in mind. This means that you can play the instrument the way that you best know how, then create a way to get the exact sound that you want later. While you want to be exact while you record, you can be somewhat merciful in knowing that this sometimes doesn't happen, then find the right tools to put it back together again.

One of the greatest software tools that can be used are punch ins. This allows you to flag a certain area that you want to re-do. You will be able to go back a certain number of seconds and replay. You will then move into the area that needs re-done and record over what was already recorded. You will be able to continue to play afterwards in order to fade back out and put everything together right.

With this option, you want to make sure that you can put all of the sound waves next to each other. With some programs, the punch ins will slightly divide once starting. Giving yourself enough room to prepare for the punch in as well as creating a seamless tie together of the two will help you to put everything together.

Once you have all of the instrumentation exactly right, you can start putting in the right sounds. This is often times called the pre-mixing stage and is used in order to make your instrumentation have the right effects and resonance within your instrument. You always want to do this before you reach the mixing stage as it will often times make a difference in the volume as well as the way in which the instrument mixes with other instruments.

The pre-mixing stage will always begin with the normalization process. This is simply taking the setting of the waves and making it so that it peaks out in both ends. When you normalize something, the frequencies will go up or down. You should see the waves change in order to reach maximum and minimum peaks at both ends. If you have your volume set correctly, everything will normalize to be around the same peaks, allowing you to mix together the sounds easier.

After this, you can set the sound that you want in the end for your instrumentation. This moves into reverb options, flange, effects, fades and other instrumentation effects that adds in extra color to your instrumentation. When you do this, you should make sure that you work with what will sound the best with your instrument and how it will change the sounds within your song. Once you start to hear the right sounds for your instrumentation, you can preset this part and allow for time saving options when getting ready to mix.

After this stage, you will be ready to start your mixing of instruments. Your check list for the pre-mixing stage is to simply make sure that your individual instruments has the right sound that you want for the entire mix. This starts with the smoothness you will want from the song and moves into the options for getting the sounds that add a little bit extra into the mix of your individual instrument.

Newer Options for Recording Studios

Recording is moving above and beyond the old fashioned tapes and the need to perform everything live. The recording industry as well as technology individuals are beginning to produce new capabilities within the industry that are creating opportunities, not only in the sound technology, but also in the abilities to record.

Overall, recording capacities are moving into better and simpler characteristics. Before, having a recording studio would take thousands of dollars worth of equipment, each which was specialized and would not offer all of the capabilities. Today, recording equipment is moving into condensed capabilities with sharper abilities to use equipment in an effective way that captures sound.

One of the innovations that is at the forefront of recording is digital capabilities. This includes the ability to record everything through a digital sound, typically produced from the mixing board. The concept of digital sound is one that captures the sound waves at a faster rate. The result is that it creates a clearer sound and allows for more to be picked up with the sounds that are being captured in the area.

With the digital capacities are also new mixing boards that are being used. This is effective for those who are building home recording studios and need compact options. Some of the mixing boards contain capabilities to record, mix and master without the software or computer. This allows for remote capabilities in recording and the possibility to have a simpler process in the recording process.

Not only are these options growing in recording, but so are the electronic capacities of instrumentation and instrumental sounds. As more is found out about the way in which recording works, newer options for capturing the right types of sounds that sound either electronic or digital are also coming into place. There are continuously newer options to get the correct sound, grow with the right capacities and have more options for putting together an arrangement.

Along these lines of improvement are the new capacities for equipment. Microphones, amplifiers, pre-amps and the equipment that stabilizes the sounds, both in the recording studio and to capture the sounds, are now coming in more condensed packages as well. You can now find all in one amps or microphones, all which are built specifically to record and to capture the right sounds without the problems of playing live.

The way in which the equipment is being built is becoming divided into two categories. This is either for the studio or for performance. This is occurring because of the acoustics that apply to both. In a studio, you want to dampen and deaden all of the extra sound vibrations that occur. With performance; however, you want to capture the smaller sounds and allow for resonance. This, as well as capacities among electronic instruments with easy to use options are quickly moving into the market.

If you are building a recording studio, keeping the newer options in mind and how they can affect your recording process will help you to build the right type of studio with the best capacities. You will then be able to create more options in capturing the correct sounds, putting together the right mix and saving on time with the CDs that you are able to put together.

Setting Up A Recording Studio

Having the right equipment for a recording studio isn't enough in order to get the right sounds for your CD. If you want to make sure that everything is in the right place, you will also want to think about the way in which things are spaced out and how you can work with that in your recording studio.

The first thing you will want to consider with setting up a recording studio is how much room you will need in order for everyone to be comfortable. This means that you will need to have plenty of room to fit an average of five to ten people. If you want more people to come in, space out how much room each one will need in order to feel comfortable within your space. The size of the room as far as feet will not change the way that anything sounds, so if you think bigger space, it is probably better.

The second part to this is dividing the space between the engineering and the playing. While this is not as important as it used to be, it helps for monitoring as well as mixing the sounds while others are playing. Typically, you will see one room that is divided in two. One space is for the musicians while the other is for the sound board, mixing and mastering while those who are working are playing. This creates a better sound proof area for your recording.

With the engineering area, it is expected that everything will be in a range where you can quickly get to it and change the sounds as it is going. Having everything within your arms reach, such as the mix board and the software, will help you to be more consistent and effective while recording other instrumentation.

The area in which the musicians are will then need to be built in a specific way. It is best to have very thin carpeting or wood floors, as this causes the sound to not be absorbed. Lower ceilings will also help to keep the sound compacted. If you have wood flooring or no carpet, you will want to consider buffering the ceiling or placing an area rug around the space which the musicians are working. This will help to keep the sound from bouncing. On the side of the walls should be foam in order to keep the sound deadened as well. You will only want to foam certain sides, depending on the shape of the room, it's size and how it is built. If the noise becomes to deadened, it will be harder to get the right mix when recording.

Another part that should be kept in mind with the musicians area is with the voices. If you are planning on putting vocals on any CD, you will need to have a separate area for the microphones, again, depending on the size of the room. Often times, vocal boxes will be used in order to trap all of the sound. For home recorders with a minimum budget, things such as closets will work in order to keep the sound in the right space.

Of course, each recording studio will differ according to the best way that you work, the type of instrumentation that you have, who you plan on recording and what your needs are at the time. Before you start with your recording studio, it is best to plan out the most legitimate way to organize your equipment and your needs so that everything can be effective once it is set up.

No matter what your budget, needs or playing capacities, having a recording studio that allows you to produce professional CDs is an important factor in creating the right sounds and mixes. The more you plan out for your studio, and the more capacities that you have with dividing the spaces correctly and with having the right equipment, the easier it will be to create the right sounds.

Choosing Your Mixing Board

The realizations that have grown in the studio for mixing are ones that have also led to new applications and ideas for putting together the right mix of instruments.  With this, has come a variety of technologies and options in order to ensure that every type of studio can easily change sound waves within the recording area.  These options are allowing for better mixes and blends within each piece of music.  Knowing the characteristics of different mixing boards can help you to decide what is your best option.

Number of input devices.  Each mixing board comes with a set of number of channels. Each of these channels will allow for one instrument to be placed within the mixing board.  You may have heard of concepts like the '24 mixer' or '36 mixer'.  The numbers that are being referred to are the channels used, each one allowing for an instrument to be in it's place.  Before you get a mixing board, you will want to think of how many channels you will need at one time, dependent on how many instruments you want or need to record at once.

Different uses for different environments.  There are different innovations that are used for different areas of mixing.  Because a sound board has to be able to adapt to both the software for recording and for the mix of instruments, different types of mixers will be available.  Some of these will be focused on performance mixing while others will be strictly for the studio.  You can determine which is being used according to the level control features and the way in which the sound board is built.

Analog or Digital.  Technology innovations with mixers are constantly re-defining the best and latest types of mixers to use within recording.  This has quickly made a transition from analog to digital mixers.  Analog mixers are defined by wired controls that mix in changes and live sounds.  Digital mixers; however, will use a digital interface in between.  Typically, the mixing difference can be heard in the sound as well as the options for mixing.  Because digital is using later technology, it is now moving into innovations such as audio streams, all in one editing options and more possibilities for controlling volume and input of the sound being used.

Extra effects.  No matter what type of mixer you are looking into, you always want to pay attention to the little knobs that are a part of the mix.  Depending on the mix and make of the sound board, you will also have different signal options as well as volume control options, dependent on the mixer.  The more complex you want to make the mix, or the more instrumentation you have, will also help you to decide on what effects you want to take place in the mix and before the sound recording.  You should keep in mind that, with these effects, they can not be undone if they are recorded that way as sound waves, meaning you will want to be cognizant of what is working and what doesn't in the mix.

Interactions with software.  Your mixing board not only provides you with options for pre-recording, but also should have options with how it interacts with the software.  Not only does each mixing board have different features within the board itself, but can also interact with the software in certain ways in order to mix together the sound waves in a certain way.  You will want to make sure that you have a mixing board that compliments your software system.

If you keep these things in mind with the right mixing board, it will save you time, money and will allow for the right sound to be developed from what you are creating.  Your end option will be the ability to customize your sound and to create certain controls within your music that best fit what you want to do.  By understanding the different qualities of mixing boards and how they can work for you, there will be the ability to have the perfect recipe for your instrumentation mix.  

What Equipment Do You Need for Recording?

The improvement of technology and the capabilities within digital music not only allows for different sounds and formats to be available, but is also creating a space where musicians can record for themselves.  If you are ready to record, you can set up a space that works for what you need and start moving towards getting your sounds on CD.  Following are some of the must haves in order to get your recording studio up and recording. 

Software and a computer.  There are a lot of options that are available with software, but you want to make sure that you have it.  This is the brain center of your recording studio and will do more for you and your music than anything else.  With your computer, also make sure that you have a lot of memory and power that can easily store and keep up with the recordings. 

Foam.  One of the most important parts of your recording studio is to make sure that it is sound proof.  It's easy for your instruments or voices to bounce off the wall, causing an echo when you record.  Recording foam will deaden the sound and allow you to record what you need without the bounce back.  Keep in mind that, depending on the room size and the acoustics, you may not have to foam the entire room. 

Mixer.  In order to get the sounds from the instruments into the computer, this is your tool.  Make sure that you have enough inputs and outputs to record all of the instruments that you want at once. 

Pre-amps.  If you really want some good sound, don't just plug your instruments into the mixer.  Instead, you should get pre-amps into the mix.  This will allow for instruments, such as guitars and basses, to keep their best sound, then go into the mix board.  For example, if you want a bass to have a certain resonance, you can set it up on the pre-amp, without it changing the main sound of the guitar, as it would if they were both plugged into the mix board.  

Monitors.  You will need special speakers for after the recording in order to make sure that you have everything set together right.  Monitors will help you to hear both the high and lows of your recording and make sure that it all blends together correctly.  Some prefer headphones over monitors; however, if you choose this option, make sure that they are recording head phones, designed in the same way as monitors. 

Microphone Equipment.  It would be nice if you could just set up a regular microphone for recording, but it doesn't work that easily.  You will need to get a recording microphone, which will catch all of the sounds from the voice on every side. Attached to the microphone should be a popper, which will stop the hard consonants from recording and muffling the recording.
Compressor.  This is an option for recording, but shouldn't be overlooked.  This is specifically used for vocals, and allows the waves in the voice to not reach certain peaks.  Instead, it is compressed to equal the rest of the waves.  You can then adjust the voice to match the other instrumentation as you go. 

Starting with this equipment will allow you to have the basic boosts that you need in order to cut your first recordings.  Of course, you can always add in extra equipment, or take away other equipment, but with the above, you can get a good start to a basic and complete home recording studio.