This is a pre-launch announcement from HomeMusicRecording.com and SoundRecordingStudioSoftware.com
Here's your chance to be one of the first to get hold of the new ebook from D A Johnstone, MSc…
"Selecting Sound Recording Studio Software & Equipment"
…at a ridiculous pre-launch discount.
Not only that, but read on to find out how you could get Dave's new ebook at zero cost .
We're just putting the finishing touches to our soon-to-be-released ebook,
"Selecting Sound Recording Studio Software & Equipment"…
…and like all the best ideas, the ebook is based on how to apply a few simple principles to the key decisions required in setting up your own home or project recording studio.
In fact, I'll share them with you in just a moment.
But first let me tell you how the pre-launch period is going, and how to get the ebook free of charge…
Ken and Dave at HomeMusicRecording.com published a series a few days ago suggesting possible recording gear to buy based on your available budget - from $100 to $9000.
One useful surprise to me was that nowhere did Dave specify a mixing desk as essential. Basically, mixing by mouse is very practical, given recording software's capability to model mixing desks, and provide automation.
If you're interested in this, I suggest popping over to have a look at the series.
Your own home recording studio is a dream that is much easier to fulfill today than even a few years ago. Not only that, but the quality results can be so high that the whole recording industry is changing massively.
Add in the explosion of web usage and download capacity available, and you have a recipe for creating your own music and a the online distribution channel to reach your audience.
Style, presence, image….what's cool to wear on stage for your live performance can kill in the recording studio. Kill your recording, that is…
On stage, what you wear creates 90% your image - some look great - bright colors and detailed designs. Most on-stage clothes are made of synthetic materials - like rayon, polyester, and nylon.
The problem with so much choice of affordable home recording gear, is that you have even more ways available to you to foul up your glorious electric guitar sound.
Effects in the thousands, modeling amps, pedal boards you can dance on, virtual mics, and whatever the latest gadget is, can all be marshaled into your sonic armory.
But some times, just sometimes, its good to remember that "less is more". Or, put another way - "KISS" - "Keep It Simple, Stupid"!
So, how do you "KISS"?(!) Let's get back to the basics…
Just one string a bit flat can ruin an otherwise monster take!
Electric Guitar Tracking
But how should you capture the electric guitar signal?
There are several techniques used to record electric guitar:
This first method is simple and efficient:
No room
plug the guitar into a direct injection (DI) box
connect DI box to your mixer
…with these main advantages:
complete isolation of the sound
no sound leaking from other instruments
clean signal ready for transformation through your effects unit into whatever you imagination creates
What you lose is your characteristic live [tag]electric guitar[/tag] sound produced by the combination of guitar, amp, speakers and maestro!
On the other hand, you may prefer this second approach…
Small is Special
Maybe blasting through your giant 200-watt stack would disturb the neighbors. Very likely it would. But you don't need this kind of power in the studio - you can get away with a much smaller rig.
Think about the soaring guitar tones on Eric Clapton's "Layla" - created on a small Fender® Champs. (See video below to watch Eric Clapton playing a live version of Layla.)
Try using a small tube amp along with a Shure SM57. That'll deliver an authentic rock guitar sound you can't beat.
Microphone Moments
Of course, you can place the mic anywhere in the room you like. But why not start with the obvious - right in front of the speaker… A little off-center should give you a little bit richer tone, but the bottom line is, the sound that works for you is the right sound.
You can experiment with moving the mic to different places in the room and you'll get some variation in resulting tones. As you increase the distance between mic and speaker, you'll get more room sound in the mix.
Final Touches
It's a good idea to flavor the sound somewhat help it fit into the feel your song. If you can, use a little compression to smooth the signal. Adjust the EQ to your own preference.
