Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Home Studio Guide for Newbies


Weststarx
 Share

Recommended Posts

[i]Hello one and all!

I'm looking to start writing and recording my own stuff as a side project.

The problem is however like a lot of people I have no idea what I need....So far I have a bass guitar and a computer.

I was also hoping to use this thread to collect a lot of information and compile it into a 'Guide to home recording for newbies'.

I'm sure myself and everyone else who doesn't know where to start will really appreciate it![/i]

[size=7][b][u]Home Studio Guide for Newbies[/u][/b][/size]

Special Thanks to Skol303, Mornat
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[size=6][u][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]ESSENTIALS[/font][/color][/u][/size]

[size=5][b]Software:[/b][/size][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] GarageBand is a good place to start if you have a Mac, as it comes bundled for free. If not, grab a copy of [/font][/color][url="http://www.reaper.fm/"]Reaper[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]. It has an unlimited free trial (with everything enabled) and is a great place to get started. In fact it's a great piece of software full stop. There are loads of tutorials on YouTube for getting started on using it.[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]You might also want to grab a copy of [/font][/color][url="http://audacity.sourceforge.net/"]Audacity[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]. Another free software - not a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) in the same sense as Reaper, but a useful tool for processing any audio you've recorded. Again, loads of tutorials available on YouTube and elsewhere.[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Oh, and of course there are loads of free VSTs (plug-ins) available online, covering FX, synths, drum machines, amp sims, etc. Some great ones listed in [/font][/color][url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/77603-free-vsts/"]this thread[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] on Basschat.[/font][/color]

[b][size=5]Audio Interface[/size]: [/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]This is the 'box' that allows you to connect your instruments, microphones, etc, to your computer for the purpose of recording. It's also where you can connect monitor speakers. I'd recommend a Focusrite interface. The [/font][/color][url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/FOCUSRITE-SCARLETT-2I2-Audio-interfaces/dp/B005OZE9SA"]Focusrite Scarlett 2i2[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] is a great one to start with at around £120.[/font][/color]

[size=5][b]Monitor speakers and/or headphones:[/b][/size][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] It's always a good idea to use a set of dedicated monitor speakers - and this is one area where you certainly get what you pay for. As an 'ok yet cheap(ish)' set I'd recommend [/font][/color][url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/MACKIE-MR5MK3-Monitoring-speakers-Active/dp/B00EZJ5FSO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397638076&sr=8-1&keywords=mackie+mr5"]Mackie MR5[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif], which retail at around £125 each. [/font][/color][i]BUT[/i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]... you don't necessarily have to use monitors to begin with. If you're not setting out to produce studio-quality mixes, you could hook up a pair of HiFi speakers to your computer, or do what I did and just get yourself a reasonable set of headphones. I've been using headphones for a number of years now and while it's not ideal, it does allow you to produce reasonable quality mixes and importantly for me, work late at night when the rest of the household are fast asleep. Headphones are useful anyway. I use a pair of [/font][/color][url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-K240-MKII-Circumaural-Headphones/dp/B0016MNBAM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397638303&sr=8-2&keywords=akg+k271+mk+ii"]AKG K240[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] which I've had for a number of years. You can now pick them up quite 'cheaply' for around £100 (which is the minimum you'd want to pay for a good set of cans).[/font][/color]

[size=6][u][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]NICETIES[/font][/color][/u][/size]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]The world of home studios is littered with gear, much of which you don't really need but you'll [/font][/color][i]want[/i][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] it sure enough! A few additions you might like to consider - but [/font][/color][u]aren't[/u][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] essential to start with - include...[/font][/color]

[size=5][b]MIDI keyboard:[/b][/size][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] useful if you want to play around with software synths and tinkle on the virtual ivories. A good one to start with is the [/font][/color][url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/M-Audio-Oxygen-25-Generation-Controller/dp/B002VYJDYW"]M-Audio Oxygen 25[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif].[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]For [/font][/color]midi keyboards[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif], I find that a very basic keyboard with velocity-sensitive keys is fine as a started. I'd recommend 49 keys to start as you may well want to upgrade from a 25 key one fairly soon. The M-audio Oxygen that Skol mentioned above is only £20 more than the basic Keystation one so I'd recommend that one too ([/font][/color][url="http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/m-audio-oxygen-49-usb-midi-keyboard-2014.html"]http://www.pmtonline...board-2014.html[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]). Plus that may negate the need for a Nanopad. Speaking of which, I just got myself a Korg [/font][/color]NanoPad[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] 2 for £30 from PMT in-store ([/font][/color][url="http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/korg-nanopad-2-usb-controller-in-white.html"]http://www.pmtonline...r-in-white.html[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]). I've not used it in anger yet but it seems ok so far.[/font][/color]

[size=5][b]Condenser microphone:[/b][/size][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] Can be used to record vocals, 'found sounds' around the house (pots and pans percussion!), or placed in front of your bass cab to record that low end rumble. I use a [/font][/color][url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-C-1-Studio-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B000CZ0RLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397639558&sr=8-1&keywords=microphone+behringer+C-1"]Behringer C-1[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]. Cheap and cheerful.[/font][/color]

[b][size=5]Controller pad[/size]:[/b][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] useful if you want to unleash your 'inner drummer', work with samples, record original beats and/or produce music using a pattern sequencer. The [/font][/color][url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/INSTRUMENTS-MASCHINE-Digital-Without-interface/dp/B00940TI0K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397639749&sr=8-1&keywords=maschine+mikro+mk2"]Maschine Mikro MkII[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] is a great little tool for this, but perhaps a little pricey if you don't have a specific need for it.[/font][/color]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]...that should be enough to get you started on the road to recording. Just watch your wallet along the way [/font][/color] ;)[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] If you have any questions, ask![/font][/color]

[size=6][u]PLUGINS[/u][/size]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Mike Senior's brilliant resource: [/font][/color][url="http://www.cambridge-mt.com/ms-links.htm#freeware"]http://www.cambridge...ks.htm#freeware[/url][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif] - top freeware plugins. [/font][/color]

Edited by Weststarx
Link to comment
Share on other sites

You will almost certainly need :
- Some recording software. There's loads available, and most will have cut-down or demo versions for you to try before you buy.
- a decent quality audio interface to get the sound in and out of the computer
- a computer that's fast enough to deal with it all
- a bit of luck that it will all work well together (sometimes, with the best will in the world, it just doesn't!)
Your first step is probably to find an interface. If you say what computer you have, it will help people recommend something.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've been promising to write a thread on this very subject for [i]AGES[/i]... so I really must get round to doing it :)

In the meantime, as a basic shopping list I'd recommend:

[size=5]ESSENTIALS[/size]

[b]Software:[/b] GarageBand is a good place to start if you have a Mac, as it comes bundled for free. If not, grab a copy of [url="http://www.reaper.fm/"]Reaper[/url]. It has an unlimited free trial (with everything enabled) and is a great place to get started. In fact it's a great piece of software full stop. There are loads of tutorials on YouTube for getting started on using it.

You might also want to grab a copy of [url="http://audacity.sourceforge.net/"]Audacity[/url]. Another free software - not a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) in the same sense as Reaper, but a useful tool for processing any audio you've recorded. Again, loads of tutorials available on YouTube and elsewhere.

Oh, and of course there are loads of free VSTs (plug-ins) available online, covering FX, synths, drum machines, amp sims, etc. Some great ones listed in [url="http://basschat.co.uk/topic/77603-free-vsts/"]this thread[/url] on Basschat.

[b]Audio Interface: [/b]This is the 'box' that allows you to connect your instruments, microphones, etc, to your computer for the purpose of recording. It's also where you can connect monitor speakers. I'd recommend a Focusrite interface. The [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/FOCUSRITE-SCARLETT-2I2-Audio-interfaces/dp/B005OZE9SA"]Focusrite Scarlett 2i2[/url] is a great one to start with at around £120.

[b]Monitor speakers and/or headphones:[/b] It's always a good idea to use a set of dedicated monitor speakers - and this is one area where you certainly get what you pay for. As an 'ok yet cheap(ish)' set I'd recommend [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/MACKIE-MR5MK3-Monitoring-speakers-Active/dp/B00EZJ5FSO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397638076&sr=8-1&keywords=mackie+mr5"]Mackie MR5[/url], which retail at around £125 each. [i]BUT[/i]... you don't necessarily have to use monitors to begin with. If you're not setting out to produce studio-quality mixes, you could hook up a pair of HiFi speakers to your computer, or do what I did and just get yourself a reasonable set of headphones. I've been using headphones for a number of years now and while it's not ideal, it does allow you to produce reasonable quality mixes and importantly for me, work late at night when the rest of the household are fast asleep. Headphones are useful anyway. I use a pair of [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/AKG-K240-MKII-Circumaural-Headphones/dp/B0016MNBAM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1397638303&sr=8-2&keywords=akg+k271+mk+ii"]AKG K240[/url] which I've had for a number of years. You can now pick them up quite 'cheaply' for around £100 (which is the minimum you'd want to pay for a good set of cans).

[size=5]NICETIES[/size]

The world of home studios is littered with gear, much of which you don't really need but you'll [i]want[/i] it sure enough! A few additions you might like to consider - but [u]aren't[/u] essential to start with - include...

[b]MIDI keyboard:[/b] useful if you want to play around with software synths and tinkle on the virtual ivories. A good one to start with is the [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/M-Audio-Oxygen-25-Generation-Controller/dp/B002VYJDYW"]M-Audio Oxygen 25[/url].

[b]Condenser microphone:[/b] Can be used to record vocals, 'found sounds' around the house (pots and pans percussion!), or placed in front of your bass cab to record that low end rumble. I use a [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Behringer-C-1-Studio-Condenser-Microphone/dp/B000CZ0RLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397639558&sr=8-1&keywords=microphone+behringer+C-1"]Behringer C-1[/url]. Cheap and cheerful.

[b]Controller pad:[/b] useful if you want to unleash your 'inner drummer', work with samples, record original beats and/or produce music using a pattern sequencer. The [url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/INSTRUMENTS-MASCHINE-Digital-Without-interface/dp/B00940TI0K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397639749&sr=8-1&keywords=maschine+mikro+mk2"]Maschine Mikro MkII[/url] is a great little tool for this, but perhaps a little pricey if you don't have a specific need for it.

...that should be enough to get you started on the road to recording. Just watch your wallet along the way ;) If you have any questions, ask!

Paul

Edited by Skol303
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1397645600' post='2425936']
Guitar > Lead > Amp > Lead > Audio Interface > PC

and it will record whatever effects etc you have going through the amp?
[/quote]
That's one way to do it. Another way is to just go Guitar > Lead > Audio Interface > PC and apply the effects in software, which will be more flexible as you can alter them after the fact...
Once you've got past the basics there are dozens of ways to do everything...

Edited by topo morto
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Weststarx' timestamp='1397645600' post='2425936']...So does the connection go...

Guitar > Lead > Amp > Lead > Audio Interface > PC

and it will record whatever effects etc you have going through the amp?
[/quote]

It might be more typical, if using this approach, to connect thus...

Guitar > Lead > Amp > Speaker > Space > Microphone > Audio Interface > PC

...although there are as many inconveniences as there are advantages to this method.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[b]Headphone[/b]-wise, I use a pair of Superlux 662B headphones which are stupidly cheap (http://www.thomann.de/gb/superlux_hd662_f.htm) - £24 and are hailed as giant-killers. You may notice their similarity to some AKGs... I heard that Superlux make parts for AKG. Also, I know that 51M0N on here rates the Studiospares M1000 (do correct me if I'm wrong): http://www.studiospares.com/headphones-studio/studiospares-m1000-headphones/invt/448760.

For[b] midi keyboards[/b], I find that a very basic keyboard with velocity-sensitive keys is fine as a started. I'd recommend 49 keys to start as you may well want to upgrade from a 25 key one fairly soon. The M-audio Oxygen that Skol mentioned above is only £20 more than the basic Keystation one so I'd recommend that one too (http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/m-audio-oxygen-49-usb-midi-keyboard-2014.html). Plus that may negate the need for a Nanopad. Speaking of which, I just got myself a Korg [b]NanoPad[/b] 2 for £30 from PMT in-store (http://www.pmtonline.co.uk/korg-nanopad-2-usb-controller-in-white.html). I've not used it in anger yet but it seems ok so far.

[b]Software[/b], GarageBand if you're on a Mac - you'll have it already and it's really easy to use. Otherwise Reaper for all round feature richness, stability and awesomeness on any platform. I think Mixcraft is often hailed as GarageBand on a PC if you want more simplicity. Then pop on over to http://www.native-instruments.com and grab their free players for some nice free synths/virtual instruments.

Audio interface - I'd recommend the Focusrite Scarlett mentioned above too. It's the one I'd start with if I were starting over again. I actually started with a Guitar Rig Session from Native Instruments which was decent. The Focusrite is meant to be a bit better. Not worth upgrading too but one of the better cheap ones to start on. I've now got the Focusrite Forte which is sweeeeeet but is around £330 so may be out of the starter territory.

I think I've pretty much just reiterated what Skol said above! So yeah, listen to him :) Only thing I'd say different is to screw my face up a little at the £100 is the least you should pay for headphones. The ones I linked are cheaper than that, and are still recommended, and if you've ever had the misfortune to try on a pair of Dr Dre or Monster hi-fi headphones costing in the hundreds of pounds you'll know that you can't go on price alone. :)

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1397646961' post='2425961']
It might be more typical, if using this approach, to connect thus...

Guitar > Lead > Amp > Speaker > Space > Microphone > Audio Interface > PC

...although there are as many inconveniences as there are advantages to this method.
[/quote]

Not least trying to EQ/compress/cut out your neighbour's banging when you're recording your all valve bass amp in your bedroom. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Mornats' timestamp='1397672446' post='2426372']...Not least trying to EQ/compress/cut out your neighbour's banging when you're recording your all valve bass amp in your bedroom. :)
[/quote]

... and much more..! [URL=http://www.smileyvault.com/][IMG]http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/CBSA/smileyvault-cute-big-smiley-animated-041.gif[/IMG][/URL]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...