Producing and recording music is a fun and rewarding experience. The only prerequisite for this guide is having a computer and a willingness to learn. You won't have to learn to read music or play an instrument, many successful producers and composers are unfamiliar with music theory.
Steps
Step 1. Write a plan of what you want to do
Do you want to build a recording studio? Do you want to produce singers? Do you want to take care of the technical aspects of sound? Do you want to create a studio for the production of electronic music? Knowing what your goal is before starting will help you choose the equipment you need.
Step 2. Get the necessary equipment, such as:
amplifiers, microphones, mixers, electric instruments, and cables to connect everything. A recent computer (bought or built in the last 3 years) should be enough. If possible, get a high-quality external sound card, such as an M-Audio Fast Track Pro or DigiDesign Mbox 2 Mini. Creative Labs DOES has a line for professionals called EMU. A 1212M PCI system is recommended if you decide to go this route. Speakers can be useful if you decide to turn this activity into something more than a hobby (M-Audio Studiophile BX8a, KRK RP-8 Rokit, and Mackie HR824 Studio Monitors are examples of good quality speakers). If you're dealing with hip hop, techno or dance music, you'll need cymbals to record mixes or scratches. A MIDI keyboard will be very useful if you want to use MIDI programs to write bass lines or parts for piano and drums. Don't buy one that is too expensive.
Step 3. Buy or download a program for editing music files
Here is a list of recommended programs: Reason, Cakewalk Sonar, Pro Tools, Cubase, FL Studio, Adobe Audition, LMMS or Audacity. If you have a recent Mac, you will have GarageBand installed. You can use that, or buy Logic if you want a more professional program. Learn to use the program of your choice (e.g. keyboard shortcuts)
Step 4. Connect everything
Try to do it in the simplest way possible. For better playback quality, connect the sound card to a mixer or amplifier and from there to the speakers. For better recording quality connect the instrument / microphone to the mixer (make sure you get a clean, clear and undistorted signal) and from there to the sound card.
Step 5. Learn how to record sound from an input line and how to insert pre-recorded sounds
Also learn how to export your productions to a.wav or.mp3 file. (Eventually, you'll want to record all this great music on CD!)
Step 6. Choose a room in the house
Soundproof it if possible. Otherwise, use carpets or special insulation that absorbs at least some of the sound.
Step 7. Start composing simple songs
Start with the battery. Add a bass or piano line, or some vocals. Start mixing. Experiment! Experimentation is essential. As a beginner, you don't have to compose masterpieces - just think about having fun!
Step 8. If you have trouble with any of the previous steps, get a book on mixing and recording
It will help you understand the basic concepts that will allow you to improve.
Step 9. Once you've learned the basics, start raising the bar
Merge multiple tracks together. Experiment with the effects. Try using plug-ins, loops, new gear, and anything you can get your hands on.
Advice
- It will also be useful to have a program for editing.wav files. The best ones (Sound Forge, Adobe Audition, Pro tools, Cubase, Nuendo, Acid) are very expensive, but Audacity offers many features of paid programs and is free. These programs are also great for creating the final 2-track masters that you will use to create.mp3s to share on the internet and.wavs that you will use for projects like Albums, soundtracks, commercial jingles, etc.
- Good quality equipment, even if expensive, will greatly improve the overall sound quality. Do the math well, and buy the best equipment you can afford.
- Use DI units to eliminate noise and interference.
- If you're using an electric guitar and want to record the sound coming out of the amp rather than plugging it directly into your computer, get a microphone, plug it into your computer, and place it in front of the amp. Or use the line out that many amplifiers have and connect it to your computer.
- Your first few recordings won't look very professional. No matter what recording program you use, you'll need to adjust instrument settings and learn how to mix the pieces well to get the sound you want. The best way to do this is to get some good spy boxes. This way you can play back your recordings and refine them to get the sound you want.
- Get an additional hard drive, internal or external, and use it only for your recordings. Quality, uncompressed digital files take up a lot of space.
- If you don't have the money to invest, start with the basics. This way you will have become more experienced by the time you have all the equipment you need at your disposal.
- Remember, your implant is only as strong as its weakest element. When trying to improve your study, replace the worst part.
- Get advice from industry experts. Get in touch with a local recording studio and ask what equipment they use.
Warnings
- Be careful when handling electrical equipment such as cables, wires, and speakers. Discharge electricity discharges when it is needed.
- Make sure the mixer output volume is not too loud. You could cause yourself serious damage to your ears otherwise!
- If you're using pre-amped microphones, turn them off before disconnecting them. Otherwise you could break the microphone and preamp.
- Make sure you turn on the spy boxes after turning on everything else. This is to prevent the speaker from receiving signals from other equipment being turned on, which could damage the speakers and your ears.
