Question from Lor Chang

I recieved this question from Lor Chang, "Hi i'm a musician that is ready to record my music but i have no clue how to get started or what I'll need, please help me."

Lor, the email you gave me to reply is not working so I'll answer you here.

There is allot of things you need to consider when you want to start recording.
1. Budget: These days we are very lucky to be able to record audio under any budget
2. How many tracks do you want to record at once? 1-2 just for you or 8 - 12 for a band.
3 Do you want to record with microphones or direct?
4. Do you want to record on a computer or a stand alone device?
5 Do you want your recording equipment to be moble?

So there are some questions to ask your self before you start buying. If you know the direction you want to take please email if you need any help with what equiptment you should buy.

adam@recordbetteraudio.com

Drum Loop: This video explains the world's most important 6-sec

This fascinating, brilliant 20-minute video narrates the history of the "Amen Break," a six-second drum sample from the b-side of a chart-topping single from 1969. This sample was used extensively in early hiphop and sample-based music, and became the basis for drum-and-bass and jungle music -- a six-second clip that spawned several entire subcultures. Nate Harrison's 2004 video is a meditation on the ownership of culture, the nature of art and creativity, and the history of a remarkable music clip.

Baffles - How to make them for the studio

I have been asked a number of times how to build the baffles I use in the studio. Here is the latest one.
I watch the video seminar on mic placement for acoustic guitar. You were seated in front of three baffles. Can you tell me about those baffles? Are they home-made? What is the material inside the baffle?

Thanks,
frogsmusic.com


These baffles are home made, they are pretty easy and inexpensive to make.

Here is a list of everything that is used.

Step one

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The baffles at the studio are 4' x 4'. You can build them any size you want. Take 4 pieces of 1 x 8 wood and sucre them together. You will probably want to use screws. It would be better to use wood that is thicker then one inch.

Step two

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Take 4 pieces of wood that are 1x6. Cut them so they fit exactly inside the 1x8 square. This will add strenght to the baffle. Then nail the 1x6 to the 1x8 leaving 1 inch at each side.

Step three

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Take a heavy duty piece of fabric and cut it a little larger then the 1x6 square. (1/2 inch on all 4 sides should do.)Then staple the fabric to the 1x6 with any left over to the 1x8.

Step four

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Take some trim that fits inside the 1x8. Nail the trim to the 1x8 and 1x6. This will secure the fabric and insulation into place.

Step five

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Fill the area that the 1x6 covers with pink fiber glass insulation.

Step six

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Cut the same size fabric as step 3 and the same size trim as step 4. Staple the fabric to the 1x6 and any excess to the 1x8. Then nail the trims into place. There you have it, we use these free standing baffles all the time in the studio. These are just general steps, you can make any size baffles you need. Let me know how this works out.

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Getting Signed

I wonder if the story is the same at every studio? Once a month we find in the inbox for the studio an email from someone who wants to get signed in the record industry. I usually send back an email saying that is not our end of the business. Usually the emails sound like it coming from a 12 year old hip hop wanna be who cannot write a sentence with some form a slang in it. Today we (the studio) received an in-depth email from a girl who wants to help her friend get into the music industry. Since she took the time to send us a real email, I decided to take some time to write her back. Let me know if you agree with the email.

Hello there.
The music industry has (mainly) 2 parts to it. 1. Recording label 2. Record Studio. We are a recording studio, we do not sign anyone. Either a label will bring someone to us, or someone is paying out of their own pocket. Just be careful, there is lots of people that will tell you they will sign you, take some money for charges and then tell you you didn't try hard enough. Then take off with your money. If Gregg wants to get noticed, what is he doing about it?  He needs to build a profile (image) and build a fan base. Producers will always attend shows when "someone they heard about" is performing. But now a day you no do not need a recording label to make your music dreams come true. Once Greg has wrote a few songs that have radio potential, he should try to sell his music online. Then he is making 100% of the profit and doesn't owe anyone any money. Once he is well known locally, it is only a matter of time before someone will contact him with a contract. When someone contacts him, then he should shop around. As long as he doesn't take the first deal offered to him until he looks around. There is lots of people willing to rip you off while they make you think that they are helping you achieve the dream.

Compressor - The basics

I received a question about the compressor.

Question:

Ok, im making my own home studio. i had a problem with the vocals. When I would hit higher notes it would record louder. Someone told me get a commpressor. I bought a dbx 266xl. I still can't figure it out. do i need to purchase something else? could you help me? Thank you so much for your time. im still an amature at this.

Answer:

You have the right tool. After your microphone goes through the pre amp, put the out put of that into the input of the compressor. Then set the channel to these settings. On the compressor Threshold -20dB, Ratio 2:1 Attack at the 9 o'clock position (pointing to the left set closer to fast) Release set to 12 o'clock (straight up). Now sing into the microphone and watch the red lights (Gain Reduction dB) they should only hit around 6db. Play with the threshold and try to adjust it. The threshold controls when the compressor is active, the ratio controls how hard the compressor is working. I hope this helps.

Eq: What are filters

Check out this video from Berkleemusic.com and watch as Berklee Professor Jeff Baust explains how to use the Filter EQ function to cut and boost frequencies in your Pro Tools session.

King Of Pop - Part one of Access Hollywood's exclusive interview with the King Of Pop in Ireland recording new album in the studio.

Part one of Access Hollywood's exclusive interview with the King Of Pop in Ireland recording new album in the studio.

Home recording - hardware software tips

How to Home recording hardware tips http://www.thenextlevelguitar.com

DAW - Get more out of it with Freezing

Learn how to conserve CPU resources with SONAR's Freeze functionality for Tracks, Effects, and Synths. Originally Recorded for SONAR