APPENDIX B – Setting up a home recording studio

READING activity – PART n.1

A modern home recording studio consists of the following parts:

1. A computer

2. An audio interface

3. A mixer

4. A set of microphones

5. A software based Digital Audio Workstation (DAW)

6. A set of Plug-ins to add digital effects processing

7. Speakers or monitors

8. Audio connectors (plugs and cables)

1. COMPUTER

In computer audio recording, we need the fastest most up-to-date computer for great sounding audio. As you may already know, your computer is really just a tool that ties everything in your studio together.

2. AUDIO INTERFACE

A digital audio interface translates binary information into audible information so you can hear it. Moreover, it can take audible information and translate that into binary information for the computer to process. Most computers come with a digital audio interface built-in (this is what allows you to hear

iTunes play music instead of noise). However, to raise the quality level of the sound

playback, to record outside sources, or to expand routing options for their studio, at some

point you will decide to choose an external audio interface:

3. MIXER

A sound mixer is a device that takes two or more audio signals,

mixes them together and provides one or more output signals.

The diagram on the right shows a simple mixer with six inputs

and two outputs:

As well as combining signals, mixers allow you to adjust levels, enhance sound with equalization and effects, create monitor feeds, record various mixes, etc. The diagram below shows how a mixer can provide additional outputs for monitoring, recording, etc.:

READING activity – PART n.2

4. MICROPHONES

A microphone (Mic) is a transducer that converts acoustic energy to electrical energy.

The two main categories of studio microphones (95% of all the mics you will ever use) are:

1. Condenser Mics

2. Dynamic Mics

Condenser mics work better on high frequency instruments, such as:

acoustic guitar cymbals piano

Dynamic mics work better on low-mid frequency instruments, such as:

drums electric guitar cabs

Many beginners incorrectly conclude that condenser mics are somehow “better”

than dynamic mics for studio recording.

Whenever someone starts a new home recording studio, the first question they always ask

about microphones is: what is the best mic for recording vocals?

Unfortunately, there is no single answer to this question, which is right for everyone.

A common choice is usually the Sure SM58 or Sure Beta87 or AKG 535 EB.

5. DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATION

If you are going to be using your computer for home recording, you will definitely need some special software. Most likely, you will need a Digital Audio Workstation, or DAW for short.

A DAW can handle multiple tracks of audio in the same piece of music, allow you to add special effects to your recording, and have a mixer so that you can adjust the relative levels of each audio track. There are two main types of digital audio workstations:

- Standalone - Software based

Standalone systems look like a mixer with an LCD screen. They are great and have their uses, but here we are going to focus on software DAWs. Software DAWs are used with standard personal computers (Windows, Mac and Linux). Some of the main players include Apple Logic Pro, Avid Pro Tools, Cakewalk Sonar, Steinberg Cubase, Adobe Audition, Ableton Live and MOTU Digital Performer.

DAWs include four types of software into one There are four main types of music-based general software program functions as separate programs, but they are now usually bundled together in most major software DAWs. These four types are:

Digital audio processor;

MIDI sequencer;

Virtual instrument;

Music notation editor;

A digital audio processor is simply a program that can record, edit, and mix digital audio information.

A MIDI sequencer records, edits, and mixes MIDI information.

A virtual instrument is a program or plug-in that receives MIDI information and assigns it to different sounds.

A music notation program enables the user to put notes on a page and print a musical score.

The combination of all of these functions is what makes a software based Digital Audio Workstation such a wonderful and useful tool.

READING activity – PART n.3

6. EFFECT PROCESSING (plug-in)

7. EXTERNAL MIDI OR USB KEYBOARD CONTROLLER

A MIDI keyboard is typically a piano-style device used for sending MIDI signals or

commands over a USB or MIDI cable to other devices connected and operating on

the same MIDI protocol interface.

This could also be a digital audio workstation (DAW) that listens to and sends MIDI

information to other MIDI devices connected by cable or running internal to the

personal computer system. The basic MIDI keyboard does not produce sound.

Instead, MIDI information is sent to an electronic module capable of reproducing

samples that resemble traditional analog musical instruments. These samples or

waveforms also refer to as voices or timbres.

8. MONITORS

READING activity – PART n.4

9. AUDIO CONNECTORS

Audio encompasses a large number of interfaces including analog plugs:

RCA

XLR

Mono and stereo mini Jack

Mono and stereo Jack (TRS)

and digital ones:

USB

MIDI

Digital optical coax

Note:

WIRING A HOME RECORDING STUDIO

A COMPLETE HOME RECORDING SETUP

This setup uses the condenser microphone in the mix, for vocals only.

It also includes connection with the audio interface for both an electric guitar and synthesizer (which can also be used as a MIDI controller).

Finally, it shows how the studio monitors can be exchanged for the headphones,to fulfill your monitoring needs.

Required Equipment: Electric Guitar

Condenser Microphone

Computer

Audio Interface

Synthesizer

Drum machine

Studio Monitors

Required Cables: 1x USB or FireWire Cable

2x MIDI Cables

3x XLR Cables

4x 1/4" Instrument Cables

You would be able to record guitar, vocals, and introduce MIDI capability to your songs. Along with a soft synth, you could use this MIDI controller to add countless numbers of sounds to your recordings, or record the onboard sounds of the synth or digital keyboard itself.