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More and more people have discovered the joys of playing music in the last couple of months. So much so that guitar sales experienced an 80% bump between April to June.
Now, many of these people may be looking to take the next step and may be considering recording their own music. This can be quite daunting especially if they don’t have any prior experience in recording. This is why we’ve put together a short list of studio essentials and tips on how to maximise them.
So read on for a quick run-through of the things you will need to start recording from home!
Microphone
We don’t think anyone will be surprised when we say the microphone is one of the most important pieces of equipment when it comes to recording. One of the biggest mistakes you can make is to use the computer (or phone’s) built-in microphone. While these microphones are perfectly acceptable for making calls, they’re not fit for recording music.
You’ll want to use condenser microphones for indoor recording as they’re more sensitive to the nuances and subtleties of sound and are able to record the clearest recordings. Be sure to get an audio interface in order to connect the microphone to a computer. This can also be used to connect other instruments to the computer for recording purposes.
Effects
Sometimes you will need more than just your everyday instruments to make the kind of music you want. This is where effects will come in. There’s a lot you can do even with basic pedals.
The most common ways of using effects are through the use of guitar pedals. There’s really no need to get a whole arsenal of different pedals, as there’s already a lot you can do with a small nucleus of pedals. One pedal that will get a lot of use no matter the genre of music that you make is the reverb pedal. It can help you achieve a whole range of sounds as it lets you fine-tune your sound to fit the genre whether it be new wave, rock, or indie. Another is the distortion pedal, as it can provide songs with a much-needed oomph. Distortion pedals are most commonly associated with rock music due to the aggressive sound they give off. Lastly, delay pedals or looping can make one instrument sound like a whole band if used correctly.
Noise Reduction
The importance of minimising the noise within the recording space cannot be understated. Nothing will ruin a good recording faster than unwanted interruptions. And while soundproofing is a great way to get around this problem, it can also get quite expensive. One DIY solution is to cover the gaps between the doors of the recording space with rubber stoppers to help keep the noise out.
Another efficient way to get around this issue is through the use of a pop filter. A pop filter is a mic attachment that minimises unwanted background noise as well as reduces excessive plosives (the “p” and “b” sounds) when recording vocals.
If you’re looking for more tips for musicians that are just starting out, we recommend checking out this piece on the importance of having a website!
The post Studio Essentials for Beginners first appeared on Electric Kiwi.
