Recording Equipment

[adam.zamane]

Hello all,

So my friend and I have decided that toward the end of this year or the beginning of next year we are going to work together and try to put together like 5-10 songs. We will be recording vocals (both screaming and clean), lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, drums, and possibly keyboard. I have a very basic interface, it is a Lexicon Alpha. I also have the microphone that we will use for both drums and vocals. We are both completely clueless at this point, and any advice is definitely appreciated!

A few main questions I have:

Best recording programs? Hopefully a program where you can add vocal effects/guitar effects, record multiple tracks, at least somewhat easy to use.

Recording software? I don't know if this is necessary, but a basic recording software may be beneficial, so let me know!

How to do mixing/mastering?


Any other tips/tricks that you guys have is desired and all of your opinions are beneficial to me, so don't be afraid to post advice no matter how big/small.


Thanks so much,
Adam

 

[Bobbsy]

Hello all,

So my friend and I have decided that toward the end of this year or the beginning of next year we are going to work together and try to put together like 5-10 songs. We will be recording vocals (both screaming and clean), lead guitar, rhythm guitar, bass, drums, and possibly keyboard. I have a very basic interface, it is a Lexicon Alpha. I also have the microphone that we will use for both drums and vocals. We are both completely clueless at this point, and any advice is definitely appreciated!

Just for the record, a single mic won't go very far if you're recording drums. Most people use at least 4 mics and counts of 8 or 9 mics are not all that unusual. The Lexicon Alpha is a decent interface for the money but has a major limitation in that it doesn't provide phantom power for condenser mics. You may wish to consider this since condensers would be the mic of choice for some things.

A few main questions I have:

Best recording programs? Hopefully a program where you can add vocal effects/guitar effects, record multiple tracks, at least somewhat easy to use.

There is no "best". It's what suits you. For me, the most important thing is the user interface--some make instant sense to me, others I seem to fight all the time.

A very popular programme on this board, though, is Reaper. It has a great range of capabilities and is free to try and only $60 if/when you buy it. Give it a try.

Recording software? I don't know if this is necessary, but a basic recording software may be beneficial, so let me know!

I'm not sure how this is a different question from your first one?

How to do mixing/mastering?

There are multiple books on this topic. I've been doing sound for more than 40 years and I learn something new every mix I do.

As a starting point, may I suggest you read through all the various FAQs on this forum--they'll give a good basic grounding at which point you can come back with more specific questions.

Any other tips/tricks that you guys have is desired and all of your opinions are beneficial to me, so don't be afraid to post advice no matter how big/small.


Thanks so much,
Adam

Do lots of reading--this isn't something where a few simple hints can teach you enough. Then start experimenting, first on simple stuff then get more complex. Starting with two or three tracks...say a guitar and a vocal or two will teach you a lot before you get onto bigger mixes.

 

[JMac52]

What Bobbsy said... read, Google, read what you Google, learn about different types of mics and their application, mic placement techniques, compression, EQ... figure out your budget and what gear, software, computer, etc. fits.

Curious, though, why are you waiting a year to put 5-10 songs together? Especially if you're doing originals and your goal is to record and produce songs you want other people to hear, in my (still fairly limited) experience it takes quite a bit of time to create a "finished" song, track it in a home studio, mix it, all while still learning. I would be coming up with the material and practicing playing it while collecting the info you need to record it. But you probably have a good reason to wait...

J

 

[HoldenHarris]

I'd recommend watching lots of YouTube tutorials on those questions.