Music Recording
This involves the actual physical recording of a musical performance which later can be played back or produced. Music recording takes place in a special facility for recording the sounds, mixing and all what it takes for a complete music production. It is called a recording studio.
Music recording has given most of the artists a kick-start in the music world. It sounds complicated because it involves skillful and artistic aspects, but once you learn the basic steps of it, it is easy to work along. The following are basic steps on how to record your song.
How to record Music
- Setting up a Home recording studio
It is easy carrying out music recording if you have your home studio set up. For a start you will need to have the requirements; microphone, speakers, mixer etc. It only takes few basic things for a startup and patience and research, then you are good to go. Here is just a list of the music recording equipment that you may need:
- Microphone
- Headphones
- Amplifier
- Digital Audio Workstations
- A recording mixer
- Power Conditioner
- Musical instruments
- Desktop computer of a laptop
- Uninterruptible power supply
- Run a digital audio workstation facility
Once you have gathered your digital audio workstation with enough memory, it will be easy to run it. The main aim is to get the best software that you can get used to as opposed getting a complicated one that will be hard to use.
- Plan on What to record
Once your software and equipment are already set up, next step involves on organizing on what to record. Technically, recording takes longer than a day since it will include recording a number of tracks before merging them into a single audio file. Additionally, the audio file will consist music effects and vocals.
Most of the recording artists record their songs with different genres such as:
- Melody
- Background Vocals
- Rhythm
- Base Track
The list may vary depending on your song and how you would want it to turn out. Some of the songs may include only one instrument such as a guitar whereas others may include vocals or a whole set of drums. The main goal of having different genres is to break up the monotony of one element rather bringing the best out of more than one tune.
- Setting up your equipment
Ensure that you have already set up your instruments that you may need come on recording day. For a higher quality in audio, you will be required to connect them to a professional audio interface and a mixer. This is to give you a clear audio and testing it become easier.
Make sure the sound system is how the way you want makes editing work easy during production.
- Set the foundation of your song
The goal is to set the base track and the beat. You will need to follow a base track which will act as a guideline to the other beats. You can record a pre-recorded drum beat for your song so long as it follows your desired beat.
- Recording with the choice of your rhythm
In this case you will need headphones that does not block the beats completely, so that you can hear yourself playing. You can record as many as many separate rhythms so that in case of any errors you can have couple of them. It is recommended that while recording music, always have a clean record.
- Recording the harmonies
A harmony can consist of one or many instruments. Practically, harmonies are recorded separately using different types of microphones. You should know how to use the instruments so that it may save time during recording of the whole track.
- Record The Melodies
You can start recording your melodies once you are done recording the harmonies. The melody acts as the major part of harmonized track therefore, this part will majorly consist of the guitars and vocals.
- Add effects and Colors
At this point, the song should sound pretty amazing but still you may need to add final touches such as vocals, piano and some sound effects.
- Clean Your Tracks
At this point, it would be very helpful to organize the tracks, choose the best tracks that you would want to use and adjust the volumes. Additionally, create separately the folders such as melody, harmony and rhythm. However, this is the point where you need to clear any unnecessary sounds and noises in the background such as breaths or amp hisses. The main aim of doing this is to lower the chances of confusion and making it less difficult when mixing.
- Mixing
The common tasks done when mixing include equalization, compression, balancing the channel levels and automation. With doing those requirements, you will end up having a united sound.
- Export the song
Once the track sounds good and great, it is time now to export the song. You will export by a step called mastering. It can be easier to do the mastering techniques if you know them. The techniques are such as balancing the frequencies, maximizing loudness and stereo widening.
Qualities of a good music
When making a song, it has to have a motive and message. The following are just but a few qualities that a song should have. They include:
- Strong Lyrics
Authentic lyrics always have to go with the chords. Without the chords, it cannot connect to the target audience. Rhyming the beats, melodies and rhythm, aids in driving the repetition throughout and assists in the catchiness. The objective to rhyming, is to try and be smart.
- Chords Progressions
Having great chord progressions are the major thing in making the song famous. Having a melody using the same chord, it gives catchier environment and it will be easy to pick the notes and chords easily.
- Reaction and emotions
A good song it does not only need to have great melodies and chords, but also it should have that catchy reaction or create some. Most of the sing writers usually craft their music content from experiences they had making it relatable to the audience.
- Listening playlists for influence
It is recommended that if you would want to earn how to write good music, you should get your favorite track and listen it on repeat. The influence will make you creative and want to write your own lyrics.
- Unique Riff or Hook
When crafting a song, it will be good if you would include a hook since it establishes its catchy environment for the audience.
Conclusion
The above article depicts on ways on how one could make great music and know how to get along. Music recording has a great impact on upcoming musicians and it grows the musician’s passion in the music industry.