The Music Industry
The Music industry is one of the most constant things in this world. Music has been a part of our everyday life ever since the early days of humanity. From the bards of ancient civilization to the first ever recording device in 1857, the Phonautograph, to the modern digital recording devices we know to today, music has been an essential concept in everyday life.
Many people have risen from the streets to stardom because of talent and with the advancement of technology, recording professionally is definitely possible. Some even have performed in the biggest global music festivals, read more on slingo.com. With all the streaming services available at the touch of a finger like Spotify, Youtube Music, Soundcloud, and the likes, being popular is significantly more at reach than ever.
Recording Industry
Several recording companies and music labels have been elevating the music scene for years, yet because of the advancement of modern technology, everything being done in the professional setting inside a recording studio can already be done inside the confines of one’s home.
Everything can be done on a computer nowadays. From accounting to research, to rocket science, everything can be done solely on a computer. With a few extra steps and hardware, professional recording can be replicated at home.
Hardware Needed
Personal Computer
The first step in a recording is, of course, a personal computer. Downloading the necessary software is essential in recording music. In the digital world, downloading the software needed is everything.
1. DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
A Digital Audio Workstation is the software where music can be recorded on. All analog music can be transmitted and converted to digital audio where the software can recognize it so that the artist can mix and arrange the recordings.
Analog music gets converted to MIDI (musical instrument digital interface), wherein it can be manipulated.
Some examples of advisable and reliable DAW are:
Propellerhead Reason
It’s a powerful tool to mix and arrange music. Reason has a huge catalog of virtual instruments, effects, and production tools. It has a wide variety of tools that can be personalized and customized into the sound that the artist really wants.
FL Studio
FL Studio is one of the most famous software nowadays. It has a lot of positive reviews. Although it may take some time to get used to the interface because of its pattern-based block design. Often used with producing rather than recording music.
ProTools
One of the most used DAW in the professional setting. Normally only caters to Mac OS, it boasts the least latency of all DAWs. Also, it is used mainly for recording analog music into the software rather than arranging or mixing.
Ableton
Ableton is the best of both worlds. It has two modes, recording and mixing. It is an all-in-one software where both can be done in one app. It saves time, and although the learning curve is a little bit steep, getting used to it can do wonders with your music career.
2. USB Digital Interface
A USB Digital Interface is also one of the most essential things in the recording. Especially when recording instruments. The USB interface is where the analog instruments can be plugged in. For example, acoustic guitars, microphones, and even electric drum sets. This is where all instruments go through for it to be recorded.
Examples of USB Digital Interface:
Focusrite Scarlett
There are several kinds of Scarlett interfaces, there can only be one input, or even up to twenty. But its purpose is to be a mixer where instruments can be plugged on. Focusrite Scarlett is considered to be the go-to audio interface of all home recording artists or producers. It actually has no cons in purchasing this, except that it can be pricey most of the time.
Behringer U-Phoria
It does its job as an interface and has added settings regarding gain and volume, but the plus side is it is cheaper than most USB Digital Interfaces.
3. Microphones
There are different kinds of microphones depending on the purpose of the recording. A cardioid condenser microphone can be very beneficial when recording in a soundproof environment and a dynamic microphone can also be used in a room setting.
4. Studio Monitors
Great monitors are important for the artist or producer to know exactly what the recording sounds like. It would be beneficial for the artist to know the exact sound as it would be for the producer to tweak and equalize the track to its full potential.
- AKG P170
- SHURE SM57
- BEHRINGER C-1
5. Headphones
When starting out recording, and without soundproofing, without the right hardware, a pair of headphones is very important. With a good set of headphones, the artist or producer can single out every piece of sound that the track has.
Examples of good Headphones:
- Sennheiser HD280
- Sony MDR 7506
- Audio-Technica
6. Mic Stand
A cardioid microphone when set on a table or only holding can cause different frequencies or sounds to come through. A proper and sturdy mic stand can definitely help with stable input and sound.
As long as the mic stand serves its purpose for the right specific microphone, it can be a treat.
7. Pop Filters
Recording clean vocals may come as a chore sometimes due to the pop sounds. ‘P’ and ‘B’ sounds can be a blast of air. It can be detrimental to the entire song when the audio clips during the recording.
Recording takes time to maneuver and learn, especially with the complexities of learning how to produce and record. The life of an artist or a musician takes hard work and investment. Make sure to know that it is what you really want. The recording isn’t easy and it doesn’t just flick of buttons. Good music still comes from the artistry and the craft that is honed over time. Good music comes from the person, not the equipment. The equipment is just to amplify and to better what is already there. It is never an easy task but it’s nothing that practice and dedication can achieve.