What equipment is needed for music production?

By | April 11, 2021

Recording space

If possible, specify an area to be used only for your music production. It does not have to be a large space, a study or an extra bedroom is enough, but it must be free of debris that can distract you from the task. When your recording space exclusively functions as a home theater, it’s easier to focus on being creative.

Workstation

Your computer will be the heart of your digital audio workstation (DAW), and preferably it will be used for music recording. Recording and editing music files takes a lot of processing power, and with other programs that can be used at the same time, it can hamper the performance of your computer, resulting in compressed sound quality. It is especially advisable to use a different computer for all your browsing activities to reduce the risk of viruses and spyware, which may hamper the performance of your recording software.

When it comes to processing Power is concerned, 1 GB of RAM is minimal, with 2 GB is advisable, especially if you are going to record multiple tracks and use plug-ins that require more processing speed. Make sure your operating system is up to date. If not, newer recording software may not work properly.

Software

There are several high quality options when it comes to choosing a recording program to record and edit your music. depends on whether your computer is a Mac or a computer, as some applications (such as Sonar, Sound Forge and Adobe Audition) are only compatible with computers, while others such as Logic Pro, Garageband and Digital Performer only work on one Mac. Fortunately, the industry-standard Pro Tools LE application is compatible with both systems, so you have many options to choose from. If you are a total beginner and are careful about paying for features you do not need, it may be worth exploring a basic package such as Apple’s Garageband or Cakewalks Music Creator. These will give you a good introduction to digital computer recording for a very low investment.

Hardware

Before the recording program can do its job of capturing and playing your audio signals, you need to have a way to deliver them to your computer. To do this, you need a hardware called a digital interface. The interface has built-in pre-amp, pre-amps amplify low output signals, such as from electric guitars and capacitor selection microphones, so that they ‘are strong enough to be heard and recorded. This interface will connect to your computer via USB or FireWire, and you will connect your microphone or instrument cable directly to the interface. If you are a solo artist, you can get away with a basic two-input model like an M-Audio FireWire Solo. This unit has both a guitar input and an XLR microphone input and may have had around SEK 200. Of course, if you’re recording an entire band, you need more inputs. Expect to pay around $ 600 for a device like the PreSonus FireStudio FireWire recording interface, which offers eight microphone amplifiers and should be suitable for most recording situations.

Microphones

With some advanced condenser microphones that fetch thousands of dollars, equipping a studio with a selection of quality microphones tailored to different studio tasks can be very expensive. Fortunately for the home record player, there are cheaper options. Condenser microphones such as the Audio Technica AT3035 and the reputable Rode NT1A, which can be downloaded for around $ 200, can deliver quality results when used to record a wide range of audio sources, including lead and background vocals, acoustic guitars and pianos. They can also be useful when used in pairs as overheads on a drum kit.

Capacitors are high-performance microphones with a high frequency response that can capture details, but they can be quite fragile. Capturing more explosive sounds with high sound pressure levels (SPL), such as drums, requires the use of a dynamic microphone. A good dynamic microphone like the legendary Shure SM57 is a valuable (and inexpensive) addition to any home-based production studio. It is versatile and robust, and is as skilled at capturing the spin of a spinning reel as it is at recording an electric guitar amplifier. With such a dynamic microphone and a condenser in your arsenal, you can get most recording work covered for very little money.

File storage

Audio files can be large, and storing them on your computer will quickly load your hard drive. To keep your computer stable, you should invest in an external hard drive and record your music directly to it. In addition to keeping your computer free of files that may slow down, your valuable audio files will be safe and lightweight if your computer crashes. For decades, the equipment needed for music production was out of reach of the average independent musician. Tape machines and recording consoles used to process and record audio signals were expensive to purchase and maintain, and were often large enough to require control rooms specifically built to accommodate them. The digital recording revolution has changed all this, enabling state-of-the-art music production within the framework of an extra bedroom. If you are planning to build your own home studio, here are some points to keep in mind.

Source:danspela.com