Hello - just a quick note that I have completed some new recordings for a Childrens CD entitled “Magical Meditations for Kids”- more info at http://magicalmeditationsforkids.com/ and http://www.wamm.ca/val/home.html -Steven
Man, blogging requires a bit of a commitment - I really want to do it more, but simply cant find the time to do it. As well, I’m not sure what say. Any suggestions?
 “A painter paints pictures on canvas. But musicians paint their pictures on silence” by Leopold Stokowski.
Many musicians dream to have they’re music recorded but believe it’s out of reach because the studio time is too costly. I will guide you through this seemingly complex process of building a recording studio on a budget. Building a recording studio is not difficult, but building a recording studio on a budget does present a challenge. It’s easier and more affordable than ever to build a recording studio, whether at home, or as an auxiliary production space in a larger facility. For this studio I’m suggesting a modest budget of $2,500. For this procedure the key components will be a computer, sound card, mixer, microphone, reference monitors and recording software. I will explain each of these in greater detail. Whether it’s a large or small studio, today’s audio production environments are almost always centered on a computer. The computer and hardware require some discussion as technology is evolving and by the time this process is written, there will be faster and cheaper ways to do the same thing. I’ll attempt to focus more on principles rather than actual hardware and software recommendations. I will however list my personal favorites and by the end of this process so you should have a solid guideline on how to build your home studio on a budget.
Most of us already have a computer for other uses, and while devoting a machine solely to audio editing is an excellent policy, it’s not always practical and economical. Sometimes your existing computer might be just fine to host your audio editing. Most current systems running Windows XP should have sufficient power to run most sound editing programs with a minimum of 512 megabytes of RAM, Intel Pentium III / AMD Athlon 500 MHz , USB port, with a 30 gigabyte hard drive with at least 1 gigabyte of free space for dedicated recording software content. Although this would be the minimum specification set-up that will run most current recording software, I recommend the RAM be upgraded to one gigabyte, and at least two available USB 2.0 ports and one fire wire port. Depending on what you already have these minor upgrades could cost you another $200-$300. If you’re building this system from the ground up, you should be able to do it easily for around $1000-$1500. Personally I prefer Apple computers and recommend going with a Mac book with comes stock with one gigabyte RAM and 80 gigabyte hard drive which will cost about $1500.
The next hardware portion of your studio is the sound card. Commonly most computers have a soundcard built in, but those are designed for playing audio not rendering audio files. When you record audio a more robust sound card is recommended. Your sound card requirements should be a 24-bit/96kH, with MIDI in and out, with four inputs and four outputs and out. I like the M-Audio Audiophile 24/96, which comes as a PCI card for your desktop or USB portable version if you’re using a laptop. These run from $120-$250.
Next is the mixer which will act as the physical interface between your soundcard and instruments. The mixer is a device that allows you to balance, position, effect and equalize its different audio channels into a good sonic image that’s called “a mixâ€. All your instruments and microphones plug into the mixer, which in turn connects to your soundcard. Your soundcard will perform analogue to digital conversion (which is called A/D) and your recording software will capture the tracks. Because the sound card suggested can handle two tracks at a time you will most likely lay down your tracks one at a time. The size of the mixer should have minimum six inputs, two of these channels having microphone pre-amps. I really like the Mackie DFX-6 for around $200.
Every basic recording studio needs a good microphone. There are many options for microphones and for this studio I suggest getting a microphone that allows you to use it for multiple applications. Condenser microphones would be the best choice as well as a standard dynamic microphone. I really like the condenser Studio Projects B-1 microphone for about $150 and the Shure SM-57 for your dynamic microphone which will cost you about $150.
Speakers or stated more accurately “near field reference monitors”, are designed to be placed fairly close to the mix position, to minimize the effects of the surrounding space. These speakers, which contain their own amplifiers, making set-up and wiring even easier, are excellent choices for a small studio. Simply plug the line-level output of your mixer or audio interface into the powered monitors, adjust your levels, and you’re done. Small plastic computer speakers are adequate for basic auditioning, but will not accurately present the full range of the sounds you are working with, and are really not up to the task of serious mixing. It’s general practice for accurate sound recording and editing to use speaker cones that are at least 8 inches in diameter. Place the speakers so that the two monitors and the spot where you’ll sit will make an equal-sided triangle, and position them about ear-level when you’re in your working position. Don’t position the speakers too close to a wall or too far into a corner, or the bass response will be affected. The best speakers I found for the money are the Reveal series by Tannoy which cost from $400 - $500.
Finally, the brains of it all will be your recording software. There are many choices for software and the competition is aggressive. Many programs offer many “bells and whistles†but I choose to use what I find is easiest to use and get down to the business of making music. It’s far too easy to get immersed with the technical details that often discourage you from just recording. My “go to†program for quick ideas is Garage Band by Apple, however for more serious recording, I suggest Steinberg’s Cubase SE, a multi-track recording software that offers an effective interface to lay and edit your tracks. Cubase SE sells for a modest price of $150. Also, most Steinberg products are hybrid which allows you to use it on both Mac and Windows machine.
Once you’ve installed the hardware and software, you’re ready to begin. You may also consider buying some of this gear used which will reduce your cost even further which is readily available on the internetIn conclusion, once you’ve achieved a recording studio set-up you’re comfortable with, and have recorded some tracks you’re happy with, resist the temptation to try new gear and software which easily distracts you from making music and derail you from sticking to your budget. When the prices are added together based on the models I suggested or similar models in that price range, you will have achieved professional level quality recordings on a budget and you’re well on your way to “painting your music on the canvas of silence.â€Â
If you have any questions or comments you can post them here or email me steven@aquadio.com
Herers some links for the gear and some trusted online stores to get them:
http://www.steinberg.net/24_1.html
Steven Burgess www.aquadio.com Instrumental relaxation music.
Sounds simple enough, how would you define a musician? I thought I’d do a quick summary on what I think a musician is. There are many variations of the definition of what a musician is, ultimately a musician is simply a person who plays music. Musicians are generally classified by how they create that music.
For example, a composer writes music whereas an instrumentalist plays a musical instrument. The product of a musician at its core, is simply organized or disorganized sounds. Sound is perceived through the sense of hearing as well through the sense of touch, usually in the form of vibration. Sound is defined is the disturbance of mechanical energy through matter. All that being said, if you ask a musician to define what a musician is, it would hardly be the sterile definition as previously described.
A musician would simply call a musician ‘expressing what’s inside.’ – For example, if a musician is felling sad, possibly using his or her instrument, melodic pensive sounds would be played, usually slower and with more minor tones which is often translated as sadness or pensive. A happy musician would reflect that mood through a song that is more up-beat, which often has more major notes. Here’s simple test of this, the next time your listening to music, switch between slower pensive music and happy up-beat music and see how it makes you feel. Musicians are instruments that can reflect your mood or change it. So the next time you’re in a mood you don’t like, try adding some music to the environment, and see what happens.
The process of building a recording studio in your home on a budget depends on what your goal is and what you budget is. For this model I’ll use my own set-up and a budget of $2,500 – My goal was to record a ‘one man band’ or several musicians simultaneously. Mobility was important to me as I wanted the flexibility to bring the studio to them if needed. A ‘one man band’ is typically a singer, guitarist, keyboardist, percussionist or a blend of all and tracks are laid out one at a time. A full band recording, all the musicians can be recorded simultaneously, but usually tracking one at a time is still best.
With these components you’ll be on the right track to building your home studio on a budget. In conclusion, it’s a good practice to read many articles on products before you buy, I found the internet forums are an excellent unbiased resource. I recorded two CD’s using this set-up, Joy: Gentle Instrumental Christmas and my current project, ‘aMuse” - You can check these out at http://aquadio.com/
In my next article Ill be listing the ’step by step’ approach of setting up the studio, and in the near future how to accousticly treat your room on a budget.
-s
email me if you any comments steven@aquadio.com
you can subscribe to my RSS feed at http://aquadio.com/blog/?feed=rss2
Over the years I’ve been asked “what is soaking music?” - In essence ’soaking music’ facilitates a meditative, prayerful environment traditionally used for spending time with God. soaking music is generally restful in in tone and by definition to ’soak’ is the process of being softened and saturated by water. Often during these ’soaking times’, emotional and physical healings occur. A good choice for this type of music can be found here http://aquadio.com/soaking.html
-steven
Well Ive joined the bloggin universe to share my thoughts and to hear yours. Im not to sure yet how this will work out, but we’ll see how it goes.
-steven