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Basic recording with a computer interface

Last Updated on Friday, 07 August 2009 18:52 Written by Administrator Friday, 07 August 2009 14:35

Notes on basic recording with a computer interface based system

So the purpose of this short discussion is how to turn on and off your equipment and ways to get started on recording your music and save the ideas from each session so you can continue to work on your tunes and make them better. Let me first say I am not a great professional sound engineer and have less experience with recording than many others. Although some would say this is a huge disadvantage in discussing this subject since others know much more, it also has advantages for readers who are just starting to record. Many experienced recording tekies just assume you know most of the basics, I will start from a very simple level so you can avoid some of the mistakes I made and sometimes still make. In this short writing I will just cover setting up and starting your session on a computer based recording system such as the Digidesign M-box I use and some very basic tips in a session and shutting down the session and keeping notes. First you must buy the equipment and in this presentation I will not cover that, but will suggest you have a fairly powerful computer (many laptops will do this now). I suggest buying inexpensive interface such as the Mbox or M-Audio fast track before you spend big money. many of the high end interfaces such as the DIGI-003 will only work with certain computers so even if the interface is $1200 the special computer and other hook up requirements could be many thousands in additional expenses. I have link to the Guitar center interfaces here. You might want to buy a package which also includes monitors. remember never pay the listed price they will always take 10-15% off the price in a store if you are spending over a couple hundred bucks! If they guy you are talking too says they won't deal with the managers they will! I also will suggest you buy multiple plug power supplies with surge protection, you don’t want lightning or the power company to blow up you expensive equipment. A computer backup power supply with surge protection can be great and if your home circuits will take it you can plug another 4 to 8 plug surge protector into that for added protection. A 8 total surge-protected outlets, 4 with battery backup; 890-joule energy rating; battery run time up to 70 minutes only costs about $70 and if it protects your Amps, computer and recording interface this is a wise investment. I also suggest at least one Portable hard drive for your recorded files since most suggest not putting them on the main computer hard drive and two is better so you have a backup copy (hard drives do burn out). Firewire and SATA connections are the fastest and many recording interfaces require Firewire (1394) connections so make sure you computer has one or that the interface will use USB as many do. First fire up your computer and monitor (you must have installed the programs first), and then the interface. If you can afford I suggest a 32” HDTV for the monitor since you can see it from a distance and a wireless keyboard and mouse. This will allow you to have access to the computer from anywhere in the room. If you set up a professional sound room and are recording others playing you might not need this but when recording yourself in a regular room it comes in handy. Turn all the volume controls down to the lowest setting and plug in all the instruments, mikes and amps (if they have line out, never use an amplified output) to the interface. Set the interface to the right setting if it has one usually the mikes and instrument plugs have a switch to move between them. Now start the computer interface software such as pro tools so it is running. Most programs require the interface to be connected first. After the computer and interface are set up then turn on any pedal boards and plug in your instruments before turning on your amps or you may get a huge POP which could damage the amps or any speakers. Last turn on any Monitor speakers which are attached to the interface and slowly turn up the output to them. When shutting down equipment reverse this order since turning off equipment while monitor speakers are plugged in can damage them, the same is true of Amps. Now turn up the volume for each input to an appropriate level. Set the program track for each input to the program from the interface you are using. You might have to read the directions to do this. Most programs have sound meters with a red line so you can test the output and keep it below the Redline or peak output, but fairly high for good sound. I suggest recording at about ¾ the top level (to redline) since programs do allow you to turn down the sound after recording but if the sound level is too low it is hard to turn it up and get good sound. After you set the levels you are ready to record so grab your instrument or microphone and have at it. Don’t worry if you make mistakes you can always record it again or maybe even edit out small mistakes. Sometimes save the first sessions then resave as you make improvements with a new name. You might decide that a previous recording had something you now want back and can get it that way. Before I end a session, I like to have an input from a microphone that I record notes about the tracks I have laid down so I remember how I got the various sounds. You should remember to record the Key the sound is in (or keys), the major notes you used to get the sound, Any pedal board or Synth setting you were using during the recording, what instrument you were using especially if you have multiple guitars or keyboards, and of course the date of the recording. You might also want to videotape the session so you can see what you are doing too! I also suggest a nice tape recorder or hand held portable recorder that you take with you since you never can tell when you might like to record when you’re not at your home studio. When you are finished with the day’s session make sure you save the recordings again, maybe under a new name and possibly on a different backup hard drive also. Now shut down the equipment in the reverse order from turning them on. Remember first turn down all the interface recording levels to the lowest setting and then turn off any monitors so you do not BLOW THEM UP! Then turn off all AMPS, then the pedal boards and effects processors. Now you can turn off the interface, the monitor and finally the computer. I also suggest you switch off all the surge protectors since this gives added protection and it only take minute to turn the back on when starting the next session. Protect your equipment and it will last a long time and give you years of enjoyment. I will be adding some clips to this post over the next few weeks. Let me know on the Blog if you have further suggestions. I also am buying a new stand alone recording studio and will do a write up on that in a few weeks. Now go have some fun recording your music.