Tag: Recording music

beginner tutorial, learning environment, music performance, music production, piano teacher, singing lessons, Uncategorized

Beginner friendly tips for recording audio in a DAW.

lizteachespiano

Recording audio on your DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) can be a straightforward process once you understand the basics.

Here’s a guide with beginner friendly tips for recording audio in a DAW, and things I have learnt to get started with recording audio effectively.

1. Choose a DAW to record your audio in!

Popular Options: Some beginner-friendly DAWs include Ableton Live, Logic Pro X (for Mac users), and FL studio. Each has its unique features, so choose one that suits your workflow and budget. Click here to read a blog which seems to cover pros and cons of quite a few!

2. Set Up an Audio Interface

Choose an audio interface: An audio interface is crucial for recording quality audio. Its basically a box that you can plug your audio things into and then it inputs their sound into the computer much better than if you just record playing guitar through a microphone for example. I really like the Behringer UMC series! Click here for a more thorough blog than mine on audio interfaces

Tip: I sometimes use my Yamaha THR5 as an interface play my guitar and ukelele through, and its an amp! Maybe Ill do a review of it in another blog!

3. Configure Your DAW for audio

This is much more tricky in my opinion than MIDI, so Ive done my best to put some help here!

Select Audio Device: In your DAW’s audio settings/preferences, select your audio as the input and output device, as I have said in a previous blog, this can be confusing, but try not to have too many input/outputs going on because the sound will suffer if you do not have a super powerful computer. 

Sample Rate and Buffer Size: I know in Ableton Live you can do a test sound, but play around with these until you get a clear sound.  I think a sample rate of 44.1 kHz or 48 kHz is quite standard and a buffer size of around 256 samples for low latency during recording. I have been known to go higher for sample size , so don’t be afraid to go a little higher if you really need. ASIO4ALL for me, is quite clear to move these sample numbers up and down and see. 

How to find sample sizes and test sounds.

4. Set Up Your Microphone and Instruments

Connect Your Mic: Plug your microphone into the audio interface using an XLR cable. If using a condenser mic, ensure phantom power (48V) is turned on.

Check Levels: Adjust the gain on your audio interface so that the input levels are strong but not peaking (typically aim for levels around -12dB to -6dB). This is important- in my experience it is much easier to turn sound up than down when mixing, so ensure your audio is not too loud (DAWS will tell you in one way or another!) 

5. Create a New Track

Audio Track: In your DAW, create a new audio track. Select the correct input source (the input on your audio interface where your mic or instrument is connected).

6. Check you are not too loud, and check for feedback.

When recording audio, make sure you are putting audio IN to the computer and make sure you do not have feedback. It will probably be quite obvious!

7. If you want, use a metronome

I personally do not like using metronomes, I find them very distracting and I have an idea of time signatures and what I am looking for in the breakdown of the bars, but I know a lot of people do find them imperative! So: 

  • Enable Click Track: Use a metronome or click track to stay in time. Most DAWs have a built-in metronome that can be toggled on or off.
  • Set Tempo: Adjust the tempo to match the speed of the song you are recording (this i do use!)

8. Recording

Arm the Track: Arm the track for recording by clicking the record enable button, and press record!

If you are singing, try to be a consistent distance from the microphone and adjust your position based on the dynamics of your performance. You can also use a pop filter to reduce unwanted sounds. Record in the quietest room you can or use portable acoustic panels to reduce unwanted reflections and noise. If anyone has a tip for sound panels which are good and cheap let me know!

As well as piano lessons, I also offer singing lessons should you want more help with good technique!

9. Basic Editing (This does not even begin to start with what you should do for decent audio though!)

  • Trim and Cut: Use basic editing tools to trim the start and end of your recordings, and cut out any unwanted sections.
  • Fade In/Out: Apply fade-ins and fade-outs to smooth out the beginning and end of your audio clips.

Keep in mind these are beginner friendly tips for recording audio in a DAW. There is much much more to explore!

10. Save Your Work

Save Regularly to avoid disappointment. Maybe set up autosave features if your DAW supports it. Sometimes I make a copy of my track, and use that to be the one I experiment more with. I also keep backups of project files on an external drive or cloud storage.

Click here for an example of my work

I hope my blog on Beginner friendly tips for recording audio in a DAW has helped. By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to recording some audio in your DAW, a stepping stone in your music production journey. Thanks for reading!

learning environment, Music Lessons, music performance, piano lessons, singing lessons, Singing teacher, Uncategorized

Microphones: Take your sound to new heights.

lizteachespiano

In the world of audio recording, where every whisper and every chord can matter, having the right microphone can make all the difference. How do you even begin to know where to start though?!

These are just things I’ve discovered, based on affordability, ease of use, and my needs for a small home studio set up. Vocals are very important in my music. So, I did some research- as should you– as to what is important to me and what I can sacrifice. Personally, I do not need lots of inputs/outputs. I sacrifice some larger more versatile products for more minimal simple options, but good quality. 

Firstly, if you’re serious about good vocals, get a condenser microphone. Dynamic microphones work well for PA systems, and live performances, and they will not capture too much background noise. For music making, (more specifically vocals in this blog) in my opinion, a condenser microphone was a sound investment. 

Why a condenser microphone?

  • Sensitivity and Accuracy: Condenser microphones are very sensitive and accurate, capable of capturing a wide range of frequencies. This makes them ideal for capturing subtle nuances in vocals, acoustic instruments, and other sound sources.
  • Low Noise: Condenser microphones typically have a lower self-noise level compared to dynamic microphones, resulting in cleaner recordings, especially in quieter passages or during delicate vocal performances.
  • Phantom Power: Most condenser microphones require phantom power to operate, which is usually provided by the recording interface or mixer. This allows condenser microphones to have an active internal circuitry that contributes to their sensitivity and accuracy. I do not understand it fully to be quite honest! But for the active internal circituitry to do its thing, you need phantom power.

 I know that it is 48 volts of power and do check that if you are going to use it with a mixer, it can handle that.

Behringer U-Phoria UM2 with +48V power.

 I have a Behringer U-Phoria UM2 which I plug my microphone into, and then this plugs into my computer. For a simple home set up I find it fantastic. I just did a little online research for how best to plug a condenser microphone into a computer- and this was just the thing for me. Its super reasonable as well, Ill attach a link so you can see it here.

Condenser microphones excel in many recording situations, it’s worth noting their sensitivity to handling noise can require careful placement and handling to achieve optimal results. Additionally, their sensitivity to high sound pressure levels may make them unsuitable for recording extremely loud sound sources without proper attenuation. However, for most studio recording needs, condenser microphones are often the way to go due to their sensitivity, accuracy, and versatility.

So now we’ve discussed microphones in general, which condenser microphone should I look into?

Enter the Rode NT1-A. Its a powerhouse in the world of microphones, revered for its exceptional performance and versatility. Here are some reasons I think it is a really great microphone, for beginners and also for people more experienced in music production.

  • The Rode NT1-A has pristine sound quality. Its wide frequency response and transparent audio capture ensure that every note, every word, is reproduced with clarity and fidelity. This really is a good word to describe the sound. I want my voice to sound how it sounds. I like the realness and warmth and depth when recording, and this microphone really gives you that. Whether you’re recording vocals, acoustic instruments, or ambient soundscapes, the NT1-Areally translates your performance. It delivers professional-grade results that elevate your recordings to a whole new level.
  • Sonic Excellence: Whisper-Quiet Operation: One of the standout features of the Rode NT1-A is its low self-noise level. Condenser microphones are very sensitive- a blessing and a curse! At just 5dBA, this microphone operates with whisper-like silence, ensuring that your recordings are free from unwanted background noise. Whether you’re capturing delicate vocal performances or subtle acoustic textures, the NT1-A allows your creativity to shine without being overshadowed by hiss or hum. It really makes a difference when I still have a lot to learn about music production, and forgives some of my sound mistakes. (Note to self- don’t run the washing machine-even though far away-when recording vocals!)
  • Affordable Excellence: Despite its professional-grade performance and build quality, the Rode NT1-A remains remarkably affordable! This makes it accessible to a wide range of users. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a budding enthusiast, the NT1-A offers unbeatable value for money, allowing you to achieve studio-quality recordings without breaking the bank.

I got mine as a bundle with some other necessities. It arrived promptly and well packaged from Thomann- I’ll attach a link here to the bundle I got.

Rode NT1-A Microphone.

The Rode NT1-A empowers you to unleash your creativity and capture stunning recordings that stand the test of time. If you’re interested in learning to sing, or listen to the music I make with this equipment, you can click on the links. Thankyou for reading!