If you’re new to recording, or even if you’re not, over the last few months we have been putting together guides on where to start and where to go next when approaching common recording tasks. For all the most common instruments you’re likely to face in a contemporary recording we share ideas from the team on where to start and how to develop from these starting points.
Rather than offer prescriptive advice, these articles are based more on guiding principles and worrying about the things which matter, but acknowledging that some things matter more than others.
In this article we collate all of these Start Here articles. if you’ve missed any here they all are for your convenience.
Of all mix elements, getting vocals right is pivotal to the success of any production. With all ears on the song’s centre-piece, it’s perhaps the one mix element that everyone notices. Here are our tips for serving the song as well as possible.
There has never been a better time to record electric guitars. If you’re new to recording guitars, or even if you’re not Julian explains, ably assisted by some tasty playing from Mark M Thompson.
While many keyboard instruments live completely inside the DAW, being able to record anything with real keys on is an essential skill. Whatever the recording situation, the good news is that a bit of listening and pragmatism can go a long way.
In this article, we'll go over the steps to record audio in stereo, including mic choice and arrangement and information on Stereo Recording Angle (SRA) and its effect on the stereo panorama.
With the snare drum being perhaps the most prominent rhythmic element in a track, getting the recording right means getting the drum right, and knowing what close mics are trying to achieve. Here’s where we suggest you start.
Drums are the most complex recording challenge many people encounter. Getting the overheads right really helps as it’s the context in which all the other mics sit. If you’re new to recording drums, or even if you aren’t, here’s where we suggest you start.
Good results on acoustic guitar can be had by those working in modest studios with minimal gear. Conversely its still possible for instruments to sound less than their best in larger facilities; here are the things to get right whatever the studio.
At its simplest, bass guitar is the easiest of instruments to record. Literally plug and play. However, if you want a more satisfying sound here are some guidelines and principles to follow.
How should you record and mix a kick drum? If you look online you might find rules you should follow but in this article we talk about objectives and principles which might prove more useful if you’re looking for guidance.
What Next?
What would you like to see covered in this series? Is there another aspect of tracking you’d like to see covered or should we progress to mixing or mastering? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Julian Rodgers is Editor of Production Expert. He has a background in live sound and has been a Pro Tools user since 2001. He lives by the sea in West Cornwall where he plays piano, bass and guitar equally badly and is an avid collector of microphones and opinions about all things audio.