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Im new to digital recording but have found that I really should learn how to do it. As of now I'm clueless yet willing to learn about digital recording. Im wondering if there is anyone out there willing to more or less teach me how to record. or maybe point me in the right direction so that i can learn. Any help will be appreciated. and keep in mind..i have no idea where to even begin recording. thanks

Comments

RemyRAD Sat, 05/20/2006 - 12:17

Paradox, it hurts when I do this?? Will I have to pay both of you for your answer?

I'll take you under my wing but I may have forgotten to put on my deodorant?

Where are you and what do you want to learn specifically? Generally here @ Recording.org the only wing you may find your self under is an umbrella of professionals that are willing to guide you in English as opposed to InConcert?

Many of us will try to spoon feed you the answers to any questions you might have but as to hiring you or bringing you in as a intern, is not something I think you will find here? I could be wrong however?

You first need to state your purpose and objectives in recording? What you are asking is, " how do I make a rocket ship". Do you want a liquid fueled rocket or a solid fueled rocket? And what planet or Moon do you intend to go?? You see, not a simple question. What you are asking is, " I want to record the Beatles now, how do I do it?". Not an answer I think you will get quickly?

How do I become president of the United States in 2008?
Ms. Remy Ann David

anonymous Sat, 05/20/2006 - 19:30

I dont exactly mean that i want to go into your studio and learn there..im asking..do u know of any books or sites that will explain how to get started and what i should use for the different things i want to do. Right now my goal is to record a band that my friends have. They are a rock band that play locally and really need someone to record them and do other multimedia jobs. I dont know if this helps with my previous question.

anonymous Sat, 05/20/2006 - 20:10

PaRaDoX wrote: I dont exactly mean that i want to go into your studio and learn there..im asking..do u know of any books or sites that will explain how to get started and what i should use for the different things i want to do. Right now my goal is to record a band that my friends have. They are a rock band that play locally and really need someone to record them and do other multimedia jobs. I dont know if this helps with my previous question.

well, one thing you should know is that it will cost alot. so unless you really enjoy or are passionate about recording music, its not a good business move to buy all the equipment just to record friends. not, atleast, if you want the recordings to sound good.

MadMax Sat, 05/20/2006 - 20:24

In addition to the high cost of financial admission that Nirvalica mentioned, there's a hefty price in terms of time to invest as well... like the rest of your life!

To get the basics down is not like sitting down to a video game. I'd say that on average it should take somewhere between 6-12 months before you can get fairly repeatable results that are just about listenable... IF you have the gear to work with.

Oh, you could end up getting a fairly decent first mix figured out in a few weeks, but the key is to do that on a daily basis... which you just can't get the amount of exposure to all the different sounds and situations and KNOW what to do to get what you want in anything much shorter than 6 months to a year.

Still wanna delve into this insanity!?!

X

pr0gr4m Sun, 05/21/2006 - 00:24

Are you looking into this as a hobby or for a profession?

What's your background? Are you a musician or just have an interest in the recording business?

It tough to recommend something without knowing a bit about you. As far as I know, there aren't any "Music Recording for Dummies" books out there.

Check out this website: [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.tweakhea…"]Tweakheadz[/]="http://www.tweakhea…"]Tweakheadz[/] It's got some good information for gettting started.

BTW...Not saying that you shouldn't record your friends band, but as you are a beginner, they might better be served by hitting a studio. The best thing you could do then would be to go in with them. There will be much more potential for you to learn more from that experience than anything you'll get from a book.

RemyRAD Sun, 05/21/2006 - 13:04

Ahhhhh But if you are just asone of those adventuresome sorts that loves to jump into a swimming pool without knowing how cold the water is, I will be happy to recommend some decent entry level, affordable but quite versatile low end professional equipment for you, available at your local music store and/or mail-order.

I'll then take you by the hand and explain to you how to go about miking up your band, tracking individual instruments to individual tracks through your chosen software to your computer 's hard drive and then from mix to mastering to CD not to forget to mention the final wed streamed MP3/Windows media, et al. stuff to do after you think you are done.

You're traveling through another dimension. A dimension of time. A dimension of sight. A dimension of sound. A dimension of mind. It's incredibly exciting when you begin to jump into the unknown "GunnaTrItAudioZone". Da Da Da Dahhhhhh Budah Boom.
Is this what they mean by bass jumping?
Ms. Remy Ann David

anonymous Mon, 05/22/2006 - 15:53

Here's a good starting point(s):

1. Buy yourself an Mbox2 with Pro Tools (and a decent computer)
2. Buy two good microphones (one for vocals and one for instruments, just ask in the store for some good affordable mics)
3. Buy yourself a midi controller
4. Watch the instruction DVD that comes wth the Mbox and try everything out as you watch and learn
5. Start recording in a room with minimal or very good acoustics
6. Start Mixing
7. Notice that it sounds like shit (oh yeah, buy two monitor speakers or very good headphones - AKG is ok)
8. Start learning about compressors, EQ, Gates, Reverb, etc.
9. Notice that you've spend a lot of money
10. Come back here and ask for help

Niliov

anonymous Mon, 05/22/2006 - 23:44

ok..i get it..its not cheap..its not easy..and will take time..maybe it isnt for me..maybe it is..i dont know..im not sure if this is something i wanna do as a living..i wanted to do this as maybe some side work...make myself a versatile multimedia person..for one..i dont know what a midi controller is..im a complete newbie to this..eq..reverb? what is that french..just kidding...question? if my friends already mic up everything and run everything through a mixer..is there anyway i can just record off of that..i may just be nieve..i appreciate all your help guys..sorry if i am wasting your time.

anonymous Tue, 05/23/2006 - 05:31

Sure, you can do that! You don't even need anything fancy; just a computer with some sort of recording software, you could even use something like Audacity which is free, and some cables to connect the mixer to the soundcard of your computer. Be well aware though that you need to make sure that the volume settings are perfect before you start recording because there is really not much that you can do after the recording except maybe with some high quality multiband compressor but you don't want to get involved with that!!

What I was saying in my last mail though was that if you were really serious about learning about making high quality recordings that could be sold commercially you need good equipment a thorough knowledge of what you are doing and most important of all: GOOD EARS. If you still want to pursue something more serious than just "recording of the mixer" Pro Tools is the way to go, just remember that! Although I know excellent (live) recording engineers who swear by their harddisk recorders I am pretty sure it is not the future of recording!

anonymous Tue, 08/08/2006 - 07:06

[quote=PaRaDoX]..im asking..do u know of any books or sites that will explain how to get started and what i should use for the different things i want to do.

Good Books: Mixing With Your Mind by Paul Stavrou
The Art of Recording by William Moylan

Magazines:Sound on Sound
Tape Op

Good Sites: Plenty out there just search...

get involved with any studio/live sound opportunity & experience that you can, use as much equipment as you can get your hands on,play instruments ,watch other audio pros at work,read trade magazines,LISTEN intently to the records you love ...
hope that gets you started...