| Playing in front of an audience is only part of the | | | | simultaneous recording capability are needed, as |
| fun for some musicians, as many also enjoy | | | | well as MIDI inputs and outputs. Separate |
| recording material from the comfort of their own | | | | microphones for each instrument and vocal will |
| homes or in a professional studio. But people who | | | | also be required, along with headphones and studio |
| are looking to buy their own recording gear must | | | | monitors for playback and overdubbing. |
| consider a number of issues before making a | | | | At this stage, recording artists may benefit from |
| purchase. First and foremost, what type of | | | | the use of outboard gear such as a mic preamp, |
| recording do you want to do? | | | | a compressor, a channel strip and a mixer that |
| Most recording equipment can produce results | | | | has a sufficient number of channels. Other |
| that would easily be good enough for professional | | | | accessories at this stage could also include direct |
| release, while other options could be better suited | | | | boxes, pop filters, studio foam, monitor stands, |
| to creating multi-tracked demos. And some may | | | | racks and recording furniture. |
| want to commit a band rehearsal or live | | | | But what if a project needs to be recorded on a |
| performance to disc, rather than a studio track. | | | | much larger scale? A 12-channel mixer or |
| Musicians in all these categories therefore need | | | | eight-track recorder may be insufficient to be |
| the capability to record at least in two tracks, | | | | cope with this, which means more specialised |
| either in a standalone digital audio device or | | | | top-end equipment would be needed. |
| through computer-based software. At least one | | | | Bigger projects should only be recorded on a |
| microphone is also an essential requirement, | | | | device that can deliver at least 16 separate |
| although additional mics can be particularly useful | | | | tracks of simultaneous recording, and a selection |
| when recording instruments such as drums. | | | | of headphones and monitors will be required if the |
| And before recording, a person should ensure | | | | producer, engineer or musician wants to listen to |
| they have the proper cables to meet their needs, | | | | the track with a critical ear. |
| as many mics for instance contain XLR | | | | Using different types of microphone may also be |
| connections, while guitar amps typically have jack | | | | useful, as using a combination of dynamic mics |
| sockets. If the digital audio recording device only | | | | such as the Shure SM58, through to ribbon and |
| contains inputs for one type of connection, | | | | condenser mics, will make sure that all types of |
| adaptors can be purchased to enable both cables | | | | instrument are covered. |
| to be used. Mic stands can also be useful in | | | | People engaged in larger projects could further |
| ensuring optimum sound for your recording, so | | | | benefit from incorporating a wide array of signal |
| accessories such as these are certainly a | | | | processors into their recording set-up, such as mic |
| worthwhile purchase. | | | | preamps, compressors, limiters, equalisers and |
| Recording equipment needs to have a sufficient | | | | effects units. |
| number of inputs, particularly if the project | | | | And finally, a much larger and higher quality mixing |
| involves recording a live band. Microphones, | | | | desk would be needed to do justice to the music |
| guitars, drums and keyboards all need to be | | | | being made. At least 24 separate channels will |
| individually input into a recording device at the | | | | ensure that all the sounds can be suitably |
| same time to give producers the chance to mix | | | | recorded, isolated, manipulated and balanced to |
| each instrument in isolation. | | | | produce the optimum result. |
| This means that at least four tracks of | | | | |