Laying It Down – The Essential Guide to Recording

To create great music, you have to grab it at its source. Of course, the making of that great song, or soundtrack, starts by getting the audio signal within your computer. Then, you add in some other files, or instrumentation. Lastly, you play back the results on your monitors. That initial drawing in of of the audio signal, however, starts with your mic and your interface, perhaps with a preamp, or two It only ends after you have collected the vocals and instrumentation, they’re all inside your digital audio workstation, and you’re ready to mix the results.
Depending upon the warmth, character and sensitivity your after, you can elect to go with a condenser, dynamic, or ribbon mic. There are also several basic recording techniques that you can use for best effect with your mic option.
For acoustic guitar, a good recording method is to use two mics, arranged to create a 90 degree angle, placed between the sound hole and the 12th fret. For electronic music choose a dynamic mic you like and use it positioned close to the amp. Put it near the center for a brighter sound and more towards the edge of the amp if a more mellow sound is what you’re after. For piano music, use a single mic. Place it in the middle. Or, conversely, put it to the side, knowing that will create more of a hammering sound. Finally, for vocals, position the mic just below the nose, a little above the mouth. Always use a pop shield.

Key Takeaways:

• Getting the sound into your computer starts with having a good mic and a great interface to work with.
• Depending on what kind of character, warmth and sensitivity your after you can opt for a condenser, ribbon, or dynamic mic.
• A good recording set up, with which to capture the sound and flavor of an acoustic guitar, is
  to place two mics, one at the sound hole and one at the 12th fret, so that they create a 90 degree angle.

“If you capture the perfect sound at source you will have a much better ingredient with which to produce perfect music.”

Read more: http://www.musictech.net/2018/06/essential-guide-to-recording/