Mic placement can have more of an effect on audio quality than you might realize. In addition to picking the right mic for the job, don’t forget to experiment with the placement of the mic in relation to instruments. Each instrument is different, so there isn’t much in the way of hard-and-fast rules to live by, but you’ll know once you’ve got it right.
You can read more about mic placement and other tips here: http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/location_location_the_effect_of_mic_placement_on_instrument_tonal_quality/P2/
Recording Tips and Techniques
Get Started For Better Or Worse
Information is great, and so is doing something right the first time (a stitch in time…). But be careful that you’re not so caught up in reading and learning that you never actually do anything. Your first recording may not be spectacular. It may even be spectacularly terrible. But who cares? Get out whatever recording equipment you have (I’ll bet your phone can record audio/video) and get started. You may find your no-budget recordings are enough motivation to make some small investments in recording gear.
You can read about one home-recording musician’s experience here: http://www.grownupbandgeek.com/tag/home-recording-studio/
Software Tools For Post Production
Regardless of what your audio track is for, there’s always room for improvement in post-production. Tweaking the stereo, adjusting the EQ, or even just giving the track more of a polished feel are all very important. Using the right tool for the job can improve product quality, but with so many tools and so many jobs, where do you even start? Knowing what changes to make, or at least some common areas that need to be adjusted, can really help you get started.
The article that follows lists several tools – not software programs, mind you – but the tools you can find both as software or hardware, though in today’s home studio, we’ll mostly be talking software. All 10 of the tools mentioned (such as EQ, limiters, compressors, etc.) can be found in most audio editing programs, such as Adobe Audition or Sound Forge. Personally, I use Audition for post production work (primarily mastering). But other programs are just as good.
Take a look at this great set of post production tools and some of their suggested applications: http://www.prosoundweb.com/article/top_ten_must_have_audio_tools_for_post_production/
Avoid The Monotony Of Mixing
It can be difficult to stay focused when you hearing the same track for the tenth (or hundredth) time in a day. By keeping a few clear objective goals in mind, you can avoid overlooking some important aspects of the track. Even the simple things like whether or not you can understand the lyrics, or if the different parts of the mix can be heard clearly enough. It also doesn’t hurt to give it a rest for a day before coming back to hear the track with fresh ears.
You can read more tips here: http://audioundone.com/20_mixing_questions
Ignore The Rules If It Sounds Right
Rules and guidelines are great. Remember that they are just a starting point. If you like to make this or that change to your tracks because you feel that it improves the final product, but the “tried and true” rule book doesn’t mention your technique, don’t worry! Go ahead with what works for you. There’s a lot of precise science and engineering with audio mixing, but there is still a hefty serving of art.
You can read more here: http://therecordingrevolution.com/2012/12/31/if-it-seems-to-work-do-it/