There are two types of recording studios, digital and analogue. Analogue studios are made up of more hard ware in it, you see professional artists using these a lot as they have a more realistic sound. Analogue studios have a sound proof glass to stop sound from the performers room getting into the producers room. Digital studios however are on computers and are on software such as Ableton, garage band and logic. Digital studios are cheaper than analogue ones and give you a better creative flow because of the location and limitless amount of time you have on them.
STUDIOS IN THE 50S
In the 1950’s studios were made up purely of hardware because computers were not around back then, making it an analogue recording studio. The equipment you could see back then were; microphones, instruments and a lot of hardware. Behind the sound proof glass in the recording studio there were many sound engineers that would guarantee the record would have the best possible sound, they did this by observing the music by ear and using the hardware to get rid of it’s imperfections. Sound engineers were seen as scientists for there great and advanced knowledge of music and it’s hardware. As well as sound engineers a 50’s recording studio also has a director that would make sure the nothing is going wrong, to ensure everything was perfect so that the sound engineers could work on the right track he would make the performers play until the music was note perfect. The music was recorded on magnetic tape which was re usable because you could erase the data that was on it and over write it, this saved a lot of money and was a great invention. The tape was then burned to disc through a machine, they would then wrap the disc in a thin layer of silver then mass produce it through a printer.
STUDIOS IN MODERN DAY
Music in modern day can know be made from our bedroom because of our huge advancement in technology. We can do this through digital computer software such as; Ableton live, garage band and logic. These apps allow you to make your own music with the sky as your limit. In digital set ups you can expect to see a midi-keyboard which is a from of keyboard which inputs audio data into the software that can be manipulated to create different sounds and noises, giving artists freedom to make their own music. The set up for your digital studio has to be neat to ensure your creative flow will be fine. The main equipment used in a digital studio is; a midi keyboard, mixer, pre-amp and a drum machine. Owning all of these will make, making music a lot easier than the manual input way. An unorganized work station is the main issue for bedroom artists as it obstructs their creativity with frustration.
To have a neat station you should make sure there is no unnecessary objects on your desk and also make sure your wires are out of the way. Although they don’t tend to need much as there isn’t much wire, but you can take care of them through break out boxes which take them out of the way by re-directing them. Artists also tend to have stereo speakers so that they can hear there music in high quality, the best position for the speakers is at an equilateral triangle facing your left and right ear so that you can hear it through both ears well. Another way they make sure they hear it well is by adjusting their seat to the level of the speakers so that the sound does not go over their head. More dedicated artists will add acoustics in their room such as bass traps so that if they record audio from the room it sound better quality.
PHINEAS ELLISH- BED ROOM ARTIST
Phineas Ellish is a well known music producer that did all of his work from his bedroom. He said that “the bedroom has a very specific sound, very tight, intimidate and closed and quiet”. This tells us that as well as analogue recording even from the comfort of your own bedroom you can make amazing music with the vocals of the singer. The bedroom allows you express yourself more than in a real recording studio because no one is watching and you can be alone to feel your emotions with no pressure from others, because in a recording studio you have strangers watching you. Phineas did all of his first album from his room and became a world wide known name, meaning digital software provides all the right stuff and does not hold you back. Phineas uses computer soft ware (in the box) and hardware (out of the box) in his room. Hardware brings a more realistic sound and if the hardware is small enough can be used at home.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HOME RECORDING
Their are many advantages for working from home here are a few of them. You are given more expression as people tend to express them selves more when they are alone, which can lead to really emotional pieces of music. Also digital software is by no means cheap, but it is a lot cheaper than a studio or hard ware. Because in a live studio you have to pay for each hour you are in there, this can cost up to £1,000. However digital recording does not sound as good as live studio recording, this is because it is all synthesised sound and a mimic of the actual sounds, live music will always sound better. You have a wide variety of options on digital but a live studio has better hardware and more creative options that you can use.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADANTAGES OF STUDIO RECORDING
Studio recording is the real thing and not synthesised noise like digital, so it is similar to like hearing a live performance. There are unlimited options because of the high quantity of hardware, that can make your song sound amazing. However time in the studio is money and can cost a fortune, that is why most people that use high end studios are successful artists because they have the money for it and need it for their wanted sound. And most of the things you can do in live studio recording can be done on computer software to a very high standard for a cheaper cost with an unlimited amount of time on producing.
EQUIPMENT ITEMS
Microphones are commonly used through music artists, this is because it allows them to input their own audio through acoustic instruments. The most commonly inputted instruments through microphones are acoustic guitars and vocals, because both are harmonic. But vocal melodies are very common in todays music and that is inputted through condenser microphones. Microphones are used in many genres of music, and all modern day mainstream music.
Audio interface is very important if you are serious about making your music because it allows you to transfer audio into digital sound, this is used a lot for electric guitar. Because electric guitar being inputted through the instrument sound better than the midi-keyboard doing it, it also allows you to implement strumming patterns.
A drum pad and midi keyboard is a two in one instrument that is very useful in digital studios. The midi keyboard is used for inputting audio code into the software that can then be manipulated then turned into a different sound, this is very useful for making your own music and probably the most important piece of equipment. This can also be purchased stand alone, a drum pad is used for making drum beats. It is a lot easier to make drum beats on the pad instead of midi- keyboard due to it’s simple layout. It used often in hip-hop music beats, if you are making intense drum beats I recommend a drum pad as it’s a lot easier to input on this instead of a keyboard.
To use a synthesiser for digital recording you will need an audio interface for input but besides that it is really useful if you are making synth pop music or rock because of it’s flexibility. The synth can be used as harmony or as a lead instrument in your music. Synths have a electronic and futuristic sound and where used a lot in the 70’s and 80’s for dance and synth pop music.
If you want to hear your music in high quality you might want 2 stereo speakers, because then you can hear the panning you may have used in the music. It also allows you to immerse your self in the sound you have made. These are essential if you want to hear your music as most people will hear it, because most people use head phones ore ear phones to listen to music now.
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Hardware is important in digital recording as well as studio recording because it let’s you get more realistic sound from the digital software, which is important if you want to immerse your listeners.
patch bay (roots signal to another) transports one sound to another, which is important for musical effects and organisation. They are usually used in more advanced music production and not digital.
TASK 1
If I were making my own recording studio and could only get 5 things I would first off get a midi- keyboard as I see this as the most important. Because it makes it easier for you to input the notes you want in your music and saves time, allowing you to express your self more and also helps your creative flow. I would next get a drum machine to make it easier for me when I am creating drum beats, because the lay out of a drum machine and tiles make it easier to make intense or simple drum beats. If I want to make a hip-hop song I definitely would get one of these, as they are used really often.
I would also get a mixer so that I could edit the audio and sound of the digital instruments to get my desired sound for my track. I would next up get a speaker so that I could hear my own music in better quality so I can see what’s good and what’s wrong, It is also highly immersive because the sound surrounds you. Last but not least I would get an audio interface to make my input better when I am making music from my instruments at home.