RECORDING STUDIO WARNING LIGHT PORTABLE
RECORDING STUDIO WARNING LIGHT PRO

When planning your budget, donвЂ™t forget that you will need mic stands and cables as well-these add up! MONITORINGД¬ritical listening and evaluating your results are key to creating a good recording. Although itвЂ™s possible to get a good sound with a single mic, two mics allow you to record in stereo. For higher budgets, consider the Shure SM81 ($350), or Neumann KM184 ($850). While some legendary microphones come with jaw-dropping price tags, you can get excellent results with inexpensive options like the Audio-Technica AT-2020 or AT-2021 ($100).

Condenser microphones with a cardioid (directional) pattern are the most frequent choice for recording acoustic guitar. It can be tempting to use a guitar pickup to record, but microphones almost always result in more professional-sounding recordings.

RECORDING STUDIO WARNING LIGHT PRO

Popular software for recording more complex projects includes Pro Tools (various price points), Logic Pro (Mac only, $200), and Steinberg Cubase ($99-$550). USB mics come in a wide price range, from the Blue Yeti($119) to the Neumann TLM103-D ($1,600).ДЇor more complex recording scenarios, such as recording multiple instruments at once, step up to multi-channel computer interfaces like the PreSonus Studio 192 ($800), MOTU 8M ($1,495), or Apogee Ensemble Thunderbolt ($2,500). These approaches work best for solo performers or situations where you can at least record all performers at once.ДЇor more flexibility and possibly better sound quality, you might use a system consisting of a laptop, recording software like Garage-Band (Mac) or Audacity (PC), and a USB or Thunderbolt audio interface like the two channel PreSonus AudioBox ($100) or Apogee Duet ($650), along with one or two microphones.ДЄnother option is to skip the recording interface by using a USB mic that can be plugged directly into the computer.

Check out Garage-Band (free) or Auria ($25) for iOS devices, or Audio Evolution Mobile Studio ($6.99) for Android. Attachable microphones, such as the Shure MV88 (iOS devices, $129) can improve the sound quality, and apps are available that can turn your phone or tablet into a full-fledged studio. Another simple option is to leverage your smart phone. External microphones usually produce higher sound quality, and also allow more flexibility in mic placement-critical for capturing a good guitar sound.

RECORDING STUDIO WARNING LIGHT PORTABLE

For the next step up, portable recorders like the Zoom H5 ($280) or Tascam DR-40 ($163) allow you to use external mics while still offering one-button operation. With built-in mics and one-button recording, these devices are perfect for cases where ease-of-use is the highest priority, but are still capable of good sounding recordings.

The simplest-and often least expensive-recording setups provide all those pieces in a single device, while at the opposite extreme, you could put together a computer-based system that mixes hardware and software, and that contains of each of those pieces individually.ДЇor simply capturing practice sessions or lessons, itвЂ™s hard to beat an all-in-one recorder, such as the Zoom H1n ($120). All digital recording systems consist of a similar signal chain: microphone, preamp, analog-to-digital converter, an actual digital recorder, and a disk drive to store the recording. Recording yourself requires some gear, and these days, virtually all recording setups use digital technology. Your music may involve other instruments or vocals, but naturally, as guitarists, we want the guitar to sound great, whether itвЂ™s just a small part of larger ensemble or the featured instrument. In this article, weвЂ™ll look at tools and techniques for home recording, focusing on the acoustic guitar. Whether youвЂ™d like to release an album, share music with friends, or just capture your practice sessions to evaluate your performance, recording is an important part of your musical journey.ДЄlthough recording used to mean going to a studio, you can now achieve professional-quality results at home with a modest amount of gear. Subscribe to Acoustic Guitar on BY DOUG YOUNGВ | FROM THE MARCH/APRIL 2019 ISSUE OF ACOUSTIC GUITAR

Recording studio warning light