THE BASICS | YOUR FIRST HOME STUDIO

YOUR FIRST HOME STUDIO

THE BASICS
Whether you’re in a band, or you’re a singer-songwriter or
budding producer, putting together a home recording
set-up has never been easier or more affordable.
Here we discuss what you’ll need to get started
he rather romantic vision of a Whereas once all recording gear had to recording, the idea of plugging your guitar

T
recording studio is one that’s exist in physical form and each of your into a Mac or PC and capturing your ideas
full of expensive gear: mixers, performances were captured on tape, in a piece of software might sound
vintage keyboards, racks full of the vast majority of it has now been daunting, but the whole process is far
effects, beautiful microphones ‘virtualised’ and can run as software on simpler than it was even five years ago.
and much more besides. your computer. Yes, there are some things That said, we can’t deny that, if you do
While these places still exist that will always remain ‘real’ – speakers, want to record to computer, there are a
– and some great records continue to be mics and instruments that you want to get few more bits and pieces to consider than
made in them – the wonderful reality is your hands on and play, for example – but if you go down the standalone recorder
that, if you’re a band or a solo musician in many cases, a box that used to cost route. As well as the machine itself, you’ll
who wants to record music, you can set thousands can now be replicated with a need a piece of DAW software (if it helps,
up your own ‘home facility’ for hundreds, tiny download from the internet. you can start by thinking of this as a
rather than thousands, of pounds. One piece of hardware you’re definitely powerful multitrack recorder) and an
As with so many things, this big change going to need, however, is a computer. If interface that will give you the inputs and
has been driven by the digital revolution. you’re used to old-school methods of outputs you need to plug in your

HOME STUDIO HANDBOOK | 7

YOUR FIRST HOME STUDIO | THE BASICS

instruments, mics and other bits of gear. be bits of it that you don’t understand, but good tone, this whole myth of ‘Neve this’
Once you’ve got the software installed as long as you can use the elements of it and ‘preamp that’… Nah, you haven’t
(which is easy) and the interface hooked that do matter you’ll be fine. got to do it.”
up, the world is your oyster. These are the basics of home recording
With a computer and a DAW you can in 2015, and over the next few pages we’re MICS ON A BUDGET
not only record, edit and arrange tracks, going to focus on the finer details of what IF YOU want to record any kind of sound

you can manipulate them in all manner of you’ll need in your recording set-up, that can’t be produced by an instrument
different ways, and all on a big interface starting with gear... with an audio output on it, you’re going to
(your monitor) using a mouse. Yes, music . need a microphone. It might be tempting
software does crash sometimes (though PICK UP SOME GEAR to walk into a consumer electronics store
far less than it used to), and there might WHEN IT comes to buying gear we will and just buy the cheapest one you can
always advise you to get the best you can find, but this is an area in which it really
afford, but as renowned heavy metal does pay to make the right choice.
producer Andy Sneap points out, don’t We discuss microphones in depth on
cash in your life’s savings. page 14, but there are three main types
“You don’t need to spend megabucks,” that you need to be aware of: dynamic,
he reveals. “I used to make great condenser and ribbon. Dynamic mics are
recordings on Mackies [mixing desks] the most rugged and reliable, offering
and ADATs [digital recorders]. When you great value for money and being suitable
think of the quality of mic preamps now for live and basic studio work. Condenser
compared to what you had 20 years ago, mics are the most widely used in the
You will need microphones to record instruments you’re gonna get results. As long as your studio: they’re more delicate than
that don’t have an audio output micis in the right place and you’ve got dynamic mics, but have a wide frequency

WHAT A BAND The type of guitar and amp you

choose will depend on the music you

WILL NEED
It almost goes without saying that,
make and – let’s be frank – the image
you want to present in the band. A mic
that’s suitable for sticking in front of
once you’ve got your line-up sorted, your amp will come in handy as well.
the first things your band are going
to need are the ability to play in time DRUMMER
together, and some decent songs. The endless boxes of stands, drums
There’s also the matter of gear and cymbals are unavoidable if you’re
to be considered, too, so let’s run the sticksman in your band, though Many bands record their live sets as a way to monitor their progression
through each member’s essential you might want to consider a decent
gear must-haves (you can find lots electronic kit for recording if you have right-angled stands always look the Either a computer with some
of buying advice starting on p. 23). noise-averse neighbours. If you’ll only part, but more soulful or introspective recording software or a standalone
be using a live kit when recording, a players will more likely remain seated hardware recorder is essential here.
SINGER set of drum mics is needed. at a stage piano or workstation-style After that, you’re looking at monitor
Other than vocal ability and swagger, keyboard. Alternatively, you could speakers, an audio interface, mics,
your frontman/woman doesn’t BASSIST keep it more modern by generating acoustic treatment for your recording
necessarily have to bring a great deal A trusty four-string is going to be your sounds in software on a laptop and room, and any instruments that you
of gear with them. A mic is one of the first purchase, or investigate the extra then playing them from a controller. might want to play (such as guitar,
essentials, though, and possibly a flexibility a five-string allows if your keys or bass).
vocalist-specific multi-effects unit for music demands it. Bass amps and SOLO ARTIST Remember, too, that one of the big
pitch correction or backing vocals. speakers can be costly, but once The term ‘solo artist’ might refer to an advantages of software is that it can
they’re purchased you’re ready to go. acoustic guitar strumming give you not only the sounds of a lot of
GUITARISTS There’s also an increasing number singer-songwriter type, such as Ed instruments, but a way of generating
At least one guitar, an amp/cab, leads of bass-specific pedals if you like to Sheeran (when he doesn’t have a virtual performances on them. As
(the best quality you can afford), experiment with different effects. backing band with him, naturally), a such, you can put together a complete
spare strings and a selection of effects Prince-style multi-instrumentalist, or song that sounds as though it was
pedals or a multi-effects unit should KEYBOARD PLAYER a pop artist like Gotye who wants to played by a real band, even if it was
be on every guitarist’s shopping list. Plenty of synths arranged on make music at the cutting edge. just you and a laptop.

8 | HOME STUDIO HANDBOOK

 THE BASICS | YOUR FIRST HOME STUDIO

HOW TO MAKE A DIY ABSORPTION PANEL

There are times in music production when you have to become a bit of a DIY enthusiast. Constructing your
own basic absorption panel to alter the acoustics of your room is a pretty easy task, provided you have the
right materials. Fancy making one for your recording space? Here’s a list of what you’ll need:

1. Planed timber or planks of MDF dust mask and gloves. for holding the frame together,
to make a frame. 3. Acoustically transparent cloth to and a staple gun to fix the
2. Medium density cavity wall cover it with (something you can fabric in place.
insulation slabs (not loft blow through should be fine). 5. Hardboard to hold the slabs in
insulation), plus appropriate 4. Some screws, nails and fittings position at the back.

Start by making a frame with the timber and brackets. Lay the fabric out on the floor, placing the frame over
the fabric. Next, pull the fabric back over the frame and staple it firmly in place, making sure that it’s nice and
tight. Once this is done, put on your dust mask and gloves before laying the insulation slabs in place. Finish off
by nailing on the hardboard back.
Alternatively, there are some companies making DIY bags to which you can add your own acoustic
insulation slabs. If you’re simply looking for some absorbent slabs to place in corners of your space, you can A DIY absorption panel can help to alter the
bundle up a pack of medium density cavity wall insulation in some fabric, or even re-use an old bean bag. acoustics of your recording room or space

response that makes them great for The number of each of these will not to ‘flatter’ your music, as many hi-fi
capturing vocals and instruments in depend on the model you choose; speakers do, but to give you a true
greater detail. A ribbon mic is typically the musicians who produce the majority of representation of how it all really sounds.
third type you’d add to your collection; their songs ‘in the box’ tend not to bother If you can trust your speakers, you should
again, these are designed for studio use, with too many inputs, but if you want to be able to produce better mixes that will
but offer an alternative to condensers. capture your five-piece rock band, a box translate well to other systems.
When you buy a mic, make sure it’s with more ‘ins’ will be appropriate. Also, You might think it would hold true that
suitable for plugging into your recording choose a model that has the right kind of the more you pay for monitors the better
gear. If you choose a condenser mic, for inputs – ones that are designed to accept they sound, but this isn’t always the case.
example, you’ll need phantom power on mics and guitars, for example. What’s more, monitor choice is a personal
your audio interface. The more you pay, the better the thing so, if at all possible, make sure you
preamps you’re likely to get, which will actually get to listen to the models that
AUDIO INTERFACES influence the quality of the recordings you you are considering buying.
YOUR AUDIO interface serves as the technical can make, and the analogue-to-digital and
bridge between the sounds that you make digital-to-analogue conversion will SOFTWARE
in the real world (for example, sounds improve. You’re also likely to get more AUDIO RECORDING and sequencing software,

from an instrument or your mouth) and advanced built-in mixing and routing also known as a DAW (Digital Audio
your computer. Sound can flow the other capabilities, and possibly even effects. Workstation), resembles a studio setup
way across this bridge, too – from the Most interfaces these days are
computer to your speakers or into your connected over USB, though some use
headphones. All of which is a roundabout FireWire or other connectivity options.
way of saying that your audio interface will
have both inputs and outputs on it. MONITORS
WHILE A decent mic and audio

interface will help you to make

e
better recordings, there’s no
point in doing this if you
compromise on quality by
listening to them through a
low-quality or inappropriate
speaker setup.
This is where dedicated
An audio interface is the bridge music monitoring speakers
between your sounds and the computer
come in. These are designed

HOME STUDIO HANDBOOK | 9

YOUR FIRST HOME STUDIO | THE BASICS

GET ORGANISED
Whatever the size of your
on your screen. It records audio
and MIDI, plus it often contains
loops and samples and a host of
o

setup, keep your workspace common effects for use on yourr

tidy with these handy tips songs. Mac users will probably
already own GarageBand
GROUP YOUR CABLING (which is more than enough to
This will make fault-finding easier, allow gear get going with), but you might
to be moved and patched quicker, and help consider upgrading to its big
reduce cable-borne noise problems. Keep brother, Apple’s Logic Studio.
cables grouped together by type (audio, Cubase and Pro Tools are the
mains, MIDI, and so on) as this will make it two other main DAWs that work k
quicker to find a particular line. on both PC or Mac, but there arere loads of
other options including Sonar, PreSonus
TIDY YOUR CABLING Studio One and Ableton Live. There
here are To record at home you will need a computer with a
Use Velcro cable ties, easy release plastic ties, plenty of free options available, too. DAW (Digital Audio Workstation)
or flexible trunking to keep your grouped
cables together. This can allow the bunches CHOOSE YOUR ROOM the walls are typically close together with
to be arranged for maximum floor space and WHEN RECORDING at home, lo-fi production parallel hard surfaces.”
minimal cable treading. king Steve Albini [Nirvana, The Stooges] If you’ve ever had noisy neighbours,
says that experimentation is key. “With you’ll know that sound travels. But before
LABEL EVERYTHING acoustic guitar, the acoustics of the room you get sidetracked repaying the, erm,
Invest in an office labeller with a variety of matter because the mic is not going to be compliment, remember that it’s the sound
label tape sizes to keep track of your cable hearing the guitar exclusively – it’ll be travelling inside the room that concerns
connectors and mains plugs, etc. We use ours hearing the sound bouncing around in the us when recording. In the simplest terms,
to label equipment when a repair is made so room,” he says. “If you play and listen if you put up a couple of mics in a room
that we know what work’s been carried out. without being concerned about recording, they will pick up everything from their
you’ll find that in some environments your perspective. That includes the instrument
START A ‘FAULTY’ BOX guitar sounds better than in others. they’re closest to and, to a lesser degree,
Every dodgy cable or faulty stompbox should “Wander around your house with the any other instrument playing at the same
be stored separately for repair or recycling of guitar and find the spot that sounds really time, as well as other sounds that are
its components, instead of being put back in good. Kitchens can be good for acoustic occurring in the room.
the collection only to disappoint you again. guitar because they have a lot of irregular The other main factor that influences
hard surfaces. Not like bathrooms where the way we set up a recording space is
STREAMLINE YOUR GEAR
Space is always at a premium in a home
studio, so identify any items that you don’t
use and consider selling or swapping them.
For example, are there items that you don’t
make use of because they’re not wired up?

GEAR ACCESS AND

ELBOW ROOM
Spend some time considering the layout of
your equipment with regards to working
practice. Make sure that the items you use
regularly are within arm’s reach of your seat
and that the controls and displays do not
require you to bend and stretch too much.

WRITE THINGS DOWN

There’s always an office somewhere throwing
out a perfectly good whiteboard, and these Each of your rooms will sound different,
can prove useful in the studio – use them for so wander around your house with a
guitar to find the spot that sounds best.
writing ‘to do’ lists for your tracks, or for Kitchens have irregular hard surfaces,
jotting down lyrics or gear repair lists. while bathrooms are more closed in

10 | HOME STUDIO HANDBOOK

 THE BASICS | YOUR FIRST HOME STUDIO

acoustics. How significant this is depends through making

upon what you’re recording. Generally, the your own panel.
louder the instrument the more it will You may be
reveal the room’s acoustics. From a beginning to get a
practical perspective, domestic spaces feeling of space
can be excellent for many recording tasks, envy, particularly if
and each room in your home will have its you’re planning to
own unique character. Soft furnishings squeeze a whole
such as carpets, curtains and sofas do an band into your
excellent job of soaking up frequencies, living room. But
particularly mid to high ones, and you can remember, some
use this to your benefit. Similarly, a tiled of the greatest ever Keep your cabling tidy to
bathroom will be at the other end of the recordings have maximise floor space
spectrum – bright, brash, lively. been made in tiny
Finally, it’s worth remembering that if spaces (check out Motown’s Hit Factory which are transferred structurally. Mid and
sound can travel out, it can also travel in. studio). You can always open the door and high frequencies, on the other hand, use
Trains, planes (and noisy neighbours) can mic up the hallway for added distance. the available medium (air), so leaving a
all add unwanted noise to your recordings, One subject that ties in with room layout window or door open really can make a big
including low frequency rumble or is volume. Although a well-rehearsed band difference to their transmission. At a
vibration. Fans, monitor screens and might give their best performance if professional level, dealing with these two
ambient sounds that we’re normally they’re all playing in the same room, you types of acoustic isolation can be rather
oblivious to can all add a layer of unwanted can’t rely on this for recording if some complex. What’s more, the resultant
background noise. If you can’t get these instruments are much louder than others spaces are often heavily upholstered and
things out of your recording space, at least – recording an acoustic guitar in the same oppressive, with little or no natural light.
try to keep away from them. Ideally, you room as a drum kit is asking for trouble! If Assuming you haven’t just won the
will use a directional mic that will reject you do need to record a group playing lottery, things in your recording space will
sound emanating from behind it. together to capture the performance, it’s likely be more modest. So what are the
best to treat some of the instruments as options? Probably the easiest way to get a
ARRANGING YOUR SPACE ‘guides’ to be replaced later. quick improvement is to seal your doors
A GOOD starting point for any recording and windows. Although double glazing can
set-up is to arrange things so that all the TO SOUNDPROOF OR NOT? improve isolation, it’s often the sealed
performers can see each other. If you’re in SO FAR our discussion has centred on nature of replacement casement windows
a band, this may mean you will all be treating the acoustics of your room, but that improves their effectiveness. If you
facing inwards. There may be times when now we’ll look briefly at the subject of have older windows, consider DIY sealing
you have to compromise, but if you’re soundproofing. If you’ve ever lived next strips, which can also help around door
recording yourself it’s not an issue. door to a musician, you’ll know how frames, and don’t forget the gaps at the
Next up, consider the two factors of important this is. For our purposes, it also top and bottom of the door.
isolation and acoustics. In situations demonstrates the two-way nature of the Once you’ve done this, you may find
where there are multi-instruments, with problem: if sound is capable of escaping that typical ‘studio odour’ – stale and
players facing into the room, using your room or house, it can also penetrate slightly whiffy – creeping in. If you can’t
directional mics (pointing away from the someone else’s. And that’s not cool. afford proper air conditioning, regularly
centre of the room) will give you good Probably the most annoying noise opening the doors and windows when
initial isolation of each instrument, but the pollution is produced by bass frequencies, you’re not making any noise is effective.
sound of the instruments bouncing off the
walls back into the mics will cause a
problem. A good trick in this instance is to
dampen the space behind each player
with acoustic panels. Soft furnishings and
duvets and so on can do a cracking job.
FINAL FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Don’t give up! Look, we’ve all been there. You get your hands on a bunch of shiny new gear, you set it up, sit
Quite often, acoustic panels will be all back and then... you feel like a caveman gawping at a monolith – it’s a big vertical learning curve. But don’t feel
you’ll need and this approach may give bad, and don’t get too bogged down in jargon and technology either. Throw a weekend and a truckload of
better results than artificially trying to give coffee at it and you’ll be amazed at how quickly the mist starts to clear.
each performer a separate space – As time goes on, you can dig as deep as you like into every aspect of this guide – be that audio interfaces,
something that’s often done in large microphones or software – and that’s all in addition to the advice you’ll find on writing your own songs,
studios using acoustic divider screens. creating huge guitar sounds or aping classic drums sounds, and more. There’s always lots to learn, but
See the boxout on p.9 that walks you remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Every journey starts with the first step, so take yours slowly.

HOME STUDIO HANDBOOK | 11

YOUR FIRST HOME STUDIO | YOUR COMPUTER AND DAW

YOUR COMPUTER AND DAW

Combined with the right software, your computer can be a seriously
powerful music making tool. Find out what you’ll need right here…
ather like Clark Kent, your software, but whether you’ve got a Mac or focusing solely on software. A DAW

R
computer has a dual identity. PC, releasing your existing computer’s reproduces all the components
On the one hand, it can be music-making potential doesn’t have to be necessary for recording in software.
used for everyday tasks such costly or difficult. You can start creating Breaking it down further, a DAW is for
as sending email, browsing songs with a few free pieces of software recording anything you want. It has a
the internet and watching and one or two bits of kit. multitrack recorder capable of recording
videos of skateboarding cats. any audio through your audio interface
On the other, it’s a creative powerhouse WHAT IS A DAW? (the number of tracks you can record
that can help you to make pro-quality DAW STANDS for Digital Audio Workstation, simultaneously usually depends on the
music. Providing it isn’t a decade-old which is a computer-based system for number of channels your interface has).
machine, your current PC or Mac should recording, editing, mixing and playing What’s more, some DAWs have virtual
be fine to start making music on. back audio. While it’s true that Digital instruments that you can use to create
As a general rule, more powerful Audio Workstation could in fact refer additional backing.
machines will be able to cope with more to your whole system, including the These instruments can each have their
complex projects and run the latest hardware components, here we’re own track alongside the audio tracks,

12 | HOME STUDIO HANDBOOK

 YOUR COMPUTER AND DAW | YOUR FIRST HOME STUDIO

RECOMMENDED DAWS
It’s important to note that, while all DAWs have
favourite among recording pros, and it’s now
available at a ridiculously cheap, instantly
downloadable price on the Mac App Store.
instruments and effects can now be purchased in
the form of Rack Extensions.
www.propellerheads.se
their strengths and weaknesses and work in www.apple.com
slightly different ways, there is no definitive ‘best’ AVID PRO TOOLS
product on the market and no software is going to STEINBERG CUBASE £599
magically turn a bad track into a good one. These From £73 Still considered an industry
are just tools that are there to do a job – it’s up to If you’ve been aware of music standard, Pro Tools has been
you to use them well. technology for a while, you may challenged from all quarters in recent years. Avid’s
remember Cubase from as long ago as 1989, response has been to make it more ‘open’, in that
GARAGEBAND when it made its debut on the venerable Atari ST. you no longer need special hardware in order to run
Free with your Mac 26 years of development later and it’s every bit as the flagship version, and more file formats are now
Apple Logic’s little brother, comprehensive as you might expect, sporting supported. When it comes to recording and mixing,
Garageband is an easy to use, yet plenty of state-of-the-art features. On the Pro Tools takes some beating.
surprisingly powerful, DAW that many bands record downside, it is expensive, though as with many www.avid.com
with. It doesn’t pack the breadth of features that DAWs there are different versions available to suit
Logic boasts, but it’s a great starting point for the needs and budget of every type of musician. PRESONUS STUDIO ONE 3
beginners. The best part? It comes free with your www.steinberg.net From £69
Mac, so you can spend your cash on gear instead. PreSonus’ Studio One 3 is a relative
www.apple.com PROPELLERHEAD REASON newcomer to the fray and, despite its
From £85 ‘free with an audio interface’ beginnings, it’s a
APPLE LOGIC PRO X Reason used to be a complete no-no fantastically powerful tool. Studio One 3 is available
£149.99 for bands because it wasn’t capable in two versions: Artist (for singer-songwriters) and
If you’re a Mac user and you feel as of recording audio. That’s all changed now and Professional. It’s also easier to use than the likes of
though you’re starting to outgrow recording in Reason is actually reassuringly simple, Logic and Cubase. Written from the ground up for
GarageBand, this is the natural next step for you. plus its fabulous built-in mixer is ‘inspired’ by a quality, its built-in effects are world class. Worth a
Its comprehensive features set and the huge roster classic studio console. The software can’t host look if you’re not getting along with the big boys.
of built-in instruments and effects make it a big standard VST or AU plugins, but additional www.presonus.com

but the sounds are played using MIDI certain amount of hard drive space for DAW doesn’t provide them – you may be
data – you can either play the notes on installation of the program and any able to buy more, usually from third-party
a keyboard, or enter them graphically supplied extras, such as audio loops. developers like Native Instruments, the
onto a grid. There’s a wide range of virtual You’ll also need to have enough capacity maker of Guitar Rig, or IK Multimedia, the
instruments, running from drums, violins, on your hard drive to store recorded company behind AmpliTube. Plugins
pianos, and other such conventional audio, or invest in an extra drive that’s come in a range of formats and each
instruments, through to programmable dedicated to audio storage. DAW will support one or more.
synths. In addition, some DAWs come All DAWs give you a range of effects DAWs offer a full production
with a number of audio loops that you – naturally, some provide a more environment: once you’ve recorded
can use to build backing tracks. guitar, vocals, drums or the like, all of
When it comes to the computer Releasing your computer’s music- the tracks can be seen on screen in
you’re using, the more powerful it
is the better as there is a lot of making potential doesn’t have to a software mixer, which is a virtual
copy of a hardware one but can
processing to take care of.
However, you need to check the
be costly or difficult often be more flexible.
As well as your effects, you’ll have
DAW manufacturer’s website for comprehensive range than others. These EQ and virtual faders, and in some DAWs
minimum computer requirements and effects are generically known as plugins you can put these under automation so
recommendations: the type of computer because they can be plugged in at that any fader moves made during a song
you need, and maybe its speed in GHz, various points in your software mixer’s can be recorded and reproduced each
will be listed on there, along with the configuration – they can be used on time it’s played back. You can mix your
operating system information. individual audio tracks or applied to a song down to stereo and even add a final
You will also need to know about RAM range of tracks (if you set them up as layer of polish and glitz with some pretty
and hard disk space. Most DAWs typically send-and-return effects). nifty mastering effects, leaving you free
need between 2GB and 4GB of RAM to If you want a wider range of effects – afterwards to do whatever you want with
operate efficiently, and you will need a perhaps some guitar amp sims if your the resulting audio file.

HOME STUDIO HANDBOOK | 13

YOUR FIRST HOME STUDIO | UNDERSTANDING MICROPHONES

UNDERSTANDING
MICROPHONES
With so many different models available, choosing the
right mics for your recording space can be a pretty
daunting task. This handy guide will make it easier...
icrophones come in all mics offer a choice of multiple polar the physical nature of the design can

M
shapes and sizes, and if patterns that can be selected by the user. compromise the frequency response,
you’re a newcomer to A mic’s frequency response also needs and the sensitivity is less than a typical
recording you may well to be taken into consideration. Some condenser. This makes them less useful
wonder if there’s really mics are quite bright, others are ideal for for quiet or distant sources.
much difference from low frequency sounds such as bass and
one mic to the next. kick drums, while others have a boost in CONDENSER
Well, there is – not only in the way they the midrange that accentuates speech. TRADITIONALLY MORE intricate and expensive

work, but also in the way they sound. Options such as low cut filters and level than dynamic mics, the increasing
There’s also a massive variation in how trims (‘pads’) feature on some models. availability of good, affordable models
much different mics can cost. Factoring in the massive variation in has made the condenser (or capacitor)
If your budget limits you to just one or price, it’s easy to understand why picking the most common mic. A flexible capsule
two mics, having a full understanding of ‘the one’ may seem like a headache. Keep diaphragm and rigid backplate make a
how they actually work will put you in a in mind that budget mics can do a good parallel-plate capacitor. Changes in the
much better position to choose the ones job, and in many cases costs are saved in distance between the two caused by
that suit your needs. In this guide we’ll the peripherals and trimmings rather sound vibrations produce changing
aim to give you a good understanding of than in the fundamentals. capacitance and voltage, which can be
all the different factors to consider when Gaining a basic understanding of how extracted as an audio signal. This relies
choosing mics. Then our comprehensive microphones function will make it clear on the plates being consistently charged,
buying guide (p.32) will help you find the why various types sound and behave the requiring typically 48-volt phantom
best mics for vocals, guitar and drums. way they do. It will also give you an idea of power sent down the mic cable from your
how you’ll need to handle them. Mics are mic preamp. If the mic includes a valve, a
THE BASICS precision (and often delicate) items, so if dedicated power supply will provide
SOME MICS, typically condensers, need to you don’t want to spend cash getting power for the valve and the plate charge.
be powered to work. These require either them fixed regularly, it’s time to listen up! With electret condenser mics, a
48-volt phantom power or a separate permanently charged material is used in
power supply. Dynamic mics come in two DYNAMIC a capsule akin to a traditional condenser.
types: ribbon, which are very fragile, and ONE OF the most familiar microphone Although the capsule itself doesn’t need
moving coil, which are extremely rugged. types is the moving-coil dynamic. These power, the output electronics do.
Mics also vary in what they actually work on the principle of electromagnetic Condenser mics come in all shapes
‘hear’, as determined by their pickup (aka induction. A small induction coil is and sizes, from tiny lapel mics to the
polar) patterns. The main types are attached to a movable diaphragm, and large capsule mics for vocals. They
cardioid, which mainly pick up sounds the whole mechanism sits in the typically have good high frequency
arriving from the front; figure-8, which magnetic field of a fixed magnet. Sound response but are susceptible to wind
pick up equally from front and back; and waves move the diaphragm and this noise and vibration. Through careful
omnidirectional, which pick up sounds induces a current in the coil that can be capsule, body and grille design, the
arriving from all directions equally. There extracted as an audio signal. The concept frequency response and pickup pattern
are variations on these basic types, such is simple enough that manufacturing can be tailored – particularly with the
as super- and hyper-cardioid, and some robust mics is easy. The downside is that larger capsule designs (over 1-inch

14 | HOME STUDIO HANDBOOK

 UNDERSTANDING MICROPHONES
R | YOUR FIRST
ST HOME
HO STUDIO

MIC SMALLL LARGE

TYPES AT CAPSULE CAPSULE
A GLANCE DYNAMIC CONDENSER CONDENSER RIBBON
Cheap to make and therefore Made with intricate compact From cheap upwards; valve Intricate design, so
COST cheap to buy components, so they can be types and multi-pattern mid-price upwards
expensive to buy versions cost more

Robust mechanical design, low Susceptible to vibration and Susceptible to vibration, Delicate ribbon, prone to wind
BUILD handling noise, can handle handling noise diaphragm sensitive to and plosives. Some of them
high SPLs humidity. Low self noise have heavy magnets

Cardioid, hyper-cardioid Omni, cardioid, Cardioid or multi-pattern Figure-8, cardioid

PICKUP PATTERN hyper-cardioid, figure-8

Upfront, can lack high Uncoloured and sensitive with More coloured than small Smooth response with
SOUND frequency accuracy good high frequency response capsule designs tail-off in the high frequencies

Live vocals, guitar and bass Quiet sources, ambient and Vocals, guitar amps, drum Speech, guitar amps, taming
GOOD FOR amps, most drums stereo miking, strings, piano overheads, feature instruments complex high frequencies

Quiet sources or where you Rather awkward for remote Damp or windy conditions, Challenging or particularly
NOT GOOD FOR want accuracy recording environments with cramped spaces windy environments
no phantom power

Shure SM58 AKG C451 AKG C3000 SE Electronics Ribbon R1

EXAMPLES Sennheiser MD421 SE Electronics SE4 Neumann TLM103 Karma K6
Beyerdynamic M201 DPA 4011 Rode NTK Coles 4038

capsule diameter), the frequency The valve-based amp circuit can from both sides. For diaphragm-based
response can vary massively. impart some pleasant colouration to mics, the physical design affects the
the sound, especially at higher levels. pattern. If the mic capsule is sealed apart
RIBBON This is technically known as second from the diaphragm side, you have a
LIKE MOVING-COIL dynamics, ribbon mics harmonic distortion and gives both a pressure-only design and hence an
rely on electromagnetic induction, but ‘warm’ and ‘smooth’ sound in contrast to omnidirectional pickup pattern. Open up
here the soundwave vibrates a thin the harsher sound of third harmonic access to the back of the capsule and
conductive metal ribbon. With this sitting distortion, more typical of transistor sound waves will hit both sides, resulting
inside a magnet, you have another form designs. Valve mics need a dedicated in a pressure-gradient design and a more
of dynamic mic. As the ribbon needs to power supply, which can make them cardioid pickup pattern. If two capsules
be light, it’s also delicate, so ribbon mics cumbersome. Also, as the body contains are positioned back to back, their outputs
tend to be less rugged than moving-coil a small valve, they’re not indestructible, can be electronically combined to
dynamics. However, modern compact and the valve becomes an additional produce a variety of pickup patterns.
neodymium magnets have made it component that may break down. One of the biggest issues with polar
possible to make these mics less bulky. patterns is inconsistent frequency
PICKUP PATTERNS response. For example, a cardioid is
OTHER TYPES THE OTHER fundamental aspect of a mic’s designed to pick up sound mainly from
RARER TYPES of mic include carbon, laser design is its pickup or polar pattern. As the front, and although midrange
and liquid mics, and ceramic or crystal mentioned earlier, the main types are frequencies will be rejected at the back,
mics, but their performance isn’t great. If cardioid, omnidirectional and figure-8. low frequencies will be picked up from all
you encounter these it’s most likely to be You may also come across options that around and high frequencies may also
in the form of instrument contact (‘bug’) fall somewhere in between these types, get picked up at the back.
mics or acoustic guitar bridge pickups. while some of the more advanced mics
offer a selection of patterns, or even a USB MICS
VALVE VS SOLID-STATE continuously variable controller all the COMBINING MIC, converter and powering all
YOU’LL OFTEN hear music producers talk of way from omni to figure-8. in one, the new breed of USB mics offer a
how they got an amazing sound by using Achieving the different polar patterns simple ‘plug and play’ solution that’s
a valve mic, and an abundance of more is an integral part of mic design, and both attractive to computer-based musicians.
affordable models has now made valve physical and electrical techniques are On the downside, you may be limited by
mics accessible to everyone, including utilised. Ribbon mics produce a figure-8 the quality of the onboard converters,
the home recordist. pattern because sound hits the ribbon and the selection currently is limited.

HOME STUDIO HANDBOOK | 15

YOUR FIRST HOME STUDIO | GETTING THE AUDIO INTO YOUR COMPUTER

GETTING THE AUDIO

INTO YOUR COMPUTER Sort out the technology early on and your recording
sessions will run much more smoothly
deally, when you’re recording music but duplicated. So hang in there, keep connection protocols. Although these

I
you want the technology to fade reading and it will all become clear soon. may at first seem like an arbitrary
into the background so that you mish-mash, you’ll quickly realise there
can concentrate on creating and RECORD AND MONITOR are certain pointers to keep you in check
capturing the moment. Whether IN ANY recording setup, you have two types when you’re plugging things up.
you’re working on your own or with of signal: the record signal from the mic Mics typically use XLR connectors and
other musicians, the slightest or audio interface input, and the monitor usually you’ll find the same type on
gear-related hiccup can bring your signal returning from your audio recorder preamps. XLRs contain three wires (two
session grinding to a halt and scupper (ie, your computer). You need to be able for the signal and one for the ground)
the spark of performance or creativity. to listen to your record signal accurately that form a balanced connection, which
The key is, of course, preparation, but so that you can be confident that what eliminates noise interference. They use
good recording sessions also require a you’re hearing is what’s being captured. male and female plugs and these indicate
flexible approach and the ability to You also need to be able to monitor what the direction of the signal – male is an
modify and make adjustments to your you’ve already recorded (monitor signal) output and female an input.
setup on the fly. To do that, whether while adding or overdubbing more parts. When it comes to the line level signals
you’re recording a band or a solo voice, If you’re planning on connecting one that connect preamps, interfaces and
there are some fundamentals you will instrument or mic to your computer and monitoring, things are less clear, with
need to get to grips with. recording that signal on one track, or jacks, phonos and XLRs all in common
In a recording studio setup, the even if you’re using a few inputs in this use. The important thing to be aware of is
so-called ‘signal flow’ simply refers to the way, things are pretty simple. But what if whether the connections are balanced or
various stages of the journey of a sound you have a guitar amp with two mics, plus unbalanced. Phonos are unbalanced and
from the instrument or voice being a DI, that you want to combine into one XLRs balanced, while jacks can be either,
recorded to an audio track in your DAW. signal? Or if you have 20 mics on a drum sporting three rings for balanced, two for
If you’re using a single mic, or recording kit and want to record the drums on eight unbalanced. In most cases, connecting
direct into your interface via a preamp, tracks? Grouping is the solution. from one jack type to the other shouldn’t
this process should be a pretty simple When it comes to mixing, software is cause problems, but bear in mind that
one, even for the beginner. But as soon as excellent at this and you’ll often find you operating levels may differ between the
you go multiplying the number of mics, have endless buses at your disposal. But +4dB operating level of professional
preamps and tracks involved, things can at the input stage, software struggles. If ‘balanced’ equipment and the -10dBu
easily get a whole lot more confusing. you’re recording many inputs and need level of unbalanced ‘consumer’ gear.
What’s more, if you’re planning on to group or bus signals together, while Plugging a +4dB level signal into a
arranging a complex recording session monitoring the recording in real time, the consumer -10dBu unit could overload it,
involving lots of musicians, all of their simplest option may be a hardware desk. causing undesirable distortion.
instruments and possibly even a Look at the signal flow diagrams opposite Finally, always check that the phantom
hardware mixing desk, then you’ll need to and you’ll see that as the setup becomes power is switched off before you connect
get to grips with the signal flow of the more complex, so does the signal path. or disconnect anything. Apart from the
desk as a separate piece of equipment. loud noise that you will experience
Now, if that’s all beginning to sound a bit PLUG ME IN through your monitors, microphones and
daunting, try to remember that, in LIKE COMPUTERS and hi-fi equipment, preamps can be damaged by accidental
essence, it’s the same process as before, recording gear has its own set of phantom powering.

16 | HOME STUDIO HANDBOOK

 GETTING THE AUDIO INTO YOUR COMPUTER | YOUR FIRST HOME STUDIO

SIGNAL FLOW 1 SIGNAL FLOW 2

In this simple arrangement we’re using a single preamp. This could even be In this second example we’re using two preamps and still using the facilities
built into the interface. We’re also using the interface’s headphone feed, and of the interface for monitoring. Now we’ve introduced a headphone amp to
relying on the interface and the software to provide a foldback mix. provide two separate headphone feeds.

HEADPHONES
PREAMP
PREAMP

VOCALIST

HEADPHONES PREAMP
HEADPHONES

INTERFACE

INTERFACE

GUITARIST

HEADPHONE
AMP & SPLITTER

COMPUTER COMPUTER
MONITORS MONITORS MONITORS MONITORS

SIGNAL FLOW 3
In this more complex session, a mixing desk provides mic and line inputs, INTERFACE
proper monitoring control and the option to add monitoring effects using the
desk auxiliary buses. We start with 14 input signals, but with some kit mics
grouped together we get that down to 12 for the interface. The desk enables
us to set up headphone mixes and blend in playback from our software.
12 INPUTS OUTPUTS

MIXING DESK
VOCALIST/
GUITARIST DI

BASSIST

DI

DRUMMER
10 MICS

COMPUTER
MONITORS MONITORS

HOME STUDIO HANDBOOK | 17