Hello,

I write my own songs too.. But I want to learn how to self record with a better quality like those singer songwriters.. Can someone help me and let me know how and where to start?


What device and software do i need to buy apart from my laptop?


Thank you

Either way you need a DAW, check this one out: http://www.steinberg.net/en/products/cubase/cubase_elements_6.html

From there you need to decide if you want to record your piano or use a sampled piano controlled by your MIDI keyboard. It depends on your budget, and what is right for you.

If you want to record a real piano you need:
-A soundcard
-Microphones
-Mic Cables
-Decent Piano

If you want to do it with a keyboard:
-Virtual Piano or good sounds on your DP
-Maybe a MIDI interface to connect your keyboard to the computer
-A soundcard would be a good idea for better latency
-Versatile scoring application would help (like Sibelius)

I've done both. But it depends on your budget and the materials you have on hand.

Michelle,

It is refreshing to hear that someone is interested in the QUALITY of recording - hopefully the quality of SOUND, and not just the mechanics.

Before you embark on a spree of purchasing gizmos, may we ask: What will be the purpose of your recordings? Will they be for learning purposes, self-improvement in performing, or for publication? How will your recordings be played back?

Ed

My purpose of recording is to eventually self record an album.. I compose songs when i was studying in Chicago.. And yeah... the album will be "A student technician in chicago"

Oh!! I am so excited... none of my friends know anything about it.. And microphones.. what type, brand is decent? I dont even know what is sound card.. and what software do i need to buy? Can please recommend some?

I will playing the piano and then i wanna sing over it.. How do i do that?

If you're on a budget, check out the Samson mics.

-Audio-Technica
-Shure
-Rode
-and Neumann

...are all good microphone brands you can depend on. I've heard really good piano recordings with the Shure SM57/SM58. Great mics that have stood the test of time. If you could get anything (your budget isn't a restraint) check out the Neumanns, which get up to $2000.

For software, check out my link above to Cubase Elements 6. It's $100 and should do all you could want, for now...

A soundcard is what you hook your mics into. You'll probably need a USB interface. Check out Steinberg, Tascam, M-Audio interfaces; they're extremely reliable. If you have a good mixer, you obviously won't need a soundcard.

As I'm in a process of figuring out solo album recording process, I can give some tips.

First of all, in my opinion, if you don't have a ton of resources and people who can set up a studio, in home environment it's digital recording that will work, not acoustic. I mean, when recording acoustic piano you need to get right so many things just from technical point of view - piano tuning, piano placement, mic placement, mic quality, outside noise, room noise, etc.

So, in "my book" it leaves 2 options - record acoustically in a studio or recording via digital/software and midi.

Studio is worth a try , if You have access to that, just to see how it goes and feels.

But for digital recording you need: weighted keyboard (I have roland FP7F), MIDI cable, soundcard with MIDI connections (i Have Focusrite Scarlett 8i6 USB), software for sounds (haven't decided what exactly to get, or maybe combine with different softwares for each piece of music), and a software-workstation (I have Ableton Live lite).

Don't spend money until you have seen some "home studio" setups being used. You must have a friend, neighbour or collegue who does this sort of thing? No matter if their music is a completely different style to yours, the basics are the same.

Hope you don't mind a few more questions. Mac or PC? It's makes a big difference. If Mac your best options are Logic, ProTools, Mark of the Unicorn or CuBase. If PC then Cakewalk or ProTools, but there's also open source software, Audacity being the best known (and probably your best place to start).

I agree that virtual instruments is the best way to start recording piano. A quality virtual instrument, such as Ivory, is worth the investment and can work within one of the above programs as a plug in). Be sure to double check compatibility before buying. The biggest advantage of working with virtual piano is the ability to correct mistakes and adjust the performance after recording because you don't turn the performance into audio data until the last possible moment.

Finally, there's how do you record your vocal. You need to find a microphone compatible with your voice. A large diaphragm condenser is optimal and doesn't that spendy. I've gotten a lot of use out of a Studio Projects C1 (about $239) because it sounds similar to much more expensive mics. When I bought it one review said that a mic of this price had no business sounding this good and they compared it to a Neumann U87. I've never sung into a Neuman U87 so can't comment on the comparison, but an AKG (normally very good brand) Perception 120 ($99) sounds pitifully canned and boxy by comparison. You'll also need a mic preamp with phantom power and analog/digital converter to get the audio into your computer (they can be integrated or separate components). The analog/digital converter is what's meant by sound card and usually includes the conversion back to analog for listening purposes.

Finally, there are varying levels of quality for all of these components, but with the exception of microphones the quality generally available is far superior to all but the best professional quality of the 1980s. That means you can make a superb sounding CD without spending tons of cash. Your biggest investment will be the time necessary to learn how to use your recording gear.

One last note: the Shure SM57/58 are great mics for live onstage use and can have specific purposes in the studio (snare drum and guitar amps), but I don't like their sound for piano or main vocal track. They have a specific identifiable sound that may not complement your voice.