July 2019 - Tom Harvey Baritone

You have invested in your music training and have made good progress. Now you want to hear what you sound like to others. Rather than paying for a high priced recording session, you consider setting up your own studio. What will you need and what will it cost you for a home recording studio setup? That is what we shall look at in this blog.

Location

We shall assume that you have a location in your home that can be set aside for a small studio. It does not have to be a large area. However, it should have enough room for a small desk or table and a chair. Along with that, there should be access to electrical outlets. It should have adequate light and air condition

With the above conditions met, we now address the equipment.

What home recording studio equipment will you need?

Let’s begin with the things you may already have.

Computer

This is the heart of the recording studio. You will need a computer with adequate memory. If you plan to do a lot of recording you will need at least 100 GB of ROM. Along with that, you will need at least 4 GB of RAM. If you can add an additional 4 GB it will be even better. But, 4 GB will suffice.

Processor speed should be a minimum of 2.0 GHz. The higher the better.

The best programs for home recording studios are usually setup for Windows or Mac. There are some that are built for non-conventional platforms. But these are not as high of a quality as those for Windows and Mac.

Along with the computer, you will need a decent monitor to display the recording program and its many layouts and platforms.

Interface

The interface is the equipment that we plug into the computer that transmits what we record to the computer. Depending on what equipment we choose, that can range from one input to multiple inputs. For a home studio, one or two inputs with a midi input should be adequate.

The inputs are typically two microphones and a midi. With two microphones you can record an instrument(i.e. guitar) and a vocal. If you choose an interface with a midi input, you can record your midi along with the audio. With midi input, you can also program your accompaniment in advance.

You will also want to choose an interface that will accommodate condenser as well as dynamic microphones. Condenser microphones are the choice for studio recordings. But dynamics will suffice if that is what you have. To use a condenser microphone the interface must provide a 48-volt power supply. Condenser microphones provide a better recording and catch all the nuances of the singer.

Microphones

Home Recording Studio setup mic — Condenser Microphone

We have just mentioned microphones above. Almost all recording studios use condensers. The dynamic microphone is better for live performances. Condenser microphones are the overwhelming choice of the recording studio.

Home recording studio software

Home recording studio software prices range from “free” to “extremely expensive”. Since we are just beginning, we shall look at the “free” to “the best for the money”.

Audacity

Audacity is a “free” recording software and gives a general idea of how to record for beginners. It is fine for a beginning experience. But, as you progress, you will want to graduate to a little more comprehensive program. It will give you a good taste of what recording is like.

You can download a FREE version of Audacity HERE.

Sonar

Sonar is a very good software for not only home studios but for professionals as well. I have used it to make many home studio recordings. It has several platforms from which to choose. The program has several interfaces that it works well with. However, it would be wise to make sure that the interface you choose will work with it. Check out Sonar HERE.

Pro Tools

The industry standard for many years has been the Pro Tools software. It is for sure one of the top-rated software programs for the recording industry. Almost any decent interface will work with Pro Tools. Pro Tools is probably the most expensive of the recording software programs. It is probably worth the price.

I have used this software for many years and had good results. However, as it has grown more and more complex, it goes beyond the needs of a home studio.

Check out Pro Tools Here.

Studio One

Studio One from PreSonus has consistently grown in the recording studio market. Unlike Pro Tools, it has not forgotten the “little man” in the recording industry. The software produces professional-quality recordings from the entry-level to the professional level.

PreSonus develops software which complements its foundational Studio One. It has also developed the interfaces that augment the Studio One platform.

This is the program that I use now. It is on a par with Pro Tools and in some areas easier to use. It is built to integrate with its other programs of composition and printing of works. It also has a platform to promote your recordings.

The developers are constantly updating and improving the product.

My Recommendation for Home Recording Studio Setup Package

The program that I recommend is Studio One. The reason for that is that you are just beginning and are probably working with a budget.

We are assuming that you have a good computer and have a place set up. Studio One has a nice setup and provides everything you will need to begin recording. There are several packages that you can choose from, depending on what you wish to accomplish.

The simple package

There are two PreSonus packages that I recommend for the home recording studio setup. Both are under $300. But each has what you will need to carry your music from concept to finished recording.

The first is Audiobox Itwo Bundle. It comes with Studio One Artist software, AudioBox interface, M7 condenser microphone, headphones, and cables. You also get a free account with Nimbit where you can publish your recordings for the internet. There is also a Free app from the Apple store to interface your software with an IPad. All this for only $249.00. Click the image to get it now.

Presonus – Bundle Includes AudioBox iTwo, HD7 Headphones, M7 Mic, S1 Artist_
Buy Today @ The Sound Professionals, Inc.

Best package for beginning home studio

If you have an understanding of the piano keyboard then this bundle would be perfect. It not only allows you to record but you can program your accompaniment, too.

This is the Music Creation Suite. With this bundle, you get AudioBox interface, Studio One Artist software. You also get Notation Music notation software. Along with these, you receive a PS49 Midi Keyboard. Included are an M7 condenser microphone and HD3 Headphones. Rounding out the package is a Free Nimbit account to publish all your recordings.

The cost of this bundle is only $299.00. There is no better home recording studio bundle anywhere on the internet. Get yours by clicking the image.

Presonus – Presonus Music Creation Suite – USB Hardware/Software Composing and Recording Kit.

Buy Today @ The Sound Professionals, Inc.

Conclusion to home recording studio setup

Whether you take your music to the professional level or not, having a home recording studio setup is a plus. By recording and hearing yourself you can make the improvements which you could not before. As you improve you can publish your recordings through various services such as Nimbit or SoundCloud.

Check out the packages and programs that I have shared with you and begin your adventure.

May God bless you and prosper you.

Many young singers, eager to build a singing career want to know, “How can I strengthen my singing voice?” Too many of these young people fall for the wares of vocal charlatans and ruin their career before it starts. A friend of mine related one such incident.

A young lady in his church showed great potential in contemporary religious singing. My friend recommended that she study with a college voice teacher in their church. The teacher recommended a course of training which would take a minimum of three years. This would give her voice time to mature and build the strength necessary for a career in concert singing. The parents opted for a “quick fix” with a popular teacher in Los Angeles, California.

In two years the young singer returned home. Her voice was all but ruined. The “teacher” had tried to manipulate the young voice with popular tricks taught to secular singers. Just as people trying to do things physically which are beyond their ability can injure themselves, so can singers.

If the vocal muscle is not strong enough to accomplish a certain level, it must be strengthened. That strengthening must be done with wisdom and knowledge. The vocal mechanism and its muscles must be built gradually and nurtured each step of the way.

Beginnings

Human beings by nature are singers. Babies in the mother’s womb react to the mother’s singing voice. Infants begin to sing before they can verbalize words. Singing is almost second nature to human beings. I am convinced that this is because our Creator loves singing and there will be endless singing in heaven. That is my opinion.

Many people think that birds, or other animals, sing. They do not, in the real sense of the definition of singing. Singing is basically “intonation of words or phrases to add emotion and emphasis to its meaning”. Animals have no sense of wording or thoughts to their melodies. Their “music” however does carry forms of communication. We shall not address that in this blog.

Foundations

To develop a good and strong singing voice one must first lay a good foundation. One important thing I learned in the building business was the need of a solid foundation. If you mess up on the foundation, nothing else you do will correct that error. No amount of tricks or cover-ups can produce a good product if the foundation is faulty.

Another truth I learned was that there is a necessary time that a foundation should set up. In other words, it takes a while before the structure should be built on the foundation. Rushing any development structure will lessen the value of the foundation. Build the foundation with patience. Then the structure will be strong and come naturally.

Foundational vocalise

It is always wise to begin warming up with light vocalise exercises. By beginning your warmup in a predetermined structure, you alert your body and voice to get ready to sing. One of the simplest exercises is that of humming. It is a simple way of activating the breathing muscles and the vocal mechanisms. Along with those you can feel the sensations of the vibrations associated with singing.

The humming should always be light and unforced. This is just the beginning and should promote freedom of production, not forceful production. A good “humm” will also give a good tingle to the lips and nose.

Below is a good humming exercise you can use to begin your warmup. It will move up by half-steps to stretch the vocal mechanism. But, you should never get to a point of forcing the production. Keep it light. If it gets above your comfortable range, just drop out and wait till it comes back. Over time you will gradually increase the range of your warmup.

Strengthen my singing voice — Humming warmup

Warmup 1 - Thomas Harvey

Continue to strengthen your singing voice with these exercises

The next exercise is a slightly different approach. We shall use the “Ooh” vowel. The structure of the mouth to form the “Ooh” should be the same as that of the “Ah” vowel. The difference is in how the lips are shaped. The lips should be formed as if you were going to whistle. Make sure the jaw is still open for the “Ah”.

Now, sing through the exercise a few times. Always keep the “Ooh” light and floating. This is just a warmup. Below you will see the notation of the beginning exercise. The recorded accompaniment will progress up by semitones and then back down. Repeat a couple of times.

Notation for warm-up 2 — Here is the notation for Warm-up exercise 2

Warmup 1.2 - Thomas Harvey

Next warmup

Our next exercise in our warm-up regimen is a simple octave leap up and then down. We shall use three different vowels. Go through the exercise completely using one vowel and then the other until using all three.

The vowels are: “e” as in “eager”; “a” as in “way”; and “ah” as in “father”. Use them in this order. The exercise will move by half steps up, then back down. Keep the voice light and unforced.

Warm-up 3

Warmup 1.3 - Thomas Harvey

Bring focus to warmup

This exercise will conclude this warmup regime. We use a simple major scale in eighth notes to conclude this session. Use the same vowel for the whole exercise. Then repeat the exercise with the next vowel.

The vowels in order are: “ee” as in “see”; “a” as in “say”; “oh” as in “old”; “ah” as in “father”. The tone should always be light. For men, if you need to go into falsetto, that is OK.

notation for warm-up 4 — Warm-up number 4

Warmup 1.4 - Thomas Harvey

Conclusion

This warm-up should take you about 15 or 20 minutes, depending on the rest between each exercise. When completed, relax for a few minutes and then work on learning your songs.

By using these warm-up techniques regularly you will strengthen your singing voice. You will also improve your singing voice as you grow proficient in your warm-up techniques.

Look through our site and find helpful practices to grow an even more artistic voice.

Services

Do you need a recorded accompaniment for your singing? We can produce a general accompaniment for your practice needs. If we do not have a particular composition, we can get it.

We shall give you the first three accompaniments free to see if they help you. If you like what you get, we can produce more for around $3 to $6 per song, depending on the length.

Month: July 2019

Home Recording Studio Setup