How to set up a session and record

Welcome back to the Recording Tips blog! This is John from djprosperity.com. Today's topic will be covering "How to set up a session and record" in whatever DAW you choose. I chose this particular topic because sometimes new clients will send me sessions and I when I open them I see stereo files all over the place. A microphone is a mono source (unless it is a stereo microphone- but in most cases it is a studio condenser microphone which is mono) so when you record your vocals you should record them on mono tracks within your DAW. I apologize to any advanced users that may be reading this post, but I will be explaining all the fundamental and basic terms that I use in this post for the beginners. A DAW is a Digital Audio Workstation or simply put it is the software that you use to record and capture audio.

To help me illustrate "How to set up and record" I have included a tutorial video explaining the process. In this video I show you step-by-step how to: create a session, create mono tracks, select your inputs and outputs, label your tracks for visual differentiation, arm or enable those tracks, and finally record. For this demonstration I use ProTools, however the information contained in this video is applicable to any DAW that you use to record. The UI (User Interface) may look different in some DAW's but they all contain the same foundational tools.

So that I don't leave anyone in the dark, I will explain the signal chain for any first time readers. I have a studio condenser microphone set up in my studio, that microphone connects to a preamp (whose job is to amplify the microphones signal from mic level to line level), the preamp then connects to an audio interface (a hardware unit with physical connections that allows instruments, microphones, etc. to communicate with the software inside of the computer through a conversion process known as A/D or Audio to Digital where it converts audio waveforms into binary code; which is the language the computer understands), the interface then connects to my computer and I am ready to open my DAW and begin making music! Signal chain recap: (mic->preamp->interface->computer).

Please enjoy the video and feel free to follow my blog and/or comment. Also, feel free to visit my website: www.djprosperity.com (there you can click the icons to follow me on various social media sites) and sign the Guestbook on the "Contact" page. I would be more than happy to help you with any of your audio needs or questions that you might have. God Bless and see you next post!

Tutorial video: http://youtu.be/zfYSeI6jSzA

About Me:

I am a certified Audio Engineer and owner/operator of a website called djprosperity.com. I received my education in Audio Recording and Production from The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Tempe Arizona. If you'd like to know more about me or would like my help with your projects, please visit my website and contact me.

Dimillez Endorsement

One of my clients, Xavier of Dimillez Enterprise Media, giving an endorsement for the work that we were able to do for him and his camp! Thank you, Xavier!

Gain Structuring

The most important "Rule" of recording is GAIN STRUCTURING. So what do I mean by GAIN STRUCTURING? Well I won't bore you with technical definitions about amplification and what-not but simply stated I am referring to your levels. Set up your levels correctly to set yourself up for success. 

As an Audio Engineer I receive sessions from artists all over wanting me to mix their tracks for them. When I open up their sessions the first thing I notice is their levels. If the waveforms are BIG and the meters are RED then there is nothing that I can do. You see when you record in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) such as ProTools anything above 0 dB is called clipping, and clipping is bad.

So, how can I avoid clipping? That's what you're asking, right? Good question! We avoid clipping by making sure that our levels are set correctly. Simply do a sound check by having the artist perform the song as they would normally, while you grab the faders or turn the knobs and make adjustments. The goal here is to get a comfortable level while still leaving yourself some "headroom"  or room to grow.

About Me:

I am a certified Audio Engineer and owner/operator of a website called djprosperity.com. I received my education in Audio Recording and Production from The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Tempe Arizona. If you'd like to know more about me or would like my help with your projects, please visit my website and contact me.