This is a link to the equipment available in college. - Mostly a list of the microphones that were have available with some basic information about them.
SHURE BETA 52A - https://pubs.shure.com/guide/BETA52A
Polar pattern guide - a great way to understand the different directions of microphones.
How Microphones Work - A breakdown of how dynamic and condenser microphone actually work.
A FEW KEY WORDS
Spill - sound that is picked up by a microphone which isn't intended
Overdub - recording over an existing recording
Click track - a metronome which reflects the tempo of a DAW
Polar Pattern - the direction in which a microphone picks up sound
Dynamic microphone - a robust mic that can handle loud sounds and it used in live situations a lot
Condenser microphone - a more sensitive mic that is great for a wide range of instruments - more suited to studio use.
XLR - the lead that you use to connect microphones.
Recording methods.
There are different ways in which a track can be recorded. Depending on how many people are in the band, the equipment and studio space that is available to you and the desired end result you may choose to record the track in a number of different ways. Some producers/bands will even try and record the same track several different ways to see which method works best. There are pros and cons for each method and some musicians prefer playing together live rather than recording things one at a time. The compromise is to record some instruments together and do the additional parts as overdubs.
- Live take - Everything recorded in one go and all musicians in the same room. This can be beneficial if the band have practiced together a lot and find it difficult to play parts individually (or without the vocals). This is the way all early recording were made, and up until the 50s they would have been recorded everything onto 1 microphone. Overdubbing only really became possible in the early 1960s when multitrack recording tape machines became available. One of the main problems with this recording method is that you will get some spill on microphones, which means that they pick up some sound that the microphone wasn't intended for. For example a drum overhead mic will pick up the sound of everything else playing in the room as well as the drums.
- Live take with separation - this is the same method as above where all the band play at the same time, but to try reduce spill engineers will use sound proof screens or even put musicians and/or amplifiers in different rooms.
- Partial live take - This process involves some of the instruments being recorded together, with other instruments being overdubbed after the core instruments have been recorded. The benefits of this method are that you retain some of the live feel of the track, get reduced spill and focus on one instrument at a time once the basis of the track has been captured. During the overdubbing process each musician could record multiple parts and even perform different instruments and vocals.
- Tracking/overdubbing - this is where one instrument is recorded at a time. It means that one person can play multiple parts. It can be useful to start with a guide track of some kind, like a drum loop or even a sequenced demo of the track. The down side is it can take quite a lot of work to try emulate the live sound of a band, but with practice it can be the most efficient method, especially if you are recording to a click track as this means you can copy and paste parts across the recording.
Recording Electric Guitar:
- Guitar is best recorded through an amplified, but it is not the only way it can be recorded. You can connect a guitar directly to a sound-card/interface which will results in a clean/dry sound but you can apply an amp simulator later on.
- If using an amp it is important to take some time to get the settings right on both the guitar and the amplifier. Make sure the tone is right for the song. Remember if reverb is added on the amp that you won't be able to remove it afterwards, you can always add reverb later on though.
- When choosing where to position the microphone(s) make sure you find out where the actual speaker cabinet position is. Centre of the speaker cone will result in a brighter/crisper sound and on the edge of the speaker cone it will sound softer/mellower.
- You can use a range of different microphones on a guitar amplifier. Dynamics are good as you can put them really close to the cabinet.
- Difference between close mic and far
- Difference between edge and middle of speaker (for close mic)
- Using a DI box vs an Amp
Further reading - Guides to recording electric guitar
This article has some good diagrams and audio examples
Acoustic Guitar:
- What type of mic?
- 1 mic or 2
- Different stereo methods (spaced pair vs XY)
- Position of microphone(s).
Bass Guitar:
- Amp vs DI box
- Setting sound on amp
- Preventing unwanted room noise (e.g. rattle of snare)
- What type of mic / polar pattern
Recording bass article Practical Music Production
Drums:
- 1 mic on whole kit vs multiple (advantages & disadvantages).
- What type of mics are suitable for Kick, Snare, Hat, Toms, Overheads?
- Different overhead options (spaced, XY, Glynn John's).
- Spill and how to minimise it
Vocals:
- Choosing the right mic for the vocalist
- Why do we need a pop shield?
- Monitoring using headphones
- Dynamic vs Condenser
- Polar pattern?
Piano:
- Dynamic vs condenser
- One mic or 2?
- Stereo mic options (spaced / XY).
- How would you record a grand piano & upright piano?
Recording piano
Guide to keeping session plans and a diary of recording sessions
Session Diary
- Equipment List – Cables/Stands/Mic’s/DI/Anything Else
- How Session Was Set Up – Mic Techniques/placement/Instrumentation/Running Order/Channel List
- Problems Encountered & Solutions
- What Went Well?
- Your personal Involvement/Input
- Plan and ideas for next time based on the above
- Remember to include photos and any relevant links where appropriate
Session Plan
- Running Order/Parts Of Track To Be Recorded
- Equipment Requirements – include everything
- What will you be photographing?
- Mic Techniques – more than one
- Set up procedure/personnel
- Positioning of player/instrument/mic’s etc.
- Any Logic Preperation Needed
Action Points from previous session