| If you want to put together and arrange a recording, | | | | you are and the more you know your way around |
| you might need something a bit different than simply | | | | various recording software packages, the more |
| putting a band together and then mixing all of the music | | | | capable you will be of finding just the right |
| in. Today, you have options available so that you can | | | | arrangements and sounds, as well as the capabilities |
| put together your songs and make sure that | | | | within each kind of software. Familiarize yourself with |
| everything is hanging together just right. | | | | software so that you know which software is best at |
| Tip #1: Use patterns and repeats. Everything in music is | | | | what task. |
| built off of a pattern or motif. If you have these types | | | | Tip #7: Know the background and foreground. One of |
| of patterns in your song, don't rewrite them over and | | | | the biggest mistakes those new to recording make is |
| over again. This is especially unnecessary if you're not | | | | that they have the balance and the back |
| playing live. Simply create a loop with the specific | | | | arrangements as their foreground. This can be |
| musical pattern you want, so that you get what you | | | | managed if you use a volume control in your |
| want for much less time and money. | | | | arrangements. Research to see what standards are |
| Tip #2: Find those loops. Most recording packages | | | | for each setting in volume before you start your |
| have premade loops that can be used for just general | | | | recording. |
| patterns. This is effective if you need a simple beat or | | | | Tip #8: It's harder to get softer in volume than it is to |
| general rhythm pattern. Loops should not be your | | | | get louder. When you just start your mix, start at a low |
| songs' foundation, but they can provide a general | | | | volume. Test each instrument or pattern before you |
| background. | | | | change anything. Start with a volume of about -6.0. If |
| Tip #3: Layer. It doesn't matter whether you're | | | | you need to, you can move up. However, don't go to |
| recording live, using loops or patterns; you still need to | | | | zero when you're recording, especially before you |
| think in layers. Start doing this when you start with an | | | | bring the vocals in. This can cause the sound to be too |
| arrangement of the song and continue it throughout | | | | loud so that waves will make it peak and it will be |
| production and mixing. | | | | unbalanced. |
| Tip #4: What should you put in first? It doesn't always | | | | Tip #9: Test, test, test. Use volume control when you |
| matter how you put your tracks down, but there's | | | | test each of your sounds. Each instrument should stay |
| usually a way that is both logical and effective. Start | | | | below a yellow or red zone. The volume itself should |
| with a rhythm track if you can, because you can use | | | | be at a nice halfway point with each instrument. Some |
| both a repetitive loop here and you'll also help keep | | | | may need to be higher than others for the mix itself, |
| everything pointed in the same direction. Then, stack | | | | but staying within the mid-zone is the general rule. If |
| from low to high, starting with bass, then going to mid | | | | you keep in mind, you have an easier time keeping the |
| range, and then finally, high range. | | | | instrumentation together in terms of its volume. |
| Tip #5: Your "icing" is the vocals. Performing live, | | | | Tip #10: When should you preset? If you're going for a |
| usually, the singers are at the front of the stage, but | | | | certain sound, or if you know what needs to be put |
| when you record, they're in the back. Before you bring | | | | together or compressed in a certain way, do that |
| vocalists in for a recording session, have your layers | | | | before you start playing. This is especially important |
| of instrumentation completely finished, including your | | | | when it comes to the mixing. However, don't |
| mix. You can put the voice in last so that it will be | | | | experiment unless you're willing to lay the track down |
| compressed and will blend well with the rest of the | | | | several times using different settings. |
| instruments. | | | | By utilizing these tips, you can put pieces together in |
| Tip #6: Make sure you know your way around more | | | | less time and more effectively. When you know what |
| than one program. Most recording studios prefer to | | | | you can use and when with your computer, and you'll |
| use one particular program or set of programs for | | | | get the exact sound you need. This is also true when |
| everything they record. For you, the more adaptable | | | | you know what settings you should use. |