From the Microphone to the Computer - Essential Recording Gear For Composers, Part 2
We're talking about all of the gear you'll need to have a home studio as a composer by walking step-by-step through the recording signal flow chain. Last time we looked at finding the right microphone. Here’s an overview of the two-part series:
From the Microphone to the Computer
So, in the microphone phase, we took actual sound waves and we converted them into an electrical signal - that's still analog.
At this point in the recording process, you have the opportunity to include any outboard effects hardware, such as a compressor or an EQ...but if you know what to do with those, you're likely not reading this blog post. And if you don't know what you're doing with those, then you can skip this phase.
Digital Converters and Audio Interfaces
Now we need to get the system out of analog. We need to convert it to digital in order to get it into a computer for us to edit. We can do that with a device called an analog to digital converter. What the name lacks in creativity it makes up for in clarity.
After that we need a device called an audio interface. If you aren't familiar with the word interface, it is the border between two things - it's going to allow our audio signal to pass the border into a recording software.
In a lot of studio setups, these are two separate devices. But lucky for you, there are plenty of 2-in-1 devices that are both Analog to digital converters and audio interfaces. Perhaps the most popular one on the market right now is the Focusrite Scarlett Solo, and its big brother the 2i2.
These are incredible good for their price point, and are great for those who don't have a large studio operation. The Solo has one xlr input and one 1/4" input - like for your vocals and a guitar, as if you were playing...well, Solo. The 2i2 has the option for either two xlrs, two 1/4" inputs, or one of each, giving you a little more flexibility (particularly if you wanted to record a stereo pair).
Note: As of the publishing of this blog, a bundle including the Focusrite Solo, a pair of decent headphones, and the Blue Spark Microphone is available and a great choice.
Digital Audio Workstation
At the point your signal passes through the audio interface you can work with that signal in a DAW: a Digital Audio Workstation, or recording software. I was originally going to do a third post looking at which is the best for composers, but this post here says it much better than I could.
TL;DR - Garageband is free if you’ve got a Mac. Logic is the pro version (and the one I use). Pro Tools is great for PC and those with a large studio. Ableton is best at live. FL studio is best at loop based compositions. Audacity is free, but has limited capabilities (can be great for podcasts.) Cubase is great at virtual instruments (and also very compatible with Dorico, make sure to check out “Which Notation Software Should I Use?”)
Monitoring
But, you don't just want your audio in the computer, you need to be able to hear it.
For that, the signal has to be sent back through the audio interface and converted back into an analog sound.
Speaker Cables
Your audio interface will have the ports for some speaker cables - usually one for left, and one for right. You'll want to make sure that the cable you purchase is distinctly a speaker cable. Despite its 1/4" end, the speaker cable and instrument cable are NOT the same thing. You will introduce noise to your recording at best, and damage your equipment at worst. So, make sure you've got some actual speaker cables.
Studio Monitors
I'll be delicate here, as this can spark endless debate among enthusiasts. You need a set of speakers to listen to playback, and effectively mix your recording. The types and sizes of this are quite varied, and the price points are quite varied as well.
The size of your speaker should match the size of your room. In general, for a small to medium-sized home studio, 5-inch or 6-inch nearfield (because you are near the speaker) studio monitors are often a good starting point. They provide a balanced sound and are suitable for various music production tasks.
Your budget will also play a significant role in speaker selection. High-quality studio monitors can be expensive, but there are also budget-friendly options available that provide good sound quality for home studios. I'll list three that I have used in my studio.
One other thing to consider: the type of music you produce can influence your speaker choice. If you're primarily working on bass-heavy electronic music, you may need larger speakers with good low-frequency response (perhaps even a subwoofer). If you're recording acoustic instruments or vocals, smaller monitors with accurate mids and highs might suffice.
Headphones
There are a lot of reasons you might want a good set of headphones for your home studio. From audio editing on the road to hearing reference tracks as you (or someone else) records a new track.
I'm fairly certain you know what a pair of headphones does. And much like the speakers, you can spend a wide range of money, and preferences can start internet wars.
Different headphones have different frequency responses, meaning that they will interpret your mix accordingly. You will want to consider your purpose for your headphones - do you want to accurately mix your music, or are you mostly using them as a reference? You'll want a higher fidelity headphone if you're going to do mixing. The Audio-Technica ATH-M20X is a good budget choice here, giving a decent sound at a good price. For a little more, the Audio-Technica ATH-M50x is one of my favorites. A friend of mine is an evangelist for the Sony MDR-7506, and I feel like he'd appreciate me mentioning them here.
If you are recording multiple musicians at once, and they all need headphones, you'll want a headphone amp and splitter. I've always loved the Behringer MicroAMP HA400 4-ch Headphone Amp - inexpensive and reliable.