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Basics of RecordingDennis Mauricio

Common Recording ProjectsRecord rehearsals & concerts

Audition CDs for conferences, festivals, college

Small group or independent student projectsEvaluation group or individual progressPortfolio & authentic assessmentFundraising - sell CDs

Benefits to StudentsProvides immediate feedbackDevelops critical listening skillsDocument progress over timeBuild a portfolio

Assessment (funding justification)

Teaching Applications

Create guided listening examplesCreate accompaniments for choral, instrumental, or classroom practiceTeach musical concepts such as style, pitch, timbre, and dynamicsPublish mp3 audio files on the Internet for listening assignments and home practice

RecordingThe process of capturing and storing audio as electrical voltages

AudioA technical term for sound or a stream of sound, whether produced by electronic or acoustic means

What About MIDI?MIDI & audio are completely separateConsists of performance instructions

Comparable to notated (print) music

Analog vs. Digital RecordingAnalog smooth, continuous flow of voltageDigital converted to distinct steps (0 & 1)

Traditional Studio DesignModular - Separate Components

Large Traditional Studio Design ModelMixerRecorderSignal processors (effects)Studio monitors (speakers)

Integrated (standalone) All-in-OnePortableEasy SetupReliability

ComputerLaptop with USB or FireWire Audio InterfaceSoftware: Pro Tools,Audacity(freeware) audacity.sourceforge.net

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Common Recording MethodsStereo Recording

Record two tracks left & rightBasic & direct method

Multitrack RecordingMore than two tracks (typically 4 24)

Allows for independent recording, editing & mixing of vocals or instruments

Live Multitrack Recording Numerous tracks all at the same time

Overdubbing Record a track at a later timePunch-In/Out Record a segment of a track starting & ending at precise points

Audio Storage MethodsTape Linear format

AnalogCassette TapeReel-to-Reel

DigitalDAT (Digital Audio tape) stereo format

Alesis ADAT (VHS tape) 8 track multitrackTascam DA-88 (Hi-8 tape) 8 track multitrack

Disk (Disc)- digital, non-linearHard Disk

ComputerDigital audio recording software

Audio interfaceDedicated Hard Disk Recorder (HDR)

Standalone (All-in-One)

Compact Disc (CD)CD-R write once, read many timesCD-RW ReWritable

Compact Flash

Hard Disk Recording AdvantagesCompletely Digital

No analog tape hissNo signal degradation

Non-linear, Random accessInstant access to any part of a song (no time required for fast-forwarding / rewinding)Non-destructive editingWord Processor editing of audio

The Recording Process

Pre-ProductionPlanning, Setup

Recording

Post-ProductionTrack Editing, Mixing, Mastering, Duplication, Distribution

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Microphone BasicsMicrophones are transducersBasic purpose is to convert acoustical energy (sound waves) to electrical energy (voltages)

Types of Microphones Refers to the basic design of the microphone component (element) used to capture the sound.

There are two common types of microphones:

Dynamic- Moving electromagnetic coil

Condenser- Consists of two plates, one stationary and one moving.

Dynamic Microphones Durable good jack-of-all-trades mic. Typically handles cold, heat, and high humidity better than condenser mics. Can handle high volume levels without distortion. Frequently used for miking bass (kick) drum, snare drum, and guitar amps. Overall ruggedness makes them a good choice for hand-held close vocal use.

Condenser Microphones Wider & smoother frequency response than dynamic mics, especially high-end frequencies. Very realistic, transparent sound. Preferred choice for stereo recording or group sound reinforcement. Great for miking cymbals, woodwind and string instruments, and studio vocals. More fragile & expensive than dynamic mics; use extra care. Require power source

- Batteries- Phantom power from mixer

Pickup (Polar) Pattern Refers to how a microphone hears the sound. The directional response of a microphone.

Two common microphone pickup (polar) patterns:Omnidirectional

Picks up sound in all directionsa full 360.

Cardioid (unidirectional) Picks up sound primarily in front. Rejects sound from rear.

What to Start With:A pair of cardioid condenser microphonesAdd a 3

rdmicrophone for capturing soloists

Condenser or dynamic cardioid mic

Miking EnsemblesStereo Mic Techniques

Spaced Pair- Pair of cardioid condenser mics- Smooth, spacious sound- Mic spacing is important

Coincident (X-Y)- Good for small to medium size groups

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Accent Miking- Use additional mic and recording track to capture soloist

Area (Section) Miking- Use several microphones to capture different sections

Mixer

Routes audio signals to a destination Mixer combines audio signals into a mix

Channel Inputs Receives audio from microphones and instruments Input Trim (sensitivity or attenuation) Adjust volume level, EQ, effects

Output Headphones for monitoring Near-field Reference Monitors

- Powered or Nonpowered

Recording Audio is recorded on a track Recorded data is stored on a hard drive

Recording Tracks Adjust input levels Select and record enable the tracks Press the Record button to begin recording Adding More Tracks Overdub soloist on a new track Use V-Tracks for additional takes

Post-productionMixing

Use channel volume faders to adjust track levels Adjust EQ Add effects reverb, chorus Combine tracks into a stereo mix

Mixdown to a pair of stereo tracksMaster the stereo tracksBurn the mastered tracks to a CD

Additional ResourcesPractical Recording Techniques4

thedition by Bruce and Jenny Bartlett

Recording and Producing in the Home Studioby David FranzMusic Mentor SeriesAn Easy Approach to Recording in the ClassroomRecording School Online videos www.recordingschoolonline.comShure Educational Materials www.shure.com/bookletsMusic Education Technology Magazine (free subscription) metmagazine.com

Contact:Dennis Mauricio dennismauricio@cox.netHilltop High Music Technology hhs.suhsd.k12.ca.us/~musictech/Roland Music Education www.rolandus.com/community/musiceducation