Posts Tagged ‘recording studios’

How to Go From a DJ to an Audio Mixing Engineer

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D.J.’s do more than just D.J. They record tracks and create music as nicely. D.J.’s also get jobs with record companies to become resident D.J.’s meaning they do all from the in house D.J. music for artists on their records or they create data for artists.

D.J.’s who create their personal music also have built a following meaning they have been able to create a name for themselves and their fans will go to see them D.J. at a club or a show. When D.J.’s create data for artists they make a name for themselves that way also. Building your talent and not getting afraid to showcase it and get criticism will only enhance your skills.

So now that you know what it takes to be a D.J. and produce records how do you get started?

For a D.J., the natural progression after learning how to D.J., is to create songs. With the digital age well upon us the price of songs production software program is coming down and also the flexibility and quality going up you can literally produce radio ready songs inside your bedroom and executives from the record companies will never even know it.

Here is really a list of the things you require for the house recording equipment.

1. Get better at Software program Plan – Depending on your choice this is what all of the other hardware and software program components will be based on. I have put some recommendations of packages further down the page. Example of the kind of get better at software plan is Pro Methods. Pro Methods allows you to record multiple tracks, mix your song and master your final combination utilizing the suite of plug-ins that arrive with Pro Tools so there is no need to purchase additional gear to do this.

2. Audio Minute card – This minute card is a crucial piece of hardware simply because you are able to not get audio into computer with out it. A great audio minute card to think about is 1 that has a processor on it like the kind of processor discovered on your computers motherboard only smaller. 1 that I like is the ST Audio 2496 PCI Audio Minute card. It uses extremely little of your computer’s CPU (Central processing Unit).

3. Mixer – If you have D.J. gear then you’ve a mixer. Use your mixer or multi-track to plug into your audio minute card.

It could be an analog or digital mixer but preferably a digital mixer. For my house recording I use the Roland VS880. It is old but still extremely effective. You are able to also plug directly into your audio minute card from a supply like a CD player. Break Out Boxes are your greatest bet if you only a have a few inputs. What ever your source is they should run through a mixer or breakout box very first. A breakout box is essentially a way to connect multiple sources into a single source that you would feed your audio minute card then to the input of your audio minute card. Whatever your source is they ought to run through a mixer or breakout box very first and then towards the input of your audio card.

4. CD Burner – What is the point of recording to your computer if you cannot burn the final product to CD? Just about each pc comes with 1 nowadays. Even some of the newer D.J. equipment comes having a CD burner. Most computers come having a CD burner but if you would like an external CD burner you ought to get Plextor PX-740UF which doubles like a DVD burner.

5. Midi Minute card – If you use Musical Instrument Digital Interface or MIDI for short then you will most certainly require a midi interface minute card for your pc or an external MIDI interface. This is an essential component of the recording process because it lets you sync many various instruments that use Time Code or The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE for short).

Time code or SMPTE is basically a hidden monitor that records the beats per minute (BPM). When this time code is recorded with the BPM then other devices such as beat machines or keyboards are able to read the time code and play back in sync with each other with out obtaining off beat. Time code helps keep all of your musical devices in sync for recording. SMPTE is truly utilized in the movie business to sync music tracks to video.

By having this capability you are able to compose and arrange you music utilizing many different instruments and have them enjoy in time with 1 another while getting controlled the multi-track machine’s MIDI. A great midi card to get is the Echo Mia Midi Digital Audio and Midi Card.

6. Drums Sounds – In the past drum sounds have been the hardest part to produce for tracks. Drum loops have come a long way and for home recording it has been simplified to a couple of clicks of the mouse.

Now with pre-made drum loops and samples it’s just a matter of inserting it where you want it and also the recording software will line them up so it sounds perfect. Soon D.J. equipment will have MIDI.

7. Primary Software Plan – With the main software plan you would like to get it proper the first time simply because this are going to be the mother program. Some from the programs can be a bit pricey but you will not be changing to any other packages for a few years. Just like you made the investment in your D.J. equipment do the same with your recording software program.

These programs come extremely recommended.

• Image Line FLStudio Producer Edition Windows (Remix / Looping) for recording

• Propellerhead ReBirth for recording

• Sony Media Sound Forge 8. for recording

• Stanton Last Scratch for the D.J. software

• Steinberg CubaseSX3 MAC/PC (Multi-Track Recording Software) for recording

• Serato Scratch Live from Rane for your D.J. software

• Pro Tools for recording Music123.com is a excellent place to pick up any one of these products.

Now to become honest you probably will not learn these software program packages overnight. But as you discover to drop tracks and do various mixes of the similar songs you’ll grasp a great understanding of the programs. Read up on the message boards for tips. They’re a great supply of info.

8. Studio Monitors – You need at least a 500 watt amp and studio monitors.

Studio monitors are speakers specifically designed for professional recording studios in order for the studio’s audio engineer to combination the music that you eventually hear on your CD or iPod. But these aren’t your typical speakers they’re especially developed to give a flat response, meaning the dynamic range is zero. Typical speakers will give that rich sound you are utilized to hearing. A great pair of studio monitor are TANNOY I personal myself) and a good pair of speakers for normal use are Yamaha C115V 15 2 Way Club Concert Series Speaker.

Another thing about monitors and mixing is that it will take several months to obtain used to mixing songs using these monitors simply because what you hear is different from what will play back in a typical speaker. Each time you do a mix enjoy it back on a typical stereo system and you will be able to tell what parts of the combination have to be adjusted.

To me being capable to combination is really a extremely developed skill more so than being a D.J. Getting a critical ear is precious and being capable to bring that together with your D.J. creativity only makes you stand out all the more.

Finally within the procedure is mastering which involves taking the last combination and tweaking it by a means of compression and EQ or balance to give it full dynamic range with the highest output without distortion. You may have noticed that your homemade CD sounds nothing like your favorite CD. That’s because it has not gone via the mastering process.

This is really a skill that only a few people within the recording business have. But thanks to the power from the pc you are able to achieve the similar level of a final master as the big boys. So get your D.J. equipment out, drop a monitor and start mastering.

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