HOME RECORDING GUIDE

TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP YOU OVERCOME THE LIMITATIONS OF MONEY

GETTING STARTED

BRINGING YOUR MUSIC AND YOUR MESSAGE TO THE WORLD

HOW TECHNOLOGY IS BREAKING FINANCIAL CHAINS

The power of the spoken word is the most powerful form of communication in history. The power of music goes back to the beginning of history. Today, you can get your messages and your music directly to a global audience. You are no longer dependent on big media corporations.

This guide is to show you that you have power. The value of you and your message is not defined by money. Modern technology has cut the costs of creating audio works. The internet enables you to reach a global audience.

It is really not that hard to create an MP3 file and simply upload it to your web site. You can also post it on a site like Soundcloud that enables it to be heard all over the world. Soundcloud also enables you to interface with the world's major social networking sites. Most music is posted to You Tube. You can easily create a one picture video with an audio track.

Even if your financial resources are limited, opportunities are available to jump start your recording career by using the cheap technology that is now on the market. All it takes is your own creative spark, a little money, and an Internet connection.

This guide points the way for artists, composers, DJs, and musicians who would like to move their recording careers from ground zero. The advice in this guide is based upon our experience with certain kinds of equipment and software. It does not represent the final word in recording at home. We may recommend a certain computer program or piece of equipment, but our recommendation does not mean that other kinds of equipment and software are bad choices. Quite the opposite is true, in fact. Although we do not guarantee the results you will get, all of the software listed below, as well as much of the equipment available on the web sites we list, is worth using. We have no financial connections with any products mentioned here and make no guarantee that these products will work for you. You can learn a lot from looking through what is available at a site like Musician's Friend .

NOTE: GOOGLE DOCS SUPPORTS VOICE TYPING

Some people are not aware that you no longer need expensive voice software like Dragon.

You can now talk directly into Google docs. You simply go to tools and hit "voice typing". We find it very accurate.

WEBCAMS PORTABLE RECORDERS PHONES SOFTWARE WHERE TO BUY WFF AUDIOS LINKS

WEBCAMS AND MICROPHONES

So how can you get started recording if you don't have any recording tools? If you're reading this from a modern laptop, you probably have the basic tools needed to get started.

Most laptop computers come with built in webcams these days. Simply find the webcam program on your laptop's desktop, open it and click the record button to get started.

Most audio recording software will recognize your webcam's microphone.

Important: The audio quality of better webcams such as the Logitech 920 is really quite good

and we would strongly advise getting one unless you have a very good laptop. See below:

EQUIPMENT

Webcams

Logitech Headphones, Headsets, Microphones and Webcams

Microphones Only

The Blue Mic (Quality USB Microphone)

CAPTURE THE MAGIC OF THE MOMENT





Creativity does not fit nice, neat schedules. If you want to capture the spontaneity of the moment, we recommend using a portable recording device such as

the Zoom or the Olympus portable audio recorders.

Zoom is a great choice for bands. It is capable of capturing sound from multiple directions. This is great if you are trying to record your home garage band.

The Olympus also carries a reliable line of products that we have been using over the years.

More expensive audio recorders will allow you to plug in a guitar directly.

We are huge believers in the low cost audio recorders.

They are safer to use in cars. (No typing in password, hunting for app.)

You can capture that one magic idea or riff.

EQUIPMENT

Zoom Products

Olympus: Digital Voice Recorders

PORTABLE RECORDING STUDIOS

These can do multitrack. Low cost starting at under $100.00.

TASCAM DP-008EX Digital Portastudio 8-Track

TASCAM DP-006 Digital Portastudio 6-Track

AUDIO INTERFACES FOR PC

Here are two examples:

Focusrite Behringer

You can look up more of these here.

Musician's Friend Guitar Center

Find what you want and then check the price on Amazon.

Amazon

If you can't afford to buy a portable recording device, but have a smart phone,

you may want to explore the option of using your phone as a recording device. There are a number of programs.

Your phone may not have the same sound quality as the digital recorders mentioned above, but it can still get the job done.

For example: If you have an idea for a creative guitar riff at 3 in the morning, you can record it on your phone with the click of a button.

A number of good programs are available for Iphone and Android.

Go to app stores to find what your need.

Here is a rather arbitrary collection of links.

LINKS

The Recorder for iphone

The Recorder for Android

Trouble Shooting for the Android Voice Recorder

RECORDING SOFTWARE

Stage Light GarageBand

Presonus Capture for iPad

HARDWARE

Zoom Microphone for Iphone

Tascam PCM Recorder

RECORDING INTERFACE FOR YOUR PHONE

Can be used for guitar.

Low cost version.

Other more expensive products are available.

Here is one for Iphone

You can search for more on Amazon or Google.

WEBCAMS PORTABLE RECORDERS PHONES SOFTWARE WHERE TO BUY LINKS

WARNING: When downloading any kind of software from the internet, make sure you have a reliable firewall and virus detection program.

APPLE GARAGE BAND

It is $4.99 for the mobile app, and free with any Apple computer.

Very popular. Our problem with this is that Apple refuses to make it available on PC.

GarageBand

Stage Light

Mooo Voice Recorder (FREE)

A simple to use recording program that can save in MP3 or WAV formats.

AUDACITY (FREE)

Okay, so you want to get a bit more technical, but you don't have a lot of money.

Audacity is one of the most prominent free audio software products today.

It is easy to use and contains a large number of audio effects.

Audacity

The only problem with Audacity is that you can't automatically save a file as an MP3.

You have to download the encoder listed below to do this. Click here for Mp3 Plugin.

How To Record A Song With Audacity WikiHow

WHERE TO BUY



ONLINE

Musician's Friend

Amazon

IN PERSON

Guitar Center Best Buy

Click here for our Home Film Making Guide

Encouraging great art and music to discuss serious issues about our planet's future.

World Future Fund Multimedia Page

Creative videos and audios.

Check out our site for artists and musicians.

Underground Web World

WEBCAMS PORTABLE RECORDERS PHONES SOFTWARE WHERE TO BUY WFF AUDIOS LINKS

CREATIVE LINKS FOR MUSICIANS