I need advice........Please!

upsidedown89

I have been writing music since I was thirteen, and no matter what I've done it's always been in the back of my mind. I've never played them for anyone and no one has even heard me sing. I would love to record them even just for myself (I still don't know if I want anyone to hear them). Can anyone tell me how I would go about this. I'm talking basic recording that's not just a youtube video or if anyone could share a similar experience and how they moved forward with their music I would really appreciate it. Thanks

dogmax

upsidedown89 wrote: »

I have been writing music since I was thirteen, and no matter what I've done it's always been in the back of my mind. I've never played them for anyone and no one has even heard me sing. I would love to record them even just for myself (I still don't know if I want anyone to hear them). Can anyone tell me how I would go about this. I'm talking basic recording that's not just a youtube video or if anyone could share a similar experience and how they moved forward with their music I would really appreciate it. Thanks

Well 89

Do you play a instrument, have you anything recorded even on a digital recorder, when you say basic recording can you explain that a bit more are you talking DIY or something else.

As for how to move forward with your music you need to start posting them on songwriters forum.

Check out other songwriters forum read the constructive feedback they're getting and then join in by posting your songs, but the mean thing is to relax and enjoy yourself.

One last thing songwriters forum are not forum to see who writes the best songs nor are they singer forum, so enjoy okay.

Don't forget to post some feedback 89, welcome to the forum.

upsidedown89

Yea I play guitar, piano and drums and have a loop pedal that i have some clips of songs recorded on. I guess I want to do some DIY recording, would you know the best way to go about that?! Thanks a million

dogmax

upsidedown89 wrote: »

Yea I play guitar, piano and drums and have a loop pedal that i have some clips of songs recorded on. I guess I want to do some DIY recording, would you know the best way to go about that?! Thanks a million

Well 89

This is good to know but first off all im no expert on DIY recording but at the moment im looking to buy a good cheap condenser mic and while looking at reviews online i came across this link on advice about DIY recording, hope it help out.

http://www.songwriterforum.co.uk/recording/

Keep us posted on what you find because you're not alone on this and hopefully you'll be getting more replies on this subject maybe even one of the Mod will post a permanent thread asking experts on this subject to give advice on DIY recording.

In the meantime if you can i suggest if you have a song that sound okay to you then post it either here or on some other songwriters forum just to get you started, i know it can be nerve racking but your confidence will grow because of it, but only post when you're ready.

Best of luck 89 and remember, your songwriters journey has already begun, talk soon. :cool:


https://soundcloud.com/#pat-feely

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IXoqHVbekI&feature=player_detailpage

upsidedown89

upsidedown89 wrote: »

Yea I play guitar, piano and drums and have a loop pedal that i have some clips of songs recorded on. I guess I want to do some DIY recording, would you know the best way to go about that?! Thanks a million

What kind of budget do you have?
Do you have any mics?

jethro081

if i were you i'd pick up a zoom recorder. they aren't wild expensive, and give a great sound quality.

for me, i find mine to be a great help, both in terms of being able to share rough drafts of my songs, and also in the writing process. when i'm working on a melody line, or basic song structure or whatever, it's great to be able to listen back to it. at this stage, i record basically everything. a lot of it's crap, but i have some songs that made it to the stage that probably wouldn't have if i hadn't recorded them in their early incarnations and worked on those bare bones later on.

if you do get one, i would make a point of labelling them from the start when you put them on your computer. the files created are just listed as zoom1 or zoom25 or whatever, and if you don't label them (As i forgot to do for aaages) then it can be a pain in the arse trying to sift through reams of crap when you're looking for something.

hope this helps.

jimmybeige

Audacity is a free sequencer that you can use to record. Pretty easy to get the hang of it and has some simple FX that can enhance your recording a bit. I'd maybe invest in a condenser mic then, or alternatively, to make the process simpler, I have heard that you can get some good USB microphones as well.

upsidedown89

Thanks a million, some good tips.

Deank

If you have a good computer I suggest you investigate the following

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Line-Pod-Studio-Ux-Interface/dp/B001EKECAY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1366631514&sr=8-3&keywords=line+6

I use one of these regularly for home recording and it does the job very well/

http://www.acoustica.com/mixcraft/

As for recording software you can't go wrong with Mixcraft, it's not free but it is a hell of a lot better than Audacity, it is very user friendly unlike other recording software out there.

Last but not least do buy a good condenser mike.

jimmybeige

I second the POD suggestion. I have a Line 6 Toneport UX1 with the POD Farm software. It's fantastic, great fun and so versatile.

Just suggested Audacity as it was free, but another decent sequencer is Reaper: http://www.reaper.fm/ Technically not free, but it never actually makes you pay for it. I use it and find it very good.

Deank

jimmybeige wrote: »

I second the POD suggestion. I have a Line 6 Toneport UX1 with the POD Farm software. It's fantastic, great fun and so versatile.

Just suggested Audacity as it was free, but another decent sequencer is Reaper: http://www.reaper.fm/ Technically not free, but it never actually makes you pay for it. I use it and find it very good.

That looks a lot like Mixcraft, a really nice UI and easy to navigate.

I totally agree on Line 6, I have a UX1 too and the sound effects on the POD Farm software are top class.

dogmax

Anybody got any views on the The Blue Yeti Pro USB condenser microphone with analog XLR output love to hear from anyone to might be using one of these, also there a similar one call SE Electronics USB2200A, Thanks.

a360398

Join a band in the genre within your musical style. If you are really serious then either join a band or start one yourself - you can post on the musicians notice board - most musicians are nice people and share ideas all the time. You would then have some feedback - go for it and good luck - go for it.

guitarist14

Looking through the forum everyone has the right idea.

Get some money
Get a good soundcard
Get a DAW
Get busy