Making High-Quality Recordings of Your Ensembles Using a Mac or Windows Computer

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1 Making High-Quality Recordings of Your Ensembles Using a Mac or Windows Computer Tom Rudolph, Presenter Director of Music School District of Haverford Township 1801 Darby Road Havertown, PA (610) ext tom@tomrudolph.com Slides and handouts available at:

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3 What do you want to do? 1. Record ensemble practice sessions and rehearsals 2. Record concerts 3. Teach courses on digital audio 4. Sell CDs to the community *

4 Digital Audio Recording Options Stand-alone and Portable recording devices: Stereo or multitrack? Mobile Recorders CD stereo recorders Multitrack recorders (can be transferred to the computer for editing) *

5 Advantages of Computer-Based Digital Audio 1. Can record both stereo and multitrack 2. Editing options 3. More Sounds, Effects (plug-ins) 4. Used in a Lab Setting 5. Visual representation of sound waves *

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7 Computer-Based Recording Requires a newer Mac or Windows computer (check software requirements) Be sure you have enough computer power Select the software first Use an external hard drive for storage *

8 Lots of software options Free: Audacity (Mac and Win), GarageBand (Mac) Mac: Logic, Digital Performer, Live, Cubase, others Win: Sonar, Acid, Live, Cubase, others Mac/Win: Pro Tools (industry standard)

9 Audio Interface under $1,000 budget For quality recordings, don t use the built-in microphone or mic input in a Mac or Windows computer. Purchase a quality audio interface that is compatible with your audio software: M-Audio FastTrack $200 (USB connection) FireWire Recommended IEEE 1394 = Windows M-Audio FireWire 410 ($300) Pro Tools MBox2 ($375)

10 More inputs = more $$$ Under $300 = 2-4 inputs Grow as budget permits M-Audio Project Mix I/O FireWire connection to computer. Mixer-like layout. 18 total inputs ($1,200 price range)

11 You will need 1. Mac or Windows computer ($1,500-$2,000) 2. External Hard Drive recommended ($200) 3. Audio interface (FireWire recommended) ($200) 4. Audio Software (often is packaged with interface - Pro Tools) ($200) 5. Microphones ($350) 6. Microphone stand ($50) ($1,000 range not including the computer)

12 Selecting Microphones Purchase good quality condenser microphones for recording ensembles. Audio Technica Stereo Condenser mic AT825 - ($375) stereo balanced XLR connectors AT822 - ($225) stereo unbalanced mini connector for use with hand-held units Rode NT4 ($500) *

13 Condenser Mics (individual) Purchase a pair of condenser mics for ensemble recording Shure KSM27 - ($300) M-Audio Luna ($199) M-Audio Nova ($99) * Condenser microphones require Phantom Power

14 Dynamic Microphones Dynamic microphones ($100 price range) Use for solos and close micing instruments such as a drum set. Purchase as many needed. Shure SM-57 (instruments) Shure SM-58 (vocals) *

15 Microphone Stands Quality Mic Stands Quik Lok A85 ($90.00) microphone stand. Purchase two stands for stereo recording. Quik Lok A50 ($200) with stereo bar for 2 mics. Purchase a stereo bar. Secure both mikes on the same stand *

16 Burning CDs Mac: itunes - Free software from Apple. Toast ( Windows itunes - Free software from Apple. Sony CD Architect *

17 Mobile Digital Audio Recorders M-Audio MicroTrack II ($299 ) Zoom H4 ($299) Edirol R-09 ($399) Korg MR-1 ($699) Video ipod with italk Pro ($49.95 plus cost of ipod) Transfer to computer via USB Edit using your Digital Audio Software Burn a CD on the computer *

18 Copyright Considerations Selling CDs for profit Mechanical License required Click on songfile approx $50 per tune for 2,500 copies or downloads. Posting copyrighted material on web sites performance rights required * Attend Jim Frankel s session on Copyright: MidWest, 2007 on Friday, Dec. 21 at 12:45 p.m.

19 Where to get help Contact companies for purchasing and support: SoundTree: ( MidWest Recording 101 by Dr. Ross Walter Digital Audio articles for Teaching Digital Audio

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21 More Help Books: Recording in the Digital World Rudolph/Leonard Purchase a third-party book on the software you use such as Pro Tools Join TI:ME - Technology Institute for Music Educators Lesson plans, support TI:ME summer courses on digital audio: Mike Fein s website

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