Best Tips On Background Noise

In the home studio or micro-studio, noise is certainly a factor in producing great results, especially in music production. Here a just a few tips to consider when it comes to noise.

1] In voiceovers and readings where the final product will be dry, with no background, always record a rather 'hot' track, meaning peaks that nearly reach the upper limit. In today's digital recording, that upper limit is zero dB, in analog equipment use +3 dB.

2] In most music tracks, and wherever possible, plug directly into the recorder instead of using an open microphone. But note that not all acoustic instruments equipped with a transducer, like guitars, will produce as good sound quality as a typical studio mic, so decide which to trade off, noise or fidelity.

3] Remember when using any open mic, that some background noise, including hisses and low frequency rumbles, can be simply lost in the final mix by noise level reduction or some quick EQ notch processing, if needed.

Truth is, much of what we take seriously as the tracks are laid, hardly comes out in the final mix, anyway. It is hardly worth sweating over.

To prove my point, listen closely to the digital mix downs (on CD) of ANYTHING recorded in the 60's or 70's. In these days of analog multi-track, we never heard any weird stuff on those records. But today we can, if we listen closely, hear a LOT of what we might call mistakes on nearly EVERY MULTIMILLION DOLLAR RECORD.

So maybe it just doesn't matter as much as we think.

Micro-Studio TIP: High and Dry

Another TIP for the micro-studio producer: High and Dry

There is a crazy dichotomy in the recording of tracks when it comes to effects processing. Here is the dilemma ...

1] Adding the effects later in guitar or vocal or keyboard tracks make more sense because you have MORE CONTROL of the overall sound when adding the FX later. The 'perfect' sound can be engineered this way and fed into the mix in a much more intelligent way. Besides, today's digital effects are SO much better (usually) than ANY outboard gear that will process the instrument BEFORE it is recorded.

OK, that makes sense to me. It sounds like good advise to me. Until I heard the next argument.

2] Expecting to get a solid performance from an artist, in particularly an electric guitarist, simply CANNOT be achieved in a dry track. The FX makes a big difference in HOW the track is played WHILE it is recorded. Asking the player to 'imagine' the final sound is out of the question. Plus, the chance of finding just the 'right' FX in post production is like a needle in the hay stack.

Wow, sounds logical to me, too. So, what should we do?

See, when it comes to the digital drum-vs-acoustic-drum-set problem is really an easy one to solve. Simply allow the player to play his (or your) actual acoustic set, then trigger the sounds digitally without telling the drummer. :-)

But the guitarist often cannot play the same 'dry'. And certainly will not usually 'feel' comfortable doing so, either.

MY SOLUTION:
Only hire professionals who have practiced the tracks 'to perfection' and can play them WITH OR WITHOUT the proper 'sound'.

Sorry to be so blunt, but unless I am recording it "Their' way (and 'they' are paying me to do so), I need to at least expect that much professionalism.

To add insult to injury, I also expect them to PLAY TO A CLICK TRACK.


Sorry if that is asking TOO much of the players,
-Jack

Home Recording Studio Resource

Here's a new lens at Squidoo that discusses much of what we do here.

Also this page includes some nice resources for the Home Recording Studio and a place to sound off, too.

Check it out at http://www.squidoo.com/home-recording-studio.

Testing...Testing...

You've found us! Sit down, we've got lots to talk about.

First off, let me introduce myself. I'm Jack Sanner, that awesome, terrific, stupendous, and very humble person (a great-guy-once-you-get-to-know-me) that hails from just outside of Pittsburgh, PA USA. Google me for all the details.

My micro-studio has been active for over 15 years, going from a 4-track cassette tape (remember those?) to a full digital in PC recording deck.

I've been around a while, have some strong opinions, and lots of experience...

...so let's talk.
-Jack

PS: comment here & we'll discuss the topics YOU want to here.