Three Reasons Musicians Should Do Home Recording

Contents

• ■ First of all

• ■ Three reasons why musicians should do home recording

• ■ Summary

  • Recommended DAW software

  • Required Computer specs

  • Recommended audio interface

    • Reasonable priced models
    • High grade
    • Higher grade

  • Recommended studio monitoring headphones

  • Midi keyboard

1. First of all

I think “home recording” is becoming a more commonly used word. Even people who don’t play musical instruments and are not familiar with music theory can create great music with DAW software. With a computer, DAW software, interface, headphones, MIDI keyboard, etc., you can record, edit, and stream your own songs at home without having a special recording studio.
However ...
some musicians think they are knowledgeable enough to use computers, and they prefer live performance over recording.
However, I believe musicians should do home recording,
and I will list three reasons!

2. Three reasons why musicians should do home recording

① It improves your skills

I think many people use a metronome for practice. Didn't your teacher often tell you to use metronome, if you want to improve faster?
It's very important to stay in tempo, but groove is also important. Fast groove, heavy groove, or on beat?"
With DAW software, you can play along with a drum track, a bass track, a keyboard track, etc., like a metronome, and it is a good practice to improve your groove. It is also a good practice for arranging. I think having a wide range of arrangements is one of the important abilities musicians should have, so I think it's a good idea to try various arrangements using DAW software at home, as recording studios are costly.

② You can listen back to your own performance.

Obviously, an audience listens to music "objectively" at a live concert, right? Do musicians listen to their music objectively? At any rate, it is impossible while you are performing on a stage.
I think it is not a good idea to perform on a stage without knowing what kind of sound the audience is hearing. I think better musicians often care about the sound the audience hears, rather than the sound on their monitors. I think recording is the only way musicians can listen to their music objectively. High quality live recordings are quite costly, but it is easier to record at home using a DAW software.
If you listen to your own music objectively, you will see your strengths and weaknesses and know what you still need to practice.

③ Streaming helps recognition

Not many people go to live concerts by musicians they don’t know.
I think it is very important for musicians to share their songs on YouTube and SNS. It also helps increase your reputation if someone comments on your songs or music videos. Also, you can stream your music on iTunes and make CDs and sell them.

3. Summary

Home recording is profound, but it's easy to get started. Why don't you start home recording?

Lastly, I would like to introduce the recommended items necessary for home recording!
To start home recording, you need "DAW software", "a computer", "an audio interface", and "studio monitoring headphones". It's not always necessary, but a "MIDI keyboard" is also useful to have.

■ Recommended DAW software

There are various grades. For example, Cubase is available in three grades, which are "Pro", "Artist", and "Elements", and the functions are different. Higher grades have more features and sound sources. If you want to get started in earnest, I would recommend the highest grade!

● STEINBERG / Cubase Pro 10

● PRESONUS / Studio One 4 Professional Japanese version (box)

● AVID / Pro Tools Permanent License Version

● Logic Pro X (App Store only)

■ Required Computer specs

・ Supports both Windows and MAC.
・ Memory of 8GB or more
・ CPU core i5 or above
・ HDD / SDD 256GB or more (external HDD/SDD is also acceptable)
・ SDD is expensive, but it is faster and quieter
・ HDD is noisier and your microphone may pick up the fan noise.

■ Recommended audio interface

To send an audio signal to your computer, you will need an audio interface. This also has an effect on the recording/monitoring sound quality.

a. Reasonable priced models

● STEINBERG / UR22mkII

● PRESONUS / Studio 2|6

b. High grade

● STEINBERG / UR-RT2

● AUDIENT / ID14

c. Higher grade

● RME / Babyface Pro

● UNIVERSAL AUDIO / APOLLO TWIN MKII SOLO

■ Recommended studio monitoring headphones

Make sure to choose “studio monitoring headphones” with a flat sound. “Headphones for listening" sound different.

● audio technica / ATH-M50x Black

● SONY / MDR-CD900ST

● SONY / MDR-7506

■ Midi keyboard

Even if you don't play the keyboards, it's convenient to have a Midi keyboard. It is useful to create a melody and drum tracks. If you play the keyboards, I would recommend you to choose one that has a good touch feature. Your keyboard may be used as a MIDI keyboard, if it has a USB port.

● ALESIS / Q49