The Focusrite Saffire is the latest in portable interfaces. There are a ton of small portable interfaces out now. Focusrite's version is called Saffire. The Focusrite Saffire combines hardware with advanced software control and hardware-powered plug-ins.
The Focusrite Saffire includes: Read More »
Alienware are now creating laptops optimized for digital recording. Man these things are loaded! The MJ-12 m7700i features up to 320 GB storage, 3 GB of RAM as well as support of up to 3.8 GHz Intel processors. All that plus Windows XP Pro and it comes in a sweet looking Alienware case for $2,300.
If you can't record decent tracks on a 320 gig drive with 3 gigs of RAM, you need help!! That should be plenty...for anyone. Read More »
Disc Makers Pico - Automated Disc Duplicator should make any home studio guy very excited. Especially if you are going to produce a ton of discs.
Duplication can be very expensive. But thanks to Disc Makers they have created an affordable solution. They have created the Pico. The Pico is an automated disc duplicator with a robot arm that you connect to a Windows XP computer via USB 2.0. The Pico allows unattended duplication of CDs and DVDs. Read More »
The Tascam US-122 should make all of you PowerBook users happy. Tascam have partnered with Frontier Design Group to create the Tascam US-122 is a portable USB audio/MIDI interface for the Mac PowerBook.
You can use the Tascam US-122 with GarageBand or it comes included with Cubase LE 48 track recording software for Mac.
The Tascam US-122 comes with: Read More »
This weekend I went over to a friend of mine's studio and recorded an Ebow solo for one of his songs. He is doing an instrumental record using nothing but drums, keyboards, guitar and samples. It was turning out pretty good.
I find it interesting to visit other people's home studios. I love to see what other equipment people are using. Not to mention software, studio layout, monitoring, and instruments vary from studio to studio. Read More »
The Tapco Link.USB is another in the long line of portable computer audio interfaces. The Tapco Link.USB allows you to record two channels of high-quality audio into your Mac or PC computer using a USB connection.
The Tapco Link.USB boasts:
Tapco's website doesn't say what software the Link.USB will work with. It just says it includes Mackie Tracktion 2. I'm assuming it will work with other programs?
The Tapco Link.USB is pretty cheap, going for around $149. Probably the most affordable of all of the portable interfaces. Although, I'd recommend something with a firewire connection rather than USB.
The Alesis Fusion is an 8 track hard disk recorder within a keyboard. The Fusion contains a built in 40 gig hard drive and allows you to record at 24 bit.
The fusion boasts:
There are quite a few drum machine samples and other instruments to download from the official Alesis Fusion site.
The Alesis Fusion has a user forum that you can check out here.
You pay a price for having a keyboard, sequencer, and sampler in one package, according to Alesis the suggested retail for the Fusion 8HD is $2,999 and the Fusion 6HD is $2,399. I'm sure you can find them cheaper.
iSound is having a Battle of the Bands contest with over $12,000 in prizes for bands and musicians! You will have a chance to get your own CD pressed, get 2 songs on the upcoming iSOUND compilation, get your band t-shirts printed, internet distribution for your music and a ton of free promo on iSOUND.com.
iSound will pick the 8 top artists. The top 8 artists who receive the most unique MP3 plays from April 17th to May 15th will be picked as the winners!
First place battle winner receives: Read More »
If you've got a home studio, you're more than likely playing all of the instruments yourself as well as playing talent and producer. I know that's definately the way it works in my studio.
So everything I record, is layered. Layering is the process of recording track after track of different instruments and placing them in the sound field. Read More »
Free drum loops and samples, yep. If you're recording digitally in your home studio, some day you're going to be playing with samples or drum loops. You can do a lot of really creative and fun stuff.
Here are a few sites that offer free drum loops and samples:
Cutterz Choice
Devine Machine Read More »
Do you own a Fender amp that you need help with? Or are you looking to buy a Fender amp but are not sure what to get? If so, you need to check out the Fender Amp Field Guide</a>.
This is a great site that covers everything, I mean everything, you could ever want to know about Fender amps. It includes pictures, specs, years built, size, weight, speakers, etc. It also includes a place where you can comment on certain Fender amps. Read More »
What is it that makes a great guitar tone? I have no clue. I just sometimes get lucky.
I think it is a combination of things. The guitar, the pickups, the amp, effects, the strings and most of all the player.
I found a great article which covers this very topic. It's mostly covering speakers in your amp. But they also discuss quite a few other things. Give it a read, lots of good information. Read More »
Man, I thought I was a guitar geek...well I am, but thankfully I am nowhere near what other people are. Whew!
Today I discovered this site. It's called Jammin Johns. They specialize in creating guitar shaped toilet seats. Yep, that's right. They also sell toilet accessories. Like towel holders, tooth brush holder, drum stick plunger handle and toilet paper holder. Read More »
In my studio there is no smoking. That goes for cigs, weed, crack, meth, burnt pizza, you name it...it's not allowed in my studio. Smoke can be very harmful to equipment. Plus smoke creates dust and just generally makes everything smell like ass. No smoking in the studio! Period. Read More »
Most home studios are in the basement. We all know how dirty, damp and icky your basement gets. Make it a priority to keep your home studio clean and dry.
I keep my door closed and locked to keep pets, kids and the wife out, not to mention it's an extra security measure.
Put away anything that is not being used. Mics in the mic cabinet, pedals, anything...put it away. Cover up your mixing board with a towel to keep the dust off of it. Cover up your keyboards, and any outboard gear. The trick is to not let dust settle on your expensive equipment. Read More »
Every home studio should have a good microhpone cabinet. This is like the gun safe of the home studio.
My microphone cabinet is a big two door cabinet. This is where I store everything for recording. I store microphones, pedals, outboard gear, cables, tuners, software, blank cd's, etc. You name it, it's in there.
And yes, it is organized. I keep everything as organized as I can. That way when I need something I know exactly where it is. Nothing like needing a mic cable and having it all knotted up with the other cables. Ugh. Read More »
When recording on your computer, you're going to want to add reverb, delay, EQ, etc. to your tracks. However, doing all of this on your computer can get taxing. Especially, if you have twenty or more tracks.
I suggest using as much outboard gear as possible. This will free up resources on your computer. It really sucks when you want to add a few more tracks, but you can't cuz your resources are maxed out. Read More »
One of the thing that really can be frustrating in the home studio, is forgetting how you got that sound. I always keep session notes. This way I can go back and recreate something if I need to.
Some things to keep track of are: Read More »
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