Where's a good starting place for a 22 year-old looking to get into the recording studio side of the music business? [more inside]
posted on Jul 13, 2008 - 14 answers 
How do you home songwriters keep yourselves organized? How do you keep yourself motivated? [more inside]
posted on Jun 25, 2008 - 11 answers
I'm headed out to travel rural developing areas on a folk music field recording expedition. Can I get some advice on what equipment to use? [more inside]
posted on Jun 18, 2008 - 11 answers
I'm looking for a recording studio in Manhattan or Brooklyn that can record Drums, Standup Bass, and Ukulele (at the same time, not overdubbed), in Logic Studio. I'd then like to have the Logic Project files given to me, so I can work on the rest of the arrangement in my bedroom. [more inside]
posted on May 7, 2008 - 9 answers
I'm trying to get better sound quality out of music recordings, I've been using one of those adapters that turn a 1/4 into 1/8 but it's gets really fuzzy sometimes. I'm looking for a better way to hook up instruments to the computer, I've looked at mixer boxes but they have all these onboard equalizer's that I'm not really interested in, I just want a decent transfer quality and not all the bells and whistles. I guess my question is I'm looking for something cheap that will let me hook up something with a 1/4 jack to my computer, and also having a mic input would be a bonus.
posted on May 6, 2008 - 13 answers
Recordingfilter: Why do strange buzzing noises and "zzzt"s appear when someone isn't touching the guitar strings while recording on a computer. [more inside]
posted on Apr 11, 2008 - 12 answers
Help me find a good recording of Copland's Third Symphony. [more inside]
posted on Mar 30, 2008 - 6 answers
Is there any sort of discography for albums created/recorded at Studio PASS? What was the story behind Studio PASS anyway? [more inside]
posted on Mar 30, 2008 - 1 answers
Can I make an Ableton Live sound pack with my own samples? I have .aiff drum sounds that I want to make into a kit.
posted on Mar 22, 2008 - 2 answers
I have co-produced a 5 song collection of songs for a friend, who is not in contract with a record label currently, but hopes to get signed. If this should happen, how would I make sure I benefitted financially by the investing my time and expertise into creating this record?, as well as collect any royalties to follow? Would a signed agreement between him and I be enough?
posted on Mar 16, 2008 - 8 answers
What are some brilliant songs that suffered from (or were totally ruined by) poor studio production? [more inside]
posted on Mar 11, 2008 - 57 answers
Help this tech-impaired rock star record face-melting multi-layered music on his computer! [more inside]
posted on Mar 7, 2008 - 9 answers
How big a problem is USB microphone latency for multitrack musical recording? i.e. How difficult will it be to do tight vocal overdubs with a straight-to-USB mic? What about with a mic->XLR->USB interface->Mac setup? [more inside]
posted on Feb 27, 2008 - 8 answers
How do you, fellow musician, capture musical ideas when you're nowhere near a recording device? [more inside]
posted on Feb 22, 2008 - 15 answers
What's the best way for me to record music with my computer for under $100? [more inside]
posted on Feb 1, 2008 - 14 answers
What popular or well known recordings use toy drum sets for percussion? [more inside]
posted on Jan 17, 2008 - 15 answers
I am starting a solo no-wave/noise project. I know nothing about recording. Please help me assemble the barest, cheapest necessities. [more inside]
posted on Jan 15, 2008 - 9 answers
Dear home recorders - in your experience(s), can an acoustic/electric hybrid guitar ever sound as good as a properly mic'ed acoustic guitar, given guitars of comparable quality/price?
posted on Jan 1, 2008 - 9 answers
Will you help me set up a simple yet functional home recording studio? [more inside]
posted on Dec 29, 2007 - 13 answers
Does anyone know of an affordable but quality studio where I can record vocal tracks? [more inside]
posted on Dec 6, 2007 - 2 answers
Pro Tools drums: BFD, Digidesign Strike, or something else? [more inside]
posted on Dec 6, 2007 - 3 answers
I was recently listening to Achtung Baby in the car again, and remembered how much I loved it, and a lot of it was because of the sound of the drums. So, how did U2 and Brian Eno get THAT sound on the drums in Achtung Baby? Anyone know any specific pieces of kit or techniques that they used? Mics used? Drum kits used? So on?
posted on Sep 25, 2007 - 18 answers
I'm a musician and interested in doing well done field recordings of mostly acoustic (but sometimes electric) music. I'm interested in doing it with a minimum of equipment, but producing good quality recordings. In the past I've used a minidisc and a small microphone, sometimes with pretty good results. But I'm looking on ways and equipment to do a better job. [more inside]
posted on Aug 29, 2007 - 19 answers
Creating/editing Yamaha midi files? [more inside]
posted on Aug 27, 2007 - 3 answers
Do I need a new audio interface? What should I get? [more inside]
posted on Jul 4, 2007 - 9 answers
What is the cheapest and easiest way to record songs on PC? [more inside]
posted on Jun 18, 2007 - 9 answers
Where can I practise and record my music? I'm only looking for very basic demo quality, and need to do it very, very cheaply. [more inside]
posted on Jun 14, 2007 - 6 answers
What are the best books/CDs/DVDs for learning good singing techniques, across a range of vocal styles? [more inside]
posted on Jun 1, 2007 - 4 answers
What song is this riff by John Petrucci from? [more inside]
posted on May 16, 2007 - 5 answers
Vocal sampling and sequencing in music: examples and equipment? [more inside]
posted on Mar 29, 2007 - 24 answers
How do I make new folk music? [more inside]
posted on Mar 5, 2007 - 12 answers
Is there an official or unofficial listing of "unreleased" albums by prominent artists and whether or not the artists have made them available online? [more inside]
posted on Mar 3, 2007 - 5 answers
How do I burn music onto a 90-minute CD? [more inside]
posted on Feb 19, 2007 - 4 answers
I'd like your tips on recording acoustic music with Audacity. [more inside]
posted on Feb 6, 2007 - 25 answers
Short version: What cool musical equipment can I get for $200? [more inside]
posted on Jan 29, 2007 - 30 answers
I'm looking for recommendations for a good cheap multitrack recorder. [more inside]
posted on Jan 22, 2007 - 13 answers
Solutions for organizing lots of different kinds of cables (xlr, 1/8 in, 1/4 in, rca, usb, firewire, ac) for easy access where space is at a severe premium?
posted on Jan 6, 2007 - 14 answers
I bought an Alesis MultiMix 8 the other day, which is an 8 input firewire interface. It works OK but the main problem I have is that the stereo out (from the computer to the mixer) cuts out very frequently. [more inside]
posted on Oct 11, 2006 - 7 answers
Garage Studio or Pro Studio? [more inside]
posted on Oct 2, 2006 - 9 answers
Someone mentioned offhand, several months ago, that he knew of a deal to pick up a package of 2 Shure SM-57s for $50 or something like that, some amazing deal, from a catalog. I've searched high and low and I've still never seen anything like that, about the best I can find is $85 per mic. Am I misremembering? Does anyone know of a deal like this?
posted on Sep 4, 2006 - 7 answers
Recording Filter: I want to make some almost studio quality recordings. I have a laptop, but I'm looking for good, well priced equipment (max $300 total). [more inside]
posted on Jul 9, 2006 - 17 answers
For theatre (and other) projects, I sometimes need music that I can't find on CD. Is there a service that lets you email sheet music to a musician, who then a musician records the song and sends it back to you as an mp3? I'm looking instrumental music -- no vocals. Just a piano/keyboard is generally fine. [more inside]
posted on Jun 12, 2006 - 9 answers
I want a fake drummer who doesn't sound fake, on the cheap. Drum samples and software ideas: help me out! [more inside]
posted on Jun 2, 2006 - 10 answers
So I finally got a midi cable and hooked up my keyboard to my computer for some home recording. It works swell, but I'm looking into a portable solution so I can take it along with my laptop. [more inside]
posted on Mar 24, 2006 - 9 answers
Multi-track recording synchronization issues with Audacity. [more inside]
posted on Mar 6, 2006 - 8 answers
I've got two recorded conversations, in .wav format, that I would like remixed into a single song, preferably with a hip-hop beat. [more inside]
posted on Feb 25, 2006 - 25 answers
What is the absolute cheapest, simplest, lowest-to-the-ground, home audio recording system I can set up? [more inside]
posted on Feb 6, 2006 - 13 answers
On my Win XP Media Ctr Ed. PC, should I go with the Lexicon Omega with Cubase LE or with a Digidesign MBox with ProTools LE? [more inside]
posted on Jan 2, 2006 - 4 answers
Audio Cables 101: tell me exactly how to feed a stereo mix from my mixer to my breakout box. [more inside]
posted on Dec 20, 2005 - 11 answers
Audiofilter: So, I'm narrating a book and recording it digitally for someone as a Christmas present. (The individual reads AskMe, hence the anon question.) There's about 10 hours of material. Each chapter is ~ 40 minutes long. Are there programs out there that will automatically parse the chapter files I've recorded into small segments for easy indexing while listening? [more inside]
posted on Dec 14, 2005 - 3 answers
Are my recording needs met by a Creative Zen Nano Plus? If not, what device would easily allow fairly good recording from an unamplified single point stereo mic onto my computer (Mac) at low cost? Alternatively, anyone know much about small, cheap, portable microphone preamps? [more inside]
posted on Dec 4, 2005 - 12 answers
How do I keep time with a click track? I've played in a band, and I can keep time with other people both live and when recording. But when I'm recording solo, I can't seem to keep time with the click track without slowing down the song and/or losing all the feeling of the music. So I mostly do only one-track recordings even though I have the technical capability to do more. Indie musicians, how do you do it?
posted on Nov 30, 2005 - 19 answers
Home Studio Recording - My friend is looking into building a home studio and basing it around the ProTools LE Digi002 control surface. Should he go PC or Mac? [more inside]
posted on Oct 25, 2005 - 13 answers
I want to record my own music. I have no idea where to start.
What would be a fairly inexpensive and good beginner's setup hardware and software-wise? [more inside]
posted on Oct 14, 2005 - 23 answers
I'd like to buy some reasonably priced, accurate studio monitor speakers. [more inside]
posted on Oct 3, 2005 - 20 answers
Help me pick the right laptop sound card for home recording! [more inside]
posted on Sep 1, 2005 - 11 answers
Can you recommend a good keyboard for me for home recording? [more inside]
posted on Aug 1, 2005 - 3 answers
Home recording question: for those with limited funds and limited equipment, what's the best method of accomplishing a big, full, warm-sounding acoustic guitar sound? [more inside]
posted on Jun 25, 2005 - 19 answers
Since I installed Windows XP and a new M-Audio Audiophile soundcard last week, I can no longer monitor guitar while recording. Playback is fine—I can hear playback in Soundforge & Acid and I can see the meter jumping while recording— but I cannot hear the guitar amplified while I'm recording it. It seems Acid 4.0 should support ASIO drivers, but no luck. [more inside]
posted on Jun 22, 2005 - 3 answers
I'm looking for a good recording device, and the Archos Jukebox Recorders have been suggested to me as an ideal device. I'm an opera major studying at a conservatory, and need a device to record my lessons and coachings. I don't want to spend much money. Is Archos the way to go? Are there any significant differences between the units or can I just get an old 10GB from ebay for $100? [more inside]
posted on May 25, 2005 - 13 answers
I am a sort-of musician (lo-fi ambient-ish- real marketable stuff) and I want to start going out into the crazy world about me and recording various sounds. I'm looking for tips on a suitable microphone for field recording and, just as importantly, a good (quality + convenience) digital sound recording device so that I can come back and transfer my sounds without losing quality.
posted on Mar 23, 2005 - 11 answers
I'm looking to record on my PC ( I have adequate Hardware) some music using guitars, bass, vocals, and some other instruments. I need suggestions for a good software program to use (money is not a problem) for the basic recording/tracking and a good program to create drum tracks from scratch. Please see extended explanation for more details. [more inside]
posted on Mar 18, 2005 - 11 answers
We were rearranging the shelves in my house today, and we found a bunch of old tapes from my
Dad's friends from when he lived in Spain (he was born there, as was I). His friends mixed
a bunch of bands together to make this very cool-sounding tape, and the thought struck me: Why not
rip this? (edit: also found bunch of old tapes my brother made of a punk radio station. woot!)
Of course, I lack the knowledge required.
So my question essentially is: what sort of process, programs, and materials is one required to
go through to convert these tapes to mp3? Would the machine I'd have to buy also double as a
tape-pl-ayer itself? What about records? I've been wanting a record player for a while, and I've
been wanting to rip some records as well. Are there record-rippers which double as players? Are
there record/tape player/rippers all combined into one machine? How complicated is this process?
How expensive does it have to be? I don't want to end up with really badly ripped files, but I
don't want studio equipment, either. Basically, what do I have to go through to get good
sounding, 192-320 kbps mp3s from my tapes and records that I could then distribute via
BitTorrent? Thanks.
posted on Feb 12, 2005 - 17 answers
I'm trying to convert cassette tapes to MP3s using MusicReplay software. This involves use of an amplifier. I don't know what an amplifier is, if my stereo has one, and if I've hooked it up right. For whatever reason, it's not working. Help, please. [MI]
posted on Jan 23, 2005 - 13 answers
Garageband came with my computer, and I don't understand it at all. I was expecting it to be simpler than a four-track, but it's not. My computer (a G5) tells me that it has a built-in microphone, but when I play with Garageband, nothing happens. Are there any simple and detailed web tutorials about how to use this program? Caveat: I am basically computer-illiterate.
posted on Jan 12, 2005 - 8 answers
I was inspired by this great post to make some of my own songs, using Harry Partch's virtual instruments, and record them into ACID Pro 4.0. How do I make those Flash movies my audio source?
posted on Dec 14, 2004 - 4 answers
MusicianFilter: What should I do with my recordings? [MI]
posted on Nov 30, 2004 - 18 answers
I'm a big fan of mashups, but only recently wondered what software people use to make them. Specifically things like:
A Night at the Hip Hopera, The Grey Album and more recently the Scummer Mix (scroll down for link)
Vocal stripping, beat matching, sampling, the ubiquitous handclap track... Help me AskMe, where do I begin?
posted on Oct 27, 2004 - 8 answers
Home-recording question, Part Deux: What is the best way to route your headphones, soundcard and mixer? (More inside)
posted on Sep 27, 2004 - 3 answers
Home Recording: my current setup is a Mackie 1402 board direct into an Audigy Platinum card. I was thinking about getting a higher-quality card--this was recommended--though truthfully, I'm not sure what noticeable differences to expect. Also, what is the advantage to having a breakout box if I've already got a decent mixing board?
posted on Sep 25, 2004 - 8 answers
Laptop Music filter- Can you help me pick out a computer to make music on [mi]?
posted on Aug 9, 2004 - 10 answers
HomeRecordingFilter. Of course, I'm recording an album at home. I'm already using a Rode NT1A mic, but I want to get the effect of a vocal coming through and old radio. I understand that I can fiddle with the EQ controls in CoolEdit (I mean, Adobe Audition...) and emulate the desired effect, but does anyone have any more tips to get the vintage wireless sound? While I'm at it - does anyone have any home recording tips in general?
posted on Aug 1, 2004 - 9 answers
My band is looking to release a short run (100 to 500 copies for now) of our album on vinyl (12" LP format). Does anyone here have any experience doing this? Where did you go for the pressings, and approx how much did it cost?
posted on Jul 8, 2004 - 4 answers
I'm after tips for processing audio to "dirty it up" - techniques and software [more inside].
posted on Apr 22, 2004 - 9 answers
I know I must suck hard core, because I can't get the search engine to work, but does anyone remember where that MeFi post about a recording engineer's "real" stories about working on a major artist's album, which devolves into Spinal Tap-esque antics? I read a description of Metallica's new documentary, and it sounds almost exactly the same, so I wanted to read it again. I've put everything I could think of into the search engine, and have come up empty. Can anyone help me out?
posted on Feb 17, 2004 - 10 answers
Home recording studio questions: (1) What to do about sound source with a noise problem (sounds like a bad ground loop) and (2) building some approximation of an isolation booth. [more inside]
posted on Jan 1, 2004 - 7 answers
