You may be reading this because you want to make your own music and recording for yourself. Marketing strategies aimed at home recordists may or may not have already deceived you.

In and by itself, the word is obsolete. These days, mobile recording units account for nearly half of the records I create. Nowadays, making a record isn’t exactly a sport.

You’ll usually know it’s going to be a bumpy trip a couple weeks after your first voyage. It turns out that only purchasing kit suggested by the Guitar Center workers won’t get you the sounds you want. You’ll begin to spiral at this stage.

It’s not as obvious as you might have been led to believe. Recording engineering is a difficult skill to master. It would need the same amount of preparation and practice as performing an instrument.

Learning can be a difficult task. Many people get their information from the internet. The internet is a priceless resource. However, the material is not presented in a logical order. As a result, you’re more likely to learn phase 28 before phase 2.

I figured that by laying out some learning basics, I would be able to assist. No, they aren’t in any special order:

1. Don’t be worried about mastering

Mastering is a specific skill. If you’re new to filming, you can concentrate your efforts on the several measures that precede mastering. Yes, you’ll be tempted by all the fancy mastering plugins for your DAW, but resist the temptation. The last step is mastering.

2. Check to see if your gear sounds good in your room

What would logic say you if the drums in the room sounded like dung and you had microphones on them? You’re going to make a poo recording. This is true with every instrument. You can’t quite make it there… It’s up to you to bring it there.

3. A complete microphone closet isn’t needed

There are a lot of microphone options. However, seeing so many will initially affect your judgment. Learning to use a microphone requires time. Begin with a small number of items and spread them through as many outlets as possible. Investigate the origins of each microphone.

4. Take your time and collect sounds

In several times, you will feel rushed. You may have a brilliant idea and want to write it down. That’s what iRecorder on your iPhone is about. Make a note of the proposal because you have a record of it. Now you must determine the best method for capturing the tone. This will take longer than the real game period.

5. Read and take notes on guides

We’re just revolutionaries who despise hearing instructions. Isn’t it just a matter of figuring it out? Both yes and no. It needs a lot of time to learn all that a textbook will show you. I keep track of everything in a dedicated gear notebook so I can locate it later.

6. At first, don’t overprocess

Avoid the temptation to load your channel with as many plugins as necessary. I rarely have more than two, but it should sound fine even though there aren’t any. The plugins you do use are either for decorative purposes or to encourage disruptive imagination. Recognize the differences.

7. Have exercises for the main purpose of learning

There are serious sessions and sessions for personal development. Make it a point to attend as many growth sessions as practicable. Ones of which mistakes are tolerated as part of the learning or experimentation process.

8. Don’t believe it would fit in the mix

Any problems are beyond repair. You simply attempt to cover up the scars with a lot of makeup. If something isn’t quite perfect, try again.

9. Phase, phase, phase

For a long time, phase can perplex you. Make contact with your inner zen process. It’s one of an amateur engineer’s greatest pet peeves. It’s possible to make your recordings sound like a million bucks by learning how to hold things in phase.

10. Treat each plugin as if it were an instrument

Plugins, including speakers and instruments, are vehicles. Keep the plugin collection to a minimum. Learn to use just a handful. Know them from the inside out. Learn about their shortcomings and how to take advantage of them.

11. Don’t be worried about mixing

Mixing is not the same as recording. Mixing, like mastering, is a separate art form. If you’re only getting started with making your own songs, the most important thing to learn is what would be simple to mix, not how to mix it. You’ve done great if you bring all the faders up and it looks fine (but unbalanced). Otherwise, it’s back on the cutting board.

12. Stay away from ads

The one thing you swear would make a difference in your record is impossible to do so. Time invested honing expertise would pay off.

13. Adjust the microphones

It’s possible that you’ll have to repeat this process with each source. It’s a part of the process any time you log. Make no conclusions about the presence of a G position (the myth that all men have been told). Don’t be a slacker. Shift the microphones back.

14. At first, Mono is your friend.

Two microphones are more difficult to manage than one. Begin by capturing mono outlets. Make an effort to learn at your own speed. You won’t become Ken Scott immediately.

15. Find out what’s important to your personal style

There’s a lot of static when it comes to recording. Read articles written by engineers, producers, and musicians who specialize in the genre of music you want to record.

Reading blogs about recording metal drums isn’t really useful if you’re into jazz. Even though the advice is sound. Seek recommendations from those who have common tastes to you. Later on, branch away.

Final thoughts

You’ll see a steady rate of progress if you meet these rules. You’re less likely to be lost or sidetracked, even though you don’t get what you need right away.