r/homerecordingstudio

Hi, I'm new to recording music and recently I've been having some trouble with recording vocals for my covers. I mostly use Cakewalk Next as my DAW and connect it to my audio interface (Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD) with the mic plugged in. I hear myself clearly on my headphones during the takes, and once I finish the recording and listen to it, there's barelyyyy any volume on the vocals. Turning up the volume of the recording in the DAW does nothing, same as turning up the gain on my mic. I don't know what to do.. Could you folks help?

Bonus question, if anyone knows an answer:

Some time ago I've recorded a cover, back when the volume problem wasn't a thing, but after saving the audio to MP3 I mostly hear the recording in my left earphone (the right barely plays any of the recording). What could be the cause?

Hey! I have a Quantum 2626 right now and it’s honestly starting to drive me crazy with connection issues. Sometimes it works fine, other times my computer just won’t recognize it.
I record drums at home, but I also use it to run sequences at shows. So I’m looking for something really reliable, especially when it comes to the connection.
Ideally I’d like around 10 outputs so I can send my sequences separately at shows, but it’s not a dealbreaker if it has less.
What would you guys recommend as an upgrade from the Quantum 2626? Mainly looking for something solid and reliable for drum recording + live use.
Thanks!

Would you upgrade, and if you would, why? But if you wouldn’t, also why? Is it worth the upgrade? I have a 3rd and I use it for recording my own band and I am happy with it but I want to know the differences between it. I really enjoy the air mode and how clear guitar comes out on it and drums. Let me know why I should or shouldn’t upgrade.

I'm getting Reaper to set up a home studio.

I've been recording on a portable unit for two years, and since I'm required to get a laptop for studies this fall I figured I might as well get one that works for home recording. I don't think it's in my budget to get two separate computers.

I think I have decided on the CPU, RAM and SSD requirements.

I understand that the laptop itself should have good build regarding USB ports, have good results on LatencyMon tests and high sustained performance without the cooling fan sounding too much.

Only I don't know much at all about which laptop models meet any of those latter requirements. It needs to be Windows, due to the study platform.

So, what are you running Reaper on and how is it working out? What did not work out? What have you heard on this?

I already own a handed down Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 G1 audio interface. So I guess the laptop should have USB 2.0 Type C?

Looking forward to get started!

I’m a guitar player and recently been thinking about pulling the trigger on some Neural DSP plugins, but outside of my laptop I’m not sure which products are a good budget friendly choice.

I need monitors, an audio interface, and maybe some headphones, I just don’t know enough about these things to know which is worth the money and which isn’t. For example, do I want passive or active monitors?

The “studio” will be a bedroom setup. The budget is about $1,200 (if I can get in under that, even better).

If I’m missing any other gear I need I’d appreciate the help.

If I want to plug in my electric guitar and use the effects, I am limited to recording in 44.1/24-bit quality. The problem is it sounds quite bad. Very 1990s sounding if you know what I mean. The 48/24-bit recording is much much better. But you can't use any effects with that mode..

What next portastudio in the line can fix my complaint? I know folks are going to say use DAW, but I dislike them. I like the built-in mic on zoom r8. Eliminates a lot of cable clutter and is very intuititive to use. Plus it sounds very good for my acoustic guitar recordings.

I also think DAW kills the mood. I like the retro look and feel of manual sliders. Plus when I make social media videos, folks know I am not cheating..

Hey all!

I'm looking to buy a couple of pieces of outboard gear very soon to put on an effects rack in my home studio, however I'm pretty unsure as to what I might need in terms of maintenence. I already have a Phonic Supracurve 2-Channel EQ unit (2U), and am going to buy an ART Pro VLA II Stereo Compressor (2U), and also maybe a Lexicon reverb/delay unit (1U), however I want to keep enough space to add more gear later down the line. I was thinking of an 8U - 10U sized rack?

As there are only a few units I was unsure if I would need a patchbay as I don't really want to spend the money if I don't have to. I also don't know if it's worth buying a power supply for the rack or just individually having the units plugged in to a 4 way extension lead or something.

I've also heard people online mention that ventilation is going to be important but I'm not sure how to address this, do I just need to space out the units/not leave them on for ages? Any advice will be very much appreciated!

Cheers!

So I'd like a mic for song vocals​, Foley​, podcasts, voice acting. Shure SM58 looks good because of its reputation for "being built like a tank". Also because I don't have sound treatment and probably shouldn't use a condenser mic. But should I get the XLR version and an audio interface (Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 is on my list), or should I get the USB version? Or perhaps XLR mic with a separate USB adapter?

Id like to share my amazing amateur wisdom on recording a guitar from home with 1 mic. According to Steve Albini, close miked amps started due to small stages not having enough room, and it became precious real estate. Possibly true.

But Ive found that a little distance sounds 10x better, and you can't unhear it once you do. I mean distance as in 3" with an audix I5, similar to a SM57. After a few days of experimenting, moving mics around, I found 3" away, at a slight angle was a great sound.

You have to play with headphones in, moving 1/16" at a time to find it. My amp and mic are on a coffee table, with packing tape holding the mic down. I also have cardboard with a cutout that fits horizontally in to the mesh area. The cutout has the exact mic placement in case I move or change anything. (Imagine a flap with a section cut out, the size of a mic)

I experimented with multiple mics, but got sick of dealing with multiple tracks, comb filtering, etc. Nugen makes a plugin for that, it works great, but its an extra step. That extra time takes away from writing and recording IMO.

If you watch a YouTube demo of a pedal or amp or something, it rarely sounds good to me.

So for the home recording people out there, stop shoving the mic in to the tweeter. Pull it back a tad, a touch of reverb, and you can hear the entire speaker bloom. But if you record in a small room, you dont want room sound. Just enough, so your recording sounds the same as sitting ear level a few feet away.

This may be genre specific, maybe metal guys like that sound and layer it. Im more of the grunge, blues type.

Long rant, but for people recording an album in a bedroom, I hope this helpful.

So bought my dream sampler, an SP1200, a month ago and want to use all 8 of its outputs instead of just the mix out. In addition I am buying a novation Bass Station 2 as a bass line synth to use with the SP. I am looking for an audio interface with physical faders and EQs like the Tascam model 16 to use with this equipment.

I want something I can record straight to an SD and be completely DAWless and zero computer if I want but also be able to use a DAW if I feel like it. Is there something better than the Tascam 16 for this? I have read a couple concerns I’d have with this mixer/interface such as the only multitrack recording is NOT Post EQ which stinks. Also it appears if you do use it as an interface in a DAW then the physical faders and EQs do nothing.

What options do I have to record multitrack post EQ and FX straight to an SD that also has physical faders, etc? Or does this not exist…

I know the Tascam Model 12 can do post EQ multitrack recording and also has DAW control with its faders but I’m not sure 10 inputs will be enough long term.

Thoughts? Recommendations? Thanks in advance

Nothing scientific but I've got four mics all recorded dry. Trying to find the right microphone for me as a Male vocalist up in the tenor range. I initially used a UMC204HD but have since upgraded to the MOTU M4 and have recorded all four mics for both audio interfaces. Feel free to also compare the sound between the audio interfaces. I'm not too well versed on the frequencies so any feedback would be appreciated.

All recordings were made in an untreated room, about 4 inches away, and the vocal chain is basically straight from the audio interface with no DAW used. Here's the recordings of me singing a part of an Usher (RnB Artist) song:

(Mics will be revealed in a day or two as to not present biases)

UMC204HD	MOTU M4
Mic 1	Mic 1
Mic 2	Mic 2
Mic 3	Mic 3
Mic 4	Mic 4

EDIT: As promised here is the reveal:

1. >!TLM 107!<
2. >!TLM 103!<
3. >!AKG C214!<
4. >!King Bee 2!<

I have a computer illiterate friend who needs to record music. I gave him my old Mac with GarageBand and that was too complicated for him. He's in his 40s and gives up on any tech he doesn't understand. I'd appreciate any suggestions for a 4-track or 8-track under $300. I use Logic, so I have no idea about what's out there these days. Help me please!